Happy New Year

ONE THING TO NEVER FORGET

Your presence, is a present to the world.

You're unique and one of a kind.

Your life can be, what you want it to be.

Take the days, just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.

You'll make it through, whatever comes along.

Within you, are so many answers.

Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don't put limits on yourself.

So many dreams, are waiting to be realized.

Decisions are too important, to leave to chance.

Reach for your peak, your goal and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy, than worrying.

The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.

Don't take things too seriously.

Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember, that a little love goes a long way.

Remember, that a lot of love goes forever.

Remember, that friendship is a wise investment.

Life's treasures, are people... together.

Realize, that it's never too late.

Do ordinary things, in an extraordinary way.

Have health, hope and happiness.

Take the time, to wish upon a star.

And don't ever forget....

For even a day....

How very special you are.

-- Author Unknown

PJ Candlelight Vigil Take 12 - Shhh!

Shhh!

The usual: Anti-I.S.A. supporters gathered for the twelfth and the last time of 2008.

The unusual: We had a silent vigil. Or rather what started as a silent vigil. until Zorro congratulated all those present and we gave ourselves a round of applause.

Apparently, there was no police permit granted last night so, technically, we were not "permitted" to stand together in groups of more than four!

Not surprisingly, roads were blocked, police presence was heavy just for our special group. Are we that intimidating to them?

I was really amused that so many government servants were deployed for a small gathering of civilized Malaysians, choosing to meet and greet one another before the end of 2008.

The next time we meet will be on 4 January 2009 and it will be a brand new year with a fresh hope for a deeper awareness of what makes Malaysia "truly Malaysia".

Here are some pictures of last night, less people due to the holiday season and the senseless roadblocks but the spirit of unity and the passion of the people remained high!

Most of the regulars were around and many visitors from outside Malaysia too!

Some new candlelights of last night! We even had Colonel Sanders and the McDonalds with us! ;)

I took this picture, symbolic of last night's vigil!

and this song comes to my mind

A chair is still a chair, even when there's no one sittin' there
But a chair is not a house and a house is not a home
When there's no one there to hold you tight
And no one there to hold a candlelight!
(last line changed by me!)

Guys and Gals, see you all in 2009 with your candlelights! A new year awaits and we have to be steadfast in our efforts to rid Malaysia of the I.S.A. and to usher in a new era of real peace, genuine fraternity, true harmony, valid rights, authentic unity and a bona fide government for all of us.

More here:

Kkitsam My thought My world
SanJiun (Mandarin)
ShanghaiFish

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sending our warmest wishes for Christmas
to our family and friends, wherever you may be!

May your homes be blessed abundantly with all good things!

Goodbye to 2008 and Hello to 2009.

May you and yours find peace, love and contentment
in every nook and corner of your lives!

The Night Before Christmas

I don't usually post "forwards" but wanted to share this particular one for the army, navy and air-force personnel doing duty and giving service to their country during this festive season.

The Night Before Christmas

T'was the night before Christmas,

He lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house,

Made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney,

With presents to give,

And to see just who,

In this home did live.

I looked all about,

A strange sight I did see,

No tinsel, no presents,

Not even a tree.

No stocking by the mantle,

Just boots filled with sand,

On the wall hung pictures,

Of far distant lands.

With medals and badges,

Awards of all kinds,

A sober thought,

Came through my mind.

For this house was different,

It was dark and dreary,

I found the home of a soldier,

Once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,

Silent, alone,

Curled up on the floor,

In this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,

The room in such disorder,

Not how I pictured,

A Canadian soldier.

Was this the hero,

Of whom I'd just read?,

Curled up on a poncho,

The floor for a bed?

I realized the families,

That I saw this night,

Owed their lives to these soldiers,

Who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world,

The children would play,

And grownups would celebrate,

A bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom,

Each month of the year,

Because of the soldiers,

Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder,

How many lay alone,

On a cold Christmas Eve,

In a land far from home.

The very thought brought

A tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees,

And started to cry.

The soldier awakened,

And I heard a rough voice,

'Santa, don't cry.

This life is my choice.

I fight for freedom,

I don't ask for more,

My life is my God,

My country, my corps.'

The soldier rolled over,

And drifted to sleep,

I couldn't control it,

I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,

So silent and still,

And we both shivered,

From the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave,

On that cold, dark night,

This guardian of honor,

So willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over,

With a voice, soft and pure,

Whispered, 'Carry on Santa,

It's Christmas Day, all is secure.'

One look at my watch,

And I knew he was right,

'Merry Christmas my friend,

And to all a good night.'

This poem was written by a peace keeping soldier stationed overseas.

PJ Candlelight Vigil Take 11 - Dedicated to Syukree

Tonight's vigil was dedicated to Syukree Hussain. Some took the opportunity to say a few words about him. It was a strange feeling to be witness to a sense of having lost a friend. I didn't know him. I didn't have to. Just hearing what was said about him told me that he was "special". He stood up for what he believed in and he lived his life as he wanted to. Not many of us can attest to doing that - not 100% - at least not in the way that Syukree did! In that sense, Syukree was true to himself and I don't really feel sad that he died so young. He lived a full life and made every second of his 28 years count! He will be remembered. He left his mark on this earth. He will be the benchmark by which we next judge strangers. Wherever you are now, Syukree, may you know eternal peace!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We had the usual agenda. Richard started the night rolling. He's doing a great job of getting the permits done before each Sunday. Good on you, Richard!

Sharing from the regulars, visitors to PJ and, of course, Raja Petra made the night very interesting.

The usual suspects are some of my favourite people!

Everyone is relaxed!

I'm never disappointed each Sunday when I see how innovative the people are with their candles. Always able to make such a pretty collage of them. Each week is a new set and I never repeat the pictures.

Turning our backs on the I.S.A.
(bit of sbotting too!)

Apart from the usual Selangor Anthem and the Negaraku, we also sang "O Holy Night", led by Pastor Sivin Kit on guitar with a ready-made choir to join him. It was just lovely!!!!

That's all folks. I got home very late as I joined up with other kindred spirits for a drink and also to take advantage of the opportunity to wish (after midnight) The Whisperer for his birthday! Hence, the late posting!

My Prayers (Pre- and Post-I.S.A.)

3o years ago, I was 19! That was a lifetime ago. I was young, carefree, naive and never even knew about the I.S.A.

This was my prayer, written on 23 November 1978

My Prayer

I sit here Lord, inspired by You
and hope that you watch all I do

I look back and I wonder why
so many times I told a lie
so many times I let You down
so many times I made You frown

I also wonder how, dear Lord
You made me see you were not bored
You loved me tho' I was quite slow
You even showed me where to go

I ask, dear Lord, not just for me
I ask, dear Lord, for all to see
that we must love our fellow men
not sometimes or just now and then
but always, Lord, and this I ask
For it is not an easy task
For everyone to understand
Your Will, Your Way, Your guiding Hand

I sit here Lord, and softly pray
that somehow things may change today

Fast-forward to 2008, I'm now, what some people may consider, a die-hard supporter of the anti-I.S.A. sentiment. For this reason, I sat to write a prayer again on 11 December 2008 . Here it is:

Another Prayer

It's 2008, and thirty years have passed
The time just seemed to have gone by fast
Not needing to use an old typewriter
It's so easy now with a new computer

Yet the words come slow and the ideas are few
Rusty with rhyming and writing poem feels new
What do I pray about in this day and age?
Bigger car, nicer clothes and higher wage?

I guess there's just too much to expect
from a world that has so little respect
for truth, justice, love, harmony,
much needed peace and liberty

But more than all of the above
I pray for what we all deserve
The right to wake and work each day
without the threat of the I.S.A.

If you like my prayer, if you share what I feel and if you want things to change then join us in our quest to stand up for our rights to a life without the I.S.A. hanging over our heads!!!

Details here (courtesy of Pat Lu)

PJ Candlelight Vigil Take 10 - Newcomers and Bloggers Galore!

We've had ten vigils in Petaling Jaya! That in itself is an accomplishment! Yeah, we have a lot of the same faces, but that is a good thing. It only means that the passion has not dissipated. Yeah, we have a lot of people who have come only once and not ever again. It only means they think we can do the job without them. Yeah, we have a lot of new faces brought about by those reading blog posts and hearing about this at church, in the office, at the mamak stall or even in cyber chatting. It only means that there's a buzz about it. Tonight, there were loads of first-timers. It only means that when some can't make it, newcomers will fill their spaces!

But seriously, we miss those that haven't come again. We especially miss those that are still thinking about it. So I pray that next week (11th vigil) we will see more Malaysians! :)

These brave guys and gals took the opportunity to organise and share a bit of what the vigil means to them.

Cross-section of the people who came out tonight (bad weather, mind you!)

Just look at these happy people!

This lovely couple told me that their candle holder has been used since their 1st vigil. Candle wax upon candle wax! Just imagine that! It's like a trophy that I would be proud to have. Only I didn't think of it then!

As always, people come up with the most imaginative way to light their candles!

That's all folks! As some of you might know, my husband, Stephen is down from Singapore and was happy to join the vigil straight from KLIA! He said he was only supporting me, but don't you believe it. He supports freedom, truth and justice just as passionately as he is patiently waiting for me now.

Gotta go! ;)

Bloggers Galore here:
Perfect 10 - KKitsam
PJ Vigil - The Whisperer
Losing my Vigilnity - Zewt
PJ Candle Vigil 9.5 - delcapo
The 10th PJ Vigil - San Jiun (Mandarin)
10th Candle light vigil - Shanghai Stephen
10th Vigil - Finally made it - The English Cottage
Let me know if I missed out any!!!

On a scale of 1 to 10

Yes, on a scale of 1 to 10, we've reached 10. What does this mean? To me, it means that we've survived the test of time, endurance and tolerance. We've kept going despite all odds and adverse publicity. We've braved the forces of nature. We've become more aware of issues that once did not matter to us? We've, inevitably, evolved into more caring Malaysians.

Haris asked at the 3rd or 4th vigil if anyone was scared about being there. I wanted to raise my hand. I didn't. I was also scared to do that. But looking back, I shouldn't have been scared. Just making the effort to be physically there already says I'm no longer in bondage. I'm going to uphold my right to be in a public place when I want to do so.

If you are wondering whether I'm still scared or not? Yes, I am. I am scared not to go. I’m more fearful about an escalation of arrests under the I.S.A. More worried that I didn't do anything to fight it.

I can see I am not alone. All those who faithfully go there to show support, to speak out, to stand proud together show that they are also worried, fearful and scared about not doing anything.

For those that can't, it's okay. But those that can, please don't stay away!

Bring a friend, bring your smile, bring your doubts, and bring your being! We need you there!