Of seeing personalities

You can see a person's personality from the way he or she behaves in real life as well as in the virtual world. 

In the first three days of 2012, with all the news and views going around, you can tell so much from the way people react.

Those they adore, they now abhor.

Those they would defend, they now easily condemn.

In my world, a friend is a friend is a friend.  I won't understand everything about my friend and I don't need to analyse and dissect every word, deed or action.

Just as I would want them to accept all I do without judgement, the same I must do for them.

However, it is nice, though, to know who will stand up for a friend.  

What do YOU see?

The pictures are not clear because it's taken from inside the bus, with my Blackberry.  I meant to take more but I got so excited when I realised  what was happening that I managed to get only these two.

It was 13 May 2011.  I was half way to Singapore that day.  We had stopped in Pagoh for the obligatory break in the journey.  

When I boarded the bus to wait for the remaining passengers, I noticed another passenger, an old man, walking very slowly back to the bus.  Two younger guys strolled up to him and then one of them took his hand to help him cross the road and board the bus.  Simple enough.  So what do you see?

At first, I saw 2 Malay men with 1 Chinese man.  

I had to chide myself and correct the bad programming in my head.  

Then I realise that what I saw was 2 young Malaysians helping another old Malaysian.  This is how it should be always.  Not only on May 13 but every day. 

What did you see?

Of Ambiga Sreenevasan, Hillary Clinton, Condoleeza Rice and Others

In the year 2009, a Malaysian was honoured to be one of the eight recipients for the 2009 Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage Awards.

Excerpt from Facebook

In the ceremony, the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton commented, "... Ambiga Sreenevasan, has a remarkable record of accomplishment in Malaysia. She has pursued judicial reform and good governance, she has stood up for religious tolerance, and she has been a resolute advocate of women’s equality and their full political participation. She is someone who is not only working in her own country, but whose influence is felt beyond the borders of Malaysia. And it is a great honor to recognize her and invite her to the podium."

Here is what Wikipedia has to say:

Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan (born 1956) is a Malaysian lawyer who served as the Malaysian Bar chairlady from 2007 to 2009.

In March 2009, she became one of the eight recipients for the 2009 Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage Awards. In the ceremony, the United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commented, “… Ambiga Sreenevasan, has a remarkable record of accomplishment in Malaysia. She has pursued judicial reform and good governance, she has stood up for religious tolerance, and she has been a resolute advocate of women’s equality and their full political participation. She is someone who is not only working in her own country, but whose influence is felt beyond the borders of Malaysia. And it is a great honor to recognize her and invite her to the podium.”

In the picture, she stands between two women who will go down in US history.  I think Ambiga will also make it in the annals of Malaysian history.

For this reason, it is amazing that others recognize her good work and contribution to society (see here), while in Malaysia, there are some who think otherwise. (see here).

(pics from here)

Of Japan and my thoughts

I've never been to Japan.  

On my list of places to visit, not that I love travelling, is Japan but it is not in the top 5 countries I would like to visit.  However, since last Friday, I've been addicted to Japan via the TV following the tragic situation in which she finds herself, especially after the earthquake, tsunami and now the threat of nuclear meltdown.

I've been following news feeds, tweets and also all the comments that appear on Facebook, apart from the usual TV fare.

The news is ongoing even as I write this.  

Today I read about how the Japanese people are facing their situation.  I hear that people queue up for food, there is no mad scramble or pushing and shoving.  They buy only what they need, knowing that others want to feed their family too.  Strangers help one another.  People reach out in any and every way possible. There are so many more stories but these already tell me so much about the Japanese people.

Here is the link if you want to refresh your faith in humanity.

I used to have a low opinion of them because of WWII horror stories I had heard while growing up.  Now I am glad that I see the other side of these people.

It is heartening and heartwarming to read about their courage and fortitude in such heartwrenching and heartbreaking times.

I humbly bow in great respect to the people of Japan.

(pics from photobucket)