My friend, HH wrote me and lamented about my sluggish blog. He's right. I haven't been diligent.
Like him, on many nights, just before drifting off to sleep, I think of how I spent my day and a flurry of ideas rush through my mind. I make a mental note of what I will write about the next day and when I drive to work, I sort out the ideas in my head. Then, I think, some alarm bells sound off somewhere. If I write that, then “so and so” will feel it’s about him/her. Then I scrap the idea and move on to the next topic. Again, I find that if I chose that subject, someone else would wonder if I’m hinting at something. The problem is that I have friends from all walks of life.
Bloggers/friends and all who are reading this, do tell me if you have this “afraid to hurt someone in cyberspace” complex.
This is perhaps the real reason why I haven't blogged much. Should I let go of the little small voice inside my head and fire away? Or should I maintain a retreated stance?
Specially to Mama Julie, Ibu Darling,
Lourdez Faridah, Mohd Zaini (Tony Jr),
Rindra, Irman, Greg,
all my Muslim family members
plus the many other friends
celebrating Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.
With much love and hope
for a peaceful celebration!
A year ago, it was a Thursday and I was one of the millions of passive internet surfers, prancing from one blog or website to another. My usual routine was to go to work, come home and then switch on the computer, browse the news/blogs (wait for Stephen to get on skype), comment (sometimes), read some more and then switch off and go to bed. The next day, it would be the same again unless it was the weekend or I was in Singapore. This would only mean just a slight variation to that habit.
However, that late Thursday afternoon changed my life completely. I’d been fidgeting with blogspot but never really gotten around to typing anything. It was something alien to me and I had no idea of what to do or where to begin. What would I write about? Who would want to read? Where would I even start? Credit must be given to the fact that blogspot is user-friendly and because I followed the instructions, I was able to put out my first posting at 6.35 pm. Tentatively.
With that, the thrill of seeing one’s own work in cyberspace gripped me. Hook. Line. And sinker. For a second, I sat at the computer, waiting…. waiting…. nothing happened. If you are new to blogging, you’ll be able to relate to this.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait very long. The moment, I told Stephen, he lovingly put the very first comment in. I felt so accomplished *laughs now*. Yeah, okay, that was a bit melodramatic!
Then, just like that, other comments trickled in and gave me a bit more confidence. Finally, it was my cautious participation at the first candle light vigil that sealed the cap of my blogging initiation.
I found that I could write about the vigils and people wanted to read them. I had loads of encouragement from strangers (who are now such dear friends). What would my life be, today, if I had just given in to that moment of hesitation to send my posting out into the blogosphere? I cannot imagine.
So much has happened. So much has not happened. I’ve met some of the blogger friends in real life. Some I may never ever meet. Many have become very close to my heart.
What lessons have I learnt this last year? I’ll tell you.
I’ve learnt that
-There are good people out there.
-Not every stranger is an enemy.
-Hope is not dead.
-United we must stand.
-Love is all we need.
18 September 2009 falls on a Friday this year and I am probably at work or on my way down south or already there, depending on what time you read this.
So
Whoever you are,
whatever you do,
however you feel,
whenever you want, and
wherever you may be
look for the hidden message in this posting.
(You probably can, but If you can’t figure it out, send me a comment or an email!)
46 years ago, a new nation, Malaysia, came into being, comprising Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. Singapore today treads a different path but Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak continue to share a common destiny.
Yvonne Foong, 22, has neurofibromatosis type II, which has severely affected her sight and hearing due to tumours in the brain and spine. She is scheduled for an operation between 1 and 4 December 2009. The cost of surgery is USD44,000 or RM154,770, and the cost of staying in hospital for two weeks is USD915 or RM3219.
She has raised about RM10,000 of this and is hoping to raise the rest by republishing her book I'm Not Sick; I'm Just a Bit Unwell in English and Chinese. The books are now available in Malaysian bookshops and from her web site store. She is also selling T-shirts at bazaars and via her web site store. You can read about her surgery and donate to her fund here.
You can also help by sending on this meme. If you do, please follow these meme rules:
1. Create a blog entry titled "Meme: Save Yvonne's Sight"
2. List three things you love to see. Add in the picture of Yvonne's book cover. The URL is http://www.yvonnefoong.com/images/banner/my-story.jpg
3. End with the line, "Yvonne Foong is in danger of losing her eyesight thanks to neurofibromatosis (NF). Please find out how you can help her by visiting her blog at http://www.yvonnefoong.com.
4. Tag 5 blog friends. Be sure to copy the rules, OK?
5. If you have a Facebook account, please check out Ellen's new invention, a "feme" pronounced FEEM, a meme designed for Facebook here. And if you want to blog about NF, that would be great too!
Three things I love to see:
1. Random acts of kindness
2. The sun peeping out through dark clouds
3. Loved ones when they don't know I'm watching
Consider yourself tagged, if you read this!
Yvonne Foong is in danger of losing her eyesight thanks to neurofibromatosis (NF). Please find out how you can help her by visiting her blog at THIS LINK. In fact, if anyone else out there would like to meme or feme this - please feel free to do the needful.
LET'S DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO HELP YVONNE. THANK YOU.
I can never say "A whole new world" without hearing the music that goes with it. Most, if not everyone, would know this phrase from the movie "Aladdin".
Here are the lyrics, which I think, aptly, describes the relationship with all things/people in cyberspace. I can show you the world Shining, shimmering, splendid Tell me princess, now when did You last let your heart decide?
I can open your eyes Take you wonder by wonder Over, sideways and under On a magic carpet ride
A whole new world A new fantastic point of view No one to tell us no Or where to go Or say we're only dreaming
A whole new world A dazzling place I never knew But, now, from way up here It's crystal clear That now I'm in a whole new world with you
Unbelievable sights Indescribable feeling Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling Through an endless diamond sky
A whole new world (Don't you dare close your eyes) A hundred thousand things to see (Hold your breath it gets better) I'm like a shooting star I've come so far I can't go back to where I used to be
A whole new world With new horizons to pursue I'll chase them aywhere There's time to spare Let me share this whole new world with you
A whole new world A new fantastic point of view No one to tell us no Or where to go Or say we're only dreaming
A whole new world (Every turn a surprise) With new horizons to purue (Every moment red-letter) I'll chase them anywhere There's time to spare Anywhere, there's time to spare Let me share this whole new world with you
Let me share this whole new world with you For you and me
This is exactly how I feel being connected to the cyberworld.
Strangely, I am always connected to my virtual friends because we are in touch frequently. We know what's going on in each other's life via emails, facebook or twitter. Some consider it cold and sterile but I think it's acceptable. Time and distance is never a factor. Everyone is just only an sms or click away.
To my virtual friends,
I know who you are. Thank you for being a part of my life. And I love you for all the support and encouragement (and patience).
