Spectators VS Actors

April 08, 2011

Generally, I had had a hectic week, and I am enjoying my time chillaxing now. It had been a pretty good week so far since I finished my TOEFL and GRE. Although it probably isn't awesome results, but it's adequate for me. At least, I will be able to go to the US with such a score. And I was worried I won't pass my GRE. Took it while I was having flu, fever and cough. Gung ho max la.. Thank God for his guidance and Spirit. Finishing my GRE was the best news so far.

Sunday is my convo. I am pretty excited about it actually. Not excited about going on stage, but rather taking photos with all my buddies buddies as it marks a significant milestone in life.

Owhkay, so that's a little update on my life so far. Now let's get to the topic of the day: Spectator VS Actors.

Most of us, I believe, are spectators, rather than actors. We like to see things, comment, talk about it, spread it, but do not do anything about it. For example, we watch soccer on tv, and someone missed the goal.

People will shout " WHAT LAH... EVEN MY GRANDMOTHER CAN KICK BETTER THAN THAT" Seriously, your grandmother can kick better than that? Why isn't your grandmother playing in the field then?

Another very popular phenomenon. Politicians. Malaysians LOVE to criticize politicians. Corruption la, traffic light rosak la, road filled with potholes la, low wage la, high inflation la, almost everything under the sun, we can complain. But are you doing anything about it? Why don't you take action and go complain to the relevant authorities? Write letter or call or go to their office? "Cause they won't listen lah" Maybe they won't, but have u tried?

Let's say u tried and they really didn't listen, then what's the point of saying out loud? Is it educational in purpose? So that people surrounding you knows how bad the government is? Or is it done so that people surrounding you know how concerned you are for the country? Or how smart you are? Or is it just a cathartic expression?

Parents sometimes take for granted their child's ability to study. AIYO, no 100 ar? No A ar? No first class honors ar? You so smart, you go take the test lor.

Oh oh.. the recent tsunami in Japan. I suppose many people say "let's pray for Japan" or something like "poor Japan", but are you doing anything substantial to help? Did you donate money for example in order to alleviate their sufferings? If you did not, then maybe you should ponder why didn't you. Why only pity and not help?

I suppose many of us do this is because it's so much easier to appear that we have done something, namely saying things, rather than doing things. When we need to act on something, it is a burden on us. It becomes INCONVENIENT. And therefore, we only say things to appear as if we are concerned, but we don't really lend a hand when it counts.

In order to move forward, we need to start acting, and talk less bullshit. When you see things, instead of saying, keep it in your heart and make a resolution to change. Trust me, you will feel that your life is a lot more significant when you know you have changed someone's life or the world for the better.

God Bless~

Musings

Friday 25th March

Tomorrow I will be taking my TOEFL. On the 5th of April, my GRE. That's 2 exams before my convo. Hopefully i pass with some colours, if not flying colours. If not, I will cry during convo itself.

As you all know (or maybe don't know), I plan to study in the US and in order to do that, i need to sit for both of the test. GRE's question is making me mad and crazy at the same time. It's a very smart test if you ask me. really need more practice..

For the past few days, I have been thinking about all the possibilities and I have come with terms on the matter. The main reason was of course financial. If got enough money, won't be scratching head. And I think of all the students with bright mind and yet are not given the chance to pursue their dreams due to economic constraints. What a waste isn't it?

While I was hiding in my cave thinking and emoing about stuff, Japan's citizen is battling the cold climate with little food and water and possible radiation leak. Whereas there's was between people who support and opposes Gaddafi.

Who am I kidding right? These are the real problem people are facing. And I am sulking because of the possibility of not going overseas for studies? I should be grateful I have a home to stay, food to eat, cloths to wear, peaceful country, nice weather with no radiation exposure. With that, my perspective is in order. It might be true that I might not be able to pursue my studies overseas. If that's the case, such is life. Study in Malaysia only loh. Should not be complaining so much. God has His plan for me.

And He has plan for you too~

God Bless~

Dream and Life

March 18th, 2011

These few days, I have been in a great dilemma for I know not what to do. At least now some progress is in place and I will eat, sleep dream about it so that it doesn't go to waste.

All of us dream. About wanting a nice family, nice girl/boyfriend, nice job, nice house, nice career etc. The question is, how many of us actually know what we really want in life and chase after it? To pursue what we want to do in life is perhaps the biggest dream all of us have.

Of course, as with everything, there are obstacles. The biggest obstacle to living a fulfilling life is don't know what to do with life, because when you know not what you want to do, you simply don't know how to achieve it. Even when one knows what to do, there are always obstacles such as financial, family responsibility, etc. and honestly speaking, I don't know which is better. To not know of one's purpose in life, or to know and yet not able to pursue it.

I guess I know of my dream and in trying to fulfill it, depletes my energy constantly. Searching for a postgrad course is a pain in the ass. Searching for a postgrad course and at the same time considering the scholarship possibility and fees is a pain in the ass and in the brain.

I can so dream of myself living outside of Malaysia. Living in a foreign country with the different environment. I don't know whether I would like it, but many years down the road, I am sure it will be a treasured memory. At the same time, I am worried about living outside of my comfort zone. What will happen to me without my favorite food (zhap fan)? XD

My dreams will surely be fulfilled, be it in Malaysia or overseas. Cuma kalau kat Malaysia, kurang glamor-LAH.

God Bless~

Too much food?

Sunday 6th March 2011

Today I read an interesting article about the amount of food that the world needs and sadly about it's disparity. One of the world's concern is 'With the increasing number of people, will the earth manage to produce as much food to feed it's people, especially since global warming is causing a stir in crops production?'

It seems that the world is growing enough, actually more than enough for everybody to have a satisfying meal everyday even when global warming is lessening the crop production.

If crops yielding are more than what people can eat, it means supply is more than demand, which means, food prices should be low, which means, even the poor should be able to buy food and not die of starvation.

The question then is, why do so many people still die of hunger?

The main reason is of course: People

1) Rich people are on the lookout for money. They buy land, and scoot away the poor farmers (often with the permission of government, which is sad) and plant whatever they want to plant which will bring them money. Even when they plant food, the food is not meant to feed the own poor people, but rather sold outside at a higher price. As said, 'whatever which will bring them money'

2) The price of food is not decreasing but increasing even when supply exceeds demand because of lobbying by these rich people. So poor people can't afford food and starve till death.

3) A whole lot of the world's crop that can be used to feed human are used to feed animals instead. It takes 7kg of crops to produce 1 kg of meat (or so the newspaper states). That means, people are eating so much meat that so much crop is being used to feed animals so that we can eat them. If we were to eat less meat, more crops could be used to feed humans.

4) A lot of corn are being used as fuel rather than feeding people. So there you go, feeding the machine, but not people. Why? Because it makes more economic sense.

What is done by certain people, made other people suffer all the more. So what can be done? Awareness is one. Another thing would be to eat less meat. I guess I would try to eat less meat.

Of course, if the poor gets education, they would earn enough to buy food and not starve to death, but this would need measures from government. Let's pray for the best

Oh, before signing off, there is a phrase which caught my attention while reading the newspapers. Remember it was said that people worry that the world's population would outgrow the availability of food? One person commented saying

"Why can't the heaving masses of black, brown and yellow-skinned peoples have fewer babies and eat less so that more corn can be burnt as biofuel in big 4WDs or to feed cows to produce fillet mignon steaks?"

This is of course a very bad remark at so many levels, but let's take a look at why such a comment would come to be.

It’s no coincidence, wrote Monbiot, that most of those obsessed that population growth is a “problem” are post-reproductive wealthy white men – “It’s about the only environmental issue for which they can’t be blamed"

While the developed countries are fighting against obesity, third world countries are fighting to stay alive.

God Bless~

Reference:

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2011/3/6/lifefocus/8176527&sec=lifefocus

Repressed emotions?

One of the characteristics of dreams is amplification of emotions and that's really true as I had a sweet lovely dream that made me feel awful after waking up.

I do not know how to put it in words just yet, but the feelings is so special it is as if my whole life is at ease when I felt that emotion. It was as if God's hand was touching me. It was as if I have been searching for this one thing my whole life.

This emotion made me feel treasured. It was about to come complete, but it didn't happen in the dream.

Jian said that between the 3 of us, my life was the most 'stormless' because I am single. Have I been repressing my feelings for you?

God Bless~

Broga Hill

Taking a break from my Bali trip postings, I present to you my Broga Hill expedition. My friends and I went to Broga on Sunday 2oth February. We agreed to meet up at the petrol station at 5.00 morning. I slept only for 3 hours, and woke up at 4.30 to be on time. We only left there at 5.30. I really really dislike people coming late. Not satisfied! I don't understand why people can't be on time.

After that we drove there and reached around like 5.50 - 6.00. We were supposed to climb up and look at sunrise, but then it didn't happened that way. :x The way up was like jay walking, seriously. And i thought it would be fun, but not really fun only la. It's not hard going up, the a little hard part comes at the very last stretch before the top. It's steep, but nothing to be worried about.

The view on top

Jump shot

All of us together

Remember I said going up wasn't a problem? The problem is with coming down because it's steep, and it's slippery. And there are many people coming down. Of course there were many people going up as well, which I do not like because it slows down the progress, but coming down is a pain in the ass la.

The amount of people, and the steepness

I slipped a few times while coming down. But managed to come down safely. The coming down part is really nonsense. So many people slipped and without help from other people, they might have very well gotten themselves hurt. Good thing the people there are good and willing to help. I helped too :p

So after coming down, we went to a temple, and then brunch. After coming back, I wanted to have a nap after showering. But someone has to tempt me go play volleyball. Therefore, no nap. I thought I could go play from 3 till 5 and then come back Pandan Indah to play some more with my gang, but no... they started at 5 and I only know of it after i reached there. boo hoo..

Am i gonna climb broga again? NOPE! Not worth it.

God Bless~

Bali Trip Day 2

So here comes part 2

We woke up in the morning and had breakfast. We woke up pretty early as it will be a long journey today visiting many places.

Morning having breakfast

This is how our hotel looks like in the morning.

So first of, we went to watch a supposedly very famous Balinese dance, touted as the 'best dance in Bali so far' by our tour guide. We reached there at 10, just as it was about to start. Awesome timing.

Balinese dance

The dance consists of 5 chapters, all telling a single story and it's a really long dance. About an hour or so. And it's pretty hot there cause there's no fan. :x

We then went to a batik painting factory. To see how batiks are made.

Freehand painting batik. Very nice drawing

The batiks there are so expensive. No money to buy.

After the batik factory, we went to a souvenir shop, where the things there are also very expensive. While the girls are looking at the souvenirs, me and Lam do what? Camwhore lo. XD We weren't supposed to take any pictures in the shop, but oh who cares. XD

Bored

After that, we went for our lunch

This is the restaurant where we ate our lunch

The place is really nice, and it's windy. Nice background for us to sink our teeth into the food. Although the food isn't really awesome (none of the Balinese food is awesome), but the scenery made up for it.

This is our lunch

The nice backdrop accompanying us

Jian is the boss. Don't mess with him. XD

Group photo at the restaurant. The surrounding is nice ^^

Group photo again

After lunch, we went to another few places, namely an art gallery. Many things happened here, which I would leave it amongst ourselves, for the sake of protecting our dignity, and privacy. XD

In front of the gallery

After we were done with the gallery, we went to another factory, this time it's gold and silver.

It seems like no matter one goes, Bali has beautiful sceneries eh.

We went for massage after that and it's my first time experiencing full body massage. It's not cheap, but aiyah, everyone says Bali massage good right. So give it a try. I do not think that it's awesome, just so so. First time kena eat toufu until like this. :x

Only 4 of us went massaging. Mr. Lam did not go and he himself went for a walk. He took some shots of the beautiful scenery he found.

One of the scenery

Me and Jian only did 1 hour of massage, while the girls did 2 hours. So when our one hour was up, the 3 of us walked around the area. Mr. Lam asked a shop owner on the price of the painting, and it was cheaper than the factory we went earlier. He just wanted to know the price, but the shop owner got desperate and asked for a 'harga pass'. Sticky situation.

Advice: Don't bargain, unless you intend to purchase. Can get pretty scary.

When the girls are done, we hop onto our van, and head for our final destination for the day, which is Jimbaran Bay, where we would have our dinner by the beach. On the way, it started to rain, which means we couldn't eat outdoor like we planned.

But once we reach there, the rain stopped. Yay! We managed to secure a spot by the beach. The dinner is bad. to me it's bad. not tasty, and the crab seemed to be 'expired'. I didn't even makan the crab. :x

The girls

The guys

After dinner, went back to hotel, and discussed whether we would go for a night walk. Lam was still feeling uneasy because of his stomach, so only the 4 of us went.

We bought 4 bottles of Bintang beer and walked to a beach, which was supposed to be pretty near our hotel. It wasn't near actually, and we were like drunkards, walking while holding to our beer bottle. lol. It was my first time drinking so much beer actually. I don't drink beer cause it doesn't taste nice.

When we reach the beach, we were like.. woo hoo, we finally reach after walking for quite some time. But we weren't that pleased with it cause there's no wind. Strange cause the waves are huge. We were pretty worried that we would kena rompak, but Bali is a pretty safe place. Even at night, the place is pretty lively. I haven't seen any Mat Rempits around. lol

After that we walked back and tidur.

God Bless~