The "If" Factor

Many of those who studied in Chinese primary schools would probably recognised these titles:
"If I were to be a millionaire, what will I do?"
"If I had super powers, what will I do with it?"
"Will it be a better place If the world has no sadness?"

These are some of the titles given to pupils when they were young. And expected them to write out their own desires out of it. I'm not sure what happens then when all parents and teachers think alike; because in the end, all essays sound the same. For instance, if the child becomes a millionaire, he or she will give to the charity, will buy a new house for their parents as a sign of gratitude, will start their own career, and will use the money for travel.

The question is: Are you sure those were the desires of children? Children at the age of 8 or 9, that wants to give to charity, buy a house, travel? I'm placing any kinds of bet that if they had RM 1 million in their pockets now, they'd run straight to the nearest toy shop they had and buy the toys they desire. How do I know? I was one of the pupils given to all this titles, and my original essay was not approved by the teacher. The reason : "You are too selfish, you should write for more the people. Share your money with them."

Share? Why would I want to share? Those were mine! My RM1 million! I don't want to let others share. I don't like to see my money flying away! Then my teacher show me some of the articles published on student's magazines on their essays, using the same title as mine, what I notice is that not only their concept is the same. Heck, even the points that were elaborated were the same! They would sure start by saying they'd buy a house, then start a career, then give to the charity, then only their own desire. Young as I was back then, I do what most people do best: being a copycat and just write out the same thing. My teacher was pleased after that. But I'm not.

Over the years the same topic has been published on magazines and yet the essays submitted were all of the same context. It becomes really routined and boring. And none of them notice it until recently when the student newspaper acted by criticising the essays that students submit to them. Then only we see some creativity put inside the essays. But still, the majority love to stick to "old same". Because it is not wrong and a guarantee for marks. The teachers don't want quality; they want to make sure the pupils write in good language that's all.

Education is supposedly a hub to make the children read, write and speak in a better way instead of the slurring and the grammar mistakes that they usually would get in home. But yet they, the school authorities, has taken it to another level, encouraging what Mao Zedong tried to do to the Republic of China: the monomonstrosity. Everyone gets the same thing, same context, same clothes, same hair, same etc etc. In other words, students here are encouraged to do everything the same. There is no harm doing everything the same, except that it kills your creativity bit by bit. Then again, it promotes longevity. Talents like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or River Phoenix, they die early, because they use too much of the "creative juice" that was supposed to run in every body of ours.

Even though I'm part of the "monomonstrosity", I'm hoping to see a better management on education in the future, where students can use their talents to create more colours for the world. Do not just promote sports or singing or story telling competition. Promote other things like essay, critical thinking (which they can criticise something they don't like), practical skills. Make the best of both ways. It is much often that those who score are those who are able to be creative and yet intelligent at the same time. Yet, the education department only see light in those academics than their other achievements that they had.

Oh, and sometimes, creativity only comes when we are in the later stage because we were so used to "rules and tradition" in the past. But it best that creativity be developed in the earlier stages like when children are still children. Then, if there is any essay topic concerning about the "If" factor, we'll see a more variety of answers that has gone through our little young ones. Who knows, they might be the ones worthy to take over the leadership and rule the country. Thanks and good day.

Boredom

Friends. Some friendships last a lifetime. Others disappear within hours of just knowing each other. I try to cherish every friend I have everytime I get to know them. Friends are gained by taking the initiative to get to know strangers whom you think have the same interest with you.

I had learned not to label anyone as "best friends". By doing so, no one is equal. The very best friend will do anything with you, and only you. Sometimes if she goes out with other friends without you getting the invitation, you'd feel irritated and frustrated. Isn't she my best friend? Why is she hanging out with others and not me? Then cracks happen, and the bond will disappear, as if it had never happen at all.

There are many stages of friends. I knew some friends when I was younger, while attending kindergarden. Then after that, we separated, and I got to know friends from primary school, via as classmates or society members, some I know them younger, but not really close, until very much later. After that stage, I knew those who were from the same secondary school. It was a larger circle of friends, due to the constant change of class every year. While some kept in touch with me, I had lost touch with others. It saddens me, but life is an ongoing process. You win some, you lose some. It is very hard to actually remain faithful to friends who are long gone.

Now that I'm in the university level, I know newer friends, but yet still keep in touch with my old school friends, thanks to the advance technology of handphones and internet. But somehow, when asked about class reunion, I was always reluctant. Should I go? Should I retain my friendship with my old friends? What if I see the people that I don't like? Well, I don't see any class reunion for my secondary school level yet.

I don't know. Sometimes I feel like I bore people. I'm not sure if that is the reason why people don't really want to talk to me anymore. But some, I admit, is due to my neglect. I fail to go to them when they need assistance. I fail to tell them that I still care, I fail to balance my attention between friends, I have try and fail to make sure that none of my friends felt left out in anything we talk on. I felt silly, but it is the truth sometimes. And when it is the truth, I felt regret. Regretting for not realising it earlier on. So I take my step very cautiously, trying not to trod on sensitive paths that may result in my friends leaving me without me knowing at all. I'm already used to being alone, but of course it is better when I have friends around to hang out with, to be crazy enough in front of them, to be able to hear them scolding me for what I did wrong, and most importantly, to be able to help me remain who I am now.

I feel thankful towards all my friends, and I'm deeply sorry if I had ever neglected any of you. I will try my best not to do that. I know I have to make a new balance again when I have something new in my life now. Maybe you are bored with me, maybe not, but I just to tell everyone who had entered my life, left, or still remain, thank you for making me who I am now. As for my current friends, I will try to make the best of my time to be there. I know I must be ignorant nowadays. I apologise. But I just want you to know, my friends are more important than love. Love can be searched again, but friends, once lost, I won't be able to find the same person as my friend again. I appreciate everything that everyone do. Please, do forgive this ignorant girl. I will become who I was before.

This post is dedicated to the amazing girls of UTAR. Deqian, Dylane, Ming Min, Yin Jiun, Atiqah, Kamini, and Stephanie. Thank you for being there. I'm sorry if I made any mistakes. I enjoy all of your company, and I hope that I'll be able to remain close friends with all of you amazing people.

Thanks and good day.

Imperfection

I would like to first issue an apology for my disappearance after so long, being very busy and I'm starting my new semester again. I was supposed to post this a little earlier, but guess I'm a little behind my schedule, which is why an intention to post this on a special day becomes a normal post just like any other. Anyhow, Happy Belated White Day.

White Day, also known as White Valentine, is another type of Valentines' Day practised in Asian regions such as Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Whilst the girls there had the practise to give chocolates to the boys in these countries on Valentines' Day, which is the annual February the 14th, Exactly 30 days later, if the boys had feelings for the girls, they would return the favour, and give the girls gifts. Except, not all girls' partners, are boys.

There is a very odd culture in these 3 countries, whereby a girl student can be seen dating a full grown man. The age gap can be as long as 20 over years. Normally, if this happens in countries like Hong Kong, China, Singapore or even Malaysia, it is a known fact that when a young woman and an old man were together, it is often because the man has money and the woman inherits all of the money if he were to die. But it is a different case in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The men and the girls were together because they love each other.

Take a look at Japan for instance, it is not odd to find girl students who had crushes on their teachers, who still managed to have good looks despite in their mid-30s or mid-40s. Minus the tv culture aside, and we have many kinds of true stories going around, where love is actually there for those aging men and those young and innocent girls. It is, yet, another symbol where some cultures are find to be troubling while others find it very normal. It is still a respect.

What troubles me is that I can never understand those girls on what they see in a man who is full grown. Is it because he is financially stable? Is it because of his masculinity? Is it because they believe a man is and always will be protective towards them? Or is it that maturity that is depicting an aura, that only the girls can see? Well, it is just this poor girl's troubling thoughts that I will only date a man who is 3 years older and below. I don't even like dating a younger man. I'm just not comfortable dating a man who is old enough to be my brother or uncle. But still, I salute those who had the courage to go beyond that age limit, and still remain very much in love with each other.

Now, truly, love knows no boundaries. We have the consummate love, homosexual love, love that sparks between an elderly and a youngster (regardless of gender), even incest is a kind of love being practised, even if it didn't sound right. I might not be the right person to say this, but, love is really a special feeling that exists inside, deep down, that will emerge when you need it most. It somehows soothes the soul when everything goes smoothly, yet pierce your inner self when everything crumbles down. When everything you build in years, collapses within minutes, you find it very hard to be who you were. You became imperfect. Yet, someone out there loves you for who you are, not for your physical attributes, not for your achievements, not for your status, but for the beauty within that attracts him or her to remain by your side. Cherish whoever that loves you.

This is a saying that matches what I want to point in my whole post:"Love is not about finding the perfect person, but by being able to see a imperfect person perfectly". Once again, Happy Belated White Day. May all the lovers in the world be able to enjoy the happiness they experienced together.

The Art of Banning

Banning has certainly turn into an art, no thanks to the recent "fever" of it after it comes out from the lips of our Health Minister, Dr.Chua Soi Lek. Giving a certain issue as many light and exposure as possible, and when tragedy happens, they ban it, making that product illegal, and those who enjoyed it are considered enjoying sinful pleasures.

Among the products(or, the media who promote the product through advertising) that were banned were cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, and most recently, but not yet been implemented, fast food. I can understand the danger of cigarettes and alcoholic drinks as it is truly hazardous and will bring someone to the hands of death if not been controlled properly. But fast food? Is that really a sin to enjoy fast food once in a while? If you were afraid of obesity, why don't you banned the mamak stalls from doing business as well? Their calories will match those who ate at McDonald's or KFC, and they are cheaper.

I would like to suggest the government to ban a few more items too. Advertisements have been a menace anyway. Everytime when it comes to the climax we will be annoyed by colourful advertisements which will sorely blind our eyes and attracting the customers to buy their products, which, I'm certainly not overwhelmed nor interested in trying. Even us peasants could not enjoy a good show without advertisements around.

These are the Items that should be considered by the government to unleash the art of banning:

1) Slimming centres
Don't you just hate those girls appearing on screens? Showing off their magnificent body shape, making those men drool till their salivas drop to the floor, telling us with seductive eyes, that this, is the best place to get in shape? I'm surprised that the gym didn't get as much exposure as slimming centres. Gym is supposedly the healthier option where work must be done to be able to keep in shape. But I guess people do get lazy sometimes, preferring the easy way out rather than working out to get their body shape back. It must be good to just let the machine do the trick and you get your body shape back.

Reason to ban: Those body shapes are so intriguing, the men might be so aroused, that they'll want to find a girl just like that. Girls on the other hand, vow to stop eating until they reach the shape they wanted or the shape that was portrayed on the TV, since they didn't have the money to register for the programme.

2) Skin care products
Move away apples and oranges, because Olay, SK-II and a few more products are going to conquer you! Yep, skin care products. Those girls who had radiant skin within 10 seconds of the advertisements, must have made those girls grow wild over the products. Skin becoming smooth in the next few weeks, making the skins touchable for both men and women, and people awing over that really beautiful skin. Girls would like to be the centre of the crowd, making her friends jealous over her beautiful skin that will stay the same even after the exposure of sunlight. Vitamin C is supposedly the best way to keep the skin. But of course, there are a few people who had trouble with skin problems like eczema. Still, Vitamin C, which is contain in most of the natural fresh fruits you can find in the market, is the best substance you have for good skin.

Reason to ban: Computers are so advanced, they make everyone's face look flawless. If you would look at those ambassadors without their makeup, or without any computer regeneration, you might want to think twice about it.

3) Hair care products
I don't even need to elaborate much about this one. Its just a girl, with long hair, flapping it everywhere they want, showing that they do not have dandruff nor tangles. And it's only the shampoos that does that trick. It looks so gorgeous on them. Too gorgeous, actually.

Reason to ban: Again, computers. If every girl in the advertisements have that same length of hair, it's bound to make them ugly. What's with long, straight hair anyways? To tell you the truth, Siti Nurhaliza is not impressing me to buy Pantene with that fake hair of hers. Why can't anyone just do a behind-the-scenes of those advertisements, then we can see who's wearing a wig, and who had really tried the shampoo, and is showing the real results. I'm sure, not any women liked a same length hair. It looks too ugly and old-fashioned. Be more creative advertisers!

Dear government, these are the things that should be banned too if you are considering of banning fast food advertisements, banning celebrities and banning firecrackers. Control your people. You banned firecrackers from celebrating every celebration of Chinese New Year and Deepavali, and when Hari Raya comes, they have their very own bamboo firecrackers, they blew themselves up, landed on the hospital, and you guys just deem it as lack of parental education. Violating the art of banning may cause you to pay dearly for your actions. Becareful, as the art might come back to you.

I have said my piece. It is up to the others to decide whether am I saying the right thing, or I'm just ranting or violating my freedom of speech. It people find it offensive, I can't do anything. I might be charged by the art of banning, and they might ban my blog instead.

Banning everything is the best. That shows Malaysia as a true Islamic country, instead of "Malaysia, Truly Asia".

Thanks and good day.