... and from its ruins, perhaps a new and better governed administration shall sprout.
The heavy propoganda machinery of Barisan Nasional has failed to stem the inevitable, and that is to stop the unilateral voting for the opposition by the Malaysian urban and educated. So much has happened (or not happened) in the past 4 years that cannot be stopped by speeches and full-page advertisements. And so, the stronghold of BN over the Malaysian Parliament has fallen, and along with it, Kelantan, Penang, Kedah, Selangor and then Perak.
Firstly, I applaud the maturity of the current BN in how they have responded to the loss. "We accept the loss this is a democratic right of the people", said the PM. A former woman minister said "The people have spoken". And the heads of the Chinese parties, in shock at their defeat, have said "We have some soul searching to do". Very matured and very responsible to take ownership and admit that they themselves are to blame.
I almost feel bad for them. However, if BN should ever come to win again, then this is a lesson that must be learnt. Bill Gates once said "Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose". They have won for so long. And you can become disenchanted with what you really stand for. Yes, this is a lesson that is long in waiting. We must fail sometimes. We must allow ourselves to lose gracefully and admit defeat. And we must lose to know our faults and our areas to improve on.
"A new dawn to Malaysia" says the opposition. Very true, but the dawn shall quickly turn to day and how the day shall turn out has yet to be seen. I am optimistic and yet sceptical.
There is this euphoric feeling in the air. Many people have woken up today feeling a feeling of high. Like something good is about to happen.
Wait a minute.. the feeling is very familiar. When was the last time we felt like this? It wasn't that long ago... Oh yes, in 2004! When BN won by a mile and the new PM was sworn in, we all felt really good. So how is it that people can feel the same way with the exact opposite outcome? It's called Hope. The election outcome didn't happen because the people support the opposition. Rather, the people are so frustrated with empty promises and the opinion that things have gotten worse, that they are voting for hope, by doing the exact opposite. If doing the opposite means voting the opposition, then so be it.
And hope won today so that's why we feel good. We have bought ourselves another 4 years to see how things will turn out. In the meantime, bask in the feeling of hope. The work starts soon and there will be no time for sentimental feelings anymore.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Homecoming - Back to the roots (Part 1)
Dec 2007
The long awaited return to roots has arrived and we finally set foot on Hainan Island, all 19 of us Singaporean and Malaysians of 3 generations. All with the same family name and related somewhat by blood to each other. The trip is a walk back to the past to where our forefathers worked and lived and bred.. to some of the elderly ones, it is a nostalgic trip to a past they have long left behind, and to the younger ones, a revelation to a world where it might have been if our grandfathers had not ventured out of the country.
Strange relations
Our first morning saw us taken to a village, where 20 people came to greet me and dad. They were my uncles, aunts and cousins, and there was one grand-aunt aged 95. I’ve never met them but they know my name. They spoke in dialect which I couldn’t understand, and they held my hand and looked in my face like a prodigal son.
Then they took me to their home, supposedly our ancestral house – which means our family has lived there for 7 generations dating more than 100 years back, and some still live there. The entire place was about 500 sq ft with a hall for dining and 3 rooms. There was a centre table that measure about 1 x 1 metre and looks like something out of a martial arts movie. The beds were lined with planks and no mattress. And the bath, toilet and kitchen were outdoors, with wood used for cooking. I’m told that I’m not visiting but I have come home.
Then I was taken to pay respect at the ancestors altars, complete with kow-tow and joss-sticks, as a sign of the son having returned home and visiting the elders. 4 different places for my immediate family ancestors, the community ancestors, the village ancestors and finally the forefathers. All with the same family name and related by blood over 20 generations. Very eerie, especially when I’ve never done this before. And fireworks were cracked each time, lasting 2 minutes each time, as a symbol of a celebration (much like Chinese New Year). I can tell our return was a big deal to them!
Lunch was sumptuous with 30 people crammed in the home’s hall. And I can now confirm that there is Chicken Rice in Hainan. It took 2 hours for me to feel at home, and I felt sad having to leave the place after the ancestors visits, taking family photos, lunch and being introduced around. I don’t know them, I have nothing in common with them and I can barely communicate with them in sputters of Mandarin. But I feel like I’ve shortchanged them for spending only a short span of 6 hours for an occasion that they may have been anticipating for all their lives.
The village banquet runs the next day. I will write more on that soon.
The long awaited return to roots has arrived and we finally set foot on Hainan Island, all 19 of us Singaporean and Malaysians of 3 generations. All with the same family name and related somewhat by blood to each other. The trip is a walk back to the past to where our forefathers worked and lived and bred.. to some of the elderly ones, it is a nostalgic trip to a past they have long left behind, and to the younger ones, a revelation to a world where it might have been if our grandfathers had not ventured out of the country.
Strange relations
Our first morning saw us taken to a village, where 20 people came to greet me and dad. They were my uncles, aunts and cousins, and there was one grand-aunt aged 95. I’ve never met them but they know my name. They spoke in dialect which I couldn’t understand, and they held my hand and looked in my face like a prodigal son.
Then they took me to their home, supposedly our ancestral house – which means our family has lived there for 7 generations dating more than 100 years back, and some still live there. The entire place was about 500 sq ft with a hall for dining and 3 rooms. There was a centre table that measure about 1 x 1 metre and looks like something out of a martial arts movie. The beds were lined with planks and no mattress. And the bath, toilet and kitchen were outdoors, with wood used for cooking. I’m told that I’m not visiting but I have come home.
Then I was taken to pay respect at the ancestors altars, complete with kow-tow and joss-sticks, as a sign of the son having returned home and visiting the elders. 4 different places for my immediate family ancestors, the community ancestors, the village ancestors and finally the forefathers. All with the same family name and related by blood over 20 generations. Very eerie, especially when I’ve never done this before. And fireworks were cracked each time, lasting 2 minutes each time, as a symbol of a celebration (much like Chinese New Year). I can tell our return was a big deal to them!
Lunch was sumptuous with 30 people crammed in the home’s hall. And I can now confirm that there is Chicken Rice in Hainan. It took 2 hours for me to feel at home, and I felt sad having to leave the place after the ancestors visits, taking family photos, lunch and being introduced around. I don’t know them, I have nothing in common with them and I can barely communicate with them in sputters of Mandarin. But I feel like I’ve shortchanged them for spending only a short span of 6 hours for an occasion that they may have been anticipating for all their lives.
The village banquet runs the next day. I will write more on that soon.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Line up your putt from the hole
All golfers will tell you that to really know a person well, play a round of golf with him and you'll see his true colors. Golf brings out the best and worst in people in a span of four hours because of the nature of the game - happiness, frustration, competition, people skills, mental skills etc - these are things we face in our lives and they're compacted into a 4 hour 18-hole session.
My post today is to talk about the part of our lives on the putting green. The objective of golf is to get the ball in the hole. The putt is the last part of every hole and yet is the most important one.
Anyway, when we putt, we normally look at our ball and then we look towards the hole. We then try to hit the ball into the hole. Like life, we improve our chances by:
- visualizing the ball going in - developing a mental picture
- review the terrain - understand your surroundings
- practice the putt - developing experience and skills
The other day, as I was about to putt, an old friend and golf veteran said "You missed out a very important part. Instead of standing over your ball and trying to get the ball into the hole, you should walk over to the hole and then look to where your ball is. It is clearer when you can see your ball relative to the hole, and not just the other way round"
As I listened to that piece of advice and did that over the next few holes, I pondered on the wisdom of those words.
So often, we set goals in our lives and then we keep moving towards the goals. Some of the time we get there but often with some pain and some luck. And often, it's a challenge. But when you do make it there, you look back and then it seems easier. You think of all the things you could have done to make it quicker, faster and easier if only you had done them.
Ah the benefit of retrospect.
Instead of setting goals by trying to get to where we want to go, why can't we visualize that we are already where we want to be (ie standing over the hole) and then look back at where we are (ie looking towards our ball) and then decide how the ball should come to you?
The most difficult part about this is visualizing where we want to be. And if you can't imagine that, how will you know when you get there?
In golf, I have 18 tries to get it in the hole in the first putt.
My post today is to talk about the part of our lives on the putting green. The objective of golf is to get the ball in the hole. The putt is the last part of every hole and yet is the most important one.
Anyway, when we putt, we normally look at our ball and then we look towards the hole. We then try to hit the ball into the hole. Like life, we improve our chances by:
- visualizing the ball going in - developing a mental picture
- review the terrain - understand your surroundings
- practice the putt - developing experience and skills
The other day, as I was about to putt, an old friend and golf veteran said "You missed out a very important part. Instead of standing over your ball and trying to get the ball into the hole, you should walk over to the hole and then look to where your ball is. It is clearer when you can see your ball relative to the hole, and not just the other way round"
As I listened to that piece of advice and did that over the next few holes, I pondered on the wisdom of those words.
So often, we set goals in our lives and then we keep moving towards the goals. Some of the time we get there but often with some pain and some luck. And often, it's a challenge. But when you do make it there, you look back and then it seems easier. You think of all the things you could have done to make it quicker, faster and easier if only you had done them.
Ah the benefit of retrospect.
Instead of setting goals by trying to get to where we want to go, why can't we visualize that we are already where we want to be (ie standing over the hole) and then look back at where we are (ie looking towards our ball) and then decide how the ball should come to you?
The most difficult part about this is visualizing where we want to be. And if you can't imagine that, how will you know when you get there?
In golf, I have 18 tries to get it in the hole in the first putt.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Home Alone
I made a pact with myself. Instead of waiting to be inspired, I will do like what other bloggers do.. just write something until something inspiring comes along. That way my blog can have a life.. so here goes..
Tonite I am home alone. First time in a while because Jen's normally the one at home. Since she has dinner plans tonite, I'm on night duty with Caitlin. As a 4 month old, she's been well trained to go to bed by 10.00pm, which is a far cry from the days when she'll cry incessantly at 12am. Now she can't wait to be put down.
It's quite nice to be at home too. I watched 4 1-hour series in 2.5 hours. Watching TV is no fun with me because I am a compulsive channel switcher.
Been reading a book titled "Blink". It's very intruiging because it tells us what we already know - that we make impulsive judgements about everything in life. Love at first sight is such an example. The book is quite complete because it discusses about how sometimes our first instincts can be a manifestation of something our subconscious is trying to tell us. On the other hand, it also tells how we're all products of discrimination and pre-judgements, which means that those first instincts are based on us stereotyping whatever that we see. Like when we see an older not-so-good looking man going out with a supermodel lookalike, then she's a mistress and she's after his money.
If you ask me now whether I make premature judgements on people, this is what I will say: I strive never to judge someone based on first impressions and to always to give them the benefit of the doubt, except when they look like a crook or smell like a snake.
So how was that nonsensical banter? Maybe I'll learn to post photos later.
Tonite I am home alone. First time in a while because Jen's normally the one at home. Since she has dinner plans tonite, I'm on night duty with Caitlin. As a 4 month old, she's been well trained to go to bed by 10.00pm, which is a far cry from the days when she'll cry incessantly at 12am. Now she can't wait to be put down.
It's quite nice to be at home too. I watched 4 1-hour series in 2.5 hours. Watching TV is no fun with me because I am a compulsive channel switcher.
Been reading a book titled "Blink". It's very intruiging because it tells us what we already know - that we make impulsive judgements about everything in life. Love at first sight is such an example. The book is quite complete because it discusses about how sometimes our first instincts can be a manifestation of something our subconscious is trying to tell us. On the other hand, it also tells how we're all products of discrimination and pre-judgements, which means that those first instincts are based on us stereotyping whatever that we see. Like when we see an older not-so-good looking man going out with a supermodel lookalike, then she's a mistress and she's after his money.
If you ask me now whether I make premature judgements on people, this is what I will say: I strive never to judge someone based on first impressions and to always to give them the benefit of the doubt, except when they look like a crook or smell like a snake.
So how was that nonsensical banter? Maybe I'll learn to post photos later.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Low Battery
The Computer is blinking "low battery".... so I have 2 minutes to say what I want to say.
Actually, there's nothing to say. Twice a night diaper changes. Baby needs to be rocked to sleep. Can't stand hearing the baby crying. And of course, there's work. So, baby and work.
2 minutes is up.
Computer going to hibernation mode now.... needing a recharge :)
Actually, there's nothing to say. Twice a night diaper changes. Baby needs to be rocked to sleep. Can't stand hearing the baby crying. And of course, there's work. So, baby and work.
2 minutes is up.
Computer going to hibernation mode now.... needing a recharge :)
Sunday, October 01, 2006
I need some inspiration to post
I realize that it's been more than 2 months since my last post. I had lost that inspiration. But I really wanna blog, so bear with me the my blogs suck. My desire to have a blog is stronger than my passion to blog.
The End of an Era
There are moments in our lives when we feel that we have reached a milestone, completed a journey or closed a chapter. Sometimes it happens at an event (like the last day of school) but most times it dawns on you long after the event has happened.
The end is not always a new beginning. There is an intermission to mourn and reflect on what has passed.
I'm feeling like i have reached a milestone again. And it is a series of events that has led to this, and I am afraid my life will never be the same again. I don't think I have fully accepted it and I am still clinging hopelessly in vain that there are remnants of that old era that I can still live in someday, but sadly, in quoting the poem "The Road Not Taken" - knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.
Actually, there is no doubt. My experience tells me that we never come back. And if we do, it is just never the same. We move on, just like the clock that only moves clockwise. And with each turn, the hands of destiny nudge us further away.
But I'd like to think that it's always for the better. Like a weekend vacation by the beach or a 3-month summer job as an intern, we feel sad when it's over but we're happy that it happened. And we have the memories to feed those lonely, quiet moments.
The end is not always a new beginning. There is an intermission to mourn and reflect on what has passed.
I'm feeling like i have reached a milestone again. And it is a series of events that has led to this, and I am afraid my life will never be the same again. I don't think I have fully accepted it and I am still clinging hopelessly in vain that there are remnants of that old era that I can still live in someday, but sadly, in quoting the poem "The Road Not Taken" - knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.
Actually, there is no doubt. My experience tells me that we never come back. And if we do, it is just never the same. We move on, just like the clock that only moves clockwise. And with each turn, the hands of destiny nudge us further away.
But I'd like to think that it's always for the better. Like a weekend vacation by the beach or a 3-month summer job as an intern, we feel sad when it's over but we're happy that it happened. And we have the memories to feed those lonely, quiet moments.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
The Double Life
There is Yin and Yang in life. The gentle and the aggressive. The relaxed and the excitable. And that's life in Club Med - contrasts of such magnitude that it tears you inside just deciding on where to spend your next fleeting moment.
The cushioned deckchair, with the morning sun, gentle easterly breeze and the rolling waves beckon an hour of serenity and meditation, and yet the catamaran calls out for an exciting adventure taming the South China Sea using the wind and sail.
And as always, the restless spirit wins. And the trapeze.. it has given me newfound respect for circus performers. The act of climbing 3 storeys high to stand on a plank as wide as the palm of your hands is enough to make your testoterones take cover in your testicles. And then leaning forward to reach out for the trapeze.. the amount of faith we must have in God and the Club GO who's holding your belt in order you do not fall 20 feet into the Net (it's a hard net!!) . And yet, many of us did it.
The first time was scary becauseI didn't know what to expect. The second time was worse. As I was ascending the narrow ladder up 30 feet, I thought "Am I crazy to be doing this again?" And as I leaned forward to reach the trapeze, I thought "I must have a death wish. I'm going to tempt fate again." Then the Club GO kicks at my ankles and I fall off the plank, swinging while holding onto a horizontal bar suspended on two parallel ropes. When you're swinging, you don't think about the fear. So I'm swinging and then I have to lift my legs and curl them around the bar and let my hands go. Trapeze swinging is an elegant, harmonious act, but I was as graceful as an hippo.
It was scary, but I did it several times. The third and fourth time was just as hard, but they became less scary. And that's just me. If I am afraid of something that I shouldn't be afraid of, then I'll do it over and over until the fear goes away. It always does, and it did. And so true the saying "That which does not kill you, makes you stronger" But that's another story.
Today's blog is about conflicting contrasts that envelop our lives. We all make decisions every day but some of us find that we will always look back and wonder about the other road not taken. And then sometimes, we go down one path and then come back to go down the other. And sometimes it's the same and sometimes it's not. Happy are those who are decisive and do not wonder. And to those who feel that you're always not sure.. here's a poem about the experience Club Med had for me:
How very simple life would be
If only there were two of me
A Restless Me to drift and roam
A Quiet Me to stay at home.
A Searching One to find his fill
Of varied skies and newfound thrill
While sane and homely things are done
By the domestic Other One.
And that's just where the trouble lies;
There is a Restless Me that cries
For chancy risks and changing scene,
For arctic blue and tropic green,
For deserts with their mystic spell,
For lusty fun and raising Hell
But shackled to that Restless Me
My Other Self rebelliously
Resists the frantic urge to move.
It seeks the old familiar groove
That habits make. It finds content
With hearth and home dear prisonment,
With candlelight and well loved books
And treasured loot in dusty nooks,
With puttering and garden things
And dreaming while a cricket sings
And all the while the Restless One
Insists on more exciting fun
It wants to go with every tide,
No matter where, just for the ride.
Like yowling cats the two selves brawl
Until I have no peace at all.
One eye turns to the forward track,
The other eye looks sadly back,
I'm getting wall-eyed from the strain,
(It's tough to have an idle brain)
But One says "Stay" and One says "Go"
And One says "Yes," and One says "no,"
And One Self wants a home and wife
And One Self craves the drifter's life.
The Restless Fellow always wins
I wish my folks had made me twins.
- Don Blanding
The cushioned deckchair, with the morning sun, gentle easterly breeze and the rolling waves beckon an hour of serenity and meditation, and yet the catamaran calls out for an exciting adventure taming the South China Sea using the wind and sail.
And as always, the restless spirit wins. And the trapeze.. it has given me newfound respect for circus performers. The act of climbing 3 storeys high to stand on a plank as wide as the palm of your hands is enough to make your testoterones take cover in your testicles. And then leaning forward to reach out for the trapeze.. the amount of faith we must have in God and the Club GO who's holding your belt in order you do not fall 20 feet into the Net (it's a hard net!!) . And yet, many of us did it.
The first time was scary becauseI didn't know what to expect. The second time was worse. As I was ascending the narrow ladder up 30 feet, I thought "Am I crazy to be doing this again?" And as I leaned forward to reach the trapeze, I thought "I must have a death wish. I'm going to tempt fate again." Then the Club GO kicks at my ankles and I fall off the plank, swinging while holding onto a horizontal bar suspended on two parallel ropes. When you're swinging, you don't think about the fear. So I'm swinging and then I have to lift my legs and curl them around the bar and let my hands go. Trapeze swinging is an elegant, harmonious act, but I was as graceful as an hippo.
It was scary, but I did it several times. The third and fourth time was just as hard, but they became less scary. And that's just me. If I am afraid of something that I shouldn't be afraid of, then I'll do it over and over until the fear goes away. It always does, and it did. And so true the saying "That which does not kill you, makes you stronger" But that's another story.
Today's blog is about conflicting contrasts that envelop our lives. We all make decisions every day but some of us find that we will always look back and wonder about the other road not taken. And then sometimes, we go down one path and then come back to go down the other. And sometimes it's the same and sometimes it's not. Happy are those who are decisive and do not wonder. And to those who feel that you're always not sure.. here's a poem about the experience Club Med had for me:
How very simple life would be
If only there were two of me
A Restless Me to drift and roam
A Quiet Me to stay at home.
A Searching One to find his fill
Of varied skies and newfound thrill
While sane and homely things are done
By the domestic Other One.
And that's just where the trouble lies;
There is a Restless Me that cries
For chancy risks and changing scene,
For arctic blue and tropic green,
For deserts with their mystic spell,
For lusty fun and raising Hell
But shackled to that Restless Me
My Other Self rebelliously
Resists the frantic urge to move.
It seeks the old familiar groove
That habits make. It finds content
With hearth and home dear prisonment,
With candlelight and well loved books
And treasured loot in dusty nooks,
With puttering and garden things
And dreaming while a cricket sings
And all the while the Restless One
Insists on more exciting fun
It wants to go with every tide,
No matter where, just for the ride.
Like yowling cats the two selves brawl
Until I have no peace at all.
One eye turns to the forward track,
The other eye looks sadly back,
I'm getting wall-eyed from the strain,
(It's tough to have an idle brain)
But One says "Stay" and One says "Go"
And One says "Yes," and One says "no,"
And One Self wants a home and wife
And One Self craves the drifter's life.
The Restless Fellow always wins
I wish my folks had made me twins.
- Don Blanding
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