From My Inbox: Picture of Peace

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artist tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.



One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peacefully towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.



The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.



But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on the nest--in perfect peace.



Which picture do you think won the prize? The king chose the second picture. Do you know why?



"Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."



-Catherine Marshall

From the book: "Stories for the Heart"

Multomah Books

PEE Plate

I'm not going to be caught dead with this car plate number hehe...

Be Indifference For Our Peace Of Mind

Idlan wrote this in her blog:-

"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference" - Elie Wiesel

What a beautiful sayings. While Idlan says indifference can be our biggest enemy, I think indifference is necessary to deal with a person who is not worth our attention, emotion and reaction.



Someone said something hurtful today. I'm not actually sad. It is more of an annoyance that someone choose to does that when I have not done anything to him. It seems he is not man enough to take the email I forwarded to one of my yahoogroup as how any forwarded email should be taken.



I've said my piece and he did not apologize for attacking me over a forwarded email or just leave things as it is if an apology is too much for his ego. While I strongly feel like giving another counter attack, I've decided not to. His opinion did not matter. He can wallow in his bitterness for all I care. While the world would be better without such people, there are quite many of them around and we have to tolerate their existence. Be indifference for our peace of mind.

From My Inbox: THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES

Outwit...Outsmart...Outplay...Outlast...Outta here



6 married men will be dropped on an island with 1 car and 6 kids each, for 6 weeks. Each kid plays 3 sports and either takes music, dance classes or is in Scouts/Brownies. There is no access to fast food.



Each man must:

- take care of his 6 kids

- keep his assigned house clean

- have dinner on the table by 6:30pm

- no TV dinners and different meals each night (meals must be balanced and consist of meat, potatoes, vegetables and salad)

- correct all homework

- complete science projects

- do the laundry

- iron clothes for school

- run errands

- feed and take care of assorted pets

- car pool

- do volunteer work

- juggle the household budget

- get kids to doctor, dentist appointments, sports and music or Scout/Brownie activities (on time)

- purchase/wrap all birthday, anniversary, holiday gifts

- maintain all appliances and car in perfect working condition



The men only have access to television when the kids are asleep, all chores have been done, and they are ready to collapse. There is only 1 TV between them and there is no remote access.



The men must look attractive and keep fit at all times, shave their armpits and legs, have their hair clean and styled, and wear makeup daily, which they must apply themselves, either while driving or while making 6 lunches.



They must always have something interesting to say and attend weekly PTA meetings and all other school functions (baking for said functions is mandatory).



They must also clean up after their sick children at 3:00am; and be able to make an Indian hut model with 6 toothpicks, a stale tortilla and 1 dried out magic marker; plus get a 4-year-old to eat at least 1 serving of greens everyday.



Oh yes, one more thing. The married man must hold down an 8 hour a day job to help with finances.



The kids vote them off the island, based on performance.



The last man wins .......only if he has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse - without whining, and at a moment's notice.



If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over again for the next 18-25 years...eventually earning the right to be called "Mother."



One more thing, they cannot kill themselves or the kids, or they automatically get voted off.

Horse Riding In Feringghi

What better way to spend your holiday than to watch the sunrise and ride a horse at the beach. This is a new experience for me. One I'll never forget. Riding a horse is the highlight of the holiday. There is no fear, just anticipation. I love to do even silly quizzes sometimes when I'm bored and I have answered 'to be as free as a horse' or similar answer to most quizzes I've attempted. The answers vary actually between being as free as a horse or free as a fish. But now I really get the feel of riding a horse. Its an exhilarating experience and the after effect, I'll grimace with pain when I have to sit down :)

Very painful ler. I just wonder how it is for those who have to ride long distance and spend days on a horse. It feels wonderful to get away from work. Really, really get away. Not just by switching off the laptop.

I Am Not After Your Husband!!!

I'm mad!!! Extremely mad!!! Mad!!! Mad!!! Mad!!! How would you feel if an old lady (who is of a different race and religion from you) got jealous of you with their equally old husband (who is also of a different race and religion from you)??!!!



Firstly, your husband is a married man. Secondly, he is OLD. Besides the different race and religion, he also got no money maa... The fact that I'm not married does not mean I'm lusting after your old husband or just any man for that matter lah. Give me a break!!! Give me some benefit of the doubt that I have at least some taste where men are concerned. I have nothing against inter-racial marriage. Religion is also no barrier when it comes to love. But let me put down a list for you:-



1. Your husband is a MARRIED man.

2. Your husband is OLD.

3. Your husband is of a DIFFERENT religion.

4. Your husband is of a DIFFERENT race.

5. Your husband has no MONEY.



Now, please tell me WHERE the possible attraction is!!



For those who knew me, I'm not the flirty type. I don't even know how to flirt. I'll roll my eyes if I see women flirt and the guys can't control themselves. I want to find a man who avoids flirty woman like a disease. If they can't avoid flirty woman now, there's not much chance they'll avoid flirty woman when they're married. As far as I know, I've been as civilized and friendly as you're supposed to be to anyone whom you have no romantic interest on.



I don't know where she gets such idea. Is it her hobby to make trouble with other people or just a way to get the husband's attention? Whatever it is, do not involve me lah. I know for a fact her husband is a family man and he is committed to his work. Even if he has problem with the wife, I know he loves his children very much and the children prefers daddy to temperamental mommy. I don't think I want to tolerate an irrational menopausal stranger.



Her latest issue is my overpowering perfume. Firstly, I rarely wear perfume because I'm always running late to work and forgot to wear some. I'm more confident with myself if I wear light perfume whenever I go out of course. But because I always forgot to wear them, I've bought a cheap perfumed musk and put it in my car. The scent did not last very long but at least it gives me the strip of confidence whenever I need it. Now, when someone complaints about my overpowering perfume, I know she only wants to find fault with me. That only means one thing. I will wear more perfume even if I can't stand it just to piss her off hehehe... >:)

From An Amateurish And Untrained Anthropologist Perspectives

This is a view from an amateurish, untrained anthropologist...



The society begins with a man (Adam) and a woman (Eve), living together under the institution of marriage. God is their witness. They copulate; have children and the children then follow the same step of marriage and having children of their own. This continues for decades, interspersed with societies being destroyed by war and natural disasters, and now we have billions of human population. Since the beginning of time, male human species is the dominant gender, working to provide food for their family and to protect their female family members.



In Islam, women are supposed to be accompanied by their family members (mahram) if they leave the house, for protection. This is also practised in many societies all over the world. Women of a certain class must have at least another female companion while traveling. Marriage is family business. No question about it. Then there's war. The men have to go to war and that leaves the female family members having to fend for themselves. Some fathers, husband, brothers, came back. Some did not. There are also some unreliable men who drinks, gamble and did not care for the family. The women have to rely on themselves and their family for support. Some managed to get by but some did not have the support that they want.



This forced the women to be more independent. There are so many sufferings that several women advocates rise and begin fighting for women rights and equality. Soon, women also get education and started working to be more independent. Looking at the many ruined marriages, more and more in the society leaves it in their daughters hand to choose their spouses. At least the parents are not to be blamed if the marriage did not work out. Some also argues that women want to choose their own husband after they started leaving the house to seek education and work. Well, that can also be the natural progression after being able to 'see the world' as some might put it.



Educated and working women become the norm. And most men in their lives without fail manage to prove how they can be so unreliable, unlike their forefathers. The institution of marriage still exists but many did not last very long. Many women now stay single by choice to avoid all the hassle of marriage and divorce. Single (divorced or never married) women become the norm in the society. All these did not happen in one day. All these take years to change and become the norm in the society. When does it all happen and how it begun? It all begins with little contribution from everyone in the society.



When the neighbors ignore the cry of an abused wife or children, they contributed to the change in the society. When the society accepts that men can drink and gamble and visit the whores or keeps mistresses, they contributed to the change in the society. When people allow their leaders to become corrupt, they contributed to the change in the society. Just like animal, human being reacted to their surroundings to protect themselves from harm, emotionally and physically. So how do we contribute to the society now and hundreds of years from now?



What have we contributed to the society years ago that we have the batch of youth we have now? The youth that will one day inherit and rule the country. How will they change the society because of what they have to go through growing up?

Tongue Tied

There are myriads of feelings but no words to describe them. The brain can't string the words to form the sentences to explain the melancholy feeling. People said the eyes are windows to the soul. Can people really look into the eyes and knows how one feels?

Foot Massage and Bowling Tournament

Finally I went to have my long awaited foot massage at Bodhisense last Saturday afternoon on my 'girls outing' with an old friend. She went for the body massage. I wanted to do both but they mixed up the arrangement and I only get one hour slot instead of two. Luckily, the heavenly foot massage more than made up for the unfortunate mixed up. Bodhisense has a simple yet very relaxing ambience with an uplifting aromatherapy scent, nice lighting and soothing music. The place offered traditional Thai massage therapy and they have several Thai masseuses to make you feel like you're having a real Thai massage experience. The best part is it did not cost you a bomb.





The trophies everyone is competing for.



On Sunday, we have our batch Kuliyyah alumni bowling tournament. I couldn't hold on to my 'Juara Longkang' title from a different tournament a while back :) I'm the organizer of the tournament yesterday so I've included 'Juara Longkang' trophies for individual and doubles. Either I'm getting better or the foot massage contributed to better body coordination or simply there are worse players than me hehe... The most important thing is everyone enjoyed themselves. We have left the university for six years and this is our fourth reunion. How time flies.





Walking tall and proud after the rare strike :)

A Reputation To Keep

Sometimes, we have to make an effort to build a reputation. To make people know us for something or respect us for something. That can be good girl/good boy or bad girl/bad boy figure depending on our goals. But sometimes, we don't have to do anything at all. Just by being ourselves, we can gain a certain reputation by being consistent in our behavior; a behavior that is perceived by people in a specific way.



I just realized I have this don't-you-dare-mess-with-me repute, enhanced by my friends in some way. I have a very strong opinion on certain issues and have always debated with passion when the issues are raised in discussion. To me, heated debate doesn't mean I'm going to strangle you if you don't agree with me. But if your opinions are incredulous, I will not hesitate to tell you so. Having said that, I'm all for agreeing to disagree at some point. There is no point prolonging a discussion that is going nowhere right.



Recently, having laid down my opinions on the table, a few people did not take it so seriously and taunt me or maybe trying to be funny with their opinions. I have no intention of rising to the bait. After reading the situation carefully, I didn't think it is worth my effort to say anything. Then another friend commented, "don't taunt a hungry tiger" or something to that effect which makes those making the incredulous comments to raise their hand as a form of surrender, not wanting to face my wrath I presumed. I'm bemused. This has happened a few times before but the effect did not really sink in. Yeah OK I'm dense not to realize it much earlier even though I've live in this world for what seems decades.



While I don't really mind having such a reputation, I also realized this can work to my advantage or against me.

In a Split Second, In a Blink of an Eye, In One Swipe of the Wipers

One moment I saw the car speeding in the heavy rain, splashing the water high on the road. The next moment, the same car stopped with the front part on the higher level sidewalk. I was behind the car, about 50 meters away, and did not really saw what happened. In a split second, in the blink of an eye, in one swipe of the wipers, someone get a jolt of his/her life. I didn't think it was anything serious. There's no damage to the car except the driver looses control and the car landed on the sidewalk. One very lucky fella. You can't win with Mother Nature. And I have this to say to the driver, "Serves you right! Padan muka!”



Earlier the car tried to overtake mine which was going 60kmph in the heavy rain, from the left. That was in Taman Bukit Indah, heading towards Selayang. The only reason I was on the right lane is because there's a slower car on the left lane, wanting to turn left at the junction. I saw this particular car coming behind me very fast and then going left trying to overtake. "Hey, you cannot go anywhere man. That car is even slower. Let me pass lah. Then I'll go left and you can have your way. Sheesshh... In the heavy rain oso want to speed." This is a reminder to everyone. Be careful when it rains and keep your distance from the car in front of you.

The First Movie That Makes Me Cry

This is a story from very long time ago. Really don't remember when but I was still very little that time. Probably 4-5 years old. CHiPs is a hit cop story on TV that time and our family never missed the show. The children and adult of the 70s probably still remember the series. If you don't know what I'm talking about, that just means I'm way much older than you :) It’s about two cops, one dark and one fair, patrolling the highway. My mom likes the fair cop and I go for the dark and handsome hehe... Mother and daughter with diametrically opposed preferences.



One night, the story brings in one brave kid with his small motorbike. I can't remember how the story goes but the climax of the story shows how the kid and his motorbike had a problem at the beach with a rising water level. It takes the two cops to save him. I cried buckets that night. I cried for the kid. What if something happened to the kid? What if the two cops did not come on time? Something like that.



My mom can't keep herself from laughing at me. Probably it’s not a very emotional story for adults but I must have thought how cool to have your own motorbike and save the world and almost didn't make it and someone came along (two cops in this case) and said, "hey, you're not alone. let us help you". I don't even want dinner that night. I just want to cry. So OK it’s not exactly a movie but close. I'm a tough person actually and don't easily cry in real situation but give me emotionally charged books or movies and the silent tears will flow like a broken dam.

Professor I Am Not, Absent Minded I Am

This happened sometime early in the month. A day when I feel dazed and not in tune with the happenings around me. No! I'm not under the influence of drug. Things just happen that way. I'm on my way to work and I have planned to make a stop at the bank. I only realized I've missed the bank after I saw the bank in question. I'm supposed to make a left turn before I saw the bank. It's a nuisance but I can still take the next turning so I did. I saw several MPSJ trucks towing the cars parked illegally in front of the bank. That is good but I wish they do it more often so people will think twice before parking illegally in front of the bank and renders the two lane, two way street into one lane, two way street. I sympathized with those now faced with the hassle of getting their cars back but hey... find a proper parking in the first place. There's a lot of parking in the area if you're willing to walk a bit. But I digress.





The favorite corner where people park illegally when they do their banking business. The motorbikes a nuisance too. Imagine when you're looking frantically for the nearest parking space and there is this one motorcycle parked at a car parking spot. And some choose to park in between cars so we have to maneuver like a pro to get out from the parking.



I wanted to bank in the cheque for my credit card payment and do some banking at the counter which I rarely do nowadays. I don't have to queue since there's no one at the touch screen cheque deposit machine. I remembered my account number by heart so my fingers nimbly touch the screen when asked to key in the account number. But then, either I accidentally touch the number twice or the screen becomes too sensitive, the same number goes in twice which makes my account number incorrect and I have to cancel and re-key. It happened 3-4 times until I got the right number but the moment the machine sucked my cheque, I remembered I have not signed the cheque. The check printout confirmed it. Aiyyaaahhh!!!! If only I noticed something amiss when struggling to enter the number several times.



So I went to the counter and I was told to come again after 2. They can't open the machine now. Sigh! I have a lot of activities planned for the day and now I have to rush back before the bank closes at 4. I even thought maybe I should let them hold it until tomorrow before I realized its Friday and the day after is the first Saturday. Again, how can I forget the day?? So off I go to the client's place in PJ and rush back at about 2.30 and got stuck in a jam near Jln Duta. I called the bank asking about the cheque and En. Fairoz who talked to me earlier confirmed the cheque is with him and will hold it until I reached the bank (which is in Rawang by the way). I finally reached the bank at 3.45 p.m., rushed in without getting the queue number, and En. Fairoz seemed to remember my face so he gave the cheque for me to sign.



I asked him whether I have to write anything since now I'm considered depositing the cheque at the counter and he said he has written the form for me. He's afraid I will not have the time since I told him about being stuck in a jam when I called. Aaawwww... how nice of him. That's what I called customer service when dealing with some absent minded customer like me. So often we complaint about things and I have several when it comes to Maybank Rawang branch but I'm happy to say I have something nice to say about one very considerate banking officers of our local bank. If the Maybank Rawang Branch bank manager happened to read my blog, give a raise to En. Fairoz OK! :)

Up, Close and Personal

I'm in awe when something so delicate like this chose to get acquainted with me :) Errr.... that's not exactly true. I picked it up and it didn't fly away.

Want to know about butterfly? Check this out.

Dream Home

What is your dream home? Is it a two and a half storey bungalow with a beautiful garden and a swimming pool? Or a penthouse high above the rest? Or maybe a kampong house with shady trees all around?





Photo Source

My dream home is a comfortable 3 room 2 bath apartment with a balcony overlooking nice views. It could be a serene lake, a beautiful garden, or refreshing greeneries. Though I love nature and I like to have many plants around me but I don't think I will have the time to tend to them every day. I don't want to bother myself with a big garden so an apartment is just nice. But I do want to have a mini garden on the balcony and some water elements like a mini fountain or mini pond. The garden theme will be 'Neo Nusantara'. A comfortable wooden or bamboo chair is a must so I can cuddle with a book or just relax and appreciate the view. Most people (some colleague and friends) will ask why I want a balcony. It’s not safe and if you want a nice view, a big window is enough. I'll just smile and let it pass. "Hey, is this my dream home or yours?" *Muttered in my heart*.



The apartment interior will be a combination of modern, minimalist and Asian theme. The underlying concept is, not much cleaning required apart from sweep, mop and vacuum once in a while hehehe... The kitchen will be small but functional. I don't think I'll be doing serious cooking very much except during special occasions. The dining area must be spacious enough so I can have a small party for friends and family once in a while, and a comfortable and cozy living room. The 3 rooms; one is the master bed room, the other will be my office (some will call it 'study' room but I really will be using it as an office), and one more room will be a multi purpose room with full mirror on one side of the wall. Why? So it'll be easy for me to do my aerobics hehehe... as if I will :) When not in use for that purpose, a full length curtain can cover the mirror and the room will be used as the praying room and guest room. An inflatable or sofa bed will be just nice for this purpose isn't it?



A friend asked me once, why dream small? Why not have big bungalows with big garden, etc.? Why indeed? I guess, I've always like small and cute things. Given two same item with different sizes, I'll pick the smaller ones all the time. What's wrong with small anyway as long as that's what we want.



Note: This dream house only applies to me alone. If I find my Mr. Right someday, there'll be several miniature of me and Mr. Right hopefully, I'll have to dream a different dream :)

Update: The photographs featuring Neo Nusantara products are from www.terragarden.com.my.



I thought I've put enough links in my entry to credit the right source from where I take my photos but there has been a request for me to put the credit as above. I hope now the people at Terra Garden are OK with it.