Independence Day 国庆日

Credit to Mezain

This is my all time favourite patriotic song, 31 August by Sudirman Hj Arshad.

The theme for 53rd Independence day is 1Malaysia Menjana Transformasi (source: Harian Metro). We might get buoyed by this theme, but how effective is it so far, especially in our multiracial community? 

With lots of sensitive issues stirred up lately, we should take a good look at ourselves. We can still see quite clear racial discrimination, poking at each others weaknesses from time to time. No one should feel or be made uncomfortable in their own home. We are all Malaysians after all.

I came across a FB note written by the great granddaughter of our first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. I really like it as it really suits the current situation. Here's a few lines from the note:

For the concept to succeed, I think the government should stop with the race politics. It's tiring, really. We grew up with application forms asking us to tick our race. We should stop painting a negative image of the other races, stop thinking about 'us' and 'them' and focus on 'we', 'our' and 'Malaysians'.

source: Facebook Note

 Here's a very meaningful video for our multiracial community made by Cempaka Schools:


Let's look back at how much we have done to our beloved country and think about what we can to do to conserve the harmony of our beloved country.

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

Ramadan Bazaar 开斋月市场

 上个星期，我去了在家乡的开斋月市场。这时已经很接近开斋时刻，再加上又是放工时间，男女老少都纷纷来了，难免造成有点拥挤的现象。而我呢，边走边照相。呵呵。

Last week, I went to the ramadan bazaar in Saberkas at my hometown Miri. It's quite a sight, lots of people swarming the place making it so hard to move around freely. Well, it's time for people who just finished their work to get some food for breaking fast a bit later. While walking around the bazaar, I managed to take a few pictures with my phone.

Lots of people swarming the place

走啊走，看见了烤肉叔叔在烧烤着一串串的鸡翅膀。平时都是看正面的画面，偶尔看一看正在勤奋工作的背影也不错，就因此拍了一张照片。

While walking around, I saw an uncle barbecuing some chicken wing. Well, the front view of a someone barbecuing is pretty common, having a pic from the behind view is not bad, hence I took one.

BBQ chicken

走了一阵子，来到了印度煎饼档子。印度煎饼叔叔正在忙着准备，而太太则把已经做好的印度煎饼包好。

After walking for a while, I came across a Roti Canai stall, the husband was busy making roti canai while the wife was packing the roti canai.

The making of Murtabak

当然也少不了马来同胞的香蕉饼，小时候的我很喜欢吃的哦，现在也是。

Of course, there were pisang goreng too. It's one of Malay's delicacy.

Pisang Goreng

Have you visited any Ramadan bazaar lately? If not yet, what are you waiting for? Grab those delicious food there now!

Xue Hai 学海

学海部落

在偶然的机会下，看见了朋友在面子书上张贴了有关学海的文章。心里突然开始偷笑了，真是令人怀念。

顿时想起中四中五的情景，当时的华文老师，彭老师铁定要每位有拿华文科的同学一律订购学海以补一补咱们的华语。记得某一天下午，在彭老师还没来之前，班长向每位学生征收学海的订购费，并且在黑板上写上了 “请还血海订购费”。

当老师走进教室时，他的脚步突然停了下来，双眼瞪着黑板上的七个字，大概是看傻了眼吧。而我们呢，忍不住头笑了起来。老师立刻纠正了黑板上的错误，然后再问是否我们有那么讨厌学海？平时总是那么严肃的彭老师，不知怎么那天他竟然也笑了一声。呵呵。

总觉得当年的我活得更快乐。

Recall 回忆

 正当我在上网时，手提电脑突然播了一首很熟悉的歌曲，2R 的 Shining Friends，勾起了许多美好回忆。顿时陶醉在以往与朋友疯疯癫癫的日子。。。

While I was surfing internet, suddenly the my laptop played a song, Shining Friends by 2R, stirred up lots of beautiful recalls.

A little faith brightens a rainy day

life is difficult, you can't go away

don't hide yourselves in the corner

you have my place to stay

sorrow is gonna say goodbye

opens up, you'll see the happy sunshine

keep going on with your dream

chasing tomorrow's sunrise

the spirit can never die

sun will shine my friend

won't let you cry my dear

seeing you shed a tear

make my world disappear

you'll never be alone in darkness

see my smile my friend

we are with you holding hands

you have got to believe

you are my destiny

we're meant to be your friends

that's what a friend should be

说起童年，最令我回味无穷的是中学的那段日子，许许多多的第一次。第一次参加运动会、第一次参加露营、第一次不在家里温暖的被窝里睡觉、第一次自己学习煮饭吃、第一次当上巡查员、第一次遇到车祸、第一次进医院、第一次开刀、第一次有那么多朋友来探望我、第一次深感朋友的重要、第一次与许多朋友离别。。。 写到这儿时，不知为何泪水开始不听话了，不，那绝对是汗水。。。绝对。。。

Talking about the past, what I treasured the most is my secondary school days, lots o first times. First time joining sports, first time joining camping, first time not sleeping in the warm bed at home, first time learning to cook, first time joining school prefect board, first time meeting an accident, first time entering the hospital, first time being operated, first time having so many friends coming to visit me, first time knowing the importance of friends, first time saying goodbye to so many friends... When writing till this part, tears began to lose control, no, its definitely sweat... definitely...

Manila Bus Hijack Incident

Few days ago, a bus hijack incident happened in Manila has caused quite an uproar. The hijacker, a disgruntled ex-police officers was too desperate to get back his previous job that he even shot a few Hong Kong tourists who lost their life. The Philippine police claimed that they've shot and killed the hijacker later.

After the incident, quite a lot of people questioned the efficiency of the police force, why didn't the police act faster to gain control of the situation, perhaps they should have shot the hijacker while they were negotiating as the hijacker is clearly seen at the bus door there. Too many blames there, but perhaps it was because of too peaceful days that not much preparation to handle such abrupt incident? Too idle at peaceful time?

Looking back, it is pretty peaceful in our country Malaysia. Are we prepared for any sudden cases or incidents? How fast could we react accordingly? How efficient could it be? Hopefully it would not be disappointing.

Read more:

1. BBC online news, "Hong Kong hostages killed in Manila bus siege"
2. MSN online news, "Philippine bus hijack over but some hostages feared dead"

What happened to Malaysia? 大马怎么啦? (2nd)

Once again, our education was marred by unthoughtful comments from the educators themselves. According to New Straits Times:

"On Aug 12, 17 students from SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra in Kulai Jaya, Johor lodged police reports claiming their headmistress had uttered derogatory remarks during the launch of the school's Merdeka celebrations, taking aim at Chinese and Indian students."

According to Malaysia Today:

"According to the reports, one of the complainant quoted that Siti Inshah had during the school assembly said “Chinese students are not needed here and can return to China or Foon Yew schools. For the Indian students, the prayer string tied around their neck and wrist makes them look like dogs because only dogs are tied like that."

For educator to utter such unthoughtful racist words in public, it's seriously unforgivable. Malaysia is made up of various races, without them, it's no longer Malaysia we know. Together, we achieved lots of wonderful things, like getting independence day in London, the team sent there consisted of Malay, Chinese and Indian. There is no such thing as which race is more superior than the others.

According to my personal experience, while studying in my secondary school in Miri, Sarawak and Matriculation College in Labuan, I witnessed closer relationship between different races. Different races can sit together and do things together. However when I was studying in UTM, Johor, I witness a totally different scenario. The races awareness is too high, each race prefers to sit or talk with their own races. They seldom join other races, unless if they have to do group assignments. I can't comprehend it at all. I felt so much deserted there in west Malaysia. What happen to the One Malaysia slogan?

Just like the story we heard when we're still young, a single match stick is easily broken, but when lots of match sticks are bound together, it's a lot harder to break them all at once. As proud Malaysians, we should work together regardless of differences in skin colour, races, genders and religions. Let's work together  towards our year 2020 Vision.

Read more:

1. New Strait Times
2. New Strait Times
3. Columnist 'PERKASA'
4. Blogger Satu Malaysia

What happened to Malaysia? 大马怎么啦?

While I was surfing the internet, my friend, Adeline gave me a link regarding the recent broadcasting issue. Having known another Malay who can speak fluent Mandarin, I got more interested in this issue.

By the way, I've asked for permission from the Ruby, the blog owner, for me to use a few lines and pics in my blog.

98.8 FM DJ Jamaluddin Ibrahim, source: FMT

Oriental Daily News Headline, source: TalkPower

Well, I am not a 988 FM frequent listener, mainly because the station is out of range in my place. I am not someone who really understand politics either. Politics always give me a shady impression, always play of words and power abuses cases.

This incident really gave a very bad impression of Malaysia. Freedom of talk? Not really, seriously doubt so.

I don't feel like talking more into politics, as a Chinese Proverb says 'Talking too much would lead to trouble'.

Also:
News in Chinese

Drive Safely

Recently, I came across a video regarding driving safely on the road. It's a very meaningful video. I cried while watching the video. It saddened me that lots of life lost due to irresponsible driving, including drunken driving and one-handed driving while talking or typing on mobile phone.

It could be just a moment of miscalculation but could end up a regret of a whole life.



Or watch it on Metacafe or Facebook.

Freak Storm in Jasin

the aftermath of the freak storm in Jasin

On 3rd Ramadan, a sudden freak storm visited the Ramadan bazaar (store) in Jasin, killed 2 people and 2 others being seriously injured by flying debris during the incident, according to The Star online. The freak storm came too fast without any warning, thus leaving all the Jasin Ramadan traders in awe shock. Their tents were blown by the storm.

Here's 2 videos regarding the incident (Facebook videos)

1. During the incident
2.  The aftermath

 To all Muslim, please send your Al-Fatihah to those victims.

Watermelon 西瓜

 最近，我家长了一棵西瓜，可怜的西瓜似乎厌倦了生长在泥土上的日子了，竟然从墙上扎根。也许是一些蚂蚁把西瓜种子带回它们的窝里，而顽强的西瓜硬硬要继续生活下去，就造出了奇迹。

Recently, a watermelon plant grows from the wall, quite a miracle, the poor thing growing totally out of blue. Perhaps some ants brought the seeds back to their home and it strong-willed watermelon keeps on growing out of the crack in the wall to prove of its existance.

小西瓜树 the early days, just a small plant

自从知道了西瓜的存在，我便开始观察它的成长。一天，长出了同样大小的两粒小西瓜。但，经过了岁月的洗礼后，有一粒西瓜终于撑不下去了，枯死了。


I've been watching over it everyday, watching it growing slowly. One day, the plant started bearing 2 small watermelons. They were of the same size at first, but after quite some time, a very significant difference in size started to show up as the smaller ones started to wither.

2 watermelons, the smaller one which is behind the big watermelon withered later

a better view from the top

剩下的那里西瓜至今依然在那儿，而且还在成长中，现在已经超过了15工分。


The last standing watermelon is still there, it's a lot bigger now, slightly longer than a 15cm ruler.

the last standing watermelon, slightly longer than 15cm

可爱的西瓜，希望你能够好好地继续成长。加油！

Still wondering how much bigger can it grow, fingers crossed, hoping it would keep on growing till it ripe one day.

Zhou Qu Landslide Disaster

 当我正在观看电视节目时，看到了一则为舟曲哀悼的新闻报道。中国各地都纷纷降半旗默哀遇难同胞。

国际社会继续向中方表示慰问。 希望灾民早日恢复以往的和平日子。

In Zhouqu residents and rescue workers attended a memorial ceremony -BBC-

I was watching the television and came across the news about landslide incident in ZhouQu. China was holding a day mourning for those killed in the flood and landslides, the death toll rose to 1,239 people according to BBC.

My condolence for those victims in this disaster. Hopefully they would return to their peaceful life soon.

Zettai Kareshi Drama

Ever thought of a robot having its own feeling? Even to love somebody? Robots are invention of human being, with lots of microchips, wires, metal and other parts. A humanoid robot might look like this:

Here, I'm going to introduce a touching Japanese drama about having a robot as boy friend. Here's a bit synopsis from Fuji TV:

"Robot maker, Kronos Heaven, finally develops "01", the perfect male humanoid programmed to be devoted and completely loyal to his lover. The company chooses temp worker Izawa Riko to take part in a 5-day free trial. At first, Riko only sees the robot as a household appliance. But when she finds out how deep his devotion to herself is, Riko finds herself falling in love with him. Joining the love triangle is Asamoto Soshi, a distinguished young executive at her company who has feelings for her."

credit: Ultrastar Asian songs

This drama is adapted from a shojo manga, with the same name too, Zettai Kareshi (Absolute Boyfriend). The manga is about a high school girl, whereas the drama is about a working woman. A slight difference in the background, but the storyline is more or less the same.

Zettai Kareshi manga, source: Wikipedia

I love the main song in this drama, Okaeri by Ayaka. It matches the drama perfectly.

Ayaka - Okaeri (drama version), source: youtube

Ayaka - Okaeri (full version), source: youtube

Personally, I prefer Japanese drama more than Korean drama. Japanese drama always brings some messages within the drama, especially touching ones and great moral values; whereas Korean dramas are more on fluffy stuffs, but there are undeniably a few good ones.

Korean Drama, My Fair Lady 韩剧《拜托小姐》

刚看完一部韩剧，名为《拜托小姐》，由尹恩惠主演，是一部蛮值得去看得韩剧。我更喜欢当中的歌曲，尤其是其主题曲。更多详情

Just finished watching a Korean Drama, My fair Lady, cast by Yoon Eun Hye and Yoon Sang Hyun. It's a pretty nice drama, the songs within the drama are great. Going to introduce a few here.

 主题曲 The opening "I Love You" by Brown Eyed Girls

"Helpless Love" by Yoon Sang Hyun

puasa started 斋戒开始

星期二晚上，我锁在电视机前，聆听八点的新闻。平时不是八点新闻常客的我，顿时心里有点紧张，不晓得何时会揭晓开始禁斋的日子。

一个又一个新闻过了，怎么还没揭晓啊。心里开始焦急起来了，难道我错过了？不会吧，八时零五分才开始转台去听新闻的我，不可能错过了揭晓时刻。一心想继续看日剧《绝对男友》，可是还是得知道什么时候开始禁斋。耐心，对，需要更多耐心地等待下去。

总于，皇天不负苦心人，八时十五分，掌玺大臣丹斯里厄恩姑依布拉欣在获得各州统治者允准下，宣布全国各州属的斋戒月，将于8月11日开始。其实，差不多每一次都是不会看到月亮，因此通常不会在隔天开始，但今年却一往反常，隔天就开始了。

凌晨四时左右，依旧在朦胧的睡意里，勉强得爬起来。在进食当儿，突然想起了在工大与洁媛及咏辉一起在P19 sahur 的情景。大学生活真是叫人怀念。

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On Tuesday night, I was locked onto the television, listening to the 8 o'clock news, which wasn't something I do daily. I must admit, I was a bit anxious to know when would the Ramadhan fasting start.

One by one, the newscaster reported news. I've been thinking all this while, when would the date be announced. I was watching a Japanese Drama "Zettai Kareshi" till 8.05pm, only then changed over to TV1 for the news. Don't tell me that I've missed it. Patience, yes, patience is virtue.

Finally, at 8.15pm, the long awaited moment came, Tan Sri Engku Ibrahim announced that the fasting month started the next day, which is 11th August. Usually the too-cloudy condition would disrupt the moon observation procedure and hence would not fall on the next day. But it's totally different this time, puasa starts on the next day.

Around 4 o'clock in the morning, I barely woke up, still in my sweetest dream. While having my meal, suddenly I recalled my uni life with Jie Yuan and Yeong Huey in P19 of UTM. It was a very memorable moment.

A Hot Afternoon 炎热的下午

正在吃午饭时，家外有几位大叔在割草，感觉上有点草率，马马虎虎地割一下就走了。

今天的天气怎么啦。一点风也没有、树叶不再像以往自由的摆动了、小鸟不知躲到哪儿去了、天空总是那么的晴朗。。。

真的很热！这不就是每次在课本所读到的 "Green House Effect"，一时忘了华语的词汇，绿色什么。哈哈，这是真体会到什么叫做书到用时方很少。*笑*

突然有种想去海边的感觉，已经很久没去了，吹吹海边风也好。


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

While I was still having my lunch, there were a few men cutting the grass, it was a bit too quick, seemed like just merely cutting for a few grasses then went away.

What's with the weather today. Not even a wee bit of wind, the leaves no longer danced like usual, the birds were nowhere to be seen, the sky was always so clear......

It's very hot! Isn't this what they called 'Green House Effect'?

Suddenly, there was an urge of going to the beach, it's been a while, it's always good to feel the sea breeze.

Eye 眼睛

也许是长期在电脑荧幕前，最近眼睛总是很快就觉得疲累。是时候减少呆在荧幕前了吧，我告诉自己。

但是，我能够熬得过没上网的日子吗？电脑带来了太多太多的诱惑，尤其是上网、网上游戏、与朋友聊天、寻找质料、音乐、上面子书网页。。。

但为了眼睛的未来，只好自制了。

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Maybe it's due to long time sitting in front of laptop's screen, my eyes easily wears out lately. It's about time to lessen the time spend in front of laptop, I told myself.

However, can I live the life without going online? Computer brings too much fun and distractions, especially going online, online games, chatting with  friends, searching for information, musics, Facebook-ing......

But for the future of my eyes, I have to control myself.

Return 归属感

很久没更新我的部落格了，很不好意思。不是生活忙绿，而是开始对写部落格失去了原有的那股动力。也许是因为没有人来阅读，也许是自己的懒散，也许是不知道该写什么，也许。。。

一个又一个的借口，一次又一次地延迟了更新部落格，心里总是很不好受。虽然知道并不多读者，甚至没有任何人会来我的部落格逗留，但是内心总是很内疚。

终于，鼓起了勇气，登录了部落格的网页，手指在键盘上快乐地飞舞，心里终于平静了。

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It's been a while since the last time I updated my blog, really sorry about it. Not really that I'm too busy with life, but somehow losing the drive to write. Maybe it's because of few to none people reading, maybe it's because of my own laziness, maybe not sure what to write, maybe ......

Excuse after excuse, the updating blog process was delayed again and again, it made my heart ached just thinking about it. Even though there are very few to none readers who would visit my blog, but still it didn't feel good.

Finally, gathered bits of courage, logged into my blog, fingers danced happily on the keyboards, my heart felt calmer at last.