Begins another chapter

Summer holiday is ending soon. For 3 months not counting exams, it has been a pleasure in KK eventhough 40% of my time is spent at home. With tv, internet and downloads, who else can get bored with life at home. Another portion of time is spent with attachment at a local law firm and a holiday in Beijing.

Now, thinking that I am about to fly back to KL, it's a vision of blurness again. Back to the city where I have to be independant on my own and the life of having public transport, well, at least I have some freedom. But then, I think I'd rather have some comfort. And i'd definitely miss my golden cats, however, there'll be Persian cats in the pet shop to compensate. I'm looking forward to meet the Fat Cat. I hope he's still in the shop when I'm going to visit.

Well friends in KK, happy college/uni reopen! May we meet again next year, same place KK. Or if you're in KL, maybe can hangout sometimes. To my friends in KL, see you on next Friday! Those who need to shop for graduation, count me in!

Finally, Congratulations to those who pass and excel in exams! See you in CLP (hopefully in the same college).

Prayerful Hands

The Lord's Prayer


Our Father in Heaven, [我們的天父]
hallowed be your name, [願祢的名受顯揚]
your kingdom come, [願祢的國降臨]
your will be done, [願祢的旨意奉行在人間]
on earth as in Heaven. [如同在天上]
Give us today our daily bread. [求祢今天賞給我們日用的食糧]
Forgive us our sins [求祢寬恕我們的罪惡]
as we forgive those who sin against us. [如同我們寬恕別人一樣]
Save us from the time of trial [不要讓我們陷於誘惑]
and deliver us from evil. [但救我們免於兇惡]
[For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.] Amen. [因為國度、權柄、榮耀，全是祢的，
直到永遠。阿們!]

(Note also: http://www.interviewwithgod.com/playprayer.htm - really beautiful! I was mesmerized.)

Malaysia 50 years of Independance

I love history. I got A2 for my Sejarah in SPM by studying half asleep on the bed (and sometimes dozed off). I know I scored nicely for the objective questions while barely survived the essays, because the questions are not too much different from the workbooks.

Well, on the 31st August 1957 Malaya got her independance from the British colonization after at least 200 years of rule, which is the last one after Portugese and Dutch. Before Independance, 'Malaysia' had suffered and struggled internally and externally. (Note: Federation of Malaysia on 16th September 1963)

First, talking about natural resources being eroded. Students in the classroom today would just know from the textbook that Malaysia was a great tin, copper, gold, petrol, timber, cocoa, rubber etc exporter. However, when these commodities were being exported, who earned? Us? No...the colony master and it's cronies did. And now, our natural resources are depleting soon.

Second, power struggles everywhere which involves foreign help (and this is BAD). Because Sultans were suppressed, races live apart from each other, resentments and pemberontak everywhere. Japanese invasions, communist rising and people not united. It's like pots of bees being released to stung. I think it's hard la...lucky i wasnt' born yet. [although power struggles are still happening (human nature)].

Third, remember Ganyang Malaysia? And all those MAPHILINDO efforts...we are truly blessed that Malaysia still survive after that. And yes, May 13th. After reading the book, I understand why a lot people would say West M'sians are more divided than East M'sia. It's not that we cannot be united at all, but they have experienced the incident that we did not. Thankfully, I was born in East M'sia.

The struggles to form a good government, in the Alliance (now known as BN) the ups and downs of Dato' Onn Jaafar and Tunku Abdul Rahman. I would say, not easy lah...given so many misunderstandings between people.

You know, after listening to the national anthem, Terang Bulan and Mamula Moon, reminiscing historical site and museums I've visited, and reading some blogs....our Independance is somewhat a romantic one. Terang Bulan is a sweet song, resembles the classic Malays and reminds me of some P.Ramlee old movies too. I suppose that Raja Abdullah who was exiled at that time in Seychelles, truly missed Tanah Melayu.

Why romantic? My opinion only, the country and the people within were in a love-hate relationship when towards Independance. When i watched Taiwan's idol drama (Korean drama also) love-hate relationship always turn out to be the sweetest one. It's like either the girl or guy hates the other (A and B), and they keep on sabotaging each other, but one day suddenly 2 of them will fall in love and both will continue to live in denial for a while, until they have to admit it. There'll be people who will support their relationship and people who want to tear them apart. When people are trying to tear them apart, I always wanted to run amok in the screen and give these few fellas a good knock on the head, but when this action is made impossible I had to resist throwing pillows towards the computer screen...coz it was my beloved laptop! During the scenes of love-hate, certain small gestures of A and B towards each other makes the world a lot difference. Eg: B helping A up after a fall from the bike with slight eye contact, hou lam ar!!!.

This is how the people were when trying to gain Independance. You know, you're in a love-hate but you want to be free from colony. After a while of sabotaging, certain misunderstandings will remain. So i guess it takes time for a relationship to become stronger and it depends on the will of the parties whether they want to really pursue it or not. Granting of citizenship to immigrants at that time and these immigrants recognising 'special position' is a start of small gesture in accepting one another (although this won't make me feel lam ). However, usually in such drama series, we have happy endings and girls watching it will always end up fantasizing for at least a month if they have no other series to catch up on.

What then is the conclusion of our Independance?

Rome is not built in one day, so is our country. When I went overseas for visits, I do think about why our country cannot be like this country here, so clean so organized so discipline. But when I look at where these people stay, then i said to myself:"okay, my house is better". See, there's no other place better than home (home is where the place you regard it to be). At least most of us here have roofs under our heads. 31st August is a celebration of decolonization and when we truly have a recognized independant and democratic political government free from foreign power, let's not jeopardize it.

I think young Malaysians should treasure what we have by first reading history and then be allowed to expand their horizon.

A seed that is not left to grow, then what else is it good for?

(If you love Malaysia so much but couldn't find ways to express it, consider this: http://wainyan.wordpress.com/2007/06/10/i-heart-malaysia/)

Evan 'O-Mighty'

Watched this comedy last night. It tells about the story of a 'modern-day' Noah who determined to change the world (until 'God' permits him), after he became a politician from news reporter. Besides the humour in the movie, i think there are a few things we can learn (for the 1st time) from a Hollywood movie.

Mr. Baxter woke up in his new mansion 6.14am everyday and in his alarm clock unclearly show the time written Gen 6.14 ( i donno what the 'Gen' doing in that clock) every single day - even his new car plate number given was Gen 614. And if it's appearing repetitiously, there must be some kind of calling then. So, when it's time to check the Bible, it says: "So make yourself an ark of cypress (wasn't cypress in the movie) wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. " and at the same time, huge piles of wood were delivered to his mansion. Suddenly too, pairs of animals keep appearing and following him everywhere, not missing even the Senate House's office.

There remembering Gen 6:19-20 -->"You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. ". That's where the comedy developed because Baxter became animal magnet all of sudden and 'God' appears to him everywhere reminding him to build the ark as soon as possible but all Baxter did was ignore, ignore and avoid. Until one day where his beard and hair has to grow longer and longer until shaving and trimming is pointless (it grows back the minute after), and he has to appear like a jungle man in the parliament and once he received a stoneage kind of robe from 'God', only did he have to take 'God's' command seriously (as in really built the ark) and further, he is to built it with his family!

At that point of time, I was thinking, God couldn't be calling for another major flood again isn't it? I mean He did promise us that He wouldn't destroy the earth with flood again (Gen 9:11-17). I just read that there's debate whether God has meant the flood locally or globally but it's not relevant here. I mean they wouldnt be sooooo out of idea to repeat Noah's story blindly. There must be something else.

I haven't exactly figure out what kind of theme this movie is trying to show us, but I have my own observations.

God's call to us. How many of us made silent request/promises to God that we want to do something or be His instrument and when the task really come to us, we shied away? The best example would be prior to baptism, everyone is with burning spirit to be good Christians by repenting from sins etc etc. After one year, yes it's good that some keep up to the task, but after 10 years? Do we still respond to God's call at least as eagerly? Try read Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23. We are the seeds and guess how many can make it to the fine grounds? I don't know.

Can you imagine yourself being asked by God to build such a big ark while having to dress like stoneage in a modern metropolis area (and while you're a renown person)? Do you still have the mustard seed like faith? (Or maybe real life situations not as dramatic).

By own's courage, I don't think anyone can simply perform God's will. What I mean is, we still need the Holy Spirit to guide us on, in which, this was not shown in the movie. I'm not going to debate on the nature of Holy Spirit or how it is, when it comes and so on. But John 14:26 have said it clearly for us: "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.". I was even reminded by a friend some time ago about this verse in Luke 12:10 :" And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. ".

In Luke 12:11-12 too: "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.". Any guess whether Baxter was guided by Holy Spirit? Hhehehe definitely not, because he was given the 'Dummy's book to build Ark' by 'God' himself. Did Noah had the Holy Spirit? I don't know, maybe God directly communicated with him.

In the movie too, 'ARK' also stood for Act of Random Kindness. Creative and certainly knocks my head too. Pure kindness i mean (not those with intentions to get things in return -except when dropping few coins on the beggar's mug). There's many things we can do with this, but with certain social 'climate' change in the world, I guess it's not easy to be a kind and loving person. Purely kind and loving i mean.

Good comedy show nevertheless, but since it's adapting some parts of the Bible, surely we can learn something from this modern Noah besides laughing louder inside the cinema. And oh...I must say the last bit was the most [erm] should i say silly and funny because the ark was actually built to prepare for the dam in Baxter's neighbourhood being damaged. And the sudden flood sail them towards the front door of Senate House. Can you imagine building such big ark and enduring embarassment from the whole country for that short time of flood and they din't even sail far. I was thinking, couldn't God just ask him to move his place of residence, stay somewhere else and get him to inform others too or just alert him about the upcoming disaster and do something about it? ....but then it is always stated, put your trust in God (although in that movie, such trust in 'God' were indirectly ridiculed).

You remember Noah persuading people to board his ark but no one will listen? Well, in this movie everyone who was at the site (where the ark was) [to witness possibility of flood, make fun of, and destroy the ark] managed to board it when the dam broke (they too refused at first). At least no one died from the disaster of the dam.

Safari land

Recently, I suspected that my house's backyard has turned in to a safari land. Why? I have about six (6) mini tigers waiting for food day and night. Even when these noisy carnivours are not within the house compound, they're are in the vicinity observing, sometimes elongating their necks to see any movement in my house.

They are like these leopards.....(1)hiding behind and ready to pounce.

(Rare persian leopards...found these pics on yahoo....very cute lehhhhhhhhhhhh wish i can touch one.)

(kittens peeping through the grasses and fence)

(2)Looming and roaming freely waiting for prey

(uih...the adult look sullenly fierce....i think the cubs can only meow..hehahahaha)

(how can you ever deal with these cats????? So many and uncontrollable. And you can't even shut their mouth...NOISY!..all in few colours..either gold or black)

(3)Most outrageously, they have representative to stand guard on the watch tower, a.k.a. house fence (looking through from my neighbour's compound).

Meet Biu Biu's twin bro...he's the noisiest cat in the neighbourhood. Good at jumping and buat muka kesian.
He was there to ask whether I have any food for him but i said 'No'. Wasn't even lunch or dinner time.

Strays, but how can I not love them...cats are blessings to house..they are the decorative gems adding live to your fixated furnitures. That is why, Love Thy Cat (and the strays).

Although not all stray cats look like my beloved fat cat (previous post), but all of them are still mini tigers and deserve our love. Don't just only pamper the fatty fur ball...

Love me too, purr (Biu Biu and twin bro. Behind: Meowger)

(note: some pics taken last year...but they compose of the same cats)

Today's most desirable food!

Mini OREO surprise cupcakes

from:Kraftfoods.com

1. Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 egg
2 tablespoons sugar
48 Mini OREO Bite Size Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
1 1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

2. Cooking Directions
(1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cake batter as directed on package; set aside. Mix cream cheese, egg and sugar until well blended.
(2) Spoon cake batter into each of 24 paper- or foil-lined medium muffin cups, filling each cup about half full. Top each with about 1/2 Tbsp. of the cream cheese mixture and 1 cookie.

Cover evenly with remaining cake batter.

(3) Bake 19 to 22 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 min.; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. (There may be an indentation in top of cupcake after baking.) Top cupcakes with whipped topping and remaining cookies just before serving.

Yield: 24 servings

3. Still Hungry?(yes...!)
Each chocolate cupcake is baked with a creamy filling and a cookie surprise inside.
Notes:
Size-Wise
At 24 servings, these are the perfect sweet treat to serve at a party.

Storage Know-How
Store cupcakes in tightly covered container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

(Too bad I don't know how to bake!)

Wake up for Election!

Dear friends, if you have NOT BEEN registered for the upcoming Election...it's high time you do so. Be someone who is responsible, even if you don't feel like voting, please vote. It's just as simple as going to the voting centre, pick a pencil and put a cross in the ballot....AND....you'll change the future for the next 5 years (and possibly longer than that)! 5 years is long and enduring, anything can happen within the 5 years..who knows Parliament roof will just leak for the next 5 years and you don't want to waste that preciously paid with reluctance tax money to repair that stupid roof where your houseroof is leaking due to heavy monsoon rain and need repair as well (at least this time Mr. Vellu would not be responsible for it).

You want continuous improvements in the country and not some last minute improvements to the road in your house taman just to fish for some cheap votes. You want good and dedicated civil service and not having to wait for brunch after lunch after tea nonsense for the officer to secretly pop back to his office, grab his bag and cabut for the day.

You don't want to go through major economic upheaval for the next 5 years when your salary slip is printed with the same figures for years and years. If you prefer to cycle to school, college, work, shopping because you need to save petrol, think again, our sun here is roundly HOT and burning.

But for those who did...sit back and enjoy the monkey shows between political leaders...all those childish bickerings (when you read those main stream newspapers), man....when are they going to grow up and really deserve to be called Yang Berhormat/YAB?

Meanwhile, have some fun at these:
http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/holds.php?itemid=6931
http://www.kpmu.net/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=129

and maybe, think who should you vote for this time. I know Malaysia is experiencing 'middle age' (50 years old) but the country need us the voters to sustain it and YOU are one of them.