A friend of mine forwarded the "Letter to the Editor" below and also a response from one of the readers. I find the whole thing hilarious.
Just to give you a bit of a background to the article, the letter was written by an American White Female living in Bangsar, one of the most affluent suburban areas in Kuala Lumpur..
- Begin -
Dear Editor:
I'm sorry but I would like to challenge some of your Malay male readers. I am a White female who is engaged to a Malay male-good-looking, educated and loving. I just don't understand a lot of Malay female's attitudes about our relationship. My man decided he wanted me because the pickings amongst Malay women were slim to none. As he said they were either too fat, too loud, too mean, too argumentative, too needy, too materialistic or carrying too much excess baggage.
Before I became engaged, whenever I went out I was constantly approached by Malay men, willing to wine and dine me and give me the world.
If Malay women are so up in arms about us being with their men, why don't they look at themselves and make some changes. I am tired of the dirty looks I get and snide remarks when we're out in public. I would like to hear from some Malay men about why we are so appealing and coveted by them.
Bryant Gumbel just left his wife of 26 years for one of us. Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, the model Tyson Beckford, Montell Williams, Quincy Jones, James Earl Jones, Harry Belafonte, Sydney Poitier, Kofi Anan, Cuba Gooding Jr., Don Cornelius, Berry Gordy, Billy Blanks, Larry Fishburne, Wesley Snipes...I could go on and on.
But, right now, I'm a little angry and that is why I wrote this so hurriedly.
Don't be mad with us White women because so many of your men want us.
Get your acts together and learn from us and we may lead you to treat your men better. If I'm wrong, Malay men, let me know.
Disgusted White Girl,
Somewhere in Bangsar
Read On.............
This letter was written in response to the article:
Response:
Dear Editor:
I would like to respond to the letter written by A Disgusted White Girl.
Let me start by saying that I am a 28-year old Malay man. I graduated from one of the most prestigious universities in England with a Masters Of Science Degree in Business Management. I have a good job at a Multinational Corporation and have recently purchased a house and a brand new non-national car. So, I consider myself to be among the ranks of successful Malay men.
I will not use my precious time to slander white people. I just want to set the record straight of why Malay men date white women. Back in those days, one of the biggest reasons why Malay men dated white women was because they were considered easy. The Malay girls in my neighborhood were raised traditionally. They were very strict about when they lost their virginity and who they lost it to.
Because of our impatience to wait, my brothers would look for someone who would give it up easy without too much hassle. So, they turned to the white girls.
Nowadays, in my opinion, a lot of Malay males date white women because they are docile and easy to control. A lot of Malay men, because of insecurities, fears, and overall weaknesses, have become intimidated by the strength of our Malay women.
We are afraid that our woman will be more successful than us, make more money than us, drive nicer cars and own bigger houses. Because of this fear, many Malay men look for a more docile woman. Someone we can control. I have talked to numerous Malay men and they continuously comment on how easy it is to control and walk over their white women.
I just want to set the record straight. I want A Disgusted White Girl to know that not all successful Malay men date white women.
Non-Whites like Ahmad Rashad, Denzel Washington, Michael Jordan, Morris Chestn!ut, Will Smith, Blair Underwood, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Chris Rock all married strong Non-White women. And, to flip the script, there are numerous white men, in and out of the spot light, who openly or secretly desire Non-White women over white women. Ted Danson, Robert DeNiro, and David Bowie to name a few.
I just don't want a disgusted white girl to be misinformed. Stop thinking that because you are white that you are some type of goddess.
Remember, when Non-White Egyptian Queens like Hatsepshut and Nitorcris were ruling Dynasties and armies of men in Egypt, you were over in the caves of Europe eating raw meat and beating each other over the head with clubs.
Read your history! It was the Non-White woman that taught you how to cook and season your food. It was the Non-White woman that taught you how to raise your children.
It was Non-White women who were breastfeeding and raising your babies during slavery. It is the Non-White woman that had to endure watching their fathers, husbands, and children beaten, killed, and thrown in jail.
Malay women were born with two strikes against them: being Non-White and being a woman. And, through all this, Still They Rise! It is because of the Malay women's strength, elegance, power, love and beauty that I could never date anyone except my Malay Queen.
It is not just the outer beauty that captivates and draws me to them. It is not the fact that they come in all shapes, sizes, colours and shades that I love them.
Their inner beauty is what I find most appealing about Malay women. Their strong spirit, loving and nurturing souls, their integrity, their ability to overcome great obstacles, their willingness to stand for what they believe in, and their determination to succeed and reach their highest potential while enduring great pain and suffering is why I have fallen in love with Malay women.
I honestly believe that your anger is geared more toward jealousy and envy than snotty looks.
If this were not so, then why do you continuously go to tanning salons to darken your skin? If you are so proud to be white, then why don't you just be happy with your pale skin? Why do you continue to inject your lips, hips, and breasts with unnatural and dangerous substances so you can look fuller and more voluptuous?
I think that your anger is really a result of you wanting to have what the Non-White woman has.
BOTTOM LINE: If I were looking for a docile woman, someone I can walk over and control, I would give you a call. But, unfortunately, I am looking for a Virtuous Woman. Someone that can be a good wife and mother to my children, Someone who can be my best friend and understands my struggles. I am looking for a soul mate and; unfortunately, you do not and CANNOT fit the bill.
No offense taken, none given.
Signed,
Malay Professional
- End -
Nel says: To my girlfriends, guy friends, Bloggers and readers in Malaysia or are familiar with the Malays and Malaysian culture, what do you think of the reader's response?
Nel thinks: Bravo, I would look up to a guy like this. I am so taken by his response and intellect. I would like him for myself, if I do meet someone like this Malay Professional. His Virtuous Woman must the luckiest woman, at least on the Malaysian soil, if not Planet Earth.
Nevertheless, just like Anne Frank, I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. To be fair, all things being equal, I am sure that every woman of every race has her own strengths and weaknesses. No one is entirely good or entirely bad. Belonging to a race makes all of us ethnocentrics. But it is not wise to "devalue" another race or human being for the sake of being ethnocentric or patriotic.
For me, I am proud to be a Malay Woman. Well, Half Malay, Half Chinese. Malaysian!
As a citizen of a multi-racial country and a citizen of the world, I do not have racial prejudices in choosing my friends or candidate for a life partner. My discrimination is in choosing friends with positive attitudes and admirable characters. I also believe that Men, must also possess admirable virtues to get a Virtuous Woman. You must deserve her. Virtuous Men begets Virtuous Women.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Monday, September 27, 2004
Alone, But Not Lonely
I'm so glad I broke up with Medicine Man because it would be a marriage for convenience if we were to go ahead with our wedding plans. There's almost zero emotional and spiritual connection present - my feelings for him were empty and void. There was only lust and an illusion of love. I just know for sure I wouldn't be happy with him.
Well, things always happen for a reason. It's part of growing up because the aftermath will bring us to a new chapter in life, and a new level of maturity.
I have to admit it. I think I have a habit of choosing the wrong men in my life. So, maybe it's best that I avoid marrying until I'm really ready or wiser in my choices. I've always been a late bloomer anyways, so I will be patient for that time to come. Better a bit later, but lasts forever.
Perhaps I should heed the words of Comte de Buffon, apparently some European nobility, who said: "Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius." In being patient, I shall be wiser :)
In the meantime, life must be full and vibrant, with or without the wedding band! Just like "Princess Mia" in the "Princess Diaries 2" who defied a 300 year old Genovian law and overuled the Parliament by choosing to rule without a husband. Yeah, I watched the movie today at TGV KLCC, by myself. It's liberating that I'm now emotionally independent enough to be happy alone and going places on my own. I used to hate going out alone, now it doesn't bother me whether or not I have company. Having someone along would be a bonus, though, but it will not ruin my plans if I have to go at it alone.
Being on annual leave, I had a blissful day today. I went to see "Puteri Gunung Ledang" for the second time. After that, I dropped by Kinokuniya for couple of books, "Meditation 101" and the other on reading body language. I had a late lunch at Chili's, finished half a plate of nachos, and sipped on two glasses of iced lemon tea, reading "Definitive Book of Body Language" by Allan & Barbara Pease, who also wrote "Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps".
After enough doses of reading, I decided to watch "Princess Diaries 2". I admit it, I like movies with princesses and royalties in them, they look so romantic. But in real life, the novelty of royalties wears off, especially when I come across snobish and irresponsible royalties. I don't fancy them in real life - with the exception of the handsome and charming Prince William :)
After watching enough of princesses movies, I met up with an old friend, a fellow alumni, we spent two years at State University of New York at Buffalo together. He lives in the East Coast and married to another alumni friend. He's in Kuala Lumpur for this whole week for a seminar and is staying at The Mandarin Oriental. Since I happened to be in KLCC which is just next to The Mandarin Oriental, we decided to meet for a drink. So I introduced him "Chocz".
The drinking chocolates they have at Chocz is par excellent. My favorite is Aztec - drinking chocolate with a hint of chili powder. Great chocolates, good company, perfect harmony. So much so that what meant to be just coffee, extended past dinner time. Besides, I haven't met him in years and this was the first time I've ever had a real in-depth conversation with this friend in the last 15 years.
Intellectually stimulating conversation we both had indeed - about life's twists and turns. How the choices we made in life have changed us. How we evolved with age. Honestly, I never knew he can be very philosophical. Maybe marriage and fatherhood changed people. While, I on the other hand, still think and live a single life. A single career woman. Well, I can't deny the fact that I am currently single - and available too. So, how else should I think, I cannot imagine otherwise until I have babies of my own. One day!
I asked him how he thinks I have changed. He said, "Mature and wiser, you look more at peace with yourself now - and in control of your life. You look happier."
Indeed! You bet! I do feel content with my life. Well, I don't have the world's riches at my feet and good looking hunks worshipping the earth I walk on. But, yes, I am happy with what I am and content with what and who I have. I maybe "alone" as in living life "solo" but I am but no means, lonely. Alhamdullilah!
Well, things always happen for a reason. It's part of growing up because the aftermath will bring us to a new chapter in life, and a new level of maturity.
I have to admit it. I think I have a habit of choosing the wrong men in my life. So, maybe it's best that I avoid marrying until I'm really ready or wiser in my choices. I've always been a late bloomer anyways, so I will be patient for that time to come. Better a bit later, but lasts forever.
Perhaps I should heed the words of Comte de Buffon, apparently some European nobility, who said: "Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius." In being patient, I shall be wiser :)
In the meantime, life must be full and vibrant, with or without the wedding band! Just like "Princess Mia" in the "Princess Diaries 2" who defied a 300 year old Genovian law and overuled the Parliament by choosing to rule without a husband. Yeah, I watched the movie today at TGV KLCC, by myself. It's liberating that I'm now emotionally independent enough to be happy alone and going places on my own. I used to hate going out alone, now it doesn't bother me whether or not I have company. Having someone along would be a bonus, though, but it will not ruin my plans if I have to go at it alone.
Being on annual leave, I had a blissful day today. I went to see "Puteri Gunung Ledang" for the second time. After that, I dropped by Kinokuniya for couple of books, "Meditation 101" and the other on reading body language. I had a late lunch at Chili's, finished half a plate of nachos, and sipped on two glasses of iced lemon tea, reading "Definitive Book of Body Language" by Allan & Barbara Pease, who also wrote "Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps".
After enough doses of reading, I decided to watch "Princess Diaries 2". I admit it, I like movies with princesses and royalties in them, they look so romantic. But in real life, the novelty of royalties wears off, especially when I come across snobish and irresponsible royalties. I don't fancy them in real life - with the exception of the handsome and charming Prince William :)
After watching enough of princesses movies, I met up with an old friend, a fellow alumni, we spent two years at State University of New York at Buffalo together. He lives in the East Coast and married to another alumni friend. He's in Kuala Lumpur for this whole week for a seminar and is staying at The Mandarin Oriental. Since I happened to be in KLCC which is just next to The Mandarin Oriental, we decided to meet for a drink. So I introduced him "Chocz".
The drinking chocolates they have at Chocz is par excellent. My favorite is Aztec - drinking chocolate with a hint of chili powder. Great chocolates, good company, perfect harmony. So much so that what meant to be just coffee, extended past dinner time. Besides, I haven't met him in years and this was the first time I've ever had a real in-depth conversation with this friend in the last 15 years.
Intellectually stimulating conversation we both had indeed - about life's twists and turns. How the choices we made in life have changed us. How we evolved with age. Honestly, I never knew he can be very philosophical. Maybe marriage and fatherhood changed people. While, I on the other hand, still think and live a single life. A single career woman. Well, I can't deny the fact that I am currently single - and available too. So, how else should I think, I cannot imagine otherwise until I have babies of my own. One day!
I asked him how he thinks I have changed. He said, "Mature and wiser, you look more at peace with yourself now - and in control of your life. You look happier."
Indeed! You bet! I do feel content with my life. Well, I don't have the world's riches at my feet and good looking hunks worshipping the earth I walk on. But, yes, I am happy with what I am and content with what and who I have. I maybe "alone" as in living life "solo" but I am but no means, lonely. Alhamdullilah!
Friday, September 17, 2004
Tetek Besar, Pantat Lebar
Tetek Besar, Pantat Lebar
Adakah tajuk novel baru Mo Yan satu pemberontakan terhadap tradisi?
by Khalid Jaafar
17-09-2004
Sebelum diterbitkan di Beijing, penerbit Mo Yan, penulis novel Red Sorghum yang difilemkan dengan arahan Zhang Yimou dan lakunan Gong Li, membuat publisiti untuk novel terbaharunya. Media riuh dan pengkritik naik rebut. Mengapa tajuknya begitu celupar, atau mencarut? Kemudian suara-suara lantang muncul menuntut Mo Yan menukar tajuk novel terbaharunya. Mo Yan enggan.
Terjemahan Inggeris novel tersebut dengan nama Big Breast Wide Hip hanya akan dipasarkan mulai November akan datang. Ceritanya, menurut Mo Yan sendiri (diceritakan di Shambaugh House kepada lebih kurang 30 orang penulis dari seluruh dunia yang menghadiri International Writing Program di University Iowa dan peminat-peminat novelis tersebut) adalah tentang seorang perempuan yang bekahwin dengan lelaki mandul. Lakinya mandul, tapi dapat anak sembilan orang. Hairan?
Setelah beberapa tahun tidak memperolehi anak si isteri mulai tahu bahawa suaminya mandul dan berdepan dengan tradisi masyarakat Cina bahawa isteri yang tidak membawa zuriat lambat laut akan disingkirkan dari rumah. Maka si isteri yang setia dan cintakan suami bersetubuh dengan lelaki demi lelaki yang tidak dicintainya semata-mata untuk memperolehi anak. Dan setiap anak yang dilahirkan adalah benih dari lelaki berlainan.
Tetapi anak demi anak yang dilahirkan adalah perempuan. Anak perempuan tidak menyambung zuriat keluarga, itu hanya boleh dilakukan oleh lelaki. Si isteri tidak berhenti bersenggama dengan lelaki sehinggalah memperolehi anak lelaki. Akhirnya, setelah bersenggama dengan lapan lelaki, dengan lelaki yang kesembilan dia memperolehi seorang putera. Dan siapakan lelaki yang kesembilan itu? Itulah yang lucunya, juga sebagai sindiran berselindung, lelaki itulah adalah seorang padri, mubaligh dari Sweden.
Sambungan di:- http://www.kakiseni.com/articles/columns/MDU1OQ.html
Adakah tajuk novel baru Mo Yan satu pemberontakan terhadap tradisi?
by Khalid Jaafar
17-09-2004
Sebelum diterbitkan di Beijing, penerbit Mo Yan, penulis novel Red Sorghum yang difilemkan dengan arahan Zhang Yimou dan lakunan Gong Li, membuat publisiti untuk novel terbaharunya. Media riuh dan pengkritik naik rebut. Mengapa tajuknya begitu celupar, atau mencarut? Kemudian suara-suara lantang muncul menuntut Mo Yan menukar tajuk novel terbaharunya. Mo Yan enggan.
Terjemahan Inggeris novel tersebut dengan nama Big Breast Wide Hip hanya akan dipasarkan mulai November akan datang. Ceritanya, menurut Mo Yan sendiri (diceritakan di Shambaugh House kepada lebih kurang 30 orang penulis dari seluruh dunia yang menghadiri International Writing Program di University Iowa dan peminat-peminat novelis tersebut) adalah tentang seorang perempuan yang bekahwin dengan lelaki mandul. Lakinya mandul, tapi dapat anak sembilan orang. Hairan?
Setelah beberapa tahun tidak memperolehi anak si isteri mulai tahu bahawa suaminya mandul dan berdepan dengan tradisi masyarakat Cina bahawa isteri yang tidak membawa zuriat lambat laut akan disingkirkan dari rumah. Maka si isteri yang setia dan cintakan suami bersetubuh dengan lelaki demi lelaki yang tidak dicintainya semata-mata untuk memperolehi anak. Dan setiap anak yang dilahirkan adalah benih dari lelaki berlainan.
Tetapi anak demi anak yang dilahirkan adalah perempuan. Anak perempuan tidak menyambung zuriat keluarga, itu hanya boleh dilakukan oleh lelaki. Si isteri tidak berhenti bersenggama dengan lelaki sehinggalah memperolehi anak lelaki. Akhirnya, setelah bersenggama dengan lapan lelaki, dengan lelaki yang kesembilan dia memperolehi seorang putera. Dan siapakan lelaki yang kesembilan itu? Itulah yang lucunya, juga sebagai sindiran berselindung, lelaki itulah adalah seorang padri, mubaligh dari Sweden.
Sambungan di:- http://www.kakiseni.com/articles/columns/MDU1OQ.html
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Black as Hell, Strong as Death, Sweet as Love
Black as Hell, Strong as Death, Sweet as Love.
I am reminded by words borrowed from a Turkish proverb, that are printed on the walls of Coffee Club Express at Kinokuniya, Suria KLCC, where I had my late morning breakfast and did some office work on my laptop on Sunday morning. The time of the day when my cafe mocha tasted like what John Milton described, "One sip of this will bathe the drooping spirits in delight. Beyond the bliss of dreams."
It would be nice to just linger in bed but work is work, and deadline has no mercy if I intend to be called a professional. So, I dragged myslef out of bed and lugged my laptop to Coffee Club Express because it is a quiet place to work. With what Napolean Bonaparte exclaimed, "Strong coffee, much strong coffee is what awakens me," I am set to work on my masterpiece for the day. My speech for the Chairman.
It is amazing that my thoughts flow better when I am working outside the office. After CIMA's Logistic Winning Edge Solution Launch held today afternoon, I overheard people complimenting the Chairman for a speech well written and inspirational. Beaming with pride, I had wanted to shout, "Yes, I did it!"
I think companies should allow their staff to work outside the office if it can create masterpieces. Afterall, isn't end result is what they are looking for?
Trivialties such as being punctual to the dot should not be an issue, when you have an employee willing to work on weekends and not being calculative with their time. So, why should companies be calculative about a staff being 15 minutes late when the staff works an extra 2-4 hours day in, day out. More Malaysian companies should think about Flexi-Hours as an option. I think it is a great idea!
I am reminded by words borrowed from a Turkish proverb, that are printed on the walls of Coffee Club Express at Kinokuniya, Suria KLCC, where I had my late morning breakfast and did some office work on my laptop on Sunday morning. The time of the day when my cafe mocha tasted like what John Milton described, "One sip of this will bathe the drooping spirits in delight. Beyond the bliss of dreams."
It would be nice to just linger in bed but work is work, and deadline has no mercy if I intend to be called a professional. So, I dragged myslef out of bed and lugged my laptop to Coffee Club Express because it is a quiet place to work. With what Napolean Bonaparte exclaimed, "Strong coffee, much strong coffee is what awakens me," I am set to work on my masterpiece for the day. My speech for the Chairman.
It is amazing that my thoughts flow better when I am working outside the office. After CIMA's Logistic Winning Edge Solution Launch held today afternoon, I overheard people complimenting the Chairman for a speech well written and inspirational. Beaming with pride, I had wanted to shout, "Yes, I did it!"
I think companies should allow their staff to work outside the office if it can create masterpieces. Afterall, isn't end result is what they are looking for?
Trivialties such as being punctual to the dot should not be an issue, when you have an employee willing to work on weekends and not being calculative with their time. So, why should companies be calculative about a staff being 15 minutes late when the staff works an extra 2-4 hours day in, day out. More Malaysian companies should think about Flexi-Hours as an option. I think it is a great idea!
Monday, September 13, 2004
Sweet Beginning, Bitter Ending
All is fair in love and war, so they say. But it is not a just action to humiliate another human being because she will not subscribe to what you believed to be.
Black as Hell, Strong as Death, is the taste of the bitter pill that Medicine Man has prescribed to me last night. This, after he humiliated me after a simple misunderstanding that resulted from his unjustifiable possessiveness and unfounded jealousy. Amazing that even as a boyfriend he is terribly jealous. I wonder what kind of a husband he would be? He would probably murder me out of jealousy?
Last night, The Medicine Man accused me of having an affair with a guy friend, over an innocent phone call around 11:00 p.m. My friend needs my brother's number because he has a job to give him, so it's a business call in a way, and not even a social call.
I guess Medicine Man couldn't understand this as he wouldn't accept my explanation. Jealousy-filled rivulet of thoughts overwhelmed his senses. Worse, he called me Bitch. But I guess if I want to look at it in a positive angle, I wonder if he knows that BITCH means Babe in Total Control of Herself?
I wonder if he assummed his ex-wife had an affair, or did she really have an affair? There are three sides to reality - mine, yours and the truth. His chimeric reality seems distorted illusion that is a mental fabrication, grotesque product of his imagination.
Today, Medicine Man returned whatever gifts that I had given him while we were together, including his birthday present, and left them at my office reception. He also reminded me to pay for the diamond pendant he paid for me, "in case I forget." I haven't replied his sms because he has no courtesy to call me.
He said we'll just be friends now. After much disrespect, humiliation and much more, I refuse to call him a friend. Respect is a pre-requisite that I require from my friends. If they cannot give me that, then I am not interested to be friends with them. So Medicine Man is not my friend. I suppose, if it is true what he said that I am his only friend, then he had just lost his only friend.
What he did to me is unfair, even God doesn't plan to judge a man (or a woman) till the end of his (or her) days, why should you and I? But then again, all things are even at the end of the day. Biarlah Si Luncai terjun dengan labu-labunya!
Saudara, nyawa tiada harga
Harta kekayaan dapat dipungut
Bagai pasir di pantai
Samudera nafsu jin dan syaitan!
Tapi jangan cuba rampok
Dari daku kebebasan
Berfikir, berkata, bergerak,
Batas leluasa
Hanya taqwaku pada Dia!
(Kebebasan, Mac 1946)
Sweet beginning for love but a bitter ending to a friendship.
Black as Hell, Strong as Death, is the taste of the bitter pill that Medicine Man has prescribed to me last night. This, after he humiliated me after a simple misunderstanding that resulted from his unjustifiable possessiveness and unfounded jealousy. Amazing that even as a boyfriend he is terribly jealous. I wonder what kind of a husband he would be? He would probably murder me out of jealousy?
Last night, The Medicine Man accused me of having an affair with a guy friend, over an innocent phone call around 11:00 p.m. My friend needs my brother's number because he has a job to give him, so it's a business call in a way, and not even a social call.
I guess Medicine Man couldn't understand this as he wouldn't accept my explanation. Jealousy-filled rivulet of thoughts overwhelmed his senses. Worse, he called me Bitch. But I guess if I want to look at it in a positive angle, I wonder if he knows that BITCH means Babe in Total Control of Herself?
I wonder if he assummed his ex-wife had an affair, or did she really have an affair? There are three sides to reality - mine, yours and the truth. His chimeric reality seems distorted illusion that is a mental fabrication, grotesque product of his imagination.
Today, Medicine Man returned whatever gifts that I had given him while we were together, including his birthday present, and left them at my office reception. He also reminded me to pay for the diamond pendant he paid for me, "in case I forget." I haven't replied his sms because he has no courtesy to call me.
He said we'll just be friends now. After much disrespect, humiliation and much more, I refuse to call him a friend. Respect is a pre-requisite that I require from my friends. If they cannot give me that, then I am not interested to be friends with them. So Medicine Man is not my friend. I suppose, if it is true what he said that I am his only friend, then he had just lost his only friend.
What he did to me is unfair, even God doesn't plan to judge a man (or a woman) till the end of his (or her) days, why should you and I? But then again, all things are even at the end of the day. Biarlah Si Luncai terjun dengan labu-labunya!
Saudara, nyawa tiada harga
Harta kekayaan dapat dipungut
Bagai pasir di pantai
Samudera nafsu jin dan syaitan!
Tapi jangan cuba rampok
Dari daku kebebasan
Berfikir, berkata, bergerak,
Batas leluasa
Hanya taqwaku pada Dia!
(Kebebasan, Mac 1946)
Sweet beginning for love but a bitter ending to a friendship.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Mourning a lost relationship
Yesterday, as people mourned the spoils of war following September 11 terrorist attack on World Trade Center incident, I mourned a lost relationship.
I broke up with Medicine Man last night. He accused me of cheating him. Seriously, I am not and have no intention to cheat. I swear!
I'm tired of pleading innocence and justifying my actions to him every time. I feel suffocated, I can't breathe when he hovers over my neck. At this moment, I just don't give a damn anymore what he thinks. I'd rather be alone and happy, than being with someone and feels lonely - we don't meet eye to eye on many things. I don't think he's for me...
I can't help it that his ex-wife cheated on him and I can't help it that he's feeling very insecure and like a spoil of war. Seriously, at this age, I have not much tolerance for insecure men and people who love feeling sorry for themselves. They have to realise that we can let circumstances rule us, or we can take charge and rule our lives from within.
I'm not feeling sad that we've broken up - I don't consider Medicine Man would be a real lost - for I will not settle for second best in choosing my life partner.
The main cause for failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want at the moment. I don't want him badly enough and he's not for me - I must find the best fit for me, one who feels just right for me and makes me feel alright.
Yesterday and Tomorrow
By Marzuki
Yesterday I saw you
Walking and laughing with someone new
And I know that you saw me too
But I pretend that I was happy
I try to hide the feelings inside me
That sometimes I still cry
And the truth is inside I already died
You know I’d do anything for you
But not to love you is the only thing that I can’t do
I’d lost everything if I don’t have you
And what would life be if I have to go through
Those days and nights will be all blue
I walk in the misty shadows
Of our past memories that before this had grow
The young and passionate love is now rest peacefully
except remains of you that still haunting me
But I know one day I will forget you
As soon as my heart stops beating
And as soon as forever is through
I’ll be over you
I broke up with Medicine Man last night. He accused me of cheating him. Seriously, I am not and have no intention to cheat. I swear!
I'm tired of pleading innocence and justifying my actions to him every time. I feel suffocated, I can't breathe when he hovers over my neck. At this moment, I just don't give a damn anymore what he thinks. I'd rather be alone and happy, than being with someone and feels lonely - we don't meet eye to eye on many things. I don't think he's for me...
I can't help it that his ex-wife cheated on him and I can't help it that he's feeling very insecure and like a spoil of war. Seriously, at this age, I have not much tolerance for insecure men and people who love feeling sorry for themselves. They have to realise that we can let circumstances rule us, or we can take charge and rule our lives from within.
I'm not feeling sad that we've broken up - I don't consider Medicine Man would be a real lost - for I will not settle for second best in choosing my life partner.
The main cause for failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want at the moment. I don't want him badly enough and he's not for me - I must find the best fit for me, one who feels just right for me and makes me feel alright.
Yesterday and Tomorrow
By Marzuki
Yesterday I saw you
Walking and laughing with someone new
And I know that you saw me too
But I pretend that I was happy
I try to hide the feelings inside me
That sometimes I still cry
And the truth is inside I already died
You know I’d do anything for you
But not to love you is the only thing that I can’t do
I’d lost everything if I don’t have you
And what would life be if I have to go through
Those days and nights will be all blue
I walk in the misty shadows
Of our past memories that before this had grow
The young and passionate love is now rest peacefully
except remains of you that still haunting me
But I know one day I will forget you
As soon as my heart stops beating
And as soon as forever is through
I’ll be over you
Puteri Gunung Ledang
I watched "Puteri Gunung Ledang" on Saturday at Tanjung Golden Village Cinema, KLCC with The Medicine Man.
Synopsis
Set in 15th century Malacca, this love story begins when Princess Gusti Dumilah sails away from her war torn homeland of Majapahit in search of her love, Admiral Hang Tuah, in Malacca. However, against the Princess’ will, her brother Gusti Adipati, arranges for her to be married off to the Sultan of Malacca in the hope that the Sultan will protect them from Pangeran Demak’s attacks on Majapahit.
Hang Tuah, upon receiving the news of the impending wedding carries on his loyal duties, for his loyalty lies strongly with the Sultan and the State. He leads a party up the challenging Gunung Ledang to ask Princess Gusti for her hand in marriage, on behalf of the Sultan. Hurt and angry, Princess Gusti agrees to the marriage, on condition that the Sultan grants her seven wishes.
Before the Sultan can grant the Princess her final wish, she appears and rebukes him. The Sultan, hurt and angry, casts a curse on the Princess to live in Gunung Ledang, never to be seen by another human being again…
My Review
To begin with, I love movies that have princes and princesses in them - so it gets my thumbs up.
Objectively, of course, I believe the movie has an excellent cinematography and well written script. The dialogues and movements may be slow in some parts - but that's because the script was written poetically. For example, the love dance between the lovers. There were no dialogues - just meeting of the eyes and synchronising of the movements that are rythmic. It was so poetic and abstract - it says a lot without a word. You need a brain to decipher the messages that are being communicated by the complexities of each gesture - just like a dance. If you don't want to think hard, you probably won't enjoy the movie.
I am just sad that the movie has a bitter ending - I just hope that the two lovers are reunited in the after-life, because the ending drove me to tears.
I admire the princess' guts in turning the king's marriage proposal down. She knows her priority and fights for her love. She's the real warrior - a fighter, and very intelligent too. This, judging from the riddles she had created that the king had to call all his intelligentsia to decipher the meaning - the riddles whose answers would tell the king what he had to fulfill in order for her to accept his marriage proposal.
The King was hesitant at first to fulfill her last request - a bowl of his son's blood. But in the end he succumbed to his lust and desire for the Javanese princess.
On the other hand, I don't admire Hang Tuah. He should have fought for his right to love - he definitely didn't understand his real priority in life. Loyalty to the villain king is more important than having the right to love? How can he be a hero if he can't even fight for the one he truly loves. This, an admirable trait for our legendary Malay hero? No wonder a good number of Malay men are aimless, lacking ambition and lacking understanding in managing their priorities.
The King's succumbing to his desires that he was willing to even kill his own flesh and blood to get Puteri Gunung Ledang, was really low. He was willing to marry another, after all that difficulty in winning Tun Teja's love as I remember the story, he had to even kidnap her. But once his, she amounts to nothing?
This epitomises our society where a number of men easily succumbed to lust and desire - so much so that they are willing to break promises and vows made to the ones they had once pledged love and loyalty. The mother of their children means nothing to them? They even forget their children - like my father, for example - in pursuit of lust and desire. They discard wives like trash, or simply stack them up like old newspapers in their storerooms to gather dust.
Our society's paradigm needs to change - borrowing a quote from Sharon Pearson of The Coaching Institute, I would like to say: "The mind that created the problem can't create the solution. You must adjust your thinking".
Synopsis
Set in 15th century Malacca, this love story begins when Princess Gusti Dumilah sails away from her war torn homeland of Majapahit in search of her love, Admiral Hang Tuah, in Malacca. However, against the Princess’ will, her brother Gusti Adipati, arranges for her to be married off to the Sultan of Malacca in the hope that the Sultan will protect them from Pangeran Demak’s attacks on Majapahit.
Hang Tuah, upon receiving the news of the impending wedding carries on his loyal duties, for his loyalty lies strongly with the Sultan and the State. He leads a party up the challenging Gunung Ledang to ask Princess Gusti for her hand in marriage, on behalf of the Sultan. Hurt and angry, Princess Gusti agrees to the marriage, on condition that the Sultan grants her seven wishes.
Before the Sultan can grant the Princess her final wish, she appears and rebukes him. The Sultan, hurt and angry, casts a curse on the Princess to live in Gunung Ledang, never to be seen by another human being again…
My Review
To begin with, I love movies that have princes and princesses in them - so it gets my thumbs up.
Objectively, of course, I believe the movie has an excellent cinematography and well written script. The dialogues and movements may be slow in some parts - but that's because the script was written poetically. For example, the love dance between the lovers. There were no dialogues - just meeting of the eyes and synchronising of the movements that are rythmic. It was so poetic and abstract - it says a lot without a word. You need a brain to decipher the messages that are being communicated by the complexities of each gesture - just like a dance. If you don't want to think hard, you probably won't enjoy the movie.
I am just sad that the movie has a bitter ending - I just hope that the two lovers are reunited in the after-life, because the ending drove me to tears.
I admire the princess' guts in turning the king's marriage proposal down. She knows her priority and fights for her love. She's the real warrior - a fighter, and very intelligent too. This, judging from the riddles she had created that the king had to call all his intelligentsia to decipher the meaning - the riddles whose answers would tell the king what he had to fulfill in order for her to accept his marriage proposal.
The King was hesitant at first to fulfill her last request - a bowl of his son's blood. But in the end he succumbed to his lust and desire for the Javanese princess.
On the other hand, I don't admire Hang Tuah. He should have fought for his right to love - he definitely didn't understand his real priority in life. Loyalty to the villain king is more important than having the right to love? How can he be a hero if he can't even fight for the one he truly loves. This, an admirable trait for our legendary Malay hero? No wonder a good number of Malay men are aimless, lacking ambition and lacking understanding in managing their priorities.
The King's succumbing to his desires that he was willing to even kill his own flesh and blood to get Puteri Gunung Ledang, was really low. He was willing to marry another, after all that difficulty in winning Tun Teja's love as I remember the story, he had to even kidnap her. But once his, she amounts to nothing?
This epitomises our society where a number of men easily succumbed to lust and desire - so much so that they are willing to break promises and vows made to the ones they had once pledged love and loyalty. The mother of their children means nothing to them? They even forget their children - like my father, for example - in pursuit of lust and desire. They discard wives like trash, or simply stack them up like old newspapers in their storerooms to gather dust.
Our society's paradigm needs to change - borrowing a quote from Sharon Pearson of The Coaching Institute, I would like to say: "The mind that created the problem can't create the solution. You must adjust your thinking".
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Budget 2005
Post Budget 2005, I have heard groans and grunts from my smoker and drinker friends and relatives on the increased taxes on cigarrettes and alcohol. Not to exclude my mom who complains that her regular cigarrettes stockists do not want to sell ocigarrettes to her convenience shop until the price hike takes effect. They are loading up on the stock to sell it at new prices.
Nevertheless, I am quite optimistic of the budget that was announced by our Malaysian Prime Minister yesterday afternoon. The incentives and measures in Budget 2005 focuses on four key areas – fiscal consolidation, enhancing business competitiveness and increasing domestic investment, promoting and developing new sources of growth and capital market expansion.
On a budget
The biggest share of the allocation has gone to the rural and agriculture sector, which I believe is good for our economy - we have the resources that need to be mobilised to greater efficiency. There should be a bigger population of the new breed of modern farmers who are business savvy and uses technology to their benefit. Malaysia need to develop our rural areas - this has been overlooked and as a result people are migrating to big cities, leading to over-concentration of "brain reserves" and almost none in the less urban areas. How do we overcome this?
I am secretly pleased and delighted that the Government is promoting a healthy lifestyle - go ahead and call me a party pooper - by imposing higher taxes on cigarrettes and alcohol. If people have to pay RM7.20 for 20 sticks of cigarettes, the price would be quite a heavy toll on smokers. You can see how much money you burn daily on cigarrettes. Theoretically, it will help reduce the number of people who can afford cigarrettes, and hopefully reduce the number of smokers in Malaysia. The reduced subsidy on petrol will further reduce the population of people who can afford both cigarrettes and cars. Choose - more money for cigarrettes or more money for petrol. You need petrol to go to work and get around.
Free milk
Analysts and asset managers have described the 2005 Budget as a good one that will probably give the stock market a little boost, because the Government want to expand the capital market by allowing more companies to own licenses for venture capital firms and brokerages.
I surely hope with the RM500 million for the maintenance of public infrastructure, my company would be getting new projects next year.
On the capacity building like training new skilled man power, I think this should have been addressed a long time ago. First, they should improve the standard of the English language in Malaysia, both urban and rural, and especially in the rural areas. English language, I believe, must be mastered by everyone, if Malaysians were to become world-class citizens, and able to compete with our foreign counterparts. This is a serious need - judging from what I see and hear with my own eyes and ears.
Especially if we are promoting health tourism and education tourism - there is great potential for growth in health tourism in Asia, just look at Thailand with their five-star health resorts. Why re-invent the wheel, when the business model we are looking at is quite close to home. But good English is a must if we want to do as well as Thailand's health tourism industry. This is also true for education tourism. Our standards of English language must be at par with Singapore at least so as to allow foreign students to pursue their higher education in Malaysia.
Whilst bonuses for the public sector workers are good, but hey, what about the private sector? We work harder! Hehehe...we hardly go home before 6:30 p.m. and we don't take tea breaks and long lunches. I just hope that the bonus will motivate the civil servants to work harder.
Anyways, it is no surprise to me that the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) was not too excited about the budget. Zainal Rampak was quoted as saying that his major source of unhappiness is the budget’s silence on the issue of minimum wage, which is non-existence here. While my salary is like heaven-and-earth-far from minimum wage, for which I am blessed by virtue of my education and opportunities, I do feel deep concern for the supposedly minimum wage workers.
But anyways, overall, the budget, I believe, is people-friendly (except to smokers and drinkers), futuristic, visionary and well-encompassed. I believe the budget will benefit us in reducing the high cost of living in Malaysia, especially big cities like Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Penang. I am 99% behind this effort by the Government - errr, 1% margin of error, that is, as nobody's perfect. But then again, a good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.
Nevertheless, I am quite optimistic of the budget that was announced by our Malaysian Prime Minister yesterday afternoon. The incentives and measures in Budget 2005 focuses on four key areas – fiscal consolidation, enhancing business competitiveness and increasing domestic investment, promoting and developing new sources of growth and capital market expansion.
On a budget
The biggest share of the allocation has gone to the rural and agriculture sector, which I believe is good for our economy - we have the resources that need to be mobilised to greater efficiency. There should be a bigger population of the new breed of modern farmers who are business savvy and uses technology to their benefit. Malaysia need to develop our rural areas - this has been overlooked and as a result people are migrating to big cities, leading to over-concentration of "brain reserves" and almost none in the less urban areas. How do we overcome this?
I am secretly pleased and delighted that the Government is promoting a healthy lifestyle - go ahead and call me a party pooper - by imposing higher taxes on cigarrettes and alcohol. If people have to pay RM7.20 for 20 sticks of cigarettes, the price would be quite a heavy toll on smokers. You can see how much money you burn daily on cigarrettes. Theoretically, it will help reduce the number of people who can afford cigarrettes, and hopefully reduce the number of smokers in Malaysia. The reduced subsidy on petrol will further reduce the population of people who can afford both cigarrettes and cars. Choose - more money for cigarrettes or more money for petrol. You need petrol to go to work and get around.
Free milk
Analysts and asset managers have described the 2005 Budget as a good one that will probably give the stock market a little boost, because the Government want to expand the capital market by allowing more companies to own licenses for venture capital firms and brokerages.
I surely hope with the RM500 million for the maintenance of public infrastructure, my company would be getting new projects next year.
On the capacity building like training new skilled man power, I think this should have been addressed a long time ago. First, they should improve the standard of the English language in Malaysia, both urban and rural, and especially in the rural areas. English language, I believe, must be mastered by everyone, if Malaysians were to become world-class citizens, and able to compete with our foreign counterparts. This is a serious need - judging from what I see and hear with my own eyes and ears.
Especially if we are promoting health tourism and education tourism - there is great potential for growth in health tourism in Asia, just look at Thailand with their five-star health resorts. Why re-invent the wheel, when the business model we are looking at is quite close to home. But good English is a must if we want to do as well as Thailand's health tourism industry. This is also true for education tourism. Our standards of English language must be at par with Singapore at least so as to allow foreign students to pursue their higher education in Malaysia.
Whilst bonuses for the public sector workers are good, but hey, what about the private sector? We work harder! Hehehe...we hardly go home before 6:30 p.m. and we don't take tea breaks and long lunches. I just hope that the bonus will motivate the civil servants to work harder.
Anyways, it is no surprise to me that the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) was not too excited about the budget. Zainal Rampak was quoted as saying that his major source of unhappiness is the budget’s silence on the issue of minimum wage, which is non-existence here. While my salary is like heaven-and-earth-far from minimum wage, for which I am blessed by virtue of my education and opportunities, I do feel deep concern for the supposedly minimum wage workers.
But anyways, overall, the budget, I believe, is people-friendly (except to smokers and drinkers), futuristic, visionary and well-encompassed. I believe the budget will benefit us in reducing the high cost of living in Malaysia, especially big cities like Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Penang. I am 99% behind this effort by the Government - errr, 1% margin of error, that is, as nobody's perfect. But then again, a good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Losing my virginity
I broke my personal record in successfully drafting a speech in just fifteen minutes, and delivering it fifteen minutes later - and winning as first runner-up of a humorous speech contest at PROMUDA Toastmasters Club on Thursday night. My entry into the speech contest was a last minute one - they need another contestant to make up the numbers.
My speech was about my getting married because I was horny, my wedding night and losing my virginity - a topic that brought surprised gasps and filled the audience's eyes with amazement that I actually will talk about such a hushed topic. But it was the only topic I can think about at the time, that I know best.
In a nutshell, there are three major events in one's life that are irreversible - birth and death and in between, losing one's virginity or innocence. The expected reason for my getting married is to build a life together with my loved one. But the real reason was - in the foolishness of my youth, I had gotten married because I was horny and wanted so badly to lose my virginity, at a tender age of 25. I could have waited until I am 28 at least but I was just too horny. That's the truth!
My first attempt to get married was when I was 21 and in my Junior Year at San Jose State University - The Ex-Hubby flew from Buffalo, New York to propose. I thought it was romantic so I agreed. We almost eloped because my mom disapproved - but I changed my mind because of practical reasons.
My second attempt was when I graduated two years later. Again, The Ex Hubby proposed and believing we are now more mature and ready, we approached my mom. She told the prospective groom, go and save money for the wedding. I am her only daughter and she wants a proper and respectable wedding for me. As a result we had to wait another two agonising horny years, when finally she had to agree because she was concerned that we were getting hornier by the year. We could have had pre-marital sex but then back then, I was against it in all my innocence. I was a very good girl, I swear!
So, we finally got married in 1995 - and thus my story began.
After the wedding, relatives kept talking at great lengths to me and The Ex-Hubby, and when we finally thought we can consume our marriage, my mom practically barred him from my room and the matrimonial bed because we have to go through another reception at the groom's house, which was two weeks after. You can imagine our agony.
After the reception at the groom's house, I had my period, so I was still a virgin even after two weeks of being married.
The next week was our honeymoon in Medan, Indonesia and another reception was hosted by The Ex-Hubby's sister's parents in-laws. It was a grand welcome, and practically over a hundred relatives we don't even know who came to celebrate. The Ex-Hubby's sister's parents in-laws insisted that we stay at their really huge house which has 10 bedrooms. Our bedroom, which was a guest room, has no attached bathroom and it was really not convenient to have sex and run to the bathroom to clean up any spillage! We thought, forget it!
The next week, we came home to Malaysia. Because we cannot afford our own house, we had accepted mom's offer to stay with her. Afterall, it's a huge house and with big six bedrooms, we have more than enough rooms for everyone. When we thought the coast is clear as mom had given her green light for The Ex-Hubby to join me at the matrimonial celestial bed, having been through all the ceremonies, the cat was giving us problem.
Have a Kit Kat
My pet cat, Didie, was very attached to me and she slept in my room. She would crawl under my comforters when it gets cold at night. That night she refused to leave the room, and was pretty hostile to The Ex-Hubby. If Didie had not been my beloved cat, then curiousity would have killed the cat!
Zzzzzz...
But thank God, after a few nights of trying to persuade Didie to sleep with mom, she finally gave in and we got all the space to us - so I finally lost my virginity about one month after getting married. It was a hilariously amusing journey for me.
Perhaps because we got married out of horniness, the marriage only lasted for seven horny years. What can I say, the years have been good, but the nights are not enough!
My speech was about my getting married because I was horny, my wedding night and losing my virginity - a topic that brought surprised gasps and filled the audience's eyes with amazement that I actually will talk about such a hushed topic. But it was the only topic I can think about at the time, that I know best.
In a nutshell, there are three major events in one's life that are irreversible - birth and death and in between, losing one's virginity or innocence. The expected reason for my getting married is to build a life together with my loved one. But the real reason was - in the foolishness of my youth, I had gotten married because I was horny and wanted so badly to lose my virginity, at a tender age of 25. I could have waited until I am 28 at least but I was just too horny. That's the truth!
My first attempt to get married was when I was 21 and in my Junior Year at San Jose State University - The Ex-Hubby flew from Buffalo, New York to propose. I thought it was romantic so I agreed. We almost eloped because my mom disapproved - but I changed my mind because of practical reasons.
My second attempt was when I graduated two years later. Again, The Ex Hubby proposed and believing we are now more mature and ready, we approached my mom. She told the prospective groom, go and save money for the wedding. I am her only daughter and she wants a proper and respectable wedding for me. As a result we had to wait another two agonising horny years, when finally she had to agree because she was concerned that we were getting hornier by the year. We could have had pre-marital sex but then back then, I was against it in all my innocence. I was a very good girl, I swear!
So, we finally got married in 1995 - and thus my story began.
After the wedding, relatives kept talking at great lengths to me and The Ex-Hubby, and when we finally thought we can consume our marriage, my mom practically barred him from my room and the matrimonial bed because we have to go through another reception at the groom's house, which was two weeks after. You can imagine our agony.
After the reception at the groom's house, I had my period, so I was still a virgin even after two weeks of being married.
The next week was our honeymoon in Medan, Indonesia and another reception was hosted by The Ex-Hubby's sister's parents in-laws. It was a grand welcome, and practically over a hundred relatives we don't even know who came to celebrate. The Ex-Hubby's sister's parents in-laws insisted that we stay at their really huge house which has 10 bedrooms. Our bedroom, which was a guest room, has no attached bathroom and it was really not convenient to have sex and run to the bathroom to clean up any spillage! We thought, forget it!
The next week, we came home to Malaysia. Because we cannot afford our own house, we had accepted mom's offer to stay with her. Afterall, it's a huge house and with big six bedrooms, we have more than enough rooms for everyone. When we thought the coast is clear as mom had given her green light for The Ex-Hubby to join me at the matrimonial celestial bed, having been through all the ceremonies, the cat was giving us problem.
Have a Kit Kat
My pet cat, Didie, was very attached to me and she slept in my room. She would crawl under my comforters when it gets cold at night. That night she refused to leave the room, and was pretty hostile to The Ex-Hubby. If Didie had not been my beloved cat, then curiousity would have killed the cat!
Zzzzzz...
But thank God, after a few nights of trying to persuade Didie to sleep with mom, she finally gave in and we got all the space to us - so I finally lost my virginity about one month after getting married. It was a hilariously amusing journey for me.
Perhaps because we got married out of horniness, the marriage only lasted for seven horny years. What can I say, the years have been good, but the nights are not enough!
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Good Question
An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty.
He asks one of his new Muslim students to stand and.....
Professor: You are a Muslim, aren't you, son?
Student : Yes, sir.
Prof: So you believe in God?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Prof: Is God good?
Student : Sure.
Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student : Yes.
Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmmm?
(Student is silent.)
Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?
Student :Yes.
Prof: Is Satan good?
Student : No.
Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student : From...God...
Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Prof: So who created evil?
(Student does not answer.)
Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student :Yes, sir.
Prof: So, who created them?
(Student has no answer.)
Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student : No , sir.
Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student : Yes.
Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.
Student : No sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)
Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey.
Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)
Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class is in uproar.)
Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it?.....No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student : That is it sir.. The link between man & god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive.
He asks one of his new Muslim students to stand and.....
Professor: You are a Muslim, aren't you, son?
Student : Yes, sir.
Prof: So you believe in God?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Prof: Is God good?
Student : Sure.
Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student : Yes.
Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmmm?
(Student is silent.)
Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?
Student :Yes.
Prof: Is Satan good?
Student : No.
Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student : From...God...
Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Prof: So who created evil?
(Student does not answer.)
Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student :Yes, sir.
Prof: So, who created them?
(Student has no answer.)
Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student : No , sir.
Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student : Yes.
Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.
Student : No sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)
Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey.
Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)
Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class is in uproar.)
Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it?.....No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student : That is it sir.. The link between man & god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
On his-tory lessons, privacy meter and sensitivity index
I have learned that each individual has his or her own level of comfort on how much they want other people to know who they are inside - I call it privacy meter and sensitivity index. Because I am very open about myself - I don't like to hide things and I'm not a mystery - I have assumed that other people do too. But I guess not many people are as open, despite their education and social circle. So, my lesson for the month - I must learn how to be more sensitive and thoughtful.
On that note, I experienced an interesting development in my newly developed relationship with Medicine Man, a biotechnologist who works in one of the subdiaries at the company I'm working for. Ummp...yeah okay, he's my colleague, in a way. After not talking to each other in the past two months over a misunderstanding, we finally met up last Sunday. He came by our exhibition booth and asked me out to lunch.
Over our Kenny Rogers roast chicken lunch, he said I have misunderstood what he meant - he said not that I am not "good" enough for him and not that I am not trustworthy enough because I'm sociable and outgoing, and have many friends.
Just that he thinks I am too good to be true. He feels that he does not measure up to me in many ways, and with my circle of friends, he thinks I have a lot more choices in men. But despite his shortcomings, I am still being nice to him and accepts him without prejudice. No woman has been this nice to him and he finds it not so believeable. So he just refused to believe that I am for real. Ummp...macam ni pun ada ker?
Gee...I dunno what to say. But that's what The Ex Hubby told me too. What is wrong with all the men in the world nowadays - I get dumped for being too nice?
When Medicine Man and I last spoke, I had given him a piece of my mind. I told him I am fed up having to try to be what he wanted me to be - the perfect wife model that I can never be.
I am a career woman model, and if I cannot have a man who will love me for what I am, I would rather not have a man at all. If I as I am not good enough for the man, then I will not try to be what he thinks is "good enough" just to please him and keep relationship alive. I have done that for The Ex Hubby, and I will NOT do that again, ever, for any man. He'll just have to take me as I am - flawed or not - because I will do the same for him.
Now after saying that with such a "punch" to his face, he thinks I'm real and believable now?
As a way of saying "I'm sorry", he got me a pair of diamond earrings and a matching pendant to go with it. He said if we can make it work, then we should go look for a matching diamond ring too. Ummmp I dunno what's real now, but I do like the diamonds he got me :))
Manogram
Now, correct me if I'm wrong - you have to be mean and feisty to get a man's love and attention and to make him believe that you are for real??? My best friend, Belle of The Party said I better have my boxing gloves handy at all times, in case I need to give him another "wake up and smell the coffee" feeling.
Another surprise, Medicine Man has agreed to go with me to Malam Gala Pencarian Gadis Jelita tonight. Usually, he hates going to social functions. This time, he agreed without any persuading! Wow, what have I done? The boxing glove, eh? Nah, must be the Gadis Jelita candidates.
Upright Pisa Tower
On that note, I experienced an interesting development in my newly developed relationship with Medicine Man, a biotechnologist who works in one of the subdiaries at the company I'm working for. Ummp...yeah okay, he's my colleague, in a way. After not talking to each other in the past two months over a misunderstanding, we finally met up last Sunday. He came by our exhibition booth and asked me out to lunch.
Over our Kenny Rogers roast chicken lunch, he said I have misunderstood what he meant - he said not that I am not "good" enough for him and not that I am not trustworthy enough because I'm sociable and outgoing, and have many friends.
Just that he thinks I am too good to be true. He feels that he does not measure up to me in many ways, and with my circle of friends, he thinks I have a lot more choices in men. But despite his shortcomings, I am still being nice to him and accepts him without prejudice. No woman has been this nice to him and he finds it not so believeable. So he just refused to believe that I am for real. Ummp...macam ni pun ada ker?
Gee...I dunno what to say. But that's what The Ex Hubby told me too. What is wrong with all the men in the world nowadays - I get dumped for being too nice?
When Medicine Man and I last spoke, I had given him a piece of my mind. I told him I am fed up having to try to be what he wanted me to be - the perfect wife model that I can never be.
I am a career woman model, and if I cannot have a man who will love me for what I am, I would rather not have a man at all. If I as I am not good enough for the man, then I will not try to be what he thinks is "good enough" just to please him and keep relationship alive. I have done that for The Ex Hubby, and I will NOT do that again, ever, for any man. He'll just have to take me as I am - flawed or not - because I will do the same for him.
Now after saying that with such a "punch" to his face, he thinks I'm real and believable now?
As a way of saying "I'm sorry", he got me a pair of diamond earrings and a matching pendant to go with it. He said if we can make it work, then we should go look for a matching diamond ring too. Ummmp I dunno what's real now, but I do like the diamonds he got me :))
Manogram
Now, correct me if I'm wrong - you have to be mean and feisty to get a man's love and attention and to make him believe that you are for real??? My best friend, Belle of The Party said I better have my boxing gloves handy at all times, in case I need to give him another "wake up and smell the coffee" feeling.
Another surprise, Medicine Man has agreed to go with me to Malam Gala Pencarian Gadis Jelita tonight. Usually, he hates going to social functions. This time, he agreed without any persuading! Wow, what have I done? The boxing glove, eh? Nah, must be the Gadis Jelita candidates.
Upright Pisa Tower
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