Updates... and A Farewell For Now

Came back from KL yesterday. Though it was quite disheartening to have been unable to meet my friends, I still had a good time in the capital.

First went to KLCC just to head to Kinokuniya - not to mention getting distracted by Toys 'r' Us because of Lego.

Went to Amcorp Mall the next day to get some bargain books. Bought myself a Neal Asher sci-fi novel, though I was disappointed that they didn't have copies of Frank Herbert's amazingly-written Dune, as well as some little souvenirs for Mom and some good friends of mine.

The following day had me going to 1U, though I found it to be immensely boring without any company.

And in between, gaming on my brother's recently upgraded computer. Haha, the gamer in me refuses to go away.

Now here I am at the La Salle Centre, posting what may be my final entry for the blog - well, for now.

While I can't deny posting on this blog has been quite fun, especially when I get some brainstorm for the next post, it's sad that the messages I try to convey (try as hard as I may) don't reach out to my intended audience. So for the time being, this blog will no longer be updated.

Unless the urge to blog comes back once in a while.

So thank you to those who have been supporting my blog all these years.

And cheers to all of you in your future endeavors.

See you guys soon.

Looking Back At 2011

2011 is already coming to an end. 'So soon?' you ask. 'But I wasn't even done!' Yes, many of us still feel like the year had just begun. Unfortunately, time has its way of passing by us without us knowing.

In any case, before we bid adieu to 2011, let's just take a quick look back at this tumultuous year and how it's altered life as we know it.

THE ARAB SPRING
One of the biggest world changing events, what began as a demand for a change in the administration of Tunisia had suddenly spread to numerous Middle Eastern countries like Egypt, Syria, Libya and a few other nations. Egypt saw the downfall of Hosni Mubarak's long reign of power, but the country still remains divided as the locals clashed with the military, demanding for fair elections. Syria remains in a volatile state; nobody is certain of what will happen next. Libya is slowly going through a transition period after Gaddafi's untimely death. The Middle East was definitely rocked by the Arab Spring, and the changes that followed were hailed as momentous occasions for different reasons. But I can't help but wonder if it really is over.

DEATH OF THE GREAT LEADER
The sudden death of North Korea's Great Leader put a lot of pressure on the world. What can be expected from his successor, Jong-un, now that he is the new leader of the last true Communist nation in the world? Already he's put all military activity on hold, but whether it's a smokescreen for something bigger or not remains to be seen. While the whole nation weeps and praises the 'divinity' of Jong-il's most favored son, the US and their South Korean allies have tightened security in preparation for what might be 'the next Big One'. I hope that it's not true.

THE COLLAPSE OF AL-QAEDA?
Osama bin Laden, the world's most infamous terrorist, was finally killed by US special forces in his 'secret' home, ending a manhunt for the world's most infamous terrorist and the man who fanned the fire of growing anti-US sentiment when Operation: Iraqi Freedom was launched. While he is still despised for his forever-remembered 9/11 attack, as well as numerous other terrorist operations worldwide, one can't help but feel a slight feeling of respect for the person who proved that even a mighty superpower like America could be challenged. Following his death, al-Qaeda has remained rather silent. But time can only tell when his successor would counter-attack.

POLITICAL CHANGES
Thailand went through some harsh times in terms of the political world, especially with so many people calling out for then-PM Abhisit's resignation. The elections saw the sister of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and political greenhorn Yingluck trumping Abhisit's party in the polls, but she now faces tough times ahead, especially regarding the floods that have devastated much of the nation. Meanwhile in Japan, the poor handling of the Fukushima reactor meltdown forced Prime Minister Naoto Kan to step down in the wake of growing sentiment over how his cabinet handled the crisis. Hopefully his successor Yoshihiko Noda will be able to turn things around in the next year.

NATURAL DISASTERS
Flash floods, hurricanes and earthquakes rocked the entire globe, with the unprecedented earthquake that rocked Christchurch early in February and the magnitude 8.9 earthquake and follow-up tsunami over in Japan being some of the worst that have ever been recorded. If that wasn't enough, don't forget the floods in Australia (January), severe weather in America (April-May), Hurricane Irene (August), floods in Thailand and the Phillipines, and other scenarios worldwide. Total damages are estimated at US$350 billion, with the crisis of Japan being the most costly of all, standing at approximately US$300 billion!

THE ROYAL AFFAIR
The wedding of Prince Charles and Kate Middleton on April 29th will be remembered as a true fairy tale wedding: the marriage between a dashing young prince and a beautiful commoner. And I gotta say it was indeed a grand wedding - the wedding of the decade, perhaps? I didn't watch the whole wedding, but it wasn't hard to tell that the millions of others watching it would never forget it at all. And while the wedding was the main attraction, let's not forget how Pippa Middleton charmed the pants off guys across the world, as well as that little girl on the balcony with the royal couple, sulking away with her ears stopped up!

HARIMAU MUDA BOLEH!
Our national football team did the country proud when they knocked Indonesia's socks off in last year's Suzuki Cup final. This year, they continued to excel by giving the visiting EPL football teams a run for their money in the friendlies they played, as well as bringing back a gold medal from the SEA Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Despite security concerns, the team still pulled it off and showed their rivals that Malaysia still has the Midas touch it had in the yesteryears. Kudos to them for bringing pride back to our country in the sports arena, as well as their determination and willpower to show that 'Malaysia Boleh!'

THE BERSIH 2.0 STORY
Another Bersih rally made headlines on July 9th, proving that Malaysians have had enough of all the unfairness happening. The Bersih proponents demanded for clean and fair elections in Malaysia, and the rally gathered as many as 150 thousand people taking to the streets, braving the police's best efforts in stopping the 'illegal' rally. But their determination and courage helped in making a change: already the EC is taking steps to ensure the next elections are fair, including the introduction of indelible ink among other things, as well as the enactment of the controversial Peaceful Assembly Bill, and several other initiatives. Who knows, Malaysia might just undergo the change we want to see.

FAREWELL STEVE
Steve Jobs, the infamous founder of Apple, passed away on October 5th, thus marking the passing of yet another great innovator and radical thinker. While many would disagree with his beliefs and his very conflicting personality, one cannot deny that he was instrumental in the advent of marvelous new technology that has got his rivals powering their R&D to take on Apple. It was due to Jobs' powerful ideas and his quirky/unorthodox methods that have helped Apple stay at the top of its game. With his demise, the world mourned the loss of a visionary who wasn't afraid to take the plunge into uncharted depths and forever revolutionized the world of technology.

WINEHOUSE HAS LEFT THE BUILDING
Amy Winehouse's death is another surprising one. While a heck load of people knew she had problems, nobody anticipated she would kick the bucket so soon. And when later it was made known that she was quite ready to release a whole new album, everyone felt even more saddened by these turn of events. Now that it has been released, people are wondering how it would really sound like if it was complete. Hopefully Amy would be resting in peace, knowing that her music will now live on forever.

THE MJ CASE VERDICT
MJ's doctor was convicted of intentionally killing the King of Pop, and the court's verdict has given relief to not only his close friends and family, but to the millions of fans out there. When the verdict was announced, I can easily imagine people screaming and jumping with sheer delight, apart from hurling more 'serves you right!' abuse at the doc. Wonder how MJ would react to these news up there.

TECHNO-MARVELS
Speaking of technology, we've seen so many new phone and tablet models being unveiled throughout the year. While the iPad was one of the biggest highlights, Apple's competitors were not very far behind. HTC unveiled a string of innovative smart phones, while Samsung became Apple's biggest challenger with its line of Galaxy smart phones and Tab series. Nokia had also launched a number of cool phones, including the fascinating N9, but at the moment seems to be trailing behind Samsung and Apple. In the computing world, ultrabooks are the new in-thing, boasting awesome CPUs and an ultra-light and slim body; 3D too has become a rave, with the introduction of 3D HDTVs and monitors.

GAMES GALORE
There have been so many games released this year, it's hard to keep track of all of them: StarCraft II: WIngs of Liberty, Assassin's Creed: Revelations, Fallout: New Vegas, The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, Batman: Arkham City, Crysis 2, Dawn of War II: Retribution - those are just some of the many awesome games out this year, and many of them have just blown the minds of gamers worldwide, especially Battlefield 3 and its amazing Frostbite 2.0 engine. Can't imagine what is going to come up next year!

MOVIE MANIA
And who can forget the movie world? We've had a string of hits and misses, and a number of them hint that there's more to come. (Example: The Avengers) Among some notable movies this year include The Muppets, Puss in Boots, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, The Ides of March, Songlap, Arthur Christmas, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, We Bought A Zoo, Hanna, Thor, Captain America, Fright Night, Kung Fu Panda 2, etc.

There may be more that I might have missed, so I'll update this if I do feel it's needed. Until then, Happy New Year everyone!

Post-Convention Thoughts

Change brings opportunity. ~ Nido Qubein

The 21st National La Sallian Leaders' Convention came and went just like that. Time really flies, doesn't it?

When we first came together on the 16th of December, none of us knew what was in store for us. Well, maybe except myself. Even though this would mark the first time I came for the Convention, I had quite a bit of knowledge on what to expect thanks to early exposure to the La Sallian spirit and values and through my time from organizing this year's Northern Regionals. Of course, the most important thing that would come to us would be change. But where are we to change? Which explains why I came for the Convention: how are we going to change and make a difference? I wanted to know. Hopefully, I would know just where to start.

The Heritage play struck me the most throughout the entire Convention. I'd seen one and helped direct another, but none could compare to how the performance stayed very faithfully to the real La Sallian story. It was from that onwards that I knew I was bound to be awakened to something new in the next few days, something that I never really noticed or learned up till now. That was an opportunity I knew I had to seize.

And I was right. All our sessions, games and reflections helped each and every one of us realize how our world is suffering at the hands of the ignorant, the sinful and such others. They challenged our thinking, our beliefs, our principles. They made us see how real these problems are. They made us realize that change is a must to make things better. They made us realize we are not alone in this noble mission.

Change means that what was before wasn't perfect. People want things to be better. ~ Esther Dyson

In between, there were definitely moments of fun and laughter. Lame jokes, IQ tests and sharing sessions allowed us to build new bonds of friendship between fellow La Sallians. And I must admit that the sessions I led after the end of the day were kinda spontaneous. I only believed that each and every one of us has something to share. So why not allow that voice to come out to the fore?

And as I have said many times, my enthusiasm was at its peak. Never have I actually unleashed so much energy in any other camp I've been to. What made me do it? I don't even know why. But I'm glad that I did it. I'm glad I got the ball rolling for everyone.

And as the days rolled by, I stopped once in a while to check my affirmation pouch. Honestly, you guys and girls honor me with your affirmations, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how many I have at the end of the day. I never intended to be affirmed for my deeds. I only wanted everybody to just feel proud of what they learned and to go out into the world with their eyes open.

And I never thought I'd say this: 'Open your eyes, ears, heart and mind, and you can make that change.' I told Wei Kit that, and in hindsight, I didn't really understand how I said that to him. But now that I look back, I must say it was my experiences that helped me form those words.

I guess change came in the most surprising of ways to me.

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. ~ Leo Tolstoy

Most of us really think we can one day change the world. I hope that Convention made you realize that only when you start from within can you really help the world.

My parents were instrumental in making sure me and my elder brother learned good moral values that have shaped the way we see the world. We used to live a comfortable life, and back then, I wasn't the person I am now. Time has its ways of changing a person. The events that I had to go through brought me new insights to what Life is really all about. And I'm thankful I had to go through all those to reach where I am now.

Now I live a simple life, and I do confess it's not as easy as it once was. But me and my family get by. Besides, I'm thankful I come from a caring family. Though things haven't really been looking up and may just become better than before.

Another thing I'll point out is that, honestly, I'm quite socially inept, especially with women. Ironic? There are just times when I say or do things that are (a) said at the wrong time; (b) lame; (c) misinterpreted; and a few other reasons. And I'm saying this based on personal experience. I've lost - and almost lost - friends because of that, and even now I regret my actions. So if I did say or do something without realizing its damaging effect, I offer my sincerest apologies. I'm pretty much at war with myself, but rest assured that I'm not intending on giving up.

It's all about accepting change. And I'm glad I accepted it.

Before we acquire great power we must acquire wisdom to use it well.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

When the last day came, it was indeed a very sad occasion. But despite that, I'm very happy. I'm overjoyed, really! Finally, we've come to our journey's end - but it's only the end of the Convention. Once you return home and return to school, then you're back to reality. That marks the beginning of a new journey: one that may lead us across numerous obstacles. But as long as we hold on to our beliefs and make that leap of faith, surely nothing, not even a force of nature, can stop us.

Of course, I cannot deny there will be times when all seems hopeless. I assure you, change is never easy. But if you are willing to make sacrifices, then by all means do it. If you have doubts, confide in your friends. We have the Facebook group not just to keep everyone connected. Use it to share your doubts, your sorrows, your victories, your lessons learned. It's a platform to remind us that what we do is for the greater good of all. Altruistic love is what we practise.

I have this quote I'd like to share, found on the tomb of an Anglican bishop of the 11th Century:

When I was young and free my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable. As I grew in my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now as I lay on my deathbed, I suddenly realized: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed my world.

Small steps. Small steps are capable of making that difference. Now that we know ourselves, it's high time we took all that we've learned to walk the talk and hopefully bring about the change we want to see. If we agree that another world is possible, then I can tell you that it starts from us. Don't think of today as another one in paradise. Paradise isn't here yet. We need to work for it.

Are you with me and the La Sallian dream? Then let's make that step forward together as a family. And let us not forget there are thousands of others out there who share in our dream. Let's unite them as well and make the difference.

Understanding someone properly involves learning from him, and learning from someone properly involves changing oneself.
~ Hans Kung

Before I end, I'd like to affirm each and every one of you who participated in the Convetion whether as a Delegate, an accompanying teacher, an OT or even as a facilitator. I may not have talked to you much, nor would I have been able to write to each of you, but let me make it clear that I acknowledge you for who you are. No matter what our background may be, we are all the same. I am, you are, we are La Sallians. Never forget that!

And lastly, I will set up a blog for ourselves to be used as a platform for sharing other insights, personal experiences, projects and such that we could not shared throughout the Convention. Your contributions to this new blog - which I will name Journeying With The Dream - will be very important to helping everybody remember our mission and our responsibilities, as well as learn new lessons that will be key in making their dreams come true. Please feel free to email me with your stories and I will do my very best to publish them on this blog. If you do not know my email, drop by the blog once its complete. You'll definitely find it listed there.

Also, for those who have regular Internet access (I don't have any at home) and are willing to lend a hand, please let me know first hand. I need other administrators who can receive and publish stories on the blog whenever I'm not online. This blog might just be that first step in starting a chain reaction for the better.

Signum Fidei, brothers and sisters! And until the next time we meet, good luck and God bless.

...do all the good you can
to all the people you can
in all the ways you can
as long as ever you can
~ D.L. Moody

Thoughts: What's Happened To The REAL Michaelian Spirit?

How it saddens me that the Michaelian Spirit has become debased, flawed and tainted by the student community that comes and goes through their time here in the prestigious institute that is St. Michael's.

How has it come to this, I ask?

The real Michaelian Spirit has been buried beneath the taint that it now wears around its shoulders. It now carries a most dishonorable reputation among the Ipoh folk, for whenever they hear the name of our school, rather than remember it as the premier school it is known as in the past, parents dread to hear of its name and the notoriety of its students.

They whisper to one another, "That boy is from St. Michael's? I can't believe his parents would actually send him to that God-forsaken school. It almost seems like the students run the institution, not the teachers!"

The real Michaelian Spirit is an extension of the virtues that De La Salle and his fellow Brothers practise and preach during their times in educating the lost, the last, the least and the lonely. It also encompasses the moral values we Asians are proud of, thus creating a peaceful, pleasant atmosphere between the students and their teachers.

After all, wasn't this the very school that created the leaders of today? Wasn't this the school that saw the rise of numerous sporting legends, corporate figures, top executives and the like? Wasn't this school renowned for its exceptional student leaders? Wasn't this school a formidable force in debating?

How the times have changed. Today, the near-century old school is nothing but a shadow of its former glory. Its walls are defaced with pointless graffiti. Its paint is peeling away at the hands of unscrupulous kids. Its hallways filled with the loud chatter of boys and girls in the classes, or of students running from one end to the other, engaging in races and other games. Fights often break out when it is least expected. Teachers have a hard time controlling the situation, which is slowly taking a toll on them in more than one way.

These problems were unheard of in the past. During the tenure of the Brother-Directors, I'd say the cane was the final resort when it comes to disciplinary cases. (Brother Pius is to be thanked for introducing it into circulation in SMI) Where once it was THE symbol of fear in the hearts of students, now it has become nothing more than a symbol of office for disciplinary teachers, a tool to "discipline" rowdy/indignant students who don't seem to be fazed by it. What happened?

Even when SMI DID face critical issues on gangsterism, the much-loved former principal Mr Louis was the one who stepped in and changed everything for the better. In fact, the school flourished under his capable leadership. He was, after all, a former Michaelian who was dedicated in keeping the real Michaelian Spirit alive and burning in the hearts and minds of the students. Upon his departure, things only went downhill. And among the early victims included our Michaelian Spirit.

So why should our school, a premier institute of education proud of the rich La Sallian history behind its existence, suffer from such social degradation? While I cannot deny that there are certain parties who don't seem to give a hoot about our school's condition, neither the building nor the good reputation the Brother-Directors left behind shouldn't be allowed to be tarnished.

So, what has happened to the Michaelian Spirit? Has it finally died, poisoned by the actions of the new young generations? Nay, it's just lost in translation, another victim in the declining social environment here in Malaysia, sharing the same fate as many other different scenarios. (All of them related to local culture and the like) There's no telling when the real Michaelian Spirit will ever return. But looking at the school's current sorry state, I doubt it will ever resurface.

Someone please do something.

Thoughts: Discrimination Abound

The recent headlines have brought me back to face my computer screen and blog about one particular topic: prejudice.

In fact, it was thanks to Marina Mahathir's Musings that was printed in Wednesday's The Star that made me type this out. In her post, she writes of the discrimination, hate and inherent mistrust upon Muslims across the globe after the September 11th attacks, and how this can be changed with better knowledge of the Islamic world and its customs, traditions and so forth. Not only that, following the breakout of the Arab Spring that has affected the Middle East for months now, many people have changed their stance with Muslims and are beginning to see them in a different light.

I shall quote Marina Mahathir:

Ten years later, although it cannot be said that Islamophobia has disappeared, Western perspectives on Islam have become more measured and based on better knowledge. One of the biggest boosts... has been the Arab Spring. 

Suddenly the images of Muslims were young, modern and protesting not about the West, but about their own corrupt leaders... in 2011 the Middle East became associated with the yearning for freedom and democracy, one not too different from what developed countries enjoyed. 

Women were seen at the forefront of the revolution, both head-scarved and not, and changed the image of the oppressed Muslim woman. 

It just goes to show that prejudice and discrimination, both rooted in fear of the unknown, can always be dispelled with better knowledge, at least in those willing to learn...

I can honestly tell you that I have been oblivious to what has happened to the Middle East before the Arab Spring started. I had actually believed that even after 9/11 the Arab world was relatively peaceful, if not shaken to its core after the horrifying disaster. Yes, you could say I was ignorant to what was really happening. But when the Arab Spring broke out it made me see just how the Middle East had its own fair share of problems - and not just because of the militant movements that lurk in the shadows.

While it is good to see reconciliation between the Muslim world and the rest of the globe's population coming to terms with one another, it is important to note that all this fear, hate and discrimination is the fault of mass media.

What we've seen on TV are nothing but 'angry bearded men wielding weapons and shouting threats to the West.' The media somewhat branded the Islamic community as terrorists, undemocratic, violent, oppressors of women. The media brazenly trumpeted the so-called "dark side of Islam". All we've seen and heard on the news have been filled with stereotypes of Muslim people - of those who rashly reacted in anger over the West's actions - and from here fear - and prejudice - came and took everyone by the throat.

That's funny. I've always learned from the history books that Islam is no different from any other religion - always differing right from wrong; doing more good for the community; inculcating moral values within the family; and so on. And all it took were a few reports from the media to incite so much negativity.

Already others have been affected by this Islamophobia. A Sikh man killed because he was wearing a turban. Orthodox Jewish rabbis pulled off a plane for praying in a language other passengers didn't understand. Special inspections for people with even the slightest tinge of an Arabic name. Suddenly, no longer can anyone trust their Muslim friends for just about anything.

If it wasn't for the commitment of certain individuals who have defiantly stood up to educate the masses on Islam, be they Muslims or non-Muslims, surely Islamophobia would continue to thrive. And while it still does remain in the hearts of people who ignorantly refuse to accept the truth, it's great news to see this hysteria seems to have subsided to much lower levels. Either that, or the news continues to hide the facts from the public.

And while we're still on the subject of prejudice, what about closer to home? I can tell you now that when I first heard of the Seksualiti Merdeka Carnival and its ban by the police, I thought the police were doing the right thing. Don't ask me why; it just didn't seem right to me at that point in time.

Naturally, I changed my stance after reading some articles, and based on my own beliefs: just like what Marina Mahathir said of the Islamic world, shouldn't the LGBT community be given time to explain itself? Shouldn't we be open to what they have to say?

I believe that many people who read this would be angered by my stance - especially those who say it's not right to be that way. Well, what do you want to do about it? Start some kind of witch hunt and burn them all at the stake? Would that really work? Would you stop them?

You wouldn't. You can never be able to stop them. No matter how much you try, it's like trying to exterminate weeds.

I have heard of cases where parents disown their children because they're different. I have seen how these people are shunned from the community just because they are who they are. Can we blame them for being different? If my child came to me one day and admitted that he/she was one of them, should I disown him /her too?

As human beings, we should have the heart to look after one another despite our differences. So why are we resorting to all this unnecessary hate?

The Seksualiti Merdeka event isn't trying to convince people that promiscuity and such is the way to go. Rather, from my standpoint, it's a platform to allow the LGBT minority to have their say among the majority; it's to allow them to slowly assimilate themselves into the rakyat and be useful to the nation. Rather than let them rot working as sex workers in some dirty back alley, shouldn't we give them the right to work in offices as desk clerks, or even as engineers or lawyers?

So who's to blame? Not just the media. Oh, no. Even political parties  from both sides of the fence are to be blamed for using their power to leverage against the event - from religious hardliners and even to learned men. And why is Datuk Ambiga taking so much flak just because she was to launch the event? Is it because she was part of the controversial Bersih 2.0 campaign? Is it because of her so-called 'pact' with Pakatan? Is it more than those reasons? I leave the politicking to you folks.

She should be applauded for being brave enough to do such a thing. I mean, who would when they'd rather not use their reputation for something good like this. What's keeping us from supporting their cause? The fear and the resulting discrimination we've held against the LGBT community? It's because of those few bad eggs who tarnish the reputation of their fellows.

Even I am to be blamed for disrespecting their kind. But I've realized that it's wrong to do so. Besides, who am I to blame them? They're no different from you and I.

I just hope that the organizers would be able to meet with the IGP and discuss matters peacefully. If the green light is finally given, they definitely deserve a pat on the back.

It's high time we lifted the veil off the subject and bring light to an otherwise misunderstood topic.

Plans?

Not really sure yet.

First there's Convention coming up around the 16th or 17th. That's 5 days of fun and learning at the LSC that I can't wait to join up for.

Then there's free guitar lessons over at the FGA. So I'm thinking, 'Why not?' If, of course, I can get my own guitar or lend one from someone.

Then there's work. Planning to go Maxis, but... I need to call the person in charge soon, or maybe I won't have a place anymore.

Of course, there's more FT activities to be held next year, like the one I planned to do this year. Hopefully, if time permits then I will definitely go for them.

So that's it for now. If anything else... I might consider.

Cheers all.

Updates

Sixth Form Grad Night (or the more politically correct term "Evening"/"High Tea") came and went, just like that.

It was good fun. Everyone dressed up in their nicest outfits, brought their cameras and phones and arrived to have themselves a good time. I do believe everyone enjoyed themselves to the max.

Cameras flashed; camera phones snapped; laughter echoed in the halls; food and drink; couples smiling; teachers joining in the fun - yeah, there was a lot of activity going on. Managed to get myself lots of personal snaps, so thanks guys and gals!

And of course, it wouldn't be complete without the performances. Everybody involved did amazing, and I do hope that my rendition of "Hey Soul Sister" was good enough. (Although the little slip-up was not accounted for ><) The wait for my turn was killing me, and I worried it'd affect my performance.

My humblest thanks to RJ, Samuel, Tihn Chern and Mark for being there to help with their music, but most importantly for being there for me, knowing that I would do OK. Seriously, my heart was pounding like a machinegun up until my part came. And when it came to pass, I felt relieved. And when I heard that it was pretty good, I felt better - uplifted, actually.

And the fact that we only managed to have some rehearsals in the past two days, with so little time, how we managed to do it was... wow. Just like that.

In fact, I'd say they did better than I. But then again, we all did it alright.

Anyway, it's back to reality. I'll try to put up all the pix I took (and they're mostly personal shots, though not many) in FB, so don't worry about it aites?

Cheers all.

Time Flies

And yes, Time has flown by so quickly.

I've just managed to view Mabel's commemorative tribute to her three-year old blog. It only seemed like yesterday when we started our respective blogs, hasn't it?

To me, blogging still remains a new experience for me.

Well, unless you think my two years in blogging do not make me a relatively new blogger.

Truth be told, I've had an old blog before this, but that was when I was still a naive, young kid. It ended pretty quickly. But at least I picked up the pieces and moved on.

According to Blogger, I've been a part of them since February 2007. Wait, seriously?

Believe it!

Oh yes, that's... pretty surprising. Heck, I don't even remember being part of them since then!

Unless it also included me being part of the Gmail family. Who knows?

Unfortunately, I don't have the time to actually do a big commemorative piece for "I Am..." (formerly known as "Life Is...") but maybe I'll consider one next year, when I have all the time to do it.

In the meantime, cheers!

Events, Events

Tentatively, I'm planning to have a little outing after the STPM and probably after the Nationals as well.

Details are vague at the moment, but the purpose is to just hike around Ipoh, specifically Old Town, and take snapshots of life in Ipoh and perhaps serve as a window to the past. Besides, I need materials for my soon-to-be photo gallery. So if you'd like to join me, do come and meet me anytime. I'll keep putting up updates on this event from time to time.

Of course there'll be lunch. Maybe I'm planning to have this outing last till the evening. But it all depends on you guys. If possible, I'd like to ask those who drive to help out. But as I said, it all depends.

If it IS possible, I even intend to go about the state and take photos. But that one remains a dream.

Though be warned: I'm not planning to have a large group come with me. My group limit will be 10 people (including myself) but if I feel the need to add more members, I'd probably increase the quota to 12-15 people.

In the meantime, I also need some help with Photoshop. Before we all go our separate ways, can i ask if someone could provide me with some how-to's on the software? It'd help me in preparing the gallery's displays. This can be done after the STPM too, maybe on the weekends.

I'll let you guys know soon enough. Cheers!

Entries

The nemesis came again

Marching in full force

Could it be over soon?

Could this war come full circle?

For years

I have did battle with it

The nemesis and I

Know each other well

Far too well, in fact

For all our conflict

Has led us to learn of the other's strength

And that of his weakness too

But time and again

I have proven resourceful

Wily and cunning

The nemesis

It learns

Years have flown by

And those years have done little

To whittle its strength

It becomes greater by the day

By the hour

By the minute

By every passing second

Slowly my will falters

With every passing moment

The poisons of the nemesis

Beginning to work

Their dark magicks

Walls crumble and fall

The nemesis pours his malice

His rage and fury

Through the cracks

His minions march relentlessly

While my men

Brave as they are

They are no match to something

Incomparable to the mortal soul

The nemesis knows it will win

But the question is:

When?

One last fortress stands now

The rest all but conquered

Under the banner of the nemesis

The mighty bastion

A firm testament

Of endurance, strength and determination

Manned by hundreds of thousands

Loyal men and women

Willing to give their lives

To defend what is dearest to us

All of us

I watch the horizon

The trails of smoke

Signifying the nemesis's army

Coming from the south

Approximately fifty kilometers

From where I stood

I couldn't help but wonder

What could I expect from this?

Defeat?

Victory?

"It's all up to you"

Says the stranger

Sipping on tea

With scones on the side

Watching the smoke plumes rise

From the campfire next to me

Wait

How is it that he's here?

"Don't you know me well enough by now?"

He grinned

As he always does

I saunter up to him

Troops passing me by

Engrossed with preparations

I take a seat next to him

And he proffers a scone

"It's tasty," he adds

I take one

Hesitantly

Before I open my m0uth to ask

He answers

"It's only a dream after all"

I blink

Is he speaking the truth?

"Of course!

How is it

That you're fighting off

An unspeakable evil

When you're actually

On a train ride

Going somewhere

In hopes of finding answers?"

I blink

He definitely is speaking truth

"What you face now,"

He continues

Another scone down

Sipping his tea

"This nemesis

I believe it's an extension

Of your dark side

Or something you've been hiding

What could it be?

I believe you should tell me that

What are you hiding?"

"My insecurities, stranger

My fears

My doubts

My despair

My loneliness

My...

Well

Essentially, my pessimism

No more, no less

The fight here is

More or less

A metaphorical description

Of the mental battle I wage

Likened to be a real conflict

And

I'm on the losing side"

I finish with a sigh

He offered another scone

As he thought

Of what he should say

It seems so easy

For one like him

To offer advice

"It's a war alright"

He looks around him

At the soldiers pacing up and down

A menagerie of veterans

And brave civilians

"I can imagine

The troops are your mental 'resolve'

The only thing standing

In fear's way

But...

For an army

It seems so insignificant"

"I've told you," I reply

"I'm on the losing side

My morale's never been this low

In fact

It's become a battle

Just to get through a day

Without any bruises or wounds"

"It's funny

You only found out

About your condition

Only days ago

And already you're giving up?

Are you kidding?

You're such a pessimist"

I hang my head

"If you didn't know already

I AM ONE

And there's nothing I can do

To change that fact"

"See a doctor first

Then talk

You haven't even started

And already you're complaining?

You're a joke, boy"

"Listen!"

I stand up in anger

The stranger gazes at me

Not surprised

Perhaps expecting my tantrum?

The others ignore us

As they continue to make ready

For the following

"If you were in my shoes

Then you'd understand

How I really feel"

"No matter how much

How much I fight

Every time I reach

A break through

The nemesis finds a weakness

And back it is to square one

He is anathema

The perfect embodiment

Of my worst nightmare

Everything goes down the drain

Everything

Everything!"

"How long have I been fighting now?

Too many years now!

All the conflict we've waged

Up until this point

I don't want to fight

I'm sick and tired

I'm weary and weak

I can't go on any further

I really can't

No more

Not anymore"

My shoulders stoop

The stranger keeps his eyes on me

He nods

"Then

I guess

This marks the end of my journey

With you, my friend

I cannot help you

Win this war

It is one

You have to win yourself

Thus

I wish you well

And I wish you peace"

He rises from his seat

Teacup still in his hand

Now empty

Pats my shoulder

And disappears

Klaxons blare

Someone in the distance

Screams in panic

Another shouts

The enemy approaches!

In the distance

Legions of the nemesis' men

March to claim victory

While in the fortress

Prayers

Tears

Farewells

Preparations

Weapon checks

The lot

The stranger is gone now

Forever?

Honestly?

I don't know

I'm lost now

The enemy approaches

And I worry

This battle may be my last

Fear not, friends

The entries will continue

So long as I live

But I live in the shadow

Of my own fears

And that of the nemesis

That lurks inside me

He taunts me all the time

Enticing me to fight on

Should I?

For too long now I've been fighting

I don't know what else

I have left in me

Maybe I've no other choice

But to finish this

And see how it ends

If I fall

Bury me in an unmarked grave

Somewhere on the outskirts

Close to nature

Have a small tombstone

And on it

Etch my epitaph

"If only I were better

Than who I was"

Send me a garland of flowers

Once a year

And remember me

For the little good that I've done

For you

If any at all

I pray that this is not the end

Thoughts

Evangelists. Not that I have anything against them, but I don't understand why they're so intent on converting everybody.

Shouldn't they have some respect for the other person's religion if he/she doesn't want to convert?

This was the case just this Wednesday (a public holiday, no less) when a woman (of which group/church I will not state here) were in my neighborhood. One woman came to the gate and talked to my mum about "the changing world" and all that jazz. Sure, it's changing, we can see it in the papers, duh.

After she left (leaving behind a magazine or something) another group happened to pass by. Another woman came to the gate and started asking the same things, this time to me. I kept insisting - very politely, mind you - that her friend had already come and left us a nice little gift. But the aunty just kept on insisting to talk to us and trying to convince us she's up to no harm, until finally she relented and left us a present too.

My mum was annoyed. "Nuisance(s)," she muttered angrily.

C'mon now, we're happy with our religion and faith. Why should we convert? Why, 'cause - according to some hardliners - if we don't we go to Hell? Bullshit.

None of MY Christian friends (and I have many) ever asked me to convert. And they never told me that I'd go to Hell if I didn't. So what's wrong with this picture?

Let's not get too overanxious with all this, can we? Everybody has a choice. So please, understand that WE have already made our choice. Thank you.

Cheers all.

The London Crisis: A Post

For this post, I will take this opportunity to salute and praise the English police forces for their valiant efforts in keeping the rioters at bay in the days that have seen some of the worst rioting throughout the nation in decades, not forgetting the 2009 riot at the G20 summit, where a man was killed by a police officer while trying to control the demonstration.

It's not an easy job, being a policeman - especially in a tumultuous time like this. What started off as small-scale protests eventually flared into nationwide panic that has drowned many parts of London - from Tottenham, Clapham and Catford, to Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. Properties are being looted, buildings and cars burned, people attacked - nothing and no one is spared from the wrath of the rioters.

How did all this boil down to this? Everyone has an opinion. Some say it's the youth's discontentment with the economy and/or government. Others say it was an instigated act of violence to topple Prime Minister David Cameron's administration. Few also believe this has a link to racial discrimination. But amidst all the confusion the fact remains the same: Britain is on the verge of a societal collapse. If the crisis is not averted soon, this may end up becoming a scene from Alan Moore's "V for Vendetta", where the public marched in anger against the iron-fisted regime of fictional fascist leader Adam Susan.

But how soon can this crisis be resolved? The Metropolitan Police has its hands full - even with 32,000 sworn officers, 9,000 special constables and community officers, as well as 14,000 civilian staff, they have to raise the numbers on duty to 16,000 in this week. And if that's not enough, officers have to work long hours just to ensure the streets are safe from rioters. Through social media and blogs, officers who have posted in the time of the riots have expressed themselves on what it is like to go through the daily horrors that plague much of London now. One officer, in his Twitter post, said: "Sunday 23hr shift. break pre-briefing + snacks/2 bottles water. No further food/water supplied. Monday 18hr shift. No break/water/food."

Hours later, the same officer posted this: "Been pelted with again with bottles and bricks. Looting happening everywhere. 15hr shift & counting."

PC Richard Stanley posted a picture of stressed out police colleagues resting, their heads slumped on canteen tables, exhausted both mentally and physically after the long, long hours (and days) of hard work through the brutality they face. That image is a very strong message that shows how the police are so seriously affected just to keep order in check across London.

But the police aren't just the only ones being brutalized. Fellow Malaysian Mohammed Ashraf Haziq was attacked and robbed and left to bleed, before being robbed again; Tariq Jahan, killed by looters as he and two Asian friends patrolled their neighbourhood in Birmingham; Polish woman Monika Konzyk, who had to leap from her burning flat set alight by looters; there are many more unnamed and unknown individuals out there who are suffering just as much yet are not given any form of aid, what with the police having their hands full.

Britain is losing face in the eyes of the global community. Many individuals have slammed against Cameron's ineffectiveness; his vacation trip that somehow coincided with his deputy's holiday; the proposed plan to cut the police's budget by about £2 million; and so much more. The nation's credibility as a free, peaceful, democratic nation is being chiselled away by these turn of events - and fast, if I may add. As Monika herself put it after her ordeal: "I thought London was a civilized society full of gentlemen and ladies - but it's not like that. England has become a sick country."

It's becoming a serious mess now, the situation.

But thankfully, there are still a handful of people who still have a heart of gold. These individuals, though not many, come out into the streets to clean up the debris and, for some like Philippa Morgan-Walker and her husband Johnny, handing out light refreshments and snacks to weary officers after battling the protesters for hours without any rest. Others have voiced out their support to policemen who pass by, with some even asking why couldn't the violence be meted out on an equal scale. Even in these dark hours, these few men and women showed that, despite all its faults, Britain is still full of Good Samaritans that has not fully caught the public eye. Even in Clapham Junction, there have been many inspirational scrawlings on walls and such that show how much support the police is receiving from the general public. One quote I like is this particularly vocal one: "You can shatter our glass but not our community!"

Apart from that, Tariq's father Jahan made public his hopes that things would change. Even though his son was killed, he did not demand that revenge was served. His message was clear: "I don't want any of you to fight." He is a prime example we should all salute in the ensuing chaos.

After reading so much about the disorder happening there, it actually made me realize that society has degraded so far in the years that passed. In England itself, a lot of people blame the education system for being the cause of creating so many unruly youngsters. But it's not confined to just the British: many other countries, like that of Libya, Egypt and Syria, are going through anarchy in the people's desperate fight for freedom from tyranny and oppression. As Raja Zarith Idris herself stated in her article in the recent Sunday Star, she has noted that society's attraction to materialistic wealth has taken a big toll on the world community. Moral values and virtues have become a thing of the past now. And that has led to these events.

Even Malaysia itself is a victim of many internal conflicts. But I leave that to the politicians until the next elections.

Raja Zarith Idris's opinions echo very well the problems Mankind needs to overcome before it can achieve peace. I find it very unnerving to read this particular passage in her article, which highlights the truth of our current situation:

A couple of years ago, I was flipping through one of those glossy society magazines and I saw a designer handbag that costs RM90,000. Would I have asked my husband to buy it for me? No, because the sight of those flood victims standing in line to receive just RM500 makes such a purchase sinful. How many families would the cost of that handbag help feed?

We should learn from the mistakes of Britain. Perhaps from there, our road to salvation will be much more uneventful.

Cheers all. And God bless the Met for their continued endeavours to keep London safe.

(Sourced from news reports from Guardian News and Media, The Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Star)

Updates From The La Salle Centre

Was planning to write something longer with the time I have left. But it can be hard for the mind to let imagination flow when you just woke up, like, 20 minutes ago.

Still feeling pretty sleepy, I admit.

But anyway, FT2 was a great weekend. Full of thrills, good food, lame jokes, fun and games and the like. Also, the later session yesterday opened our eyes to how politics greatly affects our lives, whether we like it or not. A very insightful topic, it was, and everybody learned something new.

The day will be over at 1.30pm later, so it's kinda sad to leave. But at least there're new friends to meet in the upcoming Nationals. Hopefully I'll be able to attend. Wouldn't miss it for the world!

Snapshots

Here are more photos from the 1Murid run. Cheers!

Xinh Guan and his diabolo.

Sandy Dandy.

OMG! It's HAW TUNG!!!

Jia Kai says peace!

Ramzali, ever so enthusiastic.

Debbie and Brandon =)

Neoh promotes 100 Plus.

Rock star Yean Kit!

Cindy smiles.

Two cool cats, Mark and Neoh.

Shots From 1Murid. 1Sekolah, 1Malaysia

Guang Yong and Shassi pose with the "billboards" that promote our G6 stall. Fly over here, yo!

Wisma Milo replica.

Our welcome sign!

Even Mrs Yee patronized our little stall!

Our junior Council members in action.

Tihn Chern promoting the T-shirts and bags we were selling.

Ashiran stole the show with his "Buy 5, free me!" lines.

Our (sold out) 100 Plus cans!

Another bid to get people to buying our non-consumable products.