Celine's Weekend

Good news for Celine Dion - her premature twins have been discharged from hospital early this morning.

So, it is a great cause for celebration here in my blog and if there's just one song of hers to kickstart this weekend, that would be her "Treat her like a lady" along with Diana King.

Have a great weekend everyone!

p.s. Yes, that song is meant for the Government of the Day! Treat her i.e. this nation like a lady because you make a good girl crazy when you don't treat her like a lady! Get it!?

No Man Is An Island

Somehow, reading Uncle Lee's comment to "A Gentleman's Wisdom of Work" makes me feel humbled. He teaches me the art of sharing or perhaps the art of "Pay It Foward". He makes me reaffirmed my belief that we are not rich for having what we possess but we are rich because we are able to give to others. If we do not have the material possesion to share with, we always have time to spend, a smile to share, a prayer to say, a shoulder to cry on, ears to listen to and words to comfort.

Uncle Lee's words remind me of John Donne's "No Man Is An Island", whose poem was adopted by Joan Baez in a song of the same title.

Yes, Sir, I will always keep a song in my heart :)

Uncle Lee said...

Hello Fi-Shah, terima kaseh seribu for this jalan atas ayer compliments.

I have always believed in giving anyone, everyone a chance in life.

To live out their dreams as I had. I gave them the opportunity to exceed theirs, mine and the company's expectations.

Once upon a time when I was looking for a job, a man offered me one, without looking at my resume....I did not fail him....

He had looked at me, as I later in life looked at people when offering them a job.

Resumes can be doctored, just as in cosmetics hiding blemishes.

To me, a person who does not have a degree or higher education, it does not mean he or she is not smart.

There may be other circumstances, namely ..Money. Poor parents, etc.

I now give them that opportunity....to be somebody in life. And to sit in my chair one day.

Everybody has weaknesses, we all have...but everyone needs a helping hand, like a baby learning to walk.

Give them your hand.....they will not fail you.

Once again, terima kaseh. You have a pleasant week, and keep a song in your heart. Best regards, Lee.

October 28, 2010 7:44 PM

A Gentleman's Wisdom on Work

“Anyone can be heroic from time to time, but a gentleman is something you have to be all the time” ~ Luigi Pirandello

A man could be smart. A man could be hot. A man could be fun. A man could be a big gun. But not many are gentlemen. Uncle Lee is not only a gentleman. He is smart, hot, fun and a big gun!

I enjoy tremendously reading his writings as he writes realities that make us all human – alive and loved. He captivates his readers' imagination and aspiration - what a sensation!

Yesterday, Uncle Lee shared his wisdom on hiring people and I told him it is too good not to share with many more out there. His wisdom is universally applicable, in my point of view, as we are after all born a leader to our family, company and community. I admire Uncle Lee’s insights building business not by going through the numbers (profit, profit, profit), cables (cronyism, nepotism) and papers. He helps people to build themselves with their innate strengths. He builds meaningful and winning relationship with those who crossed his path. He makes work a big part of life-enriching experience!

Thank you Uncle Lee for your wisdom and kindness. May God bless us all.

I hope you would enjoy reading it and pass it along to others.

Uncle Lee's A Midnight Rendezvous ~ "Work with me, not for me"

I was a Jack of all trades, master of none. I stopped reading the newspapers the day I retired.

However, I might sometimes buy the weekend papers for its section on new cars, and their road test results.

Glancing thru last weekend's papers, my eye caught on some employment vacancies, and read their various requirements for those applying.

There was the usual number of years experience preferred.

And Critical attributes required, as follows: -

'Confident, energetic, positive, self starter, and results-driven.

Ability to form trusting and professional relationships throughout the organization and company officials.

Highly effective communicator.

You have strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, and an independent, self starter who thrives in a team setting'.

When I employed people

I never looked at resumes, maybe only five all the 25 years I employed people.

I have employed from Sales Personnel, Mechanics, Stenographers, Administrative, Accounts, Field Executives, secretaries, Managers, Regional Managers to General Managers. (Local and foreign)

'There's no security on this earth, only opportunity' ~ General Douglas MacArthur. Supreme Allied Commander, Pacific theatre of Operations. 2nd WW

And regrettably that out of the five resumes I had actually looked at, three failed to live up to expectations.

I believed they had doctored their resumes. I let them go.

Of the ones I never looked, none failed to live up to my expectations, but impressed me with their work.

I never looked at race, gender nor religion, nor age nor for impressive credentials.

I looked at the person.

I looked for people who are better than me in various fields, be it a woman or a man, young or mature.

If the work vacancy does not require a good command of English, I took in those with minimum English qualifications, even a few with standard 6 or a Form 3 education.

The only positions I looked for a good command of English language as well comprehension was in Administrative, or as my personal secretary. Then I looked for the best.

I have always believed, we all have our weaknesses as well our strengths. Weaknesses I can cure. Their strengths I want.

That everyone deserves a chance in life. To prove herself or himself.

As long as you are not afraid of water, I will throw you in the deep end, and then throw a lifebelt.

I also believe when paying peanuts, you get monkeys.

I never tell people how to do things.

I tell them what to do and let them surprise me with their ingenuity.

Then it's lead me, follow me, my way, or the highway.

I looked for attitude, integrity, responsibility, initiative, and a sense of humour.

8am to 5pm, they work with me, not for me. After 5pm, what they do is none of my business.

I found a lot of my employees at shopping malls, on board a Penang ferry, on board a plane, in a coffee shop, even once at someone's funeral.

Should someone impress me, like a cosmetic salesgirl who tried to sell me an aftershave lotion even after I had told her I only use two brands, none of her's, it was the way she treated me and never ran down the brands I was using that impressed me.

"Mister, the brands you are using are very good, one of the best on the market, but...should you one day decide to have a change, do give our brand a try, I'm confident you will not be disappointed".

The next day, I went to see her. She recognised me. I handed her my business card and an envelope, marked, 'Your eyes only. Read when free'.

I had offered her a job in my company. She accepted. I never asked for her resume. She never failed us.

Bomb squad technician

I once created a job for a young girl I met by chance, she a Malay girl in typical Malay baju wearing a tudung, looking for a job at a small Chinese mall where every small store had their Chinese God statues with burning incense and jossticks beside the entrance or inside.

It was her positive attitude that really impressed me. She had brought her papers with her, telling me she has an Australian Masters degree in Mathematics.

I never looked. I believed her.

She was looking for any kind of work and prepared to accept a salary of Rgt 180 if employed by any of the stores should they take her.

I offered her a job with a starting salary of Rgt 500. And she never failed us. I never did look at her resume. (See posting in archive, 'A Malay girl and her destiny', d/d 4/6/10.)

I had a slight advantage over most managers. Wearing neckties was and is something I disliked most. All my life till present I only own four neckties.

One was bought at a pasar malam (night market) in Trengganu, one at a pasar malam in Ipoh,...reason being the business meeting I was supposed to attend next day requires a tie.

One given to me by my boss as I think someone had leaked out I used neckties purchased from pasar malams.

His Senior Manager wearing a Rgt 3 necktie? He presented me a Dunhill tie.

Another, a present from my girlfriend, now my wife when she discovered I was not going to wear a tie for our marriage ceremony. Marriage almost got annulled because of a tie.

I still have the four neckties today, used only for funerals, but not at mine, and weddings.

Innovative Orang Hutan

My kind of interviews, using Reverse Psychology.

Why I mentioned the above is when anyone coming for an interview and sitting in my room waiting for me, it also gave me the opportunity to discreetly observe them for a few minutes, from outside. They never guessed I was the Manager.

This was only for management positions.

I would mostly wear a checked shirt and slacks, or plain pastel shirts. No ties!

I would sometimes purposely leave on my empty table at a corner, a copy of a Playboy magazine as well depending on job vacancy, an appropriate booklet, brochure or a marketing magazine.

But unknown to anybody, I had a one inch, light pencil line drawn beside the Playboy magazine as well another line beside the Marketing magazine.

Should any one be moved or looked at, the probability of it being put back in same location is near impossible.

I would then know which magazine applicant had looked at discreetly while I was out. 7 out of 10, it was the Playboy magazine. The men mostly. Women, maybe 3 out of 10.

Next to the Playboy magazine would be my small bronze statue of the 3 monkeys, 'see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil'.

Sometimes, I would knowing before hand of several interviews I had to conduct, I would hard boiled two eggs at home, one for spare, and putting abit of salt under a thin napkin on my table, put the egg in a corner standing up.

Everyone knows an egg cannot stand on its own. Many times the egg was moved and lying on it's side when I came in.

I can imagine how they tried to make it stand again.

Good, I like curious people. But never disclosed my trick.

I wanted to see how many would ask me about it, or laugh or get distracted by it. I was looking for humour.

Quite often, while conducting an interview for a senior post, I would prearrange with my secretary to interrupt us and tell me a fictitious problem, then leave.

I would then ask him or her whether they understood what my secretary had said, and ask, "what would you do if in my place"?

When looking for a sales executive, male or female, my secretary would arrange they wait for me at the far end of the reception room.

When in turn they were invited to come to my room, I would observe how they adjust themselves, how they walk to my room.

I was looking for a relaxed, self confidence poise.

Then listened to how they greet me, whether they sit down or wait to be invited to sit down. My door will be opened, most will knock, quite a few didn't.

When interviewing a man, one of the first things I look at are his shoes. If dirty, or leather and not polished to a shiny sheen, he is toast.

Polished leather shoes tells a lot about a man.

If a lady, over makeup, or giggly, or wearing sandals for an executive vacancy, she is toast too.

Self confidence

Beginning of an interview, for management positions, I will ask them to relax, I tell them what the company does.

I will ask them to tell me about themselves.

My secretary will enquire what drinks they like, normally coffee.

And she will bring in their coffee in a Wedgewood coffee cup and saucer. Sugar and cream separately, with a spoon.

Mine iced coffee in a glass. I will light my cigarette while discreetly observing how they behaved while adding sugar and cream or without.

Women will mostly beat men at this. Some men will stir their coffee like in a coffee shop at Gurney drive..

I will tell them, "I have not looked at your resume, and assure you, if you meet my expectations, I will never look.

I will believe what you tell me".

My secretary would have seen their application letter as well enclosed resume, but on my instructions, will not show me any.

She will reply and invite them for interviews.

If advertised in media, I do not ask for photographs. I love surprises. A photograph tends to either influence or diminish an applicant's chances.

Once they are relaxed, I will ask unrelated questions, some to jolt them, some to surprise them, some humorous.

In a light hearted manner.

Examples:

To men: "When was the last time you went up to Genting Highlands Casino?

You married? Kids? Two? You know any girls? Yes? Young or matured? You play poker? What stakes? What about chess? Golf? Badminton? Fishing?

Genting Highlands Resort and Casino.

This a personal question, you don't have to answer if uncomfortable. Is your wife very conservative or somewhat liberal should you have to work nights or weekends entertaining clients at nite clubs?

Can you swim? No?

If you see me struggling in the water, what would you do?

If at a pool, there are three diving platforms, different heights. I ask you to jump into the pool from one of them. Would you"?

He answers, "which platform you want me to jump from"?

Good answer. And he can't swim.

"Tell me, Wong...you mentioned you have an American degree in Business Administration, three years working experience.

What remuneration you looking at with our company?

What figure would make you happy...go ahead, I just had a medical check-up, I have a healthy heart".

Mr Wong has impressed me with all his actions and replies, and I think he is capable of meeting my exact and demanding expectations, he tells me, "I'm expecting a salary of $1000, plus benefits". Positive answer.

Some have answered, "ohh, you pay me what you think I deserve". "Anything between $800 to $1200".

"I want a job, I leave it to you sir, how much I should get paid", etc.

Indecisive. He's toast.

After seeing all applicants, I decide on Mr Wong. He comes for a second meeting with me.

He had taken a peek at my Playboy magazine first interview as well moved the egg. He did not stir his coffee like in Gurney Drive.

I take him for a walk around the plant, tell him what I am looking for as an 'Executive, Sales and Delivery Operations'.

Back in my office, I tell him, "Wong, I have not looked at your resume, nor am I interested.
You have impressed me and I am prepared to accept you in our Company.

However, I will not be paying you what you asked for in terms of salary".

I now for special effects, pause and light a cigarette while looking at him.

He doesn't bargain with me like buying underwear at a pasar malam. Some do.

Then continue, "I will offer you what you asked for as well another $150. We all have to eat, take the family for weekend dinners. How's that?

Before you answer me, I give you 2 minutes to think carefully whether you can meet my 3 work related commandments;

1/ I expect punctuality in everything, and I do not take prisoners, short of you going for a heart bypass, the last excuse I want to hear is, 'traffic jam'.

2/ You will accept full responsibility in everything you do here. And if by chance you burn my factory down, or experience a snafu, you point your finger at yourself, nobody else. Even if one of your staff played with a lighted match.

Lastly, 3/ I want you to be better than me, whatever you do in your department, that's all".

He accepted.

Another interview

There was a Malay lady I employed. She about 28, married two kids. Very pretty. Tall. Very nice personality.

She tells me she has only a Form 5 education, passed with a grade 2. Five years admin working experience.

Again, I never looked at her resume. No reason to.

She had taken a peek at my Playboy magazine while waiting for me. She asked me about the egg. That shows curiousity.

She laughed and blushed when I teased her, "I know while you waiting for me, you looked at my Playboy magazine".

A few had denied. The magazine was moved! Toast!

Her reply," Mr Lee, first time I come for interview I see a Playboy magazine atas meja, ada dengar, ta'pernah tengok".

(I have heard about it, but never seen one before)

Good answer, she did not deny.

Somehow she impressed me with her replies to my questions.

One was..."If I give you work you have no experience in, as an Executive, a job maybe suitable for a graduate with a Mechanical degree, would you be prepared to accept it"?

"Mr Lee, you give me two months, I study my work from everyone here, I will not fail you".

The answer I was looking for.

Me: "Che Kairina, last question. Assuming you alone out of town on our business trip, would you feel uncomfortable facing five uneducated, loud mouth swearing small time contractors?

Or facing titled business people, and answering their questions in a conference room"?

"Mr Lee, yes...sebab saya don't have that experience before. But after 2 months I know my work, my assignment, maybe tentu nervous one time, two times, but after that I think should be no problems. And Mr Lee, I am not afraid of getting my hands or fingernails dirty too".

She was invited for a second meeting with me. I offered her a job she did not apply for and told her, "Kairina, I want someone like you. Work with me, not for me."

She got the job meant for a graduate. I like her positive attitude.

A year later she proved to be better than one of our graduate executives responsible for another territory.

She was promoted, and paid a graduate's salary. She never failed us, nor did I look at her resume.

In Kairina, Wong and the many others I personally employed, I was looking for people better than me, and together we never looked back, they followed me up the ladder of achievements, above and beyond the call of duty.

My code of conduct to employees

To all I had employed, I assured them,......

"I will never call you at home, nor expect you to work nights, or weekends, unless it's your fault.

If you have any personal problems, leave it at home. I expect you to come to work with a smile, go home with a smile.

I will not look over your shoulder. You have your responsibility, you know what to do.

I expect you to make mistakes. As I will too. Accept the responsibility.

Finally, lets have fun working together. And remember, you work with me. Not for me".

This my personal opinion.

I personally believe Managers who call, phone their employees at home, at nights, on weekends, during their vacation are either inconsiderate, inefficient, a show off, a bully, and or abusing their position. There is no excuse, there is no reason to. (Police and Doctors excepted)

25 years I never once called any of my staff at home. I don't even know their home phone numbers.

When not out of town, I make it a point every morning of walking around chatting and joking with all my staff, from coffee lady, mechanics to respective Senior Managers.

I never wore a tie (unless meeting VIPS). My office door was never closed, no brass plate sign outside of who I was, and opened to anybody, anyone who needs me.

And I dislike meetings, or having one, unless necessary. Once in 3 months was fine with me.

Meetings are for bosses who dare not make decisions, or to look important.

Everyone of my staff receives a birthday card personally signed by me.

More than half of my employees were not qualified for the jobs I gave them, or promoted them to....they never failed me.

My employees were my strength.

I gave them my trust. They rewarded me with responsibility, ingenuity, integrity and their smiles when coming to work.

'Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow, and of the man who leads that gains the victory'

~ General George S. Patton, Commander of US 3rd Army
The first Allied Forces to reach River Rhine, Germany, 2nd WW

Have a pleasant week.

Uncle Lee.

Murdered by Law Enforcers

“Conscience is a judge having spiritual quality that differentiates between right and wrong. Common sense and conscience are given to everyone but their use is not common. People even do not use commonsense and conscience; hence they are strayed from the right path. Conscience is like inspiration. When a man does something wrong, deep in his heart he feels guilty. When a man does some good he feels a queer sense of pleasure and satisfaction”
~ “Islamic Concept of Conscience” by Professor Maqsood Jafri

On Tuesday, Mak called me in the office. She told me my youngest brother’s case has been postponed, again. To that news, she rejoiced because Adik would be able to join us for Ayah’s all things-grilled-and-steamed birthday-do this Saturday. Not that I wasn’t aware about Adik’s court proceeding that day but I never thought Mak would think that far i.e. Adik could be sentenced to a 2-year jail and he won’t be around to celebrate Ayah’s birthday. She couldn’t thank God enough for his blessings on Adik (Mak and Ayah fasted for days and woke up for prayers at night prior to Adik’s court proceeding – our parents will forever worry for us and how sad that some of us have the heart to belittle their sacred roles). Oh, please forgive me. I wrote about Adik’s case in my “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”.

His wrongful lock-up incident opened up my eyes the perils our Men in Blue could inflict to us, common people, out of the blue. I got myself familiar with Red Book and decided to distribute it to those people in Puduraya (I know you have been reading a lot of nasty stories about ‘Ulat’ in Puduraya but trust me, they are far from truth).

However, after a Google chat with Art Harun (whether it’s alright for me to do, etc. – surprisingly, he told me I could get myself jailed – Truly Malaysia Boleh!), I went instead to print copies of it and asked Adik to distribute. If not for Art’s legal and friendly advice, I could be detained by them – just like what happened to 4 Bar Council Legal Aid Volunteers early this month. Thank you Art.

Reading Nat’s “Arrested and beaten for testifying against cops?” this afternoon, I shudder at the very fact that I, too, could be in Cik Ganga Gowri’s shoes now. For Adik’s brush with Men in Blue, I feel for her anguish. Now, I’m just lost for words.

Don’t you feel for families of Adik A. Kugan, Adik BH Teoh, Adik Aminulrasyid and Adik Gunasegaran? In a collective way, we are responsible for the untimely death because we have allowed the Government of the Day to lose their conscience for far too long now but continue voting them.

This has got to stop!

“Unity is strength. When the sand grains unite they become a vast desert. When the sea drops unite they become a boundless ocean. The conglomeration of stars in the firmament of sky soothes our eyes. The seven colors emerge in the shape of a bewitching rainbow. The unity of people makes an invincible strong nation”
~ Professor Maqsood Jafri

Mak's Socratic Wisdom

As Ayah got transferred from one army base to another while I was small – from The Little Red Dot to Sg Petani, Kuching to KL – me and my sister had many sets of friends growing up with but one constant social fixture – we hardly saw Mak chit chatting around someone’s door, along with most women in the mornings and evenings. It was odd looking at your friends’ mothers gathered around talking while Mak was content cooking for tea at 4.30 pm and ironing (she used to iron everything until I made her stopped when she turned 60 5 years ago). Why didn’t Mak enjoy doing the same like the rest of the women?

As I grew a little older, slowly Mak shared with me the reasons to that. Mak, apart from her OCD (that kept her busy most of the time), tried her best not to join such gathering, which by then I knew it was gossip session amongst the women, after their husbands went to work. She said me such gathering has no real benefits – it is bad for our soul. She taught me to pray for Allah’s mercy to ‘turn our eyes blind, our ears deaf and our mouth mute towards everything evils’. She proved to me that ‘talking is good’ but ‘bad mouthing and spreading doubts’ are roots to all evils.

More than a week ago, I thought of Plato’s great teacher – Socrates – out of the blue. Thanks to Plato, I started digging up Google for writing on his teacher (as Socrates has never written anything), for I know such intense feeling for him means something. Apparently, Socrates proves Mak right.

From ancient Plato’s Apology, Crito and Phaedo to Meno, I stumbled upon many more relevant recent articles on Socrates. Coincidentally, on 17 October 2010, a historical article by Bettany Hughes appeared in The Guardians. It is called “Socrates – A Man of Our Time” (similar time line when I thought of Socrates). I read it with teary eyes, wondering how we could be so blind and heartless, in this era of information technology (truths could be at our fingertips at the speed of light bulb), when we are faced serious lies, wishy washy ideas, stinky allegations and thousands of rumours.

“When Socrates finally stood up to face his charges in front of his fellow citizens in a religious court in the Athenian agora, he articulated one of the great pities of human society. "It is not my crimes that will convict me," he said. "But instead, rumour, gossip; the fact that by whispering together you will persuade yourselves that I am guilty." As another Greek author, Hesiod, put it, "Keep away from the gossip of people. For rumour [the Greek pheme, via fama in Latin, gives us our word fame] is an evil thing; by nature she's a light weight to lift up, yes, but heavy to carry and hard to put down again. Rumour never disappears entirely once people have indulged her."

Trial by media, by pheme, has always had a horrible potency. It was a slide in public opinion and the uncertainty of a traumatised age that brought Socrates to the hemlock. Rather than follow the example of his accusers, we should perhaps honour Socrates's exhortation to "know ourselves", to be individually honest, to do what we, not the next man, knows to be right. Not to hide behind the hatred of a herd, the roar of the crowd, but to aim, hard as it might be, towards the "good" life”

~ The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life, by Bettany Hughes


In Mark Vernon’s “Who was Plato’s Socrates?” back in August 2009, I was enlightened to find that Socrates believes that “love is everything [he] knows” and his idea on knowing oneself opens up the sacred meaning of love, when most of us easily associate love with foolish hearts and romanticism. So, when my Bro Ian asked me “Love is in the air eh?” in one of my posts, I, now, would like to pray that let love lives and fills the air so we could get out of this tight position we are currently in.

“It might be said that the genius of Plato's Socrates was to embrace ordinary human uncertainty and doubt, and fashion it into a flourishing way of life. He recognised that to be human is typically to be ignorant, though unlike other animals, the human creature can become conscious of his or her lack. And contrary to what the doctrinaire believe, therein lies something immensely valuable. A developed sense of what lies beyond us powers human innovation and creativity. A disciplined desire to reach out for more is the refinement of love. A subtle understanding of the limits of knowledge is the beginning of wisdom. If you were to convert Socrates' philosophy into a self-help book today, the title might be "The Power of Doubt."

We are "inbetween people" – inbetween "the beasts and the angels," as Saint Augustine was later poetically to put it. Moreover, this conviction meant that it is not strictly true that Socrates knew nothing at all. One thing he knew about for sure was precisely the longing that stems from the human condition – the longing to understand, to discover, to become enlightened. This one certainty powered what Socrates understood to be his vocation, the thing for which he was prepared to die”

~ Mark Vernon’s Plato's Podcasts: The Ancients' Guide to Modern Living (Oneworld)

So, Socrates teaches us to know ourselves and to love one another. Would that make us weak? Surprisingly, these are the virtues that make us strong.

Wait! Before you think he is just too philosophical (while I believe all school kids should be exposed to philosophy to understand life), you must read this Op-Ed on The Observer titled “Put your trust in Socrates, not economists”.

“We should stop comparing national economies as if they were running a race. Plainly, they are not. Supply and demand do not respect borders. For one country to have a surplus, another must be running a deficit. It is imbalances between economies that puts prosperity at risk; the way different nations structure their economies within the globalised market probably matters less than we like to think.

If we stopped comparing the "competitiveness" of national economic models, we could devote more attention to what kind of society we want, and what economic policies will get us there. That, indeed, is probably the economic equivalent of another famous Socratic injunction: know thyself”

How true!

Ironically, when UK people is celebrating 10th anniversary of Fairtrade Town, our conscience is being hammered with erratically greedy Government of the day spending and senseless fancy ETP projects – it feels like we are going to follow Greek’s footstep not too long from now.

Let's not take a walk by Greek's wild side. Instead, we should walk the famous Greek Socratic talk!

Thank you Mak for your Socratic wisdom. I love you for all eternity..

Up The Ante for Galas and Batu Sapi Voters

In today's world of too many choices and a lot more exploitations, that resulted in confusion and inactions, it is always wise to have our set of 'beacons' to guide us during our journey.

In the next one week, I want voters of Galas and Batu Sapi to be enlightened on the following set of 'beacons' to save this Ibu Pertiwi from further plunders and blunders by the dunders - that is the Government of the day: -

Galas

1. People of "Serambi Mekah' must reject upright a proxy to the Government of the Day, whose supporters have been misleading us all that you must support Ku Li's Party. In my opinion, that party is now-defunct Semangat 46, and that explains well why Ku Li, despite being an UMNO member, has been very critical towards his party. We should not support liars!

2. Federal Government of the day's denial to the rights of "Serambi Mekah" people for oil royalties, which has out Kelantan, as a state, to what it is now (lack of funds to finance its much-needed infrastructure projects for benefits of common people). We must vote for justice!

3. Degradation of Islam and its values through Islamic Fashion Festival held in Monte Carlo - a casino city-state - helmed by none other than the self-professed First Lady. Their insensitivities show how serious they are to curb multi-faceted pandemics we are facing like social ills and corruptions, to name the obvious. Tell them you had enough!

4. Felda's broken promises all these while must be reversed so that small planters, traders and common people, like us, would not be taken for a ride,into oblivion. Everyone is important!

Batu Sapi

1. Why o why Batu Sapi voters that your State is the poorest in this Ibu Pertiwi, when she has the most beautiful, wonderful and bountiful of natural resources? To rub salts to your open wounds, even Government of the day will appoint Sarawakian contractor for your Kimanis Gas Pipe Project. If you think that is the sure-fire sign of their distrust in you, let's cast your vote of inconfidence in them come 4 Nov!

2. BN and SAPP have shown their inactions to your plights, despite their promises during past elections. Once bitten, twice shy - Change we must and it starts with your vote!

3. BN has brought in more PATI than you ever know. Not only your crime rate has increased, your economical survival is also at stakes for the greedy conglomerates and business owners would hire the PATI, for they could pay low wages, while you wonder if you could feed all the mouhts in your immediate family today. Stop this abuse of power!

4. Sibu voters have supported our cause to win Putrajaya in May this year and ever since then, things are getting brighter for them and the rest of Sarawakians when Pok Meh and his state government are having tough time sleeping at night for their cruel regime's era of injustice is nigh. We know you could do much better than that because you, the people of Sabah, like us, deserve better than this Government of the day have provided us. Join us!

May the best men win!

Song for these Buy-Elections

Linkin Park's Waiting For The End

God Bless The Queen

In May last year, Mr. Oscar The Grouch wrote "Let's take a cue from British Monarchs". I wish I too could receive a card and have a drink with my Queen too but who am I to ask?

A month before that, newly elected First Lady of USA, Michelle Obama was seen embracing The Queen during the First Lady visit to the palace - them getting chummy caused a stir. At her age, I would get chummy with her too. Since Lady D passed on, she is getting in touch with her human side.

Now, The Queen has agreed to freeze her palace's cash allowance and reduce her Royal Household Spending by 14% from 2012 to 2013.

Here, our Government just signed off another RM147 Million to ballooning costs of building the controversial Palace. They say the old palace is haunted with souls from the past, which explains why it is rather deserted. Maybe the new one would be haunted by not just the souls from the other side, but it would also serve as a symbol of shamble and shame.

A home is where your heart is. Thank you Your Majesty for putting your heartfelt consideration to a land you called home sweet home.

God Bless The Queen.

Midweek Break

For the past 1 week, The Guardians has published 2 articles on Love. Yes, Love. The ONLY thing I understand, concurring to what the Great Socrates famously said centuries ago.

Last Wednesday, they published "Love really is like a drug", divulging the findings done by Stanford University, which primarily show that passionate love, like cocaine, could reduce our pains.

So, is love everything we need? I believe so.

But is love that complicated? I thought so too before but not anymore when we found the real meaning of love.

Today, my fave online newspaper, again splashed another story on "Rob Ryan: The artist spreading a little love around our homes" as they interviewed Mr. Rob Ryan on his artworks. They are simply smashing and his works truly epitomise the simplicity of love and the effects.

This is my favourite because I once had this idea of perfect gateaway, too!

Can we, shall we?

One day, very soon

Let us go away together

just you and me

call in sick and go to the sea

and hold hands all day

Eat our sandwiches on the train

get drunk on fresh air

and come home tired

and never tell anyone

.... ever

Perhaps, I should wrap this up with Michael Buble's "Everything". Happy Midweek Y'all!

Right Up!

During Raya trip balik kampong, I met one interesting character, Z – a guy who works as Bilal at my kampung’s great looking mosque – and after a good chat with him over me preparing for that night’s BBQ, he spilled interesting stories about why he is there.

That particular mosque is indeed a great looking historical building after restoration works completed a few years back. However, such glorious sight does not jive with the real purpose of it being built in the first place. The imam is hardly commanding the jemaah as he is busy fishing udang galah and taking care of his handsome stable of cows. His son, who is hired as one of the Bilals to the mosque, is hardly in during subuh prayer (he is only seen awake in the late morning). The sad part is – with allowances being part and quarters being provided for them to educate, guide and lead, the jemaah is normally left unattended. Their shenanigans are widely known to the village folks and now, they seem to have reached the District’s Religious Department.

And that is why Z was transferred to my village’s mosque. He plays a role of whistleblower to the said department – willingly. His close connection to the powers-that-be in the state - in the process of his religious studies and responsibilities and thanks to his superb charms and manners – is put to a good use, keeping the duo on their toes. Apparently, this is not his first ‘assignment’ – he had been to others around the state too before with a string of success stories. After listening to his theatrical chattering – some thought he is being over the top but I admire his eagerness - I told him we should all call him Corruption Ambassador for the state.

I wish I stayed longer and spend a few evenings with him in Mak Itam’s kitchen, as he asked me twice when I would be going back. He gave a little sorrowful look when I told him I am going back on the following day. He was thinking he could share more with me more on what he is doing as others are ridiculing his good intentions. Like we all know, some people feel that undoing the wrongs is not meant for humans (Read: “Jangan jaga tepi kain orang”) and doing the rights is wrong (Sigh! How complicated we humans can be).

Z, for me, is a symbol of hope that we, ordinary people could play our proactive role in silencing our biggest culprit – corruption. He is doing it, even at the expense of getting transferred here and there, out of his free will, without rewards or recognition. He feels that he has a responsibility to mankind, generally, and to God Almighty, specifically.

He makes me realize the power of feelings, as aptly worded by the prolific Madam Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.

For me, we all have that urge to do something right inside us. It doesn’t matter how we do it and what would be the implications of us doing it because rights will only make things right.

But, we are just weak humans that subconsciously crave for recognition upon doing something good or right. Some need to be glorified as heroes and be compensated accordingly.

It's normal but I wish I could do it like Sergeant Mike Ranney, as posted earlier here, "In A Company of Heroes": -

“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…”

p.s. Z is one great looking, strong lad but I feel safe with him because he is more in touch with his feminine side ( you guys would call him 'Sotong"). Sotong or not, he is a gem to me...

Say...

I still remember when a dear friend apologised for talking too much when we met because it made me wonder if I had given an impression of great suffering throughout the said meeting.

But, the earnest apology is unnecessary for I enjoy our meeting immensely. It's either I was a good listener (or a teribble conversationalist) or I, too, asked too much (such excesses cancelled them out).

On both accounts, I wished such thought would never crossed my dear friend's mind.

Still, there are times talking too much would only make things worse, irritate the 'audience' and make a fool out of the talker! As such, "Aloof" has been marked on my forehead to some because my straight talking (not street fighting) - which I would rather reclassify as being honest and open - could hurt a soul or two.

Anyway, I am not complaining because we have to say what we need to say and there must be a good reason why we are unable to say them sometimes.

I am called to share this thoughtful song by John Mayer's "Say", a theme song to "The "Bucket List", which perfectly encapsulates my idea of expressing myself.

Take all of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all of your so-called problems,
Better put 'em in quotations

Say what you need to say

Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you'd be better off instead,
If you could only . . .

Say what you need to say

Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open

Say what you need to say

Madness at Work

Warning: This post is filled with "Bloody". Tresspass with great caution.

I was fuming mad (didn’t I tell you I am full of emotions, most of the time tempestuous?) listening to BFM’s news this morning. And it’s bloody Friday – yes, the D-day for Budget 2011 (we should bloody cheer because it’s going to be full with election carrots sprawled on the ground for us to pick and trample on)!

No thanks to HR Minister S. Subramaniam. He said that the poors are too choosy about getting a job!

Well hell Subramaniam. You bloody mentioned that one of the reasons could be attributed to too low wages. You are damn right!

But on top of that too low wages (sometimes, it is depressing to realize, at the end of the day, that most of us go to work to pay bills in the process of going to work i.e. we incur more costs in being at work!), you, HR Minister, must read Mr. Daniel Gross’ article “We’re Mad as Hell” in Newsweek, before blaming the poors.

Mr. Gross rightly pointed out that “it seems ironic that signs of employee dissatisfaction should emerge at a time of high unemployment, but it is hardly surprising. For the 2 phenomena – the poor labour market and workers’ antagonism towards employers and customers – are actually connected. Employees are sick and tired of tough conditions and crummy salaries!”

Despite growing economy for the past one year, with surging profits, most of us think they are driven by remarkable gains in efficiency and productivity by the corporates. Unfortunately, Mr. Gross reveals that productivity growth doesn’t improved in tandem because most of the gains come from payrolls cuts! Salaries are cut, benefits are curtailed and businesses have been slow at hiring people.

He wrote that “the last couple of years have been a golden era for employers—they’ve found that they can hire whom they want at lower wages, and that it’s easier to retain folks without having to boost salaries. But at some point companies that want to grow will have to break down and hire new people, or turn part-timers into full-timers, or put contractors on the payroll. Many employers are treating existing and potential employees as if they’re desperate for work. And plenty of Americans are. But desperate times can lead to desperate measures. Push your workforce too hard without adequate reward, and someone just might tell you to take this job and shove it”.

So HR Minister, don’t bloody shoot the messengers i.e. the poors, when they did not take up your lousy, lowly jobs offered through e-Kasih. If you and your team can’t think, the least you can do is bloody read more!

“All work has a threefold moral significance. First, it is a principle way that people exercise the distinctive human capacity for self-expression and self-realization. Second, it is the ordinary way for human beings to fulfill their material needs. Finally, work enables people to contribute to the well-being of the larger community. Work is not only for one's self. It is for one's family, for the nation, and indeed for the benefit of the entire human family”

~ Economic Justice for All

It is, then, not surprising to see most developing countries that offer cheap labour force also rank high in corruption index.

It is, also, disheartening to hear a Minister (Mak says that one of the signs of End of this World is when we have too many coward leaders) like Subramaniam blaming the poors for stone-dropping FDI. And you know it would bloody difficult for the powers-that-be to agree to minimum wage because by having this 'safety net', their 'warlords' would lose materially and that is not something they would want to inflict during this delicate moment.

Please STOP this MADNESS!

Los 33 - The Chronicle

I am putting up a sidebar for Los 33.

There are just too much to learn from them and thanks to Guardian, my favourite online newspaper, provides a well rounded, heart tugging-and-warming newscope on them. Surprisingly, their story isn't just about the power of hope and humanity, the tragedy may be the much needed turning point to make businesses more employee-friendly. Most importantly, this tragedy brought many people together - from rescuers to volunteers, government to private companies, friends and foes. This tragedy moves a nation and maybe, the world too.

I am just full with emotions. These days, it is hard for many of us to appreciate those people who turn the wheels of this world, risking their lives for a pay that is not worthwhile, so we could enjoy all the basics and luxuries this world could offer.

So, please, in your own capacity, let these people know that we care. For once, make them feel they are important as we who sit behind our desk, signing deals, sipping our coffee, in a cozy little office.

Starting this friday, let's not leave anyone behind...

Let's Cloudspotting!

Yesterday's exotic gastronomic rendezvous left my body achy (driving really fast on really bumpy swampy roads to and fro our lunch venue would outdo any rollercoaster rides - really), my appetite stumped (as we turned towards Hulu Tengi, I saw "Jabatan Konservasi Haiwan Liar" - errr, I could have reduced the number of wild life in this part of the world and that makes me queasy) and my eyes sleepy (thanks to both the joyride and organic Ala Banjar and Jawa lunch, said to cost RM70 per person).

So, it is just appropriate that I do some cloudspotting - from my office window. They are beautifully greyish nimbostratus. Sigh! I wish I could do it, lying down, perhaps somewhere near Antares' Sungai Pertak, and throw my gazes at these slowly moving stratus, nimbus, cumulus and cirrus. That would be a perfect quiet time for me.

There's a book by a Brit Designer, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, called "The Cloudspotter's Guide" that I should get my hands on it, in case my curiosity gets the better of my quiet time :D

Here's excerpts from Gavin's interview with The Guardian, on his book, which was rejected by 28 publishers (because they couldn't decide where to place the book if it's published - meteorology? popular science? - Duh! That's the problem with us trying to label everything and everyone), which would compel you and/or children to read this book. If not for appreciation of facts on clouds, perhaps we could appreciate their beauty and see things clearly in life.

"Running throughout the book, he says, is a gentle quest to overturn the malign understanding of clouds that has long informed western thinking. "People do have a slightly derogatory view of them," he says.

"When people say someone's got their head in the clouds, it's about being disengaged from the world. Whereas I say, 'Sod it - what's wrong with having your head in the clouds?' It's a really important thing to do, a reaction to the pressures of modern life. But there are all kinds of negative associations: the idea of someone having a cloud hanging over them, or clouds on the horizon - these very doomy things.

"But there's an Arabic phrase for someone who is lucky or blessed - they say, 'His sky is always filled with clouds.' It's the complete opposite. Clouds provide shade and rain. And rain is life; it's about abundance. Clouds bring beauty to the sunset. And they clear the atmosphere. They're purifiers: cloud droplets form around bits of pollution and bring it back to earth. But one of the main things for me is appreciating their beauty. Every day is like a new page."

As far as Pretor-Pinney's life is concerned, clouds have had one particularly important effect. He met his fiancée, Liz - to whom The Cloudspotter's Guide is dedicated - at his first cloud lecture; their relationship took flight at a second meeting, where her opening gambit was, "You're the cloud guy, aren't you?"

That's so sweet of him and before I sign off, I wish that your sky are filled with clouds ;)

Los 33 - Tale of Love and Crisis Management

It’s TODAY!

The first of Los 33 has surfaced from 700 metre-deep ‘temporary home’ for the past 69 days a few minutes ago. Another 32 to go and I am crossing my fingers, praying for their safe return to their beloveds.

I’m off for some exotic gastronomic rendezvous but in the mean time, I would like to share Guardian’s interview with Luis Urza, the leader of Los 33.

Los 33’s story is not just miraculous. It is a perfect case study for crisis management. It shows that everyone is precious but acceptance to that fact does not stop there. It should be translated into actions, where they must play their courageous part, to their level best.

Godspeed to Los 33!

Luis Urzua, the shift foreman trapped underground with 32 other Chilean miners, who has taken much of the praise for the wellbeing of the team under his command, has told the Guardian he was humbled by the men's ability to stay united.

Urzua, who has become a national hero in Chile and is expected to be the last to leave the mine after some 10 weeks underground, said in an exclusive interview: "This was a group with different personalities and manners of being. They're different characters."

"We have had a stage here in our lives that we never planned for and I hope to never live again like this, but that's the life of a miner."

Urzua has been widely credited with keeping the men alive during the first 17 days, when he rationed food, giving one spoonful of tuna to each of the miners every 48 hours.

Urzua was also instrumental in maintaining a sense of order and purpose underground – a move that Nasa specialists considered key to maintaining group unity and individual purpose in situations of extreme confinement.

"We had to be strong, all the workers in the mine fulfilled their roles, as journalists, as spokesmen, and we worked hard for our own rescue," said Urzua, when asked how he managed to keep the 33 men organised.

Asked about the dangers of San José mine, Urzua said, "We always say that when you go into the mine you respect the mine and hope you get out".

Speaking about the rescue effort, he said: "We're so proud the whole country has come behind us."

Urzua said the men are cleaning up their underground space, "but we don't have any place to put the garbage".He was not worried about being the last man to leave the mine.

Urzua then passed the phone to Richard Villaroel, who is expected to be among the first miners to leave, given that his wife is nine months pregnant and expected to deliver the baby this week.

"I didn't sleep at all last night, I couldn't," said Villaroel. He sent "lots of love to his family waiting above".

Where Do We Go From Here?

As I listened to Madonna's "You Must Love Me" last night, I cannot help but draw comparison to what is happening to our Ibu Pertiwi now and ask my dear comrades the same question. I wish you could all listen to the song and hopefully seek answers within ourselves. For me, I believe in all the love we have inside our hearts, even at its dimmest., to change the course of this Ibu Pertiwi.

I first watched "Evita", from where the song was taken from, in 1996, alone because not many appreciate Madonna, potraying as The Great Eva Peron, in a musical, back then. This movie stands talls with many other movies that potray the mesmerising, amazing power of women and with that song embodying the spirit of her undying love for the one she loves and the less fortunates, who never failed to be despised by the upper-class, even until now.

Before we go anywhere, let's find our root in the love we have.

Eat, Pray, Love - Searching Oneself

I was told, if you want to know whether THAT someone is really THE ONE that you could spend your lifetime with, grab your bag and go for a trip together. If, at the end of the trip, both of you remain yearning for each other’s company, rest assured THAT someone is THE ONE.

Life is, indeed, an endless trip. Literally. Along the way, at various stops in life, we bump into strangers, make friends and decisions. As we are the driver of our life, we determine which direction we are going and how we are going. Once these have been identified, we pick who and what we will bring along, using the concept of 3Ps – Practicality, Proactivity and Patience.

This brings me to Elizabeth Gilbert (Liz) and her “Eat, Pray, Love” (saya suka terjemahan buku ini di dalam Bahasa Indonesia bertajuk "Makan, Doa, Cinta"). Suddenly, her search becomes my business.

She came into the picture when I reaffirmed my gut feelings to someone that he IS one of my soulmates.

I must say I have broken a few beautiful hearts but I am not saying that with proud or grudge. Hurting someone so dear only hurts us back. Somehow, as life has better purpose for us to fulfill, there are relationships that we have to remodel into lasting spiritual friendships. They live forever in our heart. My brief encounters with my soulmates have enlightened me the real soul inside this façade and ignited the real potentials in me. For being my soulmates, they are like bitter pills I have to swallow every now and then, the beacons lighting up vast lands and open seas strange to me so I could stay true to myself.

“People think your soul mate is your perfect fit and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, someone who shows you everything that hold you back, the person who brings you to your attention so you can change your life.

A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.

A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master”

~ Richard from Texas to Liz

Having broken these hearts, I caged mine in return, out of fear that it, too, will be broken by another. With God’s blessings (because I do not have such strong willpower to undo sorrows I caused them nor strength to overcome my own), my soulmates held my hands wading through my life, instilled in me that I deserve the best, so I must seek my happiness and live up my purpose in life – with or without them. Because of them, I am truly, genuinely happier now.

“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it”

~ Liz

Because of them, I am ready to love and be loved, with the kind of “love that moves the sun and the other stars” (Liz) and I am, even, willing to be alone and lonely, at times because I would “never again use another person’s body or emotions as a scratching post for [my] own unfulfilled yearnings” (Liz).

Liz’s book, for me, is liberating. It is not about celebrating romance or comical side of life of a divorcee. This is a book about searching oneself, understanding why one behaves like one and finding the real meaning of one being given a life by The Almighty.

If you are reading this book for chicklit-kind of romance, you’d be disappointed but if you could pass through the rigorous explanation on Hinduism, Yoga and all, you would find a startling gem at the end of it. That is, life isn’t all about finding someone to love but it is about finding oneself and loving it (with all its imperfections – acknowledgment of this would normally propel one to improve oneself), giving meaning to everything and everyone around us. If we could do that, we find love right at our doorstep, every single day in our lifetime.

This book is Liz’s memoir and interestingly, it could well serve as a relevant psychology material reading as it shows how our past experiences, as early as toddler, could shape who we are today and amazingly teaches us that we could always rewrite our Lifescript. We are after all, with God’s guidance and grace, are the master of our destiny.

Universal as it can be, Liz shares one of the most important truths on mankind. Liz writes, “I met an old lady once, almost a hundred years old, and she told me, 'There are only two questions that humans have ever fought over, all through history: how much do you love me? And, who’s in charge?’”. Indeed, insecurity and doubts are men’s best enemies as they are capable of wrecking a relationship, drowning one’s future, silencing democracy and in the end, killing oneself, painfully, bit by bit.

Although I adore Julie Roberts, I don’t think watching a movie would be sufficient to immerse oneself with the wonderfulness of Liz’s book. It’s soul-searching worth reading!

My trip has been quite a rugged one. If I am blessed with THE ONE, I pray THE ONE that rivals a companionship between the Late Paul Newman and his beloved, Joanne Woodward. God please guide me, for I do not wish to take up ‘passengers’ along the trip, like the one of Dame Liz Taylor.

p.s. Oh, Joanne Woodward, Dame Liz Taylor and yours truly share the same birth date. History tends to repeat itself so I should wisely choose whose history I wish to repeat.

Children Live What They Learn

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.

If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

~ Dorothy Law Nolte

Till Death Do Us Part - Tribute to Mrs Lee Kuan Yew

Time stood still since last Saturday night after news of the demise of Mrs Lee Kuan Yew nee Madam Kwa Geok Choo harboured around my conscious mind and weary heart.

I recalled reading Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s latest interview transcript with NYT a week after Raya - how enviously happy I was to see a man of his stature could express his love and devotion to his beloved wife in such beautiful and moving words. A companionship that matches only Will and Ariel Durant’s lifelong love story – that is priceless.

I imagine her attentively listening to him sharing ideas to transform once-a-Third-World-Port and its people, during those early days, as if following what my dearest Madam Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “I used to tell my husband that, if he could make me 'understand' something, it would be clear to all the other people in the country”. For that, I admire her womanly quality.

I imagine her drafting Singapore Labour Foundation Act so tenderly so that her nation's union members and their families could have better access to rights and benefits. For that, I respect her comradeship.

That night, like many more nights of prayers and tears I had before, I prayed for God to give Mr. Lee Kuan Yew strength to go through his loss because he must have felt like one of his wings has been clipped, that he can’t fly up but down. But down he must go if that would make him humblest and most loving of man, remembering God's graciousness towards both of them.

My heartfelt condolence to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and his family. May her soul rest in peace.

In memory of their true love, here’s Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116, which I believe, must be one of those poems Mr. Lee read to his beloved.

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Prayers for A Long Journey Ahead...

Avril Lavigne's "Keep Holding On"

Jem's "Once In Every Life Time"

p.s. Taken from the Soundtrack of "Eragon"

Mark of Good Leaders

"Leadership is action, not position" ~ Donald McGannon

Lest some of us forget the mark of good leaders, please get them to read "The Servant Leader".

Being a leader isn't about securing the position and act like God. The position entrusted is for you to have the resources and work for the people. If you failed, you failed because of your own doing - do not try to fish sympathy out of murky water. That's pathetic!

Get it?!