Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Three is a Party!



Hello Baby Ahmad Roshaidi Fitri

Yes, three is a party now that you become my third 'forever boyfriend' after Abang Faris and Abang Hariz.

Amuma told me you opened your eyes when both Amuma and Atok came over to see you in the bassinet. Such a clever boy or maybe you have such a strong instinct like Mak Long?

Welcome to our family Baby. Abang Faris told me that he wants to play soccer with you when you are strong enough to kick the ball Tok Busu bought for Abang Faris. Since your Daddy is an ardent supporter of MUFC, why not join Mak Long and support my favourite team, Arsenal?

I must tell you that i woke up this morning on the right side of my bed - I was feeling on top of the world. It's either you had sent me the 'message' that you would 'arrive 'today or another XY-chromosom bearing soul, like you Baby, made my day? :)

I know you'd be fine. You know my dear, this world is not as comfortable and warm like your Mommy's womb but with us all around you, don't you worry OK?

So Baby, I'll see you when you're back home OK? In the meantime, be good like you used to be when you're in your Mommy's womb.

XOXO

Love - Mak Long


Monday, September 28, 2009

Can You Erase This Part of My Memories, Please?


Things happen for reasons, i always believe and i do hope they are for good, noble reasons.

So I read TIME's "Kate Winslet's Moment" this morning, which later brought me to her list of films, which include "Eternal Sunshine on Spotless Mind", which title derives from 1717's "Eloisa to Abelard" tragic love poem that explains why we love who we love.

The film is about Joel, an emotional withdrawn guy, who is stunned to discover that his dysfunctional free-spirited girlfriend, Clementine, has had their tumultuous relationship erased from her mind - thanks to Lacuna Inc. Out of desperation, he contacted the inventor of the process to get the same treatment. However, as his memories of Clementine begin to fade away, he suddenly realises how much he loves her.

In Pope's poem, Eloisa is in anguish over the powerful, sexual feelings she still has for Abélard, especially in her dreams, and by the realization that, Pope is now a eunuch — something he regards as a mercy that freed him from the "contagion of carnal impurity" — he could not return her feelings even if he wanted to. And so she begs, not for forgiveness, but for forgetfulness.
No, fly me, fly me, far as pole from pole;

Rise Alps between us! and whole oceans roll!

Ah, come not, write not, think not once of me,

Nor share one pang of all I felt for thee.

..........................

How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!

The world forgetting, by the world forgot.

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!

Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd...

I do have certain parts of my memories i wish i could erase. Could you help me find my Lacuna Inc., please?


Sunday, September 27, 2009

Bye-Buy...


Nomination Day for Bagan Pinang bye-bye election is just around the corner and the Mighty (G)Rowling Party is yet to name his candy-date.

Come to think of this party, being the biggest you-know-what party 'seantero malaya', I wonder (seriously) why is it so difficult for them to name one? It should be done in an iffy because N9 is one of its 'kubu kuat'. Mano poey eh Jang!

Come to think of the names being mentioned (actually only one name keeps popping up), I shake my head in disbelief - Shish! Why can't this party find one 'clean' candy-date? Or perhaps, all of them are 'tainted' with 'melamine'? Maybe the supporters at grassroot level are pinning for "Wang Besar! Wang Besar! Wang Besar!". Whether the candy-date is 'Tainted' or not, as long as my White Rabbit Candy is free from melamine (so, i could chew on my way there), I'd say "Bring him on!".

Come to think of continuous victory to PR in previous bye-buy-by elections (except for Batang Ai ~ Alahai, undi ku dibawa arus), can't the you-know-what think of a better strategy to woo the voters? Sesia belajar (belanja) tinggi, kalau busuk hati semua pasti tak jadi!

To you-know-what, come, let's listen to this song by N'Sync! Priceless!

I don't wanna make it tough
But I had enough
And it ain't no lie
Baby, Bye bye
Bye, Bye
Don't wanna be a fool for you
Just another player in your game for two
I don't wanna be your fool
But it ain't no lie
Baby bye, bye, bye...


Kartika is One Happy Lady - Please Let Her Be...


I am a happy woman because Kartika is happy. She looked so serene and contented during the impromptu PC held at her father’s homestay Lang Buana camp in Kuala Kangsar.

Through this dark chapter of her life, Kartika has the undying supports from her beloved husband and family. And i have to say, she is one strong lady. Berani Kerana Benar, Takut Kerana Salah.

She told Gomen and the NGOs to butt out on Thursday. She is hoping for the authorities will just get on with the whipping, which had been put off till after Ramadhan and for the ‘meddlers’ to respect her decision.

When asked how she has been “preparing” for the punishment, she said, “I pray”.

p.s. I’d like to share with you on the benefits of prayers in my upcoming posting. It is said that ‘Sujud’ or prostration position during prayer helps to develop sensible and positive thinking along with highly motivated view of life.

I am sure she comes out of this stronger. Sometimes in life, we are faced with challenges, which no one would be able to help us through. Instead of throwing tantrums or succumb into depression, we always have God Almighty - The One we ask for solace to our weary soul. With His Willing, we would find ways to tackle the challenges though most of time, they are not easy.

As she had paid RM5,000 fine for the same offense, I do hope the authorities would now refund her the fines as they still intend to carry out the whipping. Syariah law, just like any other law, calls for justice for all and it is unfair to punish one, twice for the same offense.

Under state Syariah Criminal Offences Codes, only Pahang, Perlis and Kelantan provide shipping for women. The whipping implemented by Syariah Court was different from that done by civil courts. The rotan to be used should not be more than 1.22m long and not more than 1.25cm thick, and the whipping does not hit the face, head, stomach, breast or private parts. It must be done using moderate force. The punishers should not raise their hands over the head so as not to injure the skin.

Islam is kind and I wish the ones that will carry its Syariah are kind too.

Each day is a special gift from God,

And while life may not always be fair,

You must never allow the pains, hurdles

And handicaps of the moment

To poison your attitude and plans for yourself and your future

You can never win when you wear the ugly cloak of self-pity

And the sour sound of whining will certainly frighten away

Any opportunity for success

Never again. There is a better way


~ Og Mandino

What Women, Mother Nature and Ibu Pertiwi Have In Common?



Today, being a woman is complicated on all fronts.

She studies hard to get into college and to graduate with flying colours but when she goes for job interviews, she hears this too often “Oh! We are actually looking for men to fill in the positions”.

p.s. Our higher learning centres are swarmed by female students, hence more female graduates and explains why now we have more jobless graduates.

She stays single and people push her to get hitch. Once she’s married, they ask her when she’s going to have her baby. When she gets her baby and needs all the supports from them, no one comes forward.

p.s. It was reported that slightly more than of cancer patients are women below the age of 50 and it is observed that women who keep things to themselves (out of shame to share their problems due to family/society pressure) have a higher tendency to suffer from one and sadly, by the time they are diagnosed, the cancer would have been almost terminal stage. Apart from cancer, mental illnesses like schizophrenia, panic disorders and OCD.

She has to satisfy the needs of her beloved husband and family. She cleans and cleanses. She teaches and learns. She cooks and serves. She thinks and solves. She does repair works around the house, inside the heart and all over the physical body. She cares and dares. She wakes up early and stays up late. She is tired yet she looks so pretty. When she should be called the “Superwoman”, men think she is all prim and proper because she has a rich husband and 2 maids at home and a driver to boot.

She is answerable to her bosses. She has to do Bruce Lee’s Kung Fu fighting so she could climb up the corporate ladder while the boys only have to do their Pencak Silat Pengantin. She would be assigned to ‘House Cleaning Department’ while the boy would continue helming the ‘Good For Talking Cock Department’ at higher salary scales.

She has to endure verbal and physical abuse when she’s behind the wheels. Well, most of the time - even when she is carrying a precious gift of life inside her womb.

She risks her life, modesty and dignity – inside and outside her house – because you men out there do not really care about her. She may have an abusive husband but our Men in Blue could take no actions because there are no visible injuries on her. She tries hard to guard her handbag with all her might, even when she has only RM2.00 in her purse – her bus fares for the day but she is still the main target for snatch thieves. Where are our Men in Blue that should protect her out there? Where are our Men in the Kabinet who should create more jobs so no one has to resort to stealing to stay alive?

She goes to work and she has to do house works. Men just go to work.

She works and he works so she thought they could provide better to the family. Sometimes, she works because he never provides enough for the family. Only this time around, she would see where women are treated equally to men. Yes, when it comes to responsibilities and money.

She bears his children and that is when he files for divorce. He left for another woman and left nothing for her and the children. She goes to Pejabat Kadi and gets an earful of lectures and condemnation from thethat her husband left her because she doesn’t know how to take care of him. All Kadis are men.

Please God, she is just a woman with a delicate body, mind and soul yet she provides so much for those around her. Sometimes, I think that most social ills that plague our society and the world over are attributed by the mal(e)-function of our male counterparts in discharging their obligations, their responsibilities or for simply failing to be sensible human beings.

If only men could treat us, women, better for in every woman, there is a mother in her. If only men could comprehend the importance of mother, which explains why we called our Planet Earth as Mother Nature and we called this beloved country of ours as Ibu Pertiwi.

They say “A mother could take care of her 10 children yet her 10 children would not be able to take care of their one and only mother”.

Perhaps, after reading this, we would all see a mother differently, in better shades of light, with due Godly respect, for Abraham Lincoln says “No man is a poor man as long as he has a Godly Mother” and William Ross Wallace sees the power a woman has when he says that “For the hands that rocks the cradle is the hands that rules the world”.

For our Mothers, let them know how much we love her.

For our Mother Nature, let's stop polluting it and start taking good care of it.

For our Ibu Pertiwi, let’s not desert Her when she needs us to protect her.

let's do it while we still can...

"A mother is the truest friend we have

When trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us

When adversity takes the place of prosperity

When friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us

When trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us

And endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels

To dissipate the clouds of darkness

And cause peace to return to our hearts”



p.s. While women have proved that they are capable to achieve what men could do, it is high time for men to learn a thing or two from women.

p.s.s.
I am so happy to read Reuter’s beautifully written article on "PAS liberates women at work". Islam never victimise women but liberates them.

p.s.s.s. Compare the above article with revelation by Mr. Sim Kwang Yang in his blogpost Penans with cars and big houses?” and Survival International’s report on “Government report confirms Penan girls were raped by loggers”. Macam langit dengan bumi!

p.s.s.s.s. When Kak Jat is ‘well-equipped’ to assist these people, she refused to do so. How much destruction we need to inflict our Mother Nature and its people? How many more mothers, out-of-wedlock, we need to have? How many more girls we need to ‘sacrifice’, all in their quest to acquire knowledge, before we put this nonsense to a complete stop? How many more children we need to deny their entry into school just because they do not have a birth certificate?


p.s.s.s.s. While in Pak Busu’s car to Mak Ndak’s house on the first day of Raya, I listened to the following nasyid by Yusuf Islam (previously known as Cat Stevens), which I’d like to share with all of you. Like all other faiths, Islam places our Mothers in the highest place. So, may we all remember to respect everyone and everything that is considered a Mother to us.


Who should I give my love to? My respect and my honor to
Who should I pay good mind to? After Allah and Rasulullah

Comes your mother
Who next? Your mother Who next? Your mother
And then your father

Cause who used to hold you, And clean you and clothes you
Who used to feed you? And always be with you
When you were sick, Stay up all night
Holding you tight, That's right no other
Your mother (My mother)

Who should I take good care of? Giving all my love
Who should I think most of? After Allah And Rasulullah

Comes your mother
Who next? Your mother. Who next? Your mother
And then your father

Cause who used to hear you, Before you could talk
Who used to hold you? Before you could walk
And when you fell who picked you up, Clean your cut
No one but your mother
My mother

Who should I stay right close to? Listen most to
Never say no to, After Allah And Rasulullah

Comes your mother
Who next? Your mother. Who next? Your mother
And then your father

Cause who used to hug you, And buy you new clothes
Comb your hair, And blow your nose, And when you cry
Who wiped your tears? Knows your fears. Who really cares?
My mother

Say Alhamdulillah
Thank you Allah, Thank you Allah
For my mother

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The Launch of "SABM" - It Feels Like Home





“Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia” (“SABM”) was ‘set to sail’ on our 46th Malaysia Day at one humble venue, we now called “Rumah Anak Bangsa Malaysia”.





It started to drizzle when Mr Duke The Whisperer, Madam Rodi and me got to our “Rumah” around 4 pm. After getting myself registered at the booth and put on my ‘name tag’ (everyone who registered at the booth would be ‘donning’ one), I managed to shake the hands of the “Tuan Rumah” and was introduced to other SABM’s working team members and volunteers.







Perhaps, the rain soothed my soul. Maybe, these people I met projected such positive aura I felt I am connected to them. Instantly, it felt like home. Naturally, I wanted to help them and fortunately, this total stranger to them was given chances to assist them in her small ways. Indeed, to be needed rejuvenates your soul.

Inside our “Rumah”, my curious eyes caught the sight of the first “SABM” banner, full with inspiring words by a group of people who kicked start “SABM” initiative last year. “Ancient Mariner was here” – those words penned by Allahyarham Ancient Mariner brought tears to my eyes. May your Soul rest in peace Sir because “SABM” is now LIVE!







Outside our “Rumah”, I saw one lady seated with her teenage son (apparently, Daryl is a member of "Edison Youth Achievement Award", as shared by Mr. Duke in this blogpost) under one of the two tents set up within the compound along with a few other “Anak Bangsa Malaysia” (“ABM”). No door gifts, no early refreshment, no ‘carrots’ offered to entice these Anak Bangsa Malaysia to come early when Malaysians are rather famous with their unpunctuality. One thing for sure – it showed how much they wanted to be part of this momentous launch and that really touched my heart.





As more Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia thronged the registration booth, the sales of SABM’s “Racism is so yesterdayTees and “ABMbuttons were picking up. You’d hear Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia uttering this mantra - “Keep the change” - at this sales booth too often because everyone wanted to chip in for “SABM”. Some bought these items, not only for themselves, but also to share with their loved ones, friends and neighbours. I rest assure you that Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia are definitely gracious lots. It is also interesting that I was able to capture this spirit of "Pay It Forward" taking place in our Ibu Pertiwi.





Amongst Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia, they were more than one foreigners attended the launch. They might be following their Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia friends to this event but with such big, genuine smiles on their faces, I felt humble, deeply, that even foreigners feel so much love for this Ibu Pertiwi. Do we not supposed to love this “Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku” with all our heart, with all our might, we may never want to hurt it and its people? Clearly, humanity cuts all boundaries – we are after all human beings.






The launch started with us singing “Negaraku”. I know I should feel ashamed of myself but I must confess that I was so proud singing it, after a very long time. My voice was choked with emotions and I know there were many more Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia who felt the same way and even got teary eyes. Talking to a few Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia after the launch, I gathered that they felt so emotional about this event because they have waited for so long to be recognised as Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia – not just ‘second’ or ‘third’ class citizens in their own Ibu Pertiwi.






My non-bumi friends shared with me what racism had taught them. They survive to become compassionate and smart people. They learn that success depends on their efforts. They strive not to hurt others because they know how painful it was – physically and emotionally - being ‘punished’ for our differences. I believe our differences are for us to embrace, to cherish and what make us a better person for what we see in others are reflections of ourselves.

Some may claim that SABM is simply an emotional tool used by certain quarters to gain political power and may only appeal to the deprived and desperate non-bumis. I strongly do not think so because I believe that SABM is all about People Power, where racism and corruption stop here while nationalism begins. Can we picture how great our Ibu Pertiwi and its people could be if we had united as Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia 52 years ago? This Ibu Pertiwi should be greater than The Little Red Dot.





After the launch, we were served with delicious food for Buka Puasa. They say the food tastes better when you are in a great company. Along with their muslim brothers and sisters, many more joined for Buka Puasa after participating in “Fast For The Nation, Peace For Malaysia” Initiative. I was told that around 60 people gathered at Lotus Restaurant in PJ for sahur that very morning. I met Rev. Sivin Kit and of course, this Google-manic found his blog, where he wrote this: “It’s encouraging to read at different blogs as well as comments, the desire in ordinary people who care why “Fasting together, and committing to do acts of kindness” as a response to “acts of violence and the incitement of hatred” is the way ALL can participate in overcome evil with good”. That is so beautifully put together.

I left our “Rumah” a different person. Seeing is really believing and when we start believing, I know ‘ain’t no mountain high enough, ain’t no valley low enough, ain’t no river wild enough’. SABM gives us Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia a platform to translate our hopes into actions towards betterment.


“Life ends when you stop dreaming

Hope ends when you stop believing

Love ends when you stop caring

Friendship ends when you stop sharing

So share this with whom ever you consider a friend”


Ending this personal opinion, I’d appreciate if you would spare some time to visit SABM's website, where you could find more about this "One People, One Nation" Initiative.

I was told, too, that SABM would start its roadshows in all states soon. Let’s lend our ears, if we can’t do with helping hands, to support SABM.



Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia. Awak Bagaimana?


p.s. This reminds me of Brian Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting's rendition of "All for Love" ~

"When there's love inside (I swear I'll always be strong)
Then there's a reason why (I'll prove to you we belong)
I'll be the wall that protects you
From the wind and the rain
From the hurt and pain"


"That it's all for one and all for love
Let the one be the one you want
The one you need
'Cause when it's all for one it's one for all
When there's someone that should know
Then just let your feelings show
And make it all for one and all for love"


p.s.s. Do you know that "Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno" is a Latin phrase that means "One for all, all for one" in English. It is known as being the motto of Alexandre Dumas' Three Musketeers and is also the traditional motto of Switzerland. This Ibu Pertiwi is indeed for all!

Butang and Button



“There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast"

In the case of Butang (right) and Button, there is definitely no snooze buttons for their 5-meal-a-day.

When they were first brought home from Masjid by my cousin around 1.5 months ago, they were so skinny sans their mother, my aunt decided to call them (both) "Halus" as in "So Frail". In the good hands of my aunt, they have grown up to be very, extremely active and healthy kittens. Though they are adored immensely by my aunt, they were not allowed to enter her house.

When i came back home for Raya last friday, all rules were broken - thanks to me :) - as I, the new self-appointed caretaker for 5 days decided that it's Raya after all and no souls should be deprived of continuous 'tender, loving care'.

The self-appointed caretaker also veto-ed that they should be re-named "Butang" and "Button" - well, just look at their eyes.

So, they ran all over the place, tickling everyone with their cute 'antics', melting our hearts with their watery, round eyes. Yes, we went their way and boy, we had great times, kan Butang, kan Button?

They remind me of Manis - another orphan. So, i think i have done something good this Raya for Butang and Button - Anak Yatim Piatu.

They grow up without their mom's milk, which may cause them to lose their teeth quite early but with all the love and care they have, i know they won't mind losing a tooth or two :)

Like Tonnie, the owner of "Jessica, The Hippo" who says "I rather befriend the animals, than humans", i have to concur with him. These unwanted animals have more sense than us, the most intellectual 'animals' God have created.

Dear Butang and Button, i miss you two already...

Friday, September 18, 2009

Aidil Fitri is For Everyone




Fi-sha wishes everyone
"Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, Maaf Zahir Dan Batin"


May it be a meaningful and wonderful
For you and your loved ones


May it be a season that will last
For us to share and care for others

For us to cherish the memories

For us to live the moments

And appreciate those around us

For no man is an island


p.s. I read Mr Dnightcaller's wishes and i almost cried.. After 5 cakes and many more back-breaking chores (being a woman is complicated during festive seasons i tell you), i wish i had more times to wish everyone i care - properly. For now, i shall leave you, you and you all out there (you know who you are ;) with this song - The Way I am


Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Patrick Swayze, May You Rest In Peace



I just watched him in "The Beast" on ASTRO a few weeks ago and today, he passed away surrounded by his loved ones after 20-month battle with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, the deadliest of it all.


Thanks to him, i will always cherish "Unchained Melody" and "The Ghost" - I learn that if you really love someone or something, let him or it go.


Thanks to him, i will remember "City of Joy" - I learn that emotional attachment is a joy, not a burden and that this life is not about you, it is all about how you make a difference in other's life...

Rest in Peace, sir...






Monday, September 14, 2009

Meme : Save Yvonne's Sight

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

The slogan "Press On" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race"

~ Calvin Coolidge (American 30th President, 1872 - 1933)



Tag Along With Me for Adik Yvonne Foong

Neurofibromatosis Type II is an inherited disease. The main manifestation of the disease is the development of symmetric, non-malignant brain tumours in the region of the cranial nerve VIII, which is the auditory-vestibular nerve that transmits sensory information from the inner ear to the brain. Most people with this condition also experience problems in their eyes.

Adik Yvonne Foong, the author of "I'm Not Sick, Just A Bit Unwell - Life with Neurofibromatosis", 22 years old, has this disease, which has severely affected her sight and hearing due to tumours in the brain and spine.

She is scheduled for an operation between 1 and 4 December 2009. The cost of surgery is USD44,000 or RM54,770, and the cost of staying in hospital for two weeks is USD915 or RM3219.

She has raised about RM52,454.28 of this and is hoping to raise the rest by republishing her book "I'm Not Sick; I'm Just a Bit Unwell" in English and Chinese. The books are now available in Malaysian bookshops and from her web site store.




She is also selling T-shirts at bazaars and via her web site store. You can read about her surgery and donate to her fund. You can also help by sending on this meme.

Yvonne Foong is in danger of losing her eyesight thanks to neurofibromatosis (NF). Please find out how you can help her by visiting her blog at http://www.yvonnefoong.com/.




My dear Uncle Zorro and Malaysian Heart have 'tagged' me along on this meaningful journey to help Adik Yvonne.

Adik Yvonne, You are Wonderful...

Through your glowing biography, I found out that we share so many in common like skating, reading, writing, psychology and of course, helping people. I want you to continue what you love doing.

Through your writings, my heart straight away took a plunge - I fell in love with your beautiful soul. I wonder what we would have become today if we have more beautiful souls like yours in this Ibu Pertiwi.

Through your blog, I saw generous individuals helping you in many ways. I am so sure they come back - liberated in their heart, mind and soul. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to put good purpose in our life.

Thank you Adik Yvonne for showing me that come what may, we ought to be strong, continue giving and loving life to its fullest. Rest assured Adik Yvonne, you are in many prayers of ours out here. May God Bless You, always, as always...


These two songs - "The Way I Am" and "Keep Breathing" - by one of my favourite singers, Ingrid Michaelson, are dedicated to you, Little Angel.


In true spirit of Adik Yvonne, three things I'd love to see in this Ibu Pertiwi are: -

1. Honest, Sincere, Hardworking and Humane leaders for "Leaders are Dealers in Hope (Napoleon Bonaparte)" and it is Hope that keeps us going.

2. Better Parents and Children because “While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about”.

3. More people making this place (a better place to live in), this moment (and no other better time to make a difference) and this person (a better being, at giving and sharing, loving and caring).

To keep this 'ball' rolling for a great cause for Adik Yvonne, I tag my fellow bloggers, who accept me the way I am: -

1. Bro PT Corporate Athlete - this blog by a multi-faceted interesting Great Being is a MUST-READ

2. Mr. Zewt - An Accountant, who performs brilliantly, not only with numbers, catchy blogposts and jazz songs, but also heart-rendering, emotional stories

3. World's Greatest Analyst, Mr. Wenger J Khairy - who says Analysts are not humane enough?

4. The Ninja Boy - A blog started by Akmal's wonderful parents, sharing stories about him, a special autistic boy. Yes, Akmal and my Little Angel are not sick, they are just gifted!

5. The Flaccid Mind - This engineer could make me laugh - non-stop - with his piece of mind. Yes sir, we don't need more jokers in our (kitchen) cabinet, all we need is more BATMAN! Selamat Berpuasa My Dear Bong.



p.s. Kindly visit Crankshaft's for this Meme's rules... or just follow how i did it :)

Sunday, September 13, 2009

"Watergate" Was War, Not Politics





The above 36-year old RD costs me RM10 last 2 weekends. I don't know why i grabbed it...till this morning, i read "Watergate Was War, Not Politics" by Stewart Alsop (the great grandnephew of Theodore Roosevelt) of Newsweek. Somehow, i heard some bells were ringing...

This article was published in September 1973, 11 months before Alsop succumbed to cancer: -

"The Watergate scandal, it is clear, is diferent - truly different - from all the scandals that have preceded it in our history. It is this difference that makes Watergate so frightening.

All those other scandals - Credit Mobilier, the Whisky Ring, Teapot Dome, Sherman Adams and his vicuna coat, Bobby Baker and his wheeling and dealing - were motivated by greed, an emotion effortlessly understood by almost all of us. But the Watergate men seem to have been motivated by more complex emotions - by a certain self-righteousness, by fear, by a special kind of political-ideological hatred.

As a result, the people who were running the President's election campaign we not really running the kind of campaign this country has known since the party system was founded. They were not practicing politics. They were making war, special kind of war. The kind of war they were making has been made between nations for a long time now, but it has not before been made within a nation, certainly not within this nation.

The spiritual ancestor of the Committee to Re-elect the President, better known as CREEP, is OSS. The Office of Strategic Services, in which this writer served, was this country's first attempt to wage war by covert and unconventional means. OSS was patterened on the British Secret Services, and the Central Intelligence Agency has in turn been patterned on OSS. In fact, all the world's secret services, including Russia's KGB, have four main missions.

In OSS, they were called S.I. (Secret Intelligence), S.O (Secret Operations), M.O (Morale Operations) and X-2 (Black Propaganda).

CREEP's covert operations fit into the sme categories. The ludicrously burgled Watergate break-in itself was a classic combined operations between S.I and S.O. The letter to the Manchester Union Leader accusing Sen. Edward Muskie of sneering at "Canucks" was X-2. So was the faked telegram from President John Kennedy to the Saigon mission, calling, in effect, for the assassination of Diem.

The burglarization of the office of Daniel Ellberg's psychiatrist was essentially an S.I. operation. If successful, it would no doubt have been used as part of morale operation.

The operations in which CREEP arranged to flood the White House with telegrams supporting the President's Vietnamese policy was of a morale operation. So was that in which homosexuals were allegedly hired to give ostentatious suport to Senator McGovern.

The mission of Donald H. Segretti, who was generously rewarded by Mr. Nixon's private lawyer, Herbert W. Kalmbach, was to head an intelligence network. Segretti was clearly also expected to do some morale-operations work.

One even recognizes in the people who have surfaced in CREEP some of the same sort of people as in wartime OSS. There were many brave and good men in OSS, as well as many creeps. Curiously enough, in another time, the stubbornly silent G. Gordon Liddy, with his closed mouth and sardonis salute when he was condemned to a long jail term, would have been regarded as among the bravest and the best.

In wartime, Liddy would have been festooned with decorations, rather than slapped into jail. As so often in wartime, his stubborn silence did no good. Pressure mounted, and other members of the network cracked - James McCord, Jeb Stuart Magruder, John Dean III. Perhaps CREEP should have distributed death pills as a precaution.

Watergate is as deadly and serious business as this reporter has seen in a quarter century covering politics. For Watergate has been an attempt to alter the very nature of the ancient American political system. Politicians have played tricks on each other since politics was invented. But this is not politics, this is war.

The special form of warfare waged by OSS against Adolf Hitler was morally justified by the moral necessity to destroy Nazism. The more limited and circumspect form of warfare waged by the CIA against the KGB, and vice versa, is also justified by hard necessity. But to transfer such secret-service tecniques, on an obviously planned and organised basis, to the internal American political process is a genuinely terrifying innovation.

Any person proven to have used these techniques should not only be punished by the law; he should be banned forever from participation in American politics".





This the scandal that destroyed President Nixon, making him the first American President to resign from office. Yes sir, everything is possible because nature indeed works in mysterious ways.

Upon demise of former CBS news anchor, Walter Cronkite, on 18 July 2009, this website, Watergate.Info, came up with this perfect 'eulogy' for a great man he was: -

Walter Cronkite played a key role in the unravelling of Watergate.

Cronkite, who has died aged 92, broadcast two extensive stories on Watergate in 1972. Ben Bradlee, the former Washington Post editor, said today that a lot of "Washington people, people who followed national stories - a lot of them who had not decided that we were right, changed their minds because of Walter".

This is part of Bradlee's comments in Newsweek: -

"In October 1972, Cronkite devoted two segments, back to back, to the Watergate story. The first was 14 minutes, the second eight. I think that second night was curtailed by CBS chairman William S. Paley because Paley was scared of it. The fact that Cronkite did Watergate at all (let alone at that length) gave the story a kind of blessing, which is exactly what we needed—and exactly what The Washington Post lacked.

It was a political year, and everyone was saying, "Well, it's just politics, and here's the Post trying to screw Nixon". We were the second-biggest newspaper in the country trying to scramble for a good story—whereas Cronkite was the reigning dean of television journalists. When he did the Watergate story, everyone said, "My God, Cronkite's with them".

Apart from "My Safety Car", we need our Walter Cronkite, Deep Throat and all - urgently. At the rate 'they' are going now, it is indeed alarming. We are fighting a war!

Don't you think history is repeating itself? For that, I must make a point to read more on David Ben Gurion - the mastermind of the ethnic cleansing of Palestine - as this name keeps popping in my mind too often now...

Yes children, please read your history books ok so we could make this world a better place to live in...

"History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are" ~ David C. McCullough

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

09.09.1949


Sixty years ago, my beloved Mak – my Guardian Angel - was born into this world – 09.09.1949

I had a long look at Mak during our Buka Puasa yesterday. Chu, the mother of my Little Women of Penang, the baby sister of Mak, had this to say when I told her last weekend – “What! Mak will turn 60 this year?”

Yes, Mak looks so young for her age, even my dear Bro PT CA thought she’s my sister during his visit to prepare my “Bed of Vege”.

During her visits to hospitals (either going for her Carpal Tunnel physio (Yeay! She could bend her little finger now) or Ayah’s Uro check-up), people would think that she has a maid at home as her hands are so smooth and she looks so… restful.

p.s. Well, we never have one (I say "NO WAY" because when my sister had one, Mak, forever helpful, God bless her, did everything all over again when the maid couldn't adhere to her 'ISO standard') and I must tell you that Mak suffers from slight 'OCD' when it comes to “Home Management” – she has daily routines that ensure her “home sweet home” is ever spick and span. Once, my landlord was so worried (when I should be the one), before I came over as my relatives in The Little Red Dot told him that people can even sleep in Mak’s washroom. Mak’s “Home Management” standard is so high, I don’t think I’ll ever ‘graduate’ with flying colours.

It can't be the genes because even people think she's younger than her baby sisters.

I believe Mak's youthfulness is attributed by these simple rules she lives by: -


1. To give abundantly and selflessly, without being asked or asking anything in return – That’s Altruism

2. To do everything with full responsibility and accountability – That’s integrity

3. To treat everyone like your family as no one should feel like a stranger – That’s Compassion

4. To speak the truth, nothing but the truth – That’s honesty

5. To see the goodness in everyone and everything – That’s Appreciation

6. To forgive (but never forget) – That’s Mercy (and being savvy)

7. To stand by your loved ones come what may – That’s Unconditional Love

8. To live simply – That’s Happiness

9. To believe that “God is indeed Great” – That’s the Best Solace


On top of the above, i deem Mak was blessed with kind prayers and thoughts of many people, whose lives she has touched. She was telling me last year that since her mother passed away (my grandma) while she was a teen, she never fails to 'sedekah Al-Fatihah to her parents".

That was 50 years ago and my Tok passed away only 2 years ago. Out of 'buang tebiat', my Tok also told me that he never fails to pray for Mak, especially (Mak was his favourite and his confidante). It must be the 'Barakah' from my Tok to Mak.

I'm glad Mak and Tok shared with me this 'gift' because it is so true that "thoughts and prayers bind people close at heart". It is time for me to continue this 'tradition'.

Another year has come and a lesser time i could spend with Mak. After I kissed her hands, hugged her tightly and wishing her "Happy Birthday" before leaving for work this morning, I told myself to hug her (even when she's happy), to pay attention when she does things (though she thinks I've mastered all), to listen to her, to understand her words and actions, to read her mind and heart, to spend more time with her, to be there for her (simply) - in greater intensity and multitude.

Not a day passed by without a prayer to God to have mercy on my parents, to protect and bless them just as much they have protected and blessed me with all their might and love while i was a baby because I know I won't be able to care for them as much as they had cared for me back then.

Dear God, only You know how much I treasure Mak.

Happy Birthday Mak...

p.s. Mommies are Important I wish everyday is Mother’s Day

Knowledge is Priceless..

This Miss Google-manic found this beautiful poem by Mr. Bertrand Russell, the 1950 Nobel Prize Winner in Literature, "in recognition of his varied and significant writings, in which he champions humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought": -

Three passions have governed my life

The longings for love

The search for knowledge

And unbearable pity for the suffering of humankind



Love brings ecstasy and relieves loneliness

In the union of love, I have seen

In a mystic miniature the prefiguring vision

Of the heavens that saints and poets have imagined



With equal passion I have sought knowledge

I have wished to understand the hearts of people

I have wished to know why the stars shine

Love and knowledge led upwards to the heavens



But always pity brought me back to earth

Cries of pain reverberated in my heart

Of children in famine, of victims tortured

And of old people left helpless



I long to alleviate the evil, but I cannot

And I too suffer



This has been my life; I found it worth living...



Mr. Russell, who died at the age of 97 in 1972, was a British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, social reformer, socialist and pacifist. What an all-rounder gentleman with a 'living', empathic heart.


He reminds me of the owner of "The Rembau Times" (under a non de plume, which i openly detest for putting together my Mr. Arsene Wenger and YB KJ - they are "Macam langit dengan Bumi") and how timely that he wrote something similar to one of Mr. Russell's passions in life - Knowledge - as without learning, there will be no knowledge.


This must-read "Best E-learning Site and Citizens of the World" is reproduced here with permission from him. Thank you for sharing Mr. Wenger J Khairy.

Enjoy this new way of knowledge sharing and learning experience, all!

p.s. No, the editor of "The Rembau Times" does not read my blog.










Monday, September 7, 2009

Check these two guys out



Bio : Salman Khan (Sal) founded the Khan Academy with the hope of using technology to foster new learning models.

He is currently the portfolio manager of a fund based in Menlo Park, CA. Prior to this, Sal was one of the initial employees at MVC Venture Capital. He has also worked as a Technical Architect at Scient Corporation and as a Senior Product Manager at Oracle Corporation.

Sal received his MBA from Harvard Business School where he was president of the student body. He also holds a Masters in electrical engineering and computer science, a BS in electrical engineering and computer science, and a BS in mathematics from MIT where he was president of the the Class of 1998. While at MIT, Sal was the recipient of the Eloranta Fellowship which he used to develop web-based math software for children with ADHD.

He was also an MCAT instructor for the Princeton Review and volunteered teaching gifted 4th and 7th graders at the Devotion School in Brookline, MA.





Bio : Jonathan Goldman is an Analytics Scientist at Linkedin.com where he uses mathematical models to help improve user experience. He has always loved learning math and applying these skills to interesting problems.

He has taught courses at Stanford in the physics department and has been tutoring students at different levels (middle school through university) since high school. He sees great opportunity in improving the learning tools available to students of all ages.Jonathan received a PhD in physics from Stanford University in 2005 and a BS in physics from MIT in 1998.

Sal Khan is an American "pendatang" (of course they don't use that term over there) who runs the Khan Academy. I was starting on my Level II course when looking at pages 257 of volume 1 was a bit stumped by the following assertions on the assumptions of the Linear Regression Model.3. The expected value of the error term is 04. The variance of the error term is the same for all observations.

Some quick flicks of the Lebai Google lead me to this video Expected Value E(x)

(B4 any of you snigger - I did get >70% for Quants Level I. )

So well explained - actually you can find tonnes of videos which is for SPM to University level at the Khan Academy. And I have to salute Sal Khan - he made it free of charge.

This is what he had to say on the issue of money, adapted from the FAQs: -

Are you interested in turning this into a business? Maybe with some VC funding?

I've been approached several times, but it just didn't feel right. When I'm 80, I want to feel that I helped give access to a world-class education to billions of students around the world. Sounds a lot better than starting a business that educates some subset of the developed world that can pay $19.95/month and eventually selling it to some text book company or something.

I already have a beautiful wife, a hilarious son, two hondas and a decent house. What else does a man need? With that said, if you are a social venture capitalist and are looking to deploy capital with the highest possible social return per dollar invested, we should talk. I think you'll find that there is no more measurable, scalable and high impact way to educate the world.

Wenger comments : So if any of you guys are struggling to make ends meet and cant afford the RM 500/month for tuition, I suggest you get your children on this course. After all thats how I mastered a lot of my work inclusive of Corporate Finance, where I sat hours on end listening to the lectures of Prof. Aswanth Damodaran from NYU Stern University. (Of course Corporate Finance above 70% lah ...)

This is what I call a citizen of the world. They use the power of technology for the good of mankind, not like some people who abuse American technology for their own purposes ( which by the way does not respect the Declarations of the Rights of Men as enshrined in the United States Constitution) in order to spread hate and discourse.

Thats why people say, Malaysians can have 1st world infrastructure, but 3rd world mentality. Hopefully, the same cannot be said of I, Wenger J Khairy.



Tuesday, September 8, 2009

In A Company of Heroes





I watched the first 2 episodes of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hank’s miniseries “Band of Brothers” last sunday and I fell in love, instantly, with Major Richard Winters (played by British Damien Lewis) and the storyline.

This Miss Google-manic found the following interview segment of the miniseries on Wikipedia and now, she knows why she admires Major Winter: -

“Despite the many accolades he has received, Winters has remained humble about his service. During the interview session of “Band of Brothers”, Winters quoted a passage from a letter he received from Sergeant Mike Ranney: -

“I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said, “Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?” Grandpa said “No… but I served in a company of heroes…

That’s priceless…


p.s. Indeed, there will be times when the world will ask the ordinary men to do extraordinary things...

Let's Unite Against The Politics of "Tiga Abdul"




“Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit

which prizes liberty as a heritage

of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and

you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors”

~ Abraham Lincoln


'Lawan Towkeh'

Hindraf Rally, which took place exactly 2 weeks after our monumental Bersih Rally in November 2007, had caused so much pain to certain 'quarters' that walk along the Corridor of Power that it was considered as ‘lawan towkeh’.

Came along 08.03.08 GE 12 and we witnessed the fall of the “Great Emperor’ in some ‘River’ and the fall of his ‘Die-nasty’. This served as the second ‘lawan towkeh’ to the ‘dictator-ship’.

Later, they released the HINDRAF leaders from Kem Kamunting and still, some of these leaders, never seem to ‘comply with the terms to their release’. Let's just say, at that point, the 'fuse' was blown.


The Start of "Politik Tiga Abdul"

When our Chinese brethrens were perceived as ‘lawan towkeh’ 40 years ago, due to their business savviness and for swinging their votes that led to the Gem of the Crown, Selangor, fell into the Opposition after the GE in 1969, May 13 Incident was brought to life on the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

This is the perfect example of “Politik Tiga Abdul – Jangan (buat saya) Marah, Nanti Kena Jual”. The emergence of our Indian brethren’s People Power has angered the desperados on the ‘dictator-ship’ and for that, our Indian brethrens have to pay for it.


So Long Kg Buah Pala

The first ‘short position’ was made when the desperados kicked start Kg Buah Pala’s area development project. Although critics continue to be made to PR state government for not living up to their GE12’s promises to Kg Buah Pala’s villagers, I always believe in that the ‘Chamber’ should provide ample time and avenues for all relevant parties to reach an amicable decision in relation to the project because “I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice (Abraham Lincoln)”.

It is also crucial for us to show the corrupted 'quarters' that we do not condone to such ‘illegitimate’ transaction by using the public funds to ‘stop this fire’. Sadly, at this unfortunate time, the one that has to suffer the repercussion of this damning acts is Kg Buah Pala and its people. Let's learn our lesson that it is imperative to put the right people to manage and protect our rights and interest.


Thanks, too, to "Politik Haruan Makan Anak"

How do you feel losing your ‘rumah pusaka’, your village, your livelihood, where your forefathers had toiled the barren soil into this lushful green brimmed with life, through modern-day thivery by your ‘relatives’?

It must heartbreaking, to put it mildly, for the villagers to see this place they once called home turned into rubbles before their teary eyes. Ironically, this came after Georgteown, in my favourite Pearl of the Orient, was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in July last year.

Losing this village is one of the perfect examples of ‘Politik Haruan Makan Anak'.

I said so, because the villagers’ ‘relatives’ are busy campaigning for MIC’s veep posts and making millions of money on behalf of the party that is supposed to protect the interest of our Indian brethrens. Yes, some men would rather pulling each others’ hair (and not mind losing it - a lot) while laughing to the bank with your money, that is now theirs and theirs alone.

Above all, after all the votes these villagers had given to their ‘relatives’ sleeping mate’, their liberty was indeed ‘raped’.


“Our heritage and ideals, our code and standards
- the things we live by and teach our children - are preserved or diminished by how freely we exchange ideas and feelings” ~ Walt Disney



So Wrong Moo Moo Men

The second ‘short position’ came about when the UM(ooo)NO men, trying hard to imitate god-fearing PAS and PKR men, marched with the cow head in Section 23 Shah Alam because PR state government decided to exercise some understanding on the rising need of our Hindu brethrens to practise their faith and belief by relocating Section 19’s temple.

However, these Moo Moo men did not manage to incite much hatred in us (instead, we were flabbergasted) to ‘start the swashbuckling incidents in Shah Alam’. I pity these slimy men because they never learnt their lesson in Permatang Pasir – good look (as in good in imitating PAS and PKR's people) does not guarantee your performance.

Following the ugly incident, the state government organised a forum to hear the concerns of all parties involved (it’s never heard before, indeed). Again, these Moo Moo men managed to potray muslim malays as intolerant, big-time bully. Thank you UM(ooo)NO – our last (sic) bastion to ‘memartabatkan Bangsa Melayu dan Agama Islam’.


From the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you out there for not falling into their ‘booby traps’ of over-used tactic of communal division because we are matured conscientious and compassionate people.

When they say PR alliance is fraying, we, Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia, tell them in our quiet way that “He who knows others is wise; He who know himself is enlightened (Lao Tzu)".

There are too many 'ammunitions' hidden in the states currently held by PR, ready to be released to derail our hope for Better Ibu Pertiwi.

Let's not lose focus. Let's be ever ready and vigilant and do some early 'spring cleaning' before GE13 because we can't put our 'eggs' in the hands of some lousy, sleazy you-know-whats.

This time, we only have US - Anak - Anak Bangsa Malaysia - to rely on. Hold on and hang on tight. This road we have taken is not easy but who says life is easy anyway? Don't you think?

Monday, September 7, 2009

Reporting Back For Duty





“When law and duty are one, united by religion,

you never become fully conscious, fully aware of yourself.

You are always a little less than an individual”

~ Frank Herbert


When you live by that quote, then you would understand why everything you do, everything you earn, everything you have - in quantity and quality - belongs to the rightful custodian, that isn't you. It's the most omnipotent power in this Universe - and we call it sharing.


I woke up from my 'siesta' by acknowledging that i need to stop craving for some recognition, some response, some feedback, some nodding of the head for me to get by - because it is 'suicidal' really as i continue to hurt myself, over and over again. The "Answer" to this life is bigger than you and me...


I opened up my 'eyes' to see that I do things because I know it is the right thing to do. I write because i care and i want to share - though i am well aware it won't be smooth sailing; it won't be kind and it is beyond any logical justifications. Just like John Quincy Adams says "Duty is ours; Results are God's".


I am reporting back for duty for "the first duty of the society is justice".


It's indeed another "Ordinary Miracle" everyday that gets me through this life, come what may - never-ending by-elections, gazillions scandals in and around our corporate world, continuous inhumane, injustice treatments to all beings, crash-boom-bang economy and some desperados they called UMNO moo-moo men. Oh, not forgetting, some senseless, selfish men. Yes, they won't knock me down...


"Ordinary Miracle" is a wonderful song by heavenly Sarah Mclachlan from one of the movies i would love to watch with my child - "Charlotte's Web" so he would learn from this classic tale about loyalty, friendship and dealing with realities of life....


"Life is like a gift they say... Wrapped up for you everyday...

Open up and find a way... To give some of your own...



When you wake up everyday...

Please don't throw your dreams away...

Hold them close to your heart... Cause we are all a part...

Of the ordinary miracle"




Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Blog In Siesta



"What is it that love does to a woman? Without, she only sleep; with it alone, she lives..." ~ Ovid