Intermission

Winds of change can swept us anytime, sometimes when we least expect it. Before we know it, we either have to adapt to the changes to survive or perish with time. I've been at crossroads. Now that I've chosen a path, the anticipation is exhilarating. I can only describe my feeling as free as the birds flying in the sky, as free as the fishes swimming in the vast ocean and as free as the horses galloping in the wild. I have to admit there is a bit of apprehension but who doesn't when confronted with change. But the pros outweigh the cons and the feeling of knowing you're in charge is invaluable. I'll be back to fill the pages of this blog with more thoughts once everything is sorted out. Till then, have a good life everyone.

Main Burung Hantu Part 2

...continued...



While watching the floating ghost coming towards me, I saw a tiny reddish light very near to that 'thing', it's like they're together. I was wondering if the red thing is one of its eyes, how come it's so low. Or is it something else completely, another species of the out-of-this-world element traveling together. Don't know ghost also needs friend to jalan-jalan. After 2-3 seconds then it dawn on me that reddish thing is a burning cigarette hahaha... The organizers must have tried to play trick on us. I waited for them to pass me and saw they tied a large white cloth (probably white bed sheet) on a stick and carry it around. Sheeshhh... these people. What if someone had a heart attack? Will they take the responsibility!



After what seemed like ages, the organizers come again to 'collect' us from our spot. Then we gather around the camp and were given a lecture. This exercise is a test of our spirit, mostly against ourselves rather than out-of-this-world elements blablabla... They are quite annoyed that some of us have moved from their spot to look for other friends, and then sleep in a group. I thought that was funny hehehe... Good for them to be able to catch some sleep. The punishment for them who broke the rules was to go take a dip in the freezing river at 3-4 a.m. Thank God I've been such a good girl.



No way am I going into the dark river, in an equally dark night. I think I feared creepy crawly things more than ghosts. I still remember when I went to a camping trip during primary school, the teachers panicked and shouted for all of us to get out of the water because a snake was slithering on the river going downstream. I was the last to get out because I was trying to get my rubber slipper. Actually one of the teachers pulled me out from the river while I was still trying to grab one of my rubber slippers. Duh! What was I thinking back then? That image of the slithering snake kinda stayed with me till now.



After the river dip, we were dismissed and managed to quickly exchange stories before we zonked out. A friend told us of her weird experience. She admits being faint hearted so she sat down and keeps her eyes shut. She didn't dare look around and all the while reciting Quranic verses silently. Whenever she opened her eyes (take a peek more likely), she saw something sitting in front of her. Just sit there and look at her. She didn't scream, she didn't do anything, just shut her eyes again and recited more Quranic verses. It is really beyond me how she can stay like that the whole game. Lucky she didn't pee in her pants hahaha...



The girls who have gathered together and slept told us the organizers have worn 'telekung' and going around trying to scare them. One of them walked with stick, touch the girls back with the stick and said, "cucu-cucu, nenek nak tumpang lalu". My friends take a peek at them and tried so hard not to laugh out loud. So that was what I saw before I saw the floating white cloth. Guys in telekung trying to scare the girls out. Obviously it didn't work out since none of us screamed in fear or had a heart attack with their antics.



That is quite an experience. The next day, we discovered we were actually left on the main road towards our camping area, quite far apart from each other. There's nothing spooky about the place at all. In the darkness of the night, the place really looks intimidating. Where I guess as the spot I was left during the game, there's a small tree (not the one I can lean on), some bushes behind me, and a slope before the river. No wonder when I light up the lighter, I can see some tall grass, the leaves of the bushes behind me and then darkness. It's just an empty space. But it's still quite scary if I fall down that slope during the game. Lucky I didn't move that much.



...the end...



Notes: I know Pertak is on the way from KKB to Fraser's Hill but with the Sg. Selangor Dam and the new road, I have no idea whether the place still exist. Anyone knows? I love the waterfall there.



Also see: Main Burung Hantu Part 1

MyKad Issue...

I still haven't changed my IC to MyKad yet. The reason, I was annoyed hearing about forged MyKad after the rosy pictures of how this new MyKad is better and more secure highlighted by the media... obviously parroting what the politicians said. The MyKad is so 'canggih' we can put any information in it. We don't have to carry many cards around; driver's license, ATM, Touch n Go, everything can go into the card. TV Smith has come up with a funny write-up about MyKad here.



Thinking about it, what an irony. The media painted a rosy picture of MyKad qualities and then the media itself highlighted about forged MyKad and other problems like getting summoned for driving without a license just because the policeman can't read the driving license information in MyKad. In another instance, an acquaintance told me of his problem getting a driver's license in Australia because obviously they can't read our MyKad. Lucky he still have his old driving license with him though he has to go dig for it somewhere before returning to get his license. Anyway, I've deviate.



Recently, it is again highlighted about MyKad in the media about senior citizens having to don black scarves because their white hair is not visible against the mandatory white background (read about it here). Duh! If MyKad is so 'canggih', small little thing like that also cannot adjust ah??!! The reason given, the background color has already been set in the computer. Are we the computer masters or the computer our master? So if the computer gives a "You've performed an illegal operation" message, do you go arrest yourself?



Now, the Home Ministry has directed NRD to use blue background for people with white hair or bald cases. Why do we always have to wait until a direction is given by the minister before any action is taken? Why can't we become people who is creative, innovative and think out of the box? Next time if the minister have to give direction for government department to make life easier for rakyat, why don't we deduct the salary of the 'powers that be' in that department? That should serve them a lesson. Wasting people’s money to go to this course, that course and yet still don't know how to make educated decisions.



And then because MyKad is so 'canggih', we have to go upgrade our MyKad every now and then to keep up with the technology (read about MyKad chip upgrade to 64K here).



So now people unsatisfied with their white hair against white background can go changed their MyKad to have blue background for their photo, other people also have to go upgrade their MyKad to 64K chip for more security. It seems we Malaysians have nothing better to do than go hang around the NRD.

Main Burung Hantu Part 1

I was introduced to this game as "burung hantu" game. Maybe most people will be more familiar with "solo night camping" term. If you have gone to any motivational camping, probably you've played the game too. The game has to be played after dark. Every one will be left alone in one spot in the jungle, quite far apart from each other. You can then choose to sleep, sit or stand as long as you stayed in your spot. The organizers will make their rounds checking on us periodically.



I played this game quite some time ago during a camping trip to Pertak. Before we started the game, they gave us a special instruction. Whenever we see the organizers making their rounds, we have to shout 'hantu' and they will reply 'pocong'. Some cheekily mentioned, if we receive different replies, that's definitely not them and we better pray hard. Duh! Of all the words in the world, why would they want to choose those two words! Not that I easily get spooked with out-of-this-world thingy that is.



We're not supposed to bring anything during this game but I managed to bring a lighter with me, just in case. After the organizers left, I used the lighter to check my surrounding; making sure it is safe to sit. You'll never know what creepy crawly things will come out at night like that. Left with nothing to do, I squat and wait. Cannot tahan squatting after some time, I sit cross-legged. It is getting late and my eyes are getting heavy, but I sit there blinking and looked into the darkness. I thought I saw some white thing some distance away. But not trusting my heavy and sleepy eyes, I decided to ignore it.



I did not lean on any tree. If I do, I might be able to catch a wink but decided against it thinking of any nocturnal creatures that might creep around the tree trunk. Then I stood up, switching my weight from left to right, and right to the left foot again. After some time I saw a white floating thing from afar. I blinked hard making sure it's not my eyes playing tricks on me. I really saw it! I watched the white thing coming nearer and nearer. I can feel my blood drained from my feet. Is this the first time I'll be seeing ghost in my life? I can't move, rooted to the spot.



...to be continued...

From My Inbox: Mother and Baby Camel

This is a really, really nice story. It is a good question to be asking ourselves.

A mother and a baby camel were lazing around, and suddenly the baby camel asked .....



Baby: Mother, mother, may I ask you some questions?

Mother: Sure! Why son, is there something bothering you?



Baby: Why do camels have humps?

Mother: Well son, we are desert animals, we need the humps to store water and we are known to survive without water.



Baby: Okay, then why are our legs long and our feet rounded?

Mother: Son, obviously they are meant for walking in the desert,You know with these legs I can move around the desert better than anyone does! Said the mother proudly.



Baby: Okay, then why are our eyelashes long? Sometimes it bothers my sight.

Mother: My son, those long thick eyelashes are your protective cover. They help to protect your eyes from the desert sand and wind. Said mother camel with eyes rimming with pride....



Baby: I see. So the hump is to store water when we are in the desert, the legs are for walking through the desert and these eye lashes protects my eyes from the desert...... Then what the hell are we doing here in the ZOO !!!!!!???



Moral of the story: Skills, knowledges, abilities and experiences are only useful if you are at the right place" Where are you now????????

Jangan Anggar Kurang Aku

This has happened several times and finally I remembered to jot the words down before I forget about it. It happened in a serious program like Ringgit Sense, a TV3 program and a not so serious program like Boomtown shown on Channel 9 tonight. I'm talking about one line of Boomtown's Malay subtitle. "Jangan anggar kurang aku" is what has been translated for "Don't underestimate me". Unfortunately, I've forgotten the translation error in the Ringgit Sense program and at least one other program I've watched. It has always been at the back of my mind to comment on these wrong subtitle issues as it has happened often enough and I finally got my chance tonight.



TV used to be one of the sources for me to learn and improve my English ever since I can remember. Seems like it can't play that role anymore.

Are You Millionaire Material?

Do you work for money so you can enjoy life or work for money and more money to put in your coffer? Is money a means to an end for you or is it an end by itself? Some people said money is evil but I think everyone realized it's the people who can be evil.



Take this test to see whether you're a millionaire material, or not. While I never thought about buying an SUV or joining tennis club, but yes, I do enjoy fun more than money. But then, you can't have fun without money. Depending on what's fun to you that is. So I work to have enough for the kind of fun I have in mind. Some extra never hurt though.

Not Millionaire Material

Millionaire Material

Ever thought about buying an SUV and joining a tennis club? You should, because you were made for the elite. We can tell that you enjoy many of the finer things in life, but for some reason you just can't make the leap to "millionaire material." Sure, that's a step down from the top of the money pile, but it's probably all for the best. Why? Perhaps because, when it comes down to it, you enjoy fun more than money. Cash is all well and good, and we can tell that you're pretty good at saving your dough when you put your mind to it, but you'd rather spend time outdoors, hang out with friends, or plan your next big trip than drool over your bank balance. After all, what's money for if you can't enjoy it?

Building Walls

I help a friend scan his China trip photos quite some time back. I hope he didn't mind I use this one in my blog.

There is no point crying inside hoping people will try to understand us or understand why we became what we are. Most people will just punish or judge because we do not conform to certain standards or expectation.



It hurts but not that much. There’s already a thick protective wall around, preventing the hurt to get too deep. The defense mechanism is not to defend oneself. Let people say or think what they want. It’s not that important anyway. And all the while, it makes one feels better to retreat deeper and deeper into the protective shell. The cocoons that will make you feel safe. As safe as you can hope to be emotionally.



Because when you reach out, you don't think anyone will reach for you. You can only hold on to the cold railing of the banisters, gripping it as hard as you can. When you look up, no pair of eyes will be looking back into yours. Just the vast space of emptiness. When you need to lean on something, you can only find a bark of tree or walls. No shoulders to lean on.



The mask you put on makes you appear strong and untouchable. You are strong and untouchable. But just because you treat life like a movie and you're not in it. And shields will be added to the wall, making it thicker as one move on in their life.

Plucking Flower Petals...

He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me. He loves me not.....



or maybe it goes like this...



Happy. Unhappy. Happy. Unhappy. Happy. Unhappy. Happy. Unhappy....

My Thoughts on Current Issues

Foreign Media...



Why is it when foreign media gives good reporting on us, it'll get reported many times over in the local media and every party will get so 'kembang' in every imaginable places but when it's bad reporting:-

1. we can't trust foreign media!
2. foreign media is biased!
3. foreign media is out to get us!
4. we must ban foreign media!

University Intake...



How can apple and orange be the same? You can look at it in any way and it is still not the same. The only common factor, both is fruit.

Top Scorers...



Why so many top scorers? Are the students really good? Are the exams just too easy? Are the examiners grading the paper too lax? Are these top scorers able to think or just churned out what they've been fed?



The general perception, crème de la crème is just that... crème de la crème. The best of the best. An elite group. If everyone is best, then there is no crème de la crème anymore isn't it. Some motivational group did question why can't everyone be number one, why can't everyone be the winner? Can everyone?

Medicine...



Why medicine? Aren't these top brains interested in nuclear science, biotechnology, etc.? Didn't they watch National Geographic and see there are so many things they can do under the sun? Do they know where to ask for guidance in making career options? Is there a place to ask for guidance in making career options? Do the people who give career guidance know what they're talking about?



Sigh! So many questions, no answers. I wish I have the foresight when deciding my life path last time.

Clan Fighting, Killing...



Why can't people unite? Why isn’t there human compassion? I would think in a foreign land, people from the same country would look out after each other, not kill each other.



I think basic human instinct makes people becomes protective of themselves, their family, their extended family, their clan, their race, their country, and then the people in general (in that order, maybe they can be variations in the grouping). Probably, if everyone sees things in reverse order, things would be different. Prioritize human/people first, then go down to self.

Miserable

Mission: Get back into working mode after a week holiday.

Results: Failed miserably

Culprits: Allergy attack; been sneezing whole morning and after taking my allergy pill, the sneezing is not as bad now but having blocked nose. Totally blocked!! Can only breathe through mouth. Just had lunch and what an accomplishment it was alternating between chewing and swallowing food with breathing.



Where I wish to be now:





The hut by the beach.

It's Work Week Again

Its work again after a week long leaves (my very own poor substitute of school/summer holiday). A big question to me is, "why is it I did not feel like writing anything in my blog when I was on leave but the moment work week begins, there are suddenly so many things to write?". Yes I do have things to do last week, so is the time when I have to work isn't it and yet I'll steal 20-30 minutes to write/read blogs every now and then. Probably this is related to what Aiz has pointed out here, "Think of a blog as your own private therapist. Without the fancy fees.", which actually originates from here.



What is our responsibility related to work when we're in a holiday? I do get calls/emails from clients when I was on leave. My first reaction is to put things on hold until I start work again, unless it's something simple I can answer or do and email back. I'm sure my boss expected more than that. Probably, every boss expected us to put work first no matter what. I, on the other hand, don't think the world will stop moving if we postpone things for a few days. Yes, that's me, the procrastinator speaking. Just because I want to stop and smell the roses every so often doesn't make me a bad employee. At least, I don't think so.



Someone once said I'm not ambitious enough. Career wise that is. I think these are the people who want other people to have their own standard of happiness. There is nothing wrong with me being happy and contented with what I have. They probably did not realize that. But I do and that makes me feel richer knowing I'm happy at where I am now, and they are still striving to get what they think is happiness for them.



Anyway, I don't think my points tied up nicely together in this entry. Must have been due to having so many things to say but not the time. So I better hold on to everything else that I wanted to write and get into working mode again.

A Wet Desert

A Wet Desert

Mid Year Break

During study time, we'll have term or semester breaks. Students will either be loaded with homework, assignment, course work or have nothing to do that they'll drive parents crazy trying to find useful activities for them. Working time, we'll await public holidays for a break and most will take a long break during Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, etc., where everyone else is also on leave and the road will be jammed, the shops will either be closed or full with people, the places of tourist attraction will be swarmed with people, and they'll be demands from relatives to visit or things like that.



I rarely take leave without any occasion. But this week I'm on leave for the whole week. We don't have summer holidays. This is my mid year break, a poor equivalent to summer holidays but it still feels great to wake up knowing I don't have to do anything. I can wake up late, I can sit and enjoy the garden at my house, I can go shopping if I want to and the traffic will be normal. I can laze around the house doing things or nothing without worrying about anything. Yes, there is always work and work can never be far from my mind especially with few projects looming but this week, I'm going to push all that to the back of my mind. This week, it'll be relaxing week.