The Rojak Series #21

It's been awhile since i did a TRS, where i clump together a series of events in one entry. Anyway, here's the first for 2010, which i've done in ala diary writing:

1. Jan 26

My colleague Hani gave birth to a girl, the second addition to her family. We were shocked that what suppose to be a routine check-up turned into a delivery instead.

With her absence, we noticed that there were many things left undone, and felt that this one colleague, who deals with many things in the office, is somewhat irreplaceable.

Well, hope we can survive for the next two months without her.


Jan 27

I realised when state authorities tries to right a wrong, it comes with opposition from several quarters of the public.

This was evidently seen in the attempt demolition of an illegal beach structure in Tanjung Bungah, which some claimed to serve as a tourists attraction.

Several people protested when the local authorities came to finish the demolition job. The owner was not happy, saying he'll lose his source of income of eight years. Heard of Do Re Mi Cafe? I've passed by it once, and surprise to find out that dude actually made a three-storey treehouse on the beach!

At a press conference, a group of angry people vented their frustration against the state government, saying they are cooking up a plan. What's the plan? It'll be shown in due time.

*sigh* I pity those who try to make a living. But the other question is, should we let unjust and ignorance prevail? Should the authorities continue to turn a blind eye towards mistakes done in the past?


Jan 28

Both my fiancee and i have been together in this courtship for one and a half years! I wonder if people think it's too early for us to get married as we embarked on this journey for only so long?

I enjoy the (good and bad) times being with her, and loving and caring for her daily. I thank God for her.

Anyway, i was thinking of replacing my bass guitar strings, which have not been changed for over 3 years. And as the team was practising for service at night, i broke my fourth bass string! Talk about timing!


Jan 29

Woke up to the strange smell of Indian fragrant oil, which oddly made its way to my room on the eleventh floor. Thaipusam is coming, and devotees have began with their procession, and one can expect jam, jam and more jam around the island over this weekend.

Happy Thaipusam to readers celebrating the occasion.

I'm now sitting down in McD in Greenlane, as i'm sipping tea and typing this entry. Apparently, my laptop has issues - once i turned it on, it gave me the default settings, and i had to reinstall several application. *sigh*

Well, the day is still young, and i have a lot to do, including getting the car checked, buying bass guitar strings and meeting my dear for lunch later!

Hope you have a good day ahead!

Love & Peace!~

BC?

One Month!

It's been a month since she said, "Yes" as i was down on one knee, holding a simple diamond rin in my hand. And now, both Melissa D and i are engaged!

In a few days' time, it'll be our one year and six month anniversary in our courtship. We both had good times and bad times, savoured the sweet and bitter experiences a courtship can offer, and we give all our praises to God, for bringing us together!

Here's to many more exciting and lovely days ahead!

I LOVE YOU MY SUNSHINE!

Love & Peace!~

BC?

What a way to start the year - part 2

Today, it's a week since the tragedy occurred - an accident which claimed six lives, a teacher and five students from Chung Ling High School, who might not have lived their lives to the fullest.

Who knew on that Sunday morning, while carrying out a routine weekly practice, these people would drown and never see another sunrise? Parents, friends, schoolmates, dragon boat enthusiasts and almost the whole nation (even politicians) mourned the deaths of these young people.

I suppose everyone who were present at the scene were (directly or indirectly) affected. I, who was covering the scene as well, was somewhat affected; i came home with sunburn around my neck, and an earful from my boss in KL for a mistake which i didn't do, but could have prevented. *sigh* but let's not talk about that.

In a situation like this, emotions are high, and people are trying to pin the problem on another, blaming them for allowing such a tragedy to happen.

But then again, it's an accident - not an event orchestrated by man for his own benefit. There are many things to ponder about.

Perhaps they should not have practiced at the seafront in the first place.
Perhaps they should not have gone another round of training.
Perhaps they should have all been geared up for the occasion.
Perhaps they should have listened to instructions from their (late) adviser.
Perhaps the authorities should have been strict on the training venue.
Perhaps land reclamation should not have taken place not too far from the scene, which could have caused strong undercurrent.

There are many speculations and possibilities of what could been. But it does not change history, that six lives were taken too soon; marking a black history here in the state.

The best thing to do, is to learn from this and try to avoid such accident from happening again.

Love & Peace!~

BC?

What a way to start the month/year.

The year kicked off with the church attacks in the country, and just this week, a teacher and five students from a vernacular school in Penang drowned after a dragon boat training accident.

Sad, isn't it.

I'll be posting up about the dragon boat incident soon, which i was indirectly disturbed.

Anyway, i wanted to post this picture up a couple of weeks ago, the light of the church attacks. Better late than never, here is the picture:

Awesome!

Apparently this is a picture taken from a church in Java, Indonesia. So, what's the fuss about using that one word (and several others) in the country? Making a mountain out of a mole hill or fear of losing dominance over the people?

In the end, besides having oxygen, water, food, clothes and a roof over our head to survive, we need love. And if i can add, a mutual understanding for one another, respect and

Love & Peace!~

BC?

Not Forgetting Your Ground.

This week, my office here on the island received two interns - one (the guy) from UTAR, and the other (the lass) from Han Chiang College. Judging by the fact they've only been on the job for just three days, there's a lot to teach before they can finish their internship and said, "It was fun!" (Or, at least, i think they might enjoy it)

The both of them are timid but eager to learn. I suppose given time, they'll be up and running without needing to cling on to others.

It reminded when i myself was an intern about four years ago. Being green and eager to know how to go about in this line of work, as well as getting to know the people in the office. Those were the good times.

But even now, i'm still learning as i'm being employed by the company which i've interned! I've still got a long way to go in being the best in what i do.

And speaking of which, i've entered the third year of being in this line of work. There are many ups and downs, and it takes me places.

I was once an intern, but i'm still learning.

Love & Peace!~

BC?

Do we fight fire with fire?

The church attacks with happened on the wee hours of Friday morning has bring about uproar among many Christian quarters, regardless of denomination in the country.

Many are furious and angered by such move, crediting it to the outcry of those who were not happy with the High Court's ruling to allow a Catholic publication to use the word 'Allah' in its Bahasa Malaysia articles.

There are a lot of people who are unhappy with the church attacks, seeking justice to be served. A lot of politicians have condemned the attack as well.

But it's good to hear the church leaders forgiving their attackers. After all, as stated in Roman 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Personally, i'm not happy that there's an act of vandalism which occurred in places which i have been before. I was baptised in Metro Tabernacle more than a decade ago, since my KL church did not have its own pool then.

But then again, anything burned down, be it a church, a mosque, a temple, an abandoned public hall, a (under maintained, dirty) public toilet or even a cult leader's house, is not condoned by the masses in general. Right?

In this situation, we've been asked to stay calm, respond in love and pray over this. This would be the best advice to church goers nationwide. Be strong in your faith!


"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

1 John 4:4

Love & Peace!~

BC?

Ohana

On Monday night, my fiancee and i had dinner with Jolene at Nando's, and we had fun time chatting about the hectic life back in UTAR when both Jolene and myself were dealing with the Talent Time in early 2007, about wedding, family and other things.

Just now, the both of us had dinner with Carmel, and had a good chat. Among the things we talked about included family. To be specific, family members that has passed away.

Anyway, i just pondered about my extended family; how's my relationship with them.

The relationship i have with my dad and my brothers is good, better than what it was several years back, when i just started off in UTAR. And i try to improve on it.

I do not have any grandparents anymore. And when it comes to my extended family, I'm in contact with Aunty Karen, my mom's sister, as well as her family. She, Uncle Ong and my cousins, Joel, Justin and Victor migrated to Hong Kong more than a decade ago, and are happy there. Joel's currently studying in the LA.

On my dad side, my family meet up with them every now and then during Chinese New Year, as well as the Buddhist 'Kitchen God' festival. But we're not that close.

Meanwhile, besides Aunty Karen and family, i've not been in contact with relatives from my mom side. Ironic, as i'm now on the island, where most of them also live. The only time i did see them was somewhere in the middle of 2008, when i just drop by their shop and had a short chat with my uncle and aunty; my mom's older siblings. However, there's not much connection or communication there.

And there has been very little communication, since my mom leave us for heaven more than a decade ago.

Well, I don't know what they think of my family now. Maybe i should try and meet up with them, one day.

Love & Peace!~

BC?

New Year, New Hairstyle.

This is the first entry for 2010! *Yeah*

To those of you re-entering school/college/university/life, happy studying and learning! While those in the working world, welcome back to work! If you're still bumming around, time to get a life!

Anyway, in December 2009, i promised Melissa D that i would get my haircut after Christmas (yes, once i proposed to her), but she insisted that i get it done as fast as possible. Anyway, i managed to leave it long enough (pun not intended) until i popped the question, and got my hair cut on Boxing Day.

My first benevolent act as her fiance!

Yes, this is a look of how much i didn't enjoy the haircut!

I look crazy... CRAZY!


Anyway, besides what i've said in my last post, i would like to improve on certain aspects of my life as well this year.

This includes:

- being more focused, disciplined and responsible for my actions and responsibilities given to me.


Yeah... i can't think of the other point that i wanted to share. But this will do lah.

Oh, and i might not be leaving my hair long for awhile... maybe in 10 years of more. We'll see how things go lah.

Love & Peace!~

BC?