Of being 22 years old!

I can't really remember what I did or where I was at 22! Geez! It seems like a lifetime ago. I even had to dig some records to double-check the dates.

Anyway, here are 10 things about me, when I was 22!

1. I was probably only 50 kg

2. I worked at Goon Institution Sdn Bhd as a secretary.

3. I got my full LCCI "Private Secretary's Certificate".

4. I was still living with my parents.

5. I took the bus to work.

6. I had a steady boyfriend.

7. I got the first place in Malaysia for Shorthand 100 wpm (LCCI).

8. I didn't know how to drive.

9. I learnt that usually there is more month at the end of money.

10. I didn't really care about politics or world affairs!

Whatever I remember or don't, the only point is that, I was young. So young and maybe, innocent in so many ways! So idealistic and impressionable still!

I don't want to be 22 again. I'm really comfortable at my age now. There are so many things that I didn't know at 22, that I do now. Everything that I’ve been through has led me to where I am today and I have little or no regrets.

A friend told me this, and I'm not sure if she got it from her own life's experience or she read it somewhere: "I don't really know all that I want in life, but I already know what I don't want".

Knowing what I don't want, has so clearly defined and decluttered many aspects of my life! Now if only I could narrow down the things that I want!!!

Of what is felt by the heart

In the last 2 weeks, most Malaysians talked, read or wrote about and participated in something related to Kugan a/l Ananthan. That also included me! Of course, I read whatever I could to follow the story.

In life, what makes us relate to events is also what is personal to us.

What drew me to Kugan’s story was that he was 22 years old. 


My son is 22. 


What tugged at my heart was also Kugan’s mom and how the death of her son was so publicised. The horror of losing her child must have been compounded by the rumours that abounded as well as all the speculations about the cause of his death. 


Having known only the pain of losing a child, I can only guess how the other emotions would have been for her. It would probably have been so difficult for her to fully understand the gamut of emotions she felt. Probably it would have been, just, shock first. Then very quickly, it would have been followed by the bombardment of information from all sources. It would have been so hard to reconcile all that.

I hope that, in the midst of it all, she was surrounded by people who looked out for her. I mean, really for her. It’s what I would have wanted, no, needed, if I were her. I pray that she’ll be well.

PJ Vigil 04/2009 (16th) Hand-in-Hand & Side-by-Side

The 16th Anti-ISA Vigil was held on 25 January 2009 at MBPJ Civic Centre, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, in which DSAI and the MB of Selangor lent their support to protest the ISA and the persecution of Palestinians.

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

The night of 25th of January 2009, being the eve of the Lunar New Year meant that most chinese families gather for their reunion dinner. Co-incidentally, the anti-I.S.A. supporters gathered at the Civic Centre together with the Coalition of Malaysian NGOs against Persecution of Palestinians (COMPLETE).

I arrived quite late, owing to a mini reunion dinner of my own. There were some policemen on the main road. Walking past them, I saw canopies and stalls set up, to sell an assortment of interesting stuff. I gave them my support and bought 2 tee-shirts and a badge!

A little further, I saw the familiar faces of the "vigil family" that I've come to know and love. Immediately, I smile because it is a reunion of sorts to meet and greet fellow Malaysians on such an auspicious day for the Chinese. It's a feel good moment!

This is a picture I took just after my dinner, I loved the combination of the neatly-arranged lights and lanterns. Although the shop was closed, it lit up that street so beautifully. It added to the aura of Chinese New Year to those who dined nearby.

Then when I reached the MBPJ, I saw these candlelights! Simple yet symbolic and sends a message of hope to those detained without trial.

Here are some of the "vigil family" together with recognisable personalities who were there!

I said hello to Puchong MP Gobind Singh, who I met some 10 years ago and he surprised me with his superb recollection of how and why our paths crossed. Amazing!

This collage of the other event, which is a mixture of pictures taken by pahlawan.volunteer and me!

Took this from a tee-shirt of a Rakyat Malaysia!

After the arrival of DSAI, I left to go "fishing" and now you know why this post is so late! I usually make it a point to put up a post immediately on the same night but had to break that routine, this one time! For those of you who came to check, sorry lah!

Final verdict: It was a wonderful night to be hand-in-hand, side-by-side with fellow Malaysians, sharing one space, sharing one night, sharing convictions and the peaceful gathering.

To be a member of the "vigil family", please note the following:
*No registration fee.
*No age limit.
*No sexual discrimination.
*No race discrimination.
*Just come as you are!

Note: some pics courtesy of pahlawan.volunteer. Thanks, dear!

Gong Xi Fa Cai

It's early but everyone is putting their wishes up. It's probably because many are already making their way back home or going away for the long weekend. So I'm jumping on the bandwagon and putting this up tonight.

Happy Chinese New Year 2009 especially to all my Chinese family and friends in Malaysia and abroad.

Of especial mention are Mom Rose and Ivy Low-Yap. The first stood by me with her special kind of love and the second stands by me even when she sometimes can't stand me!!!

In Malaysia, one doesn't need to be Chinese to celebrate. One only needs to be a part of a Chinese family to do so!

For those not celebrating this Chinese festivity, Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For those reading my blogs, I realised that I've never said how much I appreciate the visits, even when there are no comments! So THANK YOU!

Have a super duper weekend, folks!

Obama's Inauguration - 20 January 2009

I chanced upon this image of a painting of President Obama in the famous Kennedy pose here! I'd never heard of Dan Lacey before but after seeing these two pictures, I'm a fan now! I'd never heard of de minimis either, but after reading that particular post, I'm a fan now!

Barack Obama's inauguration was a much-awaited event both in the U.S. and abroad. Being a fan, albeit from afar, I watched the live telecast of his inaugural speech. It was well worth staying up for. It was watching history in the making.

I don't really know why I like him.

It could be that he represents a shift in what was once perceived as unacceptable! He's the epitome of a dynamic leader. At 47, he probably is young enough to remember his youth and old enough to be concerned about growing older.

I followed his campaigning and watched him closely. I was rarely disappointed by what I read or what I saw.

So much has been written about President Obama that there is nothing much to add. Every detail of his life, his wife and two girls have been analysed, dissected, commented on and published.

I guess I just wanted to add my tiny grain of sand to the heaps that are already circulating in the virtual world. Just for me to read this post, at some point in the distant future and to remember the pleasure it gave me that he made it to the White House.

A remarkable journey by an incredibly remarkable person!

May God guide him every day and every way.

PJ Vigil 03/2009 (15th) Vigil Interruptus

I've just come back from Singapore! It is always a welcome break for me to travel down south for a weekend. Although I always look forward to being there, I do feel happy returning because Malaysia is my home.

This isn't the scene at the Tuas Checkpoint at the Second Link! I wouldn't blame you if you thought it was!

It's a scene from PJ New Town when the police blocked the road because they deemed the Pot Luck Vigil an illegal gathering. They probably consider the people there a menace to society! What a laugh!

There were already many people when I arrived. I only had time to greet about three friendly faces. These are people who I've come to recognise and who I now consider to be part of a fraternity of like- and right-minded souls.

Then the police came to inform us that we had to disperse or they would do so by force!

I walked away. I am one of those, by nature, convent-schooled to boot, who finds it hard to defy authority. Yeah, I'm a wimp! :(

This is a picture taken from behind the police who were having a discussion with the organisers.
These people, like me, were very reluctant to leave. We do not really understand the reasons for the police to show up! No points for guessing why!

Then the announced, that in 30 seconds, they would break up the gathering and people began to leave.
Going
Going
Gone
This truck was at the entrance to MBPJ.

People gathered outside the entrance, across the road.

The police moved out to the main road.
Eventually, everyone got together and organised the potluck at a nearby restaurant. We were being forced to move on and on and on.

At the restaurant, I greeted more friends! Congratulated them on the incredible job they did in KT. Shooks hands with them! Hugged them! Wished them well!

I was tired. So I left, still feeling the remnants of the euphoric win in KT in my bones! As we drove off, I could only think of the I.S.A. detainees and I could only hope that they know and they understand that we are keeping the vigils going for them. All hope is not lost. Many are standing up for them.

We may
give in,
give out,
or give way
but we will not give up!

Lest the bigger picture is forgotten, we need to remember that a candle burns, every Sunday, until the I.S.A. is abolished!

This is the only candle picture I captured tonight! Its light burns brightly in my mind as I write this post. It belongs to Angie, a brave soul!

More here:
KKITSAM
SANJIUN (in Mandarin)
SHANGHAIFISH
ANTARES
JELASINFO
ANILNETTO
KAKLAILA
MELVINMAH

Year of the Bull

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kuala Terengganu bulldozes to victory with the help of so many caring Malaysians who went out of their comfort zones to help with the campaign.

What an excellent prelude to the Chinese New Year!!!