Ad Advice

I enjoy the current Petronas Independence Day ad [not the one with the small children deciding on a name for their city, I found it a tad irritating]. The message in this ad is ‘Can what we build today bring us into tomorrow?’ I found myself thinking about this and questioning myself whether what I’ve done so far in terms of time spent, resources spent, money spent and saved (err, more spent than saved), efforts put in etc is enough to take me into my tomorrow.

So I mulled on whether my time in this world has been spent well; whether I have saved enough money to see me through my old age; whether I have done enough efforts and deeds and do them well to have the desired impact/outcome/result whether in this world or in the hereafter. I still procrastinate sometimes and this suggests I still do not manage my time well or still fail to value my time better. I should have more in my savings than what I currently have. And what about the time invested in worldly and hereafter affairs? Have I done enough in preparation to meet my Maker?

Ouch. At the moment, it doesn’t look like I have put enough into my future than I ideally should have and would like to think.

So what I interpret from the ad is that we must strive to do a job well, even when we think it’s our last assignment ever [like in the ad], as it has consequences on our future actions. This ad reminds me of the story below:

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An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheque, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favour. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. ‘This is your house,’ he said, ‘My gift to you.’

The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, in a distracted manner, often putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we realise we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we’d do it much differently.

Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.

Your life today is the result of your past attitudes and choices. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and choices you make today.

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I also like the ad where one chap had a monologue with himself: I gather he was feeling inferior and all because the shoes he wore were made in Gombak. I think the message in that ad is that we may seem to be free and independent but in our minds, we still can’t free our mind that we can be as good as, if not better, than our Western counterparts.

Okaaayyy... I admit that I am guilty in some areas. I like German cars, wear modern clothes, watch foreign movies and dramas, eat some imported food and like Italian brands. I do wear Malaysian-made clothes [I’m sure Isetan clothes are locally made] and shoes though. And while I do know to eat with fork and knife, I can also eat with my hand and chopsticks [maybe not that good but hey, I’m not a Chinese anyway]. I also shop for my supply of fruits and vegetables at the local market because it makes economic sense and it helps the local economy in some way.

He likes Italian brands too!

And while I think, speak, dream and pray in English [not that my English is that good], I do know how to speak Malay and find it irritating that some people who call themselves Malaysians can barely string together a few words in Malay [including some politicians!]. I am very proud of my mother tongue – even if I don’t speak it often – and get annoyed when people not only pay it little respect but also spoil the language with bad spelling [whether intentional or not] and wrong usage. And I disagree with the notion that we should master English at the expense of the national language. After all, the French, Japanese, Germans, Korean are fiercely proud of their languages, sometimes to the extent of refusing to speak English and ignoring those who do, even though they have a good command of the language. And this apparent lack of spoken English has not deterred them from advancing at all.

And I find it disgraceful that there are people who hold themselves as Malaysians but don’t even know the lyrics, let alone how to sing, the national anthem. People in other countries are proud of their national anthem; they even stop whatever they are doing mid-way and stand erect when they hear their national anthems being played. To be honest, I can’t see that happening here, especially not when some even think it’s OK to make fun of their national anthem.

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Happy 50th year of independence, Malaysia!

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Fabulous Fàbregas scored again in the second meeting with Sparta Prague, paying the goal as a tribute to his late friend, Puerta, who passed away on Tuesday of heart attack at the age of 22. For more on the match, have a dekko at this.

The F Word

Make that the ‘F’ words. Fantastic. Fabulous. Fascinating. Flamboyant. Everything I find Fàbregas to be.

For he managed to do what no one else had done yet this season: put a goal behind Schmeichel. And with that goal, Arsenal managed to do what ManUre didn’t: beat Manchester Shi*tty.

All pictures are googled. For more, read this. Oh, AC Milan won too. As for F1, I could only watch in horror as Lewis Hamilton’s right front tyre fell apart. He was on course for third place but finally came in fifth due to the unfortunate incident.

Life Is A Gift

Today before you think of saying an unkind word
Think of someone who can’t speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food
Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife
Think of someone who’s crying out to God for a companion.

Today before you complain about life
Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children
Think of someone who desires children but they’re barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didn't clean or sweep
Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive
Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job
Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another
Remember that not one of us is without sin and we all answer to one maker.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down
Put a smile on your face and thank God you’re alive and still around.

Life is a gift
Live it
Enjoy it
Celebrate it
EMBRACE IT
And fulfill it

And while you are at it give love to someone today
Love someone with what you do and the words you say

Love is not meant to be kept locked inside of us and hidden

So give it away ‘Give Love to someone today!’

Remember to live each day to the fullest.

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Because I need a reminder every now and then.

Dream Trips

I’ve been having vivid dreams of trips of late. About a fortnight ago, I dreamt that I was in London. Not that I could recall the buildings but there were neon lights and I just knew somehow that I was in London. Then last week I dreamt I was in Taipei, visiting a palace fit for a King [strange, considering it is a Republic and never had a King]. I remember it being a tad cold, so it could be autumn or early winter.

And last night I dreamt I was in Hong Kong with my guy friends (the four musketeers). I remember walking along a long, winding corridor in a building and the building is just next to the sea. In fact, we could see the rocky beach as we walked along the corridors in search of my room. I’m not sure if there are rocky beaches in Hong Kong and don’t ask why the four musketeers were trailing me; it was a dream anyway.

They could be a sign for something. Or not. Maybe what I’m having is just Around The World In ... My Dreams. Oh, of course I long to go on a round-the-world trip but I’d rather it be a real, not a fantasy trip.

For now, I suppose dreams will have to suffice.

Red Entry

Red Alert

Err, not really. Just that I somehow left work on Friday without my mobile phone [duh!] so had to go pick it up on Saturday. And since I was already in the office, I did some work. But don’t worry; am never about to turn into a workaholic anytime soon.

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Little Red Riding Hood

OK, it was actually (not so) little me in red t-shirt striding around the neighbourhood on Sunday Morning. The t-shirt that made up part of my sports attire had been hanging untouched since my last walk, quite some weeks back. As Ramadan is but four weeks away, I decided I should put my sports attire to good use before laundering it [and wearing it again well after Syawal!]. And so I huffed and I puffed [and burnt those calories down] up and down the hilly neighbourhood.

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Redcurrants vs Fool ‘Em

No, Arsenal no longer don their redcurrant jerseys and instead were kitted out in their usual red tops in their Sunday match against Fulham. Dithered whether I should watch them play – watching Arsenal play puts me at risk of getting premature cardiac arrest as I always get so stressed watching the Gunners in action – and finally watched the last 35 minutes or so of the game. In disbelief. For Fool ‘Em was leading by a goal [which I soon discovered was due to Lehmann’s stupidity - he can join Fool ‘Em for that error].

Before long I had fallen into my footie mood and was hurling verbal abuses at the TV screen, willing the red-blooded Gunners thousands of miles away to hear my shouts of ‘Idiot!’, Stoooopid!’, ‘Bloody fool!’ and ‘Slowcoach!’ at the sight of the lovely young Guns firing blanks. Yes, I was in red heat and getting red-hot alright.

Thank God Arsenal was awarded a penalty which a redbreast converted beautifully into a goal. And Hleb added another one with literally seconds left to go in full time. For full report of the game, have a dekko at this.

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Red Hot Chilli Peppers

I bought some red chillies earlier [I didn’t realise how hot they are] and added one to my Monday evening dish. Before cooking, I got rid of the fiery seeds, taking extra care not to handle the seeds with my right fingers. Alas, it was inevitable. And shortly after, I felt the sting in my eyes when I took off my contact lens with my right fingers [despite me washing my hands thoroughly].

That wasn’t all. When I tried to put on my contact lens on Tuesday morning, the fiery hot sensation, or pain more like, was still there somehow on my contact lens [or was it on my fingers?] and my eyes were smarting like hell. Thoughts of taking emergency leave ran through my head. See, I’m so vain and I don’t want to show up at work in my glasses! And my spare ones are a half-pair of grey and a half-pair of brown lens [yes, I’m vain and I had experimented with some coloured lens. Oh, I did traipse over Europe in May 2006 looking like an odd-eyed cat with my different coloured contact lens after one half tore itself, but I’m not about to show up at work looking like that].

I eventually put on a new pair of contact lens and went to work.

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Seeing Red

I am disturbed and troubled by the news that a family perished in a pre-dawn fire last week. The fire was caused by candles which the family relied on as TNB had cut the electricity supply to the house; the parents had to delay paying the electricity bills as they were trying to put their four children through university.

We will be celebrating the country’s 50th year of independence in a couple of weeks’ time and yet there still exists pockets of society deprived of basic amenities/facilities because they couldn’t afford them.

And what about the runaway bus earlier this week? Why do we still have people providing services irresponsibly and sloppily? Why can’t we have good public transportation system just like in most Western countries or even Singapore such that people are confident and assured of their safety when using it and also not be ashamed to be using it?

P/S: I don’t see anything wrong in using public transportation, well, I am a major user anyway. But why do people always give me funny looks when I tell them I use public transportation? It is the norm anyway in developed countries to use public transportation. People go to work in their smart suits riding the bus and train. Guess we still have a long way to go, even after 50 years of independence, to change public perception.

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Join Red

No, I’m not advertising this especially as I’m not getting any red cent out of it but if you want to find out more, have a dekko at this and this.

An Inconvenient Truth

I finally had the opportunity to watch An Inconvenient Truth. If it doesn’t serve as a warning of global warming, I don’t know what does. What other proof is needed? Surely the recent floods that hit England, Pakistan and China, the current floods in India and Bangladesh and the extreme summer temperatures in Greece, Hungary and Romania are glaring examples already. Oh, and let’s not forget Hurricane Katrina.

Are we still to remain ignorant and/or blissfully uncaring? Or are we going to do something about it and start playing our part no matter how small? Or will we only realise it when it’s too late?

Well, it is An Inconvenient Truth to deal with after all. So understandably, some may feel uncomfortable talking about it, some may be disbelieving and sceptical [despite the many catastrophes conveniently labelled as Act of God], while some may just be indifferent. In fact, some may even be unaware because of economic circumstances – when one is fighting for one’s daily survival in some Third World country, I guess global warming is the last thing on his mind [although those at an economic disadvantage are among the major contributors to global warming: think forest clearing and open burning by natives and dependence on resources such as coal for energy, just to name a couple of examples].

In the 1930s, Winston Churchill wrote of those leaders who refused to acknowledge the then clear and present danger. His words then are as relevant today as they were before: ‘The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close. In its place we are entering a period of consequence.’ So let’s think about it and do our part. Each of us contributes to global warming one way or another. But we can do something about it. To see how you can take action and do your part, have a dekko at either this or this.

Remember, what we take for granted now may not always remain. And we wouldn’t want our children to blame us for our failure to do our part today.

Lost And Found

I just found out that the missing person has been found [I really should have posted about his missing last week instead of procrastinating]. The following is an excerpt of the email sent to the e-group by the chap’s aunt [also an Old Girl]:

He was found weak and confused, wandering in Kuala Lipis. The district hospital there sent him to Kuantan GH. Luckily someone who had read about him recognised him and called his parents.

Thank you for forwarding Salhi's story and for all the doa.

I have no doubt that the doa from family, friends and even strangers helped keep him safe and returned him to us.

May Allah bless you all in a million ways.

Thank you, Id

I wonder what’d happened to him at MCKK. Let’s pray that Salhi’s condition improves and he’ll eventually be cured. And may he and his family be protected and guided always, InsyaAllah.

Missing

Some of you may think the chap in the picture above is big enough to take care of himself. He looks normal and healthy. But the fact is, this chap, SALHI KHAESSA AHMAD, is mentally ill and his family has been desperately looking for him since he went missing on July 13th 2007. A police report has been made, but since he is already 26, the case is not given priority.

Below is an email from his sister, Dr Najmiah Ahmad, an Old Girl:

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Salam, Hi all.

I know this is about to become like me airing my dirty laundry for the world to know, but I feel so desperate. I need to tell this to you girls.

My brother Salhi has been ill with a psychiatric illness. Schizophrenia to be precise. He is 26 and he started having mental disturbance at 17 when he was in MCKK lagi. He was the genius of the family, the badut of the family and the best little brother anyone could ever wish for.

Past 10 years saw him deteriorating and my heart sgt sgt sebak when this time, I went to the hospital in KB to find him locked up in a cage, together with people I would not even look at, because they scare me. He had extra muscular twitches and gaunt facial expression. Memang tak nampak mcm my used to be little brother anymore. In between bites of coney dog (dia suka A&W) he managed to tell me ‘Nak sekolah balik Kak Mie please.’ Repeatedly. I just held back tears.

We took him out, and he was stable during my wedding. Masa reception I kept him occupied with a camera so people don't feel obliged to make a petty talk with a ‘weird’ looking man. Everything was fine.

On Friday the 13th, he left home saying he wanted to go for a walk. RM3.50 in his pocket. He never came back. Duit tak ada, IC tak ada. We looked for him everywhere, satu Kelantan. No news.

He hasn’t taken his medications for 2 weeks now, I tak tahulah how he is now. Mungkin kalau you all jalan2 kat KL nampak budak gila (I have to accept this now) talking to himself, kotor, kurus tak terurus, kejap cakap english kejap cakap kelantan, that’s him. Let me know.

What I fear is that he got hit by a lorry ke, in a ditch somewhere waiting to be found. I am writing almost with tears all the time. Partly because I am frustrated there wasn't much time for me in Malaysia, to do anything. Police report has been filed and my other brother has written in the Star. Now this waiting game is making me very apprehensive.

Usually he’ll find means to go back to Kuala Kangsar. 2 kali he was found in MCKK in the past. His memory seemed to have stopped at that point in his life. Allah sahajalah yang tahu why he is tested this far. To him he is still 17.

Doakan so he’s looked after by people yang he comes across, who would find sympathy in them to give him food and a place to shut his eyes. Insy. Amiin. And I am sorry if anybody finds this upsetting.

Love, Najmiah

Dr. Najmiah K Ahmad

Clinical Fellow in Anaesthetics

York District General

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And here's a second email from Najmiah:

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I go through a cycle of optimism and pessimism. Looking at how he was found last time after 4 days missing, by the roadside, cengkung and dishevelled, makan tak minum tak tidur tak, I just hope he’s still alive.

On the cause of his illness, I am not the best to outline the cause, but what I know is always complained about being bullied in MCKK. To what extent we didn’t know because at the time it’s our fault we thought he was ‘just saying it’. So nobody paid attention to his complaints.

After getting some prize money for his 8As PMR from a Japanese Minister he ran away from school but not to home, but to KL. When we found him he said he couldn’t stand school. Nak balik rumah takut my dad marah. My dad took him out of school and he went to a school in Kelantan. Towards his SPM he was getting worse but managed 2A1 - Physics and Add Maths. Already on tablet he joined the flying school, he was always fascinated by airplanes, always wanted to be a pilot. Half a year he was there (Kedah I think) they found his tablets and he was expelled. He took a turn for the worse.

When he got slightly better I got him enrolled in a private college. He received a best student award when he was on this medication tradename Domatil. Somehow the tablet was stopped (pricey I think) and he was on Risperidone (for those medics who are interested) , he is never stable since and he couldn’t sit his exams.

To what extent was he bullied? Was it very bad that he couldn't tell anyone? Sexually? Or was he already ‘crazy’ so people bullied him? Chicken ke egg ke. I reserve my comments for now on boarding schools. May he returns safe. Amiin.

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This is the link to the article in the Star. Anyone who has seen him please contact his father, En. Ahmad at 09-786 6040, 017-970 3227 or 012-296 2642.

I do hope somebody can offer some help. And if there’s any MCKK OBs reading this, I also hope that you can spread this news. He was an Old Boy despite being there until form 3.

The Week That Was

Before being awarded the scholarship from TheOrganisation for my degree, I was ‘sponsored’ by the government. We were all clear that it was a convertible loan and were promised numerous times that if we performed well, we could have the loan waived. However, it didn’t turn out that way at all. My friends who obtained first class were still required to pay the government an amount calculated on some percentage of the loan taken. I have not been excluded despite acing my A-Level and was summoned to pay the amount incurred for my A-Level tuition fees and subsistence immediately upon my return from England. All in all, it amounted to slightly over RM20K. All my visits and plea letters for waiver of this loan on reasons that I am currently serving the country had fallen on deaf ears and finally, seeing no way out, I relented and started paying my debt, slowly but surely. After all, the loan is interest-free so why should I rush.

Imagine my surprise when I saw a letter, upon my return from Manila, from the government asking, no, directing, me either to settle the balance of the loan or face legal action. And the payment was due last Saturday. I was speechless and remained so for a few minutes, lost in my thoughts and questions running through my head. I had about a week to either consider paying the debt in full, writing yet another plea letter for me to settle the debt by instalment, or paying some money with the hope that this would shut them up for a while before being served another letter.

After thinking it through, I decided OK, I would pay the balance of the loan as requested. Mind you, the amount outstanding was still quite substantial [didn’t I mention taking my time paying the loan?] but still I thought, maybe I really should sever my ties with this government body once and for all.

And so, I did. And now I’m pretty skint [as if I wasn’t skint to begin with!]. But I like to think that now I’m completely free of them, that I’ve achieved financial independence from them.

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I’m also taking steps to terminate my credit card account. Just found out on Saturday that the annual fee would be due by the 24th of this month or so and if I wanted to proceed with my plan, I would need to settle my outstanding amount [oh boy, more money!], redeem whatever points I have from the rewards catalogue and inform the bank within these two weeks so that it can take the necessary steps to remove me from its mailing list/database or whatever. I spent an hour last Saturday searching for something to purchase that would make it easy for me to settle my outstanding amount by cash [I could issue a cheque but to do that, I need this month’s statement to attach with my cheque and this month’s statement will already charge for the annual fee for the next twelve months and I don’t want that of course. Yes, even terminating credit card requires a strategy]. Thankfully, I managed to buy something, the cost of which when added to my then outstanding amount enabled me to settle my total outstanding amount on Saturday itself, with the bank now owing me 2 sen. Heh.

Now I just need to choose something from the rewards catalogue before I can terminate my credit card/sever my ties with this bank.

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Last but not least, it was my parents’ anniversary yesterday. Happy anniversary dearest Abah and Mummy!