2 Perang, 3 Hijau and 5 Merah

When asked, many would say the best time ever was their campus life. But for me, I loved my schooling days. Despite the pinafore, the rigid rules and not having boys around (not that I care as I was like one tom boy), it was the best time ever. I simply love my Methodist Girls School (MGS).

Standard 4 Kenanga -SRK MGS(2) Class of 1989

Jr. MGS (2) was a blast. From there, almost all headed to Sr. MGS along with our so call enemy then, the Jr. MGS (1) as well as both St Teresa (1) and (2); where we were all divided into 7 class. Hence, at the end of the day we all become friends regardless of our religion, race, background, school etc. Unlike in varsity where people are so prone to stick to their own race, school, state or faculty etc.

The first two years in my Perang (brown) class was awesome. Never a day went by without being scolded by the counseling teacher, the art teacher or the discipline teacher. But the best memory of all was the famous Miss Shirley, our dear KH teacher.

Just when we were all getting so close, the school decided to segregate us according to grades as we headed for form 3. Not being the bright one, I was put in one of the average class, 3 Hijau (green), where I had to split with some of my closest friend. Anyhow, it never fails for us to meet, as they were all just doors away. Although I was not the naughtiest student, I am always among them. My 3 Hijau class was the first class ever to be the topic of the school. My class captain has to beg the teachers to enter the class. We were extremely naughty, noisy and stubborn. But of course, it was just us the 15 backbenchers.

First they advised, then they ignored and finally punished us. The funniest was when the class captain resigned; all 15 of us were locked in men’s toilet for the whole period (we cared less and kept on talking in the tinny toilet) and the naughtiest girl form my class was appointed as our new class captain. Sigh! Imagine that.

Then, we were separated once again when we headed to form 4-5. This times it was according to streams and I once again reunited with most of my form 1-2 friends. This class was unforgettable. Almost half of the class was prefect, librarian or head of the sport team or clubs, the headmistress was our math teacher and above all the discipline teacher was our English teacher. Yet we were like devils. However, we only start showing our true color in form five when they all left. Imagine we had schedule to take leave, our physic teacher left the school partially because of us, the history teacher refuse to enter our class for months, we refuse to go for PE lesson and prone to hide in the cupboard. Who could beat that?

My 5 Merah class of 1996

Sadly, when I did my form six and was transferred to Methodist Boys School (as I wanted to take Mathematics for STPM), it was simply boring. Almost all came from Chinese School and preferred to talk in Chinese or stick to themselves. School didn’t seem to be fun anymore. I prayed for it to be different while in university, Sigh, it was all the same there. Anyhow, there is always different side of the moon. USM brought me back to reality, meet real people and understand life. What more a girl need to know then!

Anyhow, what I like most about MGS was that, everyone knows everyone regardless of age. I guess it’s the school spirit. Somehow, when we bumped into one another, we will somehow recognize, acknowledge and have a smile in return. With facebook now, anything is possible!

Pictures taken from: Suet Mun and Sumita Yashvant (Face Book)

Dr. Fish!

Last weekend was superb. After hearing about fish theraphy form all, Miss J and I finally decided to experience it for real. Though the fish therapy initially started in Turkey, it has now blossomed through out the world. There are couple of outlets opened in Malaysia, but when we discovered Kenko Reflexology and Fish Spa has a branch in Mid Valley, we quickly fixed a date to meet and experience the “it thing”.

For many, the thought of feeding our feet to the fishes sounds creepy. But the truth is, it not that bad at all. For about 30 minutes, we let the fishes nibble away all dead skin from our feet up to knee. The selection on the size of the fishes are upon us. It varies from 4 cm up till 13 cm. But of course, the bigger sizes are recommended for man only due to their rough, thick and hard skin.

The fishes there are all separated according to their sizes. There were about six ponds and the tiniest of all that we picked was facing the window. Sigh! Hence, our poor foot had audience while being nibbled away by the fishes.

It took a while for the fishes to get jiggy with our feet and it took a while for us to adjust to the nibbling. The bigger the fish was, the ticklish it was. Ours session lasted for about 30 minutes, which cost us about RM38 each. Off course for many, RM38 sound ridiculous as one could spend it on a good meal at Chilies. But the truth is, it was worth it. It may sound weird coming from a vegetarian who don't eat animal but getting nibbled by one, but the experience was good. I simply loved it. At the end of the session, I somehow felt my feet was clean. Maybe it’s the socking for 30 minutes, may be its RM38 or may be simply the enzyme form the Dr. Fish, the medicine man..ops fish!

Dreams..

Last night, even though I was exhausted, I could not sleep. It took me ages to doze off, yet was awaken by horrifying dream. I was scared and worried, but managed to doze off again. A while later, woke up anxiously, dreaming the same old thing.

I hate dreams. Indian believes that all dreams have meaning. Meaning that signify the opposite part of the story as well as a hint for one to act or react. As for myself, even though the dream signify good omen, my anxious mind fail to rationalized it then, or even now. I am worried. My mind is so messed up. I just wish I had a cue form god to say my decision was right!!!!!

The Voice of Rakyat

It was a bizarre weekend. Voting for the first time and I witnessed the power of the Rakyat demanding for change. DS Anwar Ibrahim said and I quote, “the people have spoken”. Rakyat have indeed spoken and now we see fall of mighty BN that have been holding strong since independence.

However, its not the first attempt by the Rakyat to show their dissatisfaction. First was the 1969 defeat, which leads to major racial riot. Followed by the 1999 election when DS Anwar was sacked. The new party called PKR failed to get Rakyat’s support as it was pro Annuar party rather then pro rakyat party. Along with that was the denial of voting right of young Malaysian .

Four years down the lane, in 2004 PKR failed to get Rakyat’s support again when BN changed its administrative from DR. M to Pak lah. In view for new change in the BN and the absence of DS Anwar, the Rakyat once again granted BN the 2/3 majorities effortlessly.

Today, we see the switch in Malaysian politics. With all the political, racial and economical turmoil, everyone expected BN to shake a little, but instead, it was destroyed by the tsnuami wave. There should be no country with 100% pro government. To ensure check and balance, we need the opposition. However, to decline 2/3 majority, was a drastic moves made by the Rakyat.

So how was BN defeated shamelessly?

The BN believes that their losses are due to the minority group and out of control of electronic media (Internet). There is no denial in that, but it’s sad that they only realized it post election. After the HINDRAF incident, many BN politicians have cried out loud that they, the UMNO don’t need Indian to win election. Today, BN loss shameless in Kedah, Perak, Penang and Selongor, places with the highest occupant of Indian/Chinese residents. Further more, MCA loss 25 out of 40 Parliament seats, MIC loss 6 of of 9 Parliament seats, Gerakan loss 11 out of 13 Parliament seats and PP lost all seat allocated by BN for the minority group. However, the dissatisfaction was not only with the minority, but also Malays, that opt to choose for PAS/PKR and even DAP. Dr. M said and I quote, “he has destroyed UMNO, destroyed BN”.

But why was BN lead government so ignorant with Rakyats pleas in first place. It’s all right for opposition to say, “the Rakyat has finally spoken”, but not for the BN. The Rakyat did not jump into bandwagon on the 8 Mac to decline 2/3 majority for BN. They approached, the pleaded, sent memorandum and even went to the street. However, instead of looking at Rakyat’s plea, the BN lead Government disregard declined and demanded the Rakyat to voice out through the ballot box.

The disappointed Rakyat indeed listened and today, we have 82 opposition seats in the parliament. Hence, the presence of minority indeed made the difference in the political turmoil. However, it was the power of Rakyat that denied 2/3 majority seats for BN. That is why there is no one logical reason for the defeat of BN. It is actually combination of several issues that leads to the fall of BN due to their negligence. Among them are:

i. the presence of DS Anwar for real;
ii. the perfect alternative party which is not religion/racial based
iii. the rights of minority Indians and the HINDRAF incident
iv. the survival of Chinese in bumi controlling economical ground;
v. high cost of living, petrol & toll hike etc
vi. the dissatisfaction of BN administrative
vii. the Khairy hatred syndrome’
viii. others

Nevertheless, there is only 3 logical presumption for the victory of the Barisan Alternative, which are:

i. the presence of DS Anwar for real and perfect Alternative Party against BN;
ii. the dissatisfaction of minority with BN lead government;

iii. the dissatisfaction of Malay with UMNO lead government;

iv. the perfect coalition technique by the opposition to have, one opposition, one BN competitors.

What ever it is the Rakyat has finally spoken and the ruling government need to acknowledge that. But in reality, the UMNO Malays are not satisfied. There is tension everywhere. The country is extremely quite and gloomy, as if we are mourning. To see people retaliate immediately is for real, but the quietness and cold shoulder given by certain group, its really creepy. It make one’s mind wondering what plan has they for the minority. Sigh! Only time will tell.

Match Made in Heaven

Finally the day came for me to witness my close friend tying the not. Beautiful place, with pleasant food, bride and groom in bright colorful garments with humble heartwarming family and friend was an unusual Punjabi wedding experience that I had.

I truly believe that very soul has its partner and all match are made in heaven. With her, I truly believe so. I sure glad that god has sent some like Mr. G to make her life so real, so lived and so cherished.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you a wonderful married life.

Standing: Miss J, me (in green with messy hairdo as we need to cover our head in gudwara) and two of our USM mate (as well as Miss J's class mate)

I Thought, I Asked and I Wondered

I decided to get rid of my "baggies" and among the first thing on my list was to getting rid of old diaries. Sad but that's reality.

As I was flipping through the pages, I came across this particular poem that was written a along time ago, which made me wondering. It needed a closure..

I thought, I asked and I wondered

I found me…so I thought
Then I lost it, never thought would find it again..
But I did…so I thought!

Is it really me who I found…so I wondered
Is that what I want …so I asked
Is it going to stay forever…so I wondered, again

For what I’ve found, I have no regrets
And would hold on to it for a long time..
Will I, so I wonder?


Today, I found the perfect closure to the poem..…

But I’ve failed
I could not hold on to the real me,
I really thought I could
As what seems so right, was simply wrong,
What seems so good, was just ugly,
And what seems so real, was just an illusion.
So I thought, asked and wondered…
What game has god played?

Sand Art

This is superb. I never know, a single drawing can be transformed into different forms. Do enjoy this piece of art accompanied by superb saxophone music.

Sorrow

It was poring heavily here in putrajaya so i scribbled this....

Today as I gaze upon the pouring rain
It felt just like the wet tears from my eyes,
The dark gloomy clouds

felt just like my miserable feeling
The roaring thunder

felt just like my throbbing heart beat
And the cold wind on my face felt like my dead soul

The moment the rain stop pouring,

a bright shinny day emerged and
the tears from eyes fades away,

but the sorrow in my heart lingers

as the tears has failed to wash away my sorrow

**Shuba

It wasn't excellent but i was satisfied till i came across this and realised mine was nothing. Sigh!

In myself I feel a struggle

In my eyes, in my heart

In my body, here inside

Sadness in-between my ribs is set

Light from outside is not let

Words from my lips I cannot express

Everything becoming less and less

I hear people around me

But I don’t have a clue

I hear far-echoes from a distance

Help me god to force this through

This pain I want to let go

I only hear my heart throbbing

Rapidly beating

My only voice as I cry I hear

Tears like rain, hurrying down

As if cooling my ache from outside

My face tucked in, my hands folded tight

What is happening to me?

Am I alright?

I carry on – I deserve to cry

I deserve to let it out

This struggle, this pain

I deserve to express

Let me go on…

~ Bidwiya

"The American", by Henry James

I discovered classic through the writing of Jane Austeen especially Pride and Prejudice and Emma, my all time favorite book. Despite its twisted, complicated and confusing words and phrases, classic books have amazing story line and beautifully written.

After enjoying the hilarious and thrilling (almost 600 pages of) Three Musketeers, I switched to Henry James’ s “The American”. Set in 1868, the story follows the fortunes of Christopher Newman, a 19th-century "new man" who has amassed a fortune in California and heads to Europe to learn its ways and find a wife.

What I enjoyed most about Henry James writing was his ability to described things in so perfection, as non-other have described. Here are some of the phrases that truly touched my heart.

“They kept the pot boiling till it cracked and then they put it on the shelf altogether”

“People are proud only when they have something to loose, and humble when they have something to gain.”

“Old trees have crooked branches, old house have queer cracks, old races have odd secrets”

“Listening to everything and hearing nothing!”

“We have differences as blue and pink”

“What right have I to be happy when others have been most unhappy”

Above all, his manner to call the main character as “hero”, just as how I would address a man-though in anger and annoyance.

Good bye Dear Friend

One of my colleagues, PA to my former boss is being transferred out. Why? Because my boss don’t seems to like her. Why? No one actually knows. After a year of tolerating each other, she was finally transferred to different division at different floor. Worst still, its being backdated to mid Dismember 2007, which simply mean, your service in no longer needed here.

Wow! That much of hatred. Its sad how power and influence can change fate of another!

It feels sad. I guess almost everyone who has been working here for a long time feels the same. She is such a kind person and I dearly adore her. In her forties, she is independent, smart, amazingly fit (plays almost all kind of sports activity – in door or outdoor), travel a lot and above all have capability to collect kutu* money with no delays.

Today is her so call last day, and yet she took the responsibility to settle my kutu money before departing. I will miss her dearly. Good bye dear friend.

*kutu- A little fund collection, where people join in to pay certain amount money each month and take turn to obtained the fund. Some sort of savings with no interest.