Minimalistic

I think, possibly, I want to be simple. I am complicated to a certain extent, I think, in certain many situations. Mostly, thinking wise, then into decisions and afterward not-necessarily-well-thought actions. Ah, why bother.

Anyway, sports.

I went to Westpac Stadium this morning to watch the football team LA Galaxy practice for tomorrow's game against Wellington Phoenix. Well, I didn't bought the ticket for the actual official match so watching them practice is good enough. It's free anyway. David Beckham was there. Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones and the legendary Ruud Gullit (I think because I believe he changed his hairstyle). It was fun watching a high level football team plays with outstanding players such as mentioned, except Ruud since he's the coach. It got me thinking though, I'm not an avid football fan. I just have general interest in sports and having to watch world class players on the pitch is something very inspiring for me. Rugby; Carlos Spencer, Brian O' Driscoll, Richie McCaw, Baseball; Ichiro Suzuki, American Football; Peyton Manning, Reggie Bush. Yet, I find myself drifting away from my own main sport. It's been such a long while since I last went and play proper basketball. Although, my knee doesn't help me much in motivating me to continue and play this favourite sport of mine. Watching the LA Galaxy this morning, I realized just how much I would really love to watch world class basketball teams play; Spain, Greece, USA with exceptional players like Juan Carlos Navarro, Theodores Papaloukas, Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd, Dwayne Wade and my all-time favourite, Peja Stojakovic. Apparently I hardly spend much on basketball substances, like buying jerseys, fancy shoes, posters and stuffs. I have no idea why. Sometimes I do question whether do I really like basketball. Heck, I love this game to bits. I won't want to question my loyalty to this sport.

I wish to pick myself up back for this game. I need find that long-gone enthusiasm of mine and start moving my lazy feet back into the court. Playing basketball in Wellington ain't that much fun, or I'm just too lazy to work my ways to make it enjoyable. Thus, rusty I have become. Owh, I just found out that there's a basketball tournament in the city tomorrow. I should check that out.

Pointless

Ah crap, I have no idea what to write anymore. The brain haven't come up with anything for me to argue about. Nothing for the mind to go critical. Maybe I read less nowadays, or don't go out that much. Yet, I do think I watch a lot of TV shows enough for me to have a lot to think and ponder about. Recent viewings; Dexter, Journeyman and my top favourite, 30 rock. Well, I guess I can talk about these fictional stories I just watch. Maybe.

Nahh.

I gonna go and do something else. Cheerio.

For Our Departing Friends

A group of TESL students is leaving Wellington for good tomorrow. It's been almost 2 years now they have been here in this capital city of New Zealand. There's not much I can tell though about this particular group of students studying here in Victoria University of Wellington. You guys might know better. Apparently my social life doesn't revolve much around them. Nonetheless, among them are a few friends that I deeply value and life here in Wellington can never be merrier without them.

TESL; Well, some of them during Ski Trip 2006


Sayda; Dikir Barat boss


Nada; Malaysian Night 2006, Malaysia Festival 2007


Sheila; M'sha


Leny and Aishah; Macam2 heh. Two of my favourites. :)


Aimi, Nisya and Nina; McKenzie 2006

Well, I guess I only manage to find that much photos for now. Thank you to all of you have contributed so much and making my life and others in Wellington so much fun all these years. I apologize for all my wrong doings and I do wish I could do something more. Hm, that doesn't sound right. Owh well, best of luck in your future undertakings and have fun back in Malaysia. Till we meet again.

Teleological Cosmos

As stated in previous entry, I'm eventually getting bored with blogging. Bored. I'm not sure whether that's the right word to use. Well, I guess I'll stick with it for the moment being. Why people actually blog anyway? Today Webster’s dictionary defines a blog as a “diary; a personal sequential log of thoughts published onto a web page," and it's actually commonly displayed in reverse chronological order where the latest entry appears first. Anyway, I don't think I want to go into that deep further critical assessment where blogging is related to political influence, business journals, educational tools, etc. Blogging, just as a personal diary for a typical everyday ordinary bloke such as I am.

Some people might use it to express opinions on matters they encounter in their daily life, to practice writing skills, or simply as a channel for personal frustrations. Some with the noble intention of adding into the world of knowledge or simply, just for fun. I have fun writing in this blog. Maybe I like to see myself growing to be a better writer in each entry. Maybe I like to voice out my opinions on certain stuffs which I won't bother to do in the outside world or on regular basis. Maybe I have no one that I could talk to lay out my personal inner thoughts, which ironically many people can read it anyway. Maybe I'm hoping that by writing joyful stuffs, some people might get inspired and they will cherish their lives as well and be happier everyday. Maybe this and that and so on and so forth.

I have no idea why I do this anyway. Purpose changes over different time, place, situation and consequences. Perhaps, I'm at a point where I couldn't find any of that purpose anymore. Some people like to write, and some just love to read. Some like to entertain, and some just love to be entertained. Some like to cook, and some just love to eat. I found myself to be in a certain common trend in doing things in my life. Although, I like to cook for myself, not others. Insecurity I think. Maybe I do care a little bit on how people judge on my special cuisines. Heh. Most of the time, I don't really care. Maybe I never did put much heart into cooking, or many stuffs that I do in life. Doing stuffs half-heartedly is one of my worst enemy I always have. My arch enemy. A fictional and seemingly metaphorical character which somewhat often appears around anywhere I go. I often find myself in battles between introversion and extroversion. Indecisive or confused. Possibly the cause for my half-hearted disease.

I have not yet to reach the point of quitting this blog. Everything in this entry was halfly written in metaphors. In description of many of other things I preciously value. I am a nobody. Writing some insignificant stuffs for readings I wonder whether if it gives you pleasure or any kind of benefit at all. I don't want to be a nobody anymore. I want to write something where it has value and people actually benefit from it. I want to make something worthy of my own contentment. I want to feel good about myself. This is not a channel for my own personal frustration. Maybe it is rather fictional or too melodramatic. Yet, I write for my own benefit, and I wish your readings will do the same for you too.

Enjoying Childhood

I'm not that in the mood to write anything much nowadays. Despite a year of having so much fun with this blog, I have soon to arrive at a point where I couldn't care that much anymore. Recently, everything I went through my life apparently brings more meaning in my life more than the whole last 3 years I went through. Good stuffs bad stuffs. Maybe just the epiphany I needed. Maybe not. The point is, maybe I eventually come to the point that I don't need to blog anymore. Perhaps.

A few days ago, I took a stroll down Lambton Quay, with the initial intention of getting myself a nice set of sushi at Midland Park. There's a books store nearby, Borders, something like MPH that we have back in Malaysia. I think it just opened for a couple of months and I did had that plan to come and hang out there for a bit but never did happen. Anyway, it was a nice sunny day and sushi can wait as I stray my way off my original course for the afternoon into the wonderful world of literature collections.

I used to love to hang out in MPH and read some books; self-helps, musics, comics, humor, etc. It was such a great refreshing feeling to wander inside a large books store like Borders. So many books to pick from and read freely and the eager feet lead me first to the kids and young adults section. Asterix and Tintin. My all-time favourite children literature. Nothing beats a nice sunny day shining through the large glazing walls of a large air-conditioned books store shading light for our ever so wonderful literature experience. Every second was such an enjoyable experience and sushi was never tasted so good afterward. Something about how a good feeling can last for a day or two and infect so many other things as well. For that day, a childhood pleasure with a bottle of Bundaberg Peaches and a nice set of sushi. Life is getting better. I wish for you readers as well.

Happy Anniversary NJB

Yesterday, 16 November 2007, marked a one year long of this blog that has been contributing ever so generously into my life. If this is blog was a girl, I'd be in big trouble for being late to remember our anniversary. Anyway, it has been a great 12 months we've been together and I wish for an everlasting happy us - well, perhaps, given what future may bring and blogging may ain't be cool no more. Anyway, cheers for all readers, whom had read, commented, made fun of this blog with others, or forward some stuffs in the spirit of sharing, I am blessed with great companion in my life - both cool and nerdy life. Thank you.

Going into a new chapter of this blog, my name is NJB and I'm still here to write. Hello.

A Tad Less Ordinary

What makes you feel like walking down the waterfront alone with reasons you didn't plan yet expecting to appear along the way? A single plan - to find more of other purposes for the journey. You choose one path of road of knowing nothing more than it's just a paved walkway searching for a certain number of steps suffice to feed the empty soul of what it desires. One small step for a man, a milestone for humanity and let say many of us are aiming for something in between.

Walking down Manners Mall, it was a small intention of having a light Sunday stroll of possibly a nice French Crepes or McDonald's Ice Cream Sundae. Some starts with a psychological barrier that nothing else is accepted other than a leisure walk or some might open up for possibilites of exploring the whole mall for potential self-complacency. In other words, are you flexible or paranoid of not trusting yourself? Some of us do love to create their own rules in life of what to do and what's not. Principle, is it's name to an extent. Anyway, humans are strong and weak, sometimes separately and frighteningly at the same time. Confidence and vulnerability is a mixture of sugar and salt and being an excellent chef myself, some cookings would require the pure balance of both and some might need more weight than another. You might prepare the meal for yourself and sometimes others and either way, you can't help yourself but to taste it before you serve them and thus, you learn in every steps that you make.

You choose one path, with a single note wrote as, "Walk down Moores Avenue," and that's all that you might need. The note was taken from your desk, not knowing who wrote it, with possibilites that you might have jotted it down yourself unconsciously. Regardless, you grab your jacket, a watch, cellphones and some cash and head down to town to try your luck. You see a young couple sitting down a small bench by the fountain as the man is accompanying his lady friend reading possibly an old issue of Asterix - good stuff. A kid is running away from a middle-aged man probably playing hide and seek - a weird one where the seeker, looking like a typical hobo holding out a stale candy stick. A car passes by, an old Mazda 323, reminds you of so many things a car could represent - good times, difficult journeys, irreplaceable company, annoying co-pilot, awesome air-conditioning, a night in town and a scar in life. That's the journey for today. You see a nice cafe down the road to the left, and thought that it was enough of a good walk down this Moores Avenue, you change path and stop by sitting next to an old friend, once a childhood love, an exceptional companion that cost you about $3 a cup. Looking back of the journey that teach you today that, never give your girlfriend your special copy of your favourite comic book, don't sell your car of 30 years and please, advice your child to never talk to strangers or better of, don't let them wandering alone on streets you might never know it's kidnappers day out.

A journey can bring you so many things in forms of unlimited possibilites - driving down Highway One, walking on the beach, eating pancakes, falling in love, robbing a bank, buying a watch or writing out your thoughts. What you see now, what past you have stood by, and things you might enjoy in the near future. Life is beautiful. I said it before. I'm painting it in new colours I just found at Mitre 10. It got this special marbly effect - kinda nice. I got it with a marker, I'm no expressionist of an artist, I would just doodle something at the end, just to humour myself with stickmen cartoons.

Values and Cultural Variation

Value, as defined in management terms, is what you believe that a particular way of doing stuffs or that state of existence of things is personally and socially preferred than the opposite one. Meaning, there are times that when you want to do that stuff, you need to go right because going left will make you morally wrong.

Value, that you believe nonetheless, does not necessarily bring the same meaning to someone else. What you think is right, is most probably perceived as wrong by that another person - and vice versa. Moreover, when we actually have this differences between us, each of us changes from one time to another, from this place to there and from one circumstance to another. It gets more complicated.

Empirical. Stubborn. Skeptics. Pessimist. Nihilism.

Anyway, people are different among geographical position and time lived on Earth and sometimes you yourself even change through time, place and different circumstances. At the end, some of us gave up on understanding others and sadly, settle for the easiest option available. It's rather human nature really, we tend to go for the easiest option. What works for us the easiest way and not what's the most effective and beneficial alternative for all of us to enjoy. Ah. A sniff of denial. No, we aren't that way. Some of us do think of others and strive for living life joyfully together.

Dominant Values Through Generations

Protestant Work Ethic (1940s - 1950s)
Strive for hard work and value conservation.

Existentialism (1960s - 1970s)
Working for quality of life, seeking independence and value for individual self-being.

Pragmatism (1970s - 1990s)
Raising importance of ambition and achievement and value loyalty in career.

Generation X (1990s - present)
Exercise flexibility and secure self-satisfaction and leisure time and emphasize on loyalty to social relationships.

Well, all above are just extracted from a management theory came up by the Americans, which I took from my lecture notes. Heh. It just something to ponder about when we have differences between us - that some of us value the importance of striving for personal achievement and others who value more of impact on social conduct. Well, you can believe whatever you want to believe. It's your choice to do decide on what you want to do on anything. I'm actually at a point that malas nak tulis dah. Apparently I'm not that fit to write much anymore. Well, it's something for you guys to think I guess. I might write something more profound in the future I hope. What is good for you is not necessarily good for me. However, there is this possibility that it is. Welcome to the casino of life.

Happy holiday my fellow readers.

Drive Safely

Hari Raya Commercial by Proton



Ehehehehehe.

20 Minutes

I have a computer - a personal computer, a desktop, or something that is not a laptop. It's not the best one in the market but she helps me a lot during tough times. I do remember that there were times when the computer broke down and I had to sent her to the doctor for a few days, I found myself falling into deep depression of losing more than half of my daily routines. I missed her. Man I was a wreck without her. We had a good run for a few months. She treats me well and I gave her as much good care as I possibly can. Recently, she suddenly blacked out, fainted out of no reason I could think of. I panicked of course. Given a little time, I opened the window to give her some air, checked her temperature and soon, she regained conscious - relieved greatly I was. I thought of sending her to the doctor, but then, I would lose her for another few days. Maybe she was just tired. She needed a rest.

There's a small cafe nearby - Mount Cook Cafe. This place serves quite a charming cup of coffee and nice sushi. Yes, sushi. Not a normal thing to serve at a coffee place but I find myself enjoying both set of coffee and sushi very much. In fact, I'm going out in a few minutes to get me some for the third day in a row. I wonder whether it's a healthy diet like this? Although I have been missing a lot of vegetables lately. My mom would be furious. Owh yea, it's been a while since I last called home. Maybe I should do that tonight, which the same thing I thought for the last few weeks - well last time was during the first day of raya of course. Takkan tak call la plak eh?

Anyway, computer, coffee, sushi, calling home, etc. None of these are making any sense to me. I wanted to spend 20 minutes writing anything that pops into my head. Well, it was a desperate attempt to start writing about computer since it's the first thing that I saw when I start writing this. Aih? Of course la kan since I'm writing using one.

%$#^SD^#^A%#^#SD&

Chelsea won against Schalke 04. 2-0. Liverpool lost and dropped to the bottom of the table of the recent ECL stage. Rosenborg won against Valencia. Maya Karin plays a mermaid. Malaysia wins seat in Unesco. Girl killed by flying fuel tank. Scientiest found brain region responsible for optimism. Balance sheet is a list of an organization's assets and liabilities at a specific point in time. I wear a Swatch wristwatch my dad gave to me as a gift about a decade ago. I have 3 mugs at the moment on my table. My staples is blue in colour.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

One of my all-time favourites. Watch the video. Ain't it just the most adorable thing you've ever seen?



And she's just six. Not sick, but six.

Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir Batin

People somehow occasionally take this festive phrases for granted. I somehow did it myself. Yet, as we grow up and mature on, and made too much mistakes, I soon to learn the great needs of having to kosong-kosong with my friends and family. The needs to reassure ourselves our place in our relationship with people that we are accepted in a good way. Ah, I used to think too much.

Here.

Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir Batin to everyone. I really mean this. Maybe I forgot to tell you personally. Damn, another mistake. I apologize for that as well. I'm not a bad person. I make mistakes. Forgive me. Kosong-kosong. Lets have a wonderful life ahead of us together. You stalky reader and me nerdy blogger will try and keep you entertain reading this page. Have a great festive month and may Allah bless all of our good deeds.

Attempting Political Opinion

Why the government services are really bad and yet somehow claimed to be one of the best? Well, apparently this is one of the topic suggested I found in the Borak Box. Political issues. Not always my cup of tea, but an occasional breathe of reality would be nice I suppose.

I'm not that well aware of how actually is our political condition in our country, or any other countries around the world. So do you as well. We can perceive nonetheless. Government services. Hm, where do I start? Honestly, I'm a big fan of my own country. Regardless of whom leading, I'm an avid supporter. Stupid it may seems but I somehow always think that every decisions made must have their upsides on something - probably a lot to themselves those corrupted jerks but I still believe the public community shall have some benefit for them anyway. A multi-million billion gazillion dollars project can never go to waste. The only issue that should be raised is whether is it worth it? Public transportation in Malaysia. Yes they get critizied a lot. KTM Komuter started its operation in mid 1990s, and several others follows in support for Malaysia's vision to improve public transportation such as LRT, Monorail, more bus routes, etc. It's not even 20 years old. That's not a long time my fellow friends. Yet, we crave results too much. I won't want my kids, or loved ones, to rush themselves to respect, love, or treat me well. We give our love, invest some faith and believe, that it all comes back to you. Probably not the best analogy but I think it'd work. Faith. Given time and faith of its fellow countrymen, I believe our nation can prevail to provide us the service we deserve in return. Let it be public transportation, hospitals, law enforcements, etc. Yet, and always forever yet, faith must have limits. Despite the strong believe I have for my own country, I will expect something in return progressively. Love is a two-way thing. We won't want to give always don't we?

Do we have the best government services in the world? No, I don't think so. However, we have one of the most successful young independent government in the world. First world facilities third world minded all that crap - we are a growing nation. We are nowhere near those modern developed countries whom got their independence like a tebabollion years ago. Don't start comparing us to them. The country is growing, and so should we. Love can be beautiful when both of us works hard to provide each other caring and loving. The country has spent an initial of RM3.5 billion to help our public transportation system. What do we give in return? Some of you might have but there are others who just simply forgot. Who to blame? None. This is love. We work things out.

The government splurged out RM105 million dollars to send our first space flight participant into space. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is the proud first Malaysian to be sent into space, and the first Muslim to do so during the holy month of Ramadhan. The first Muslim ever was Anousheh Ansari, some Persian girl. Anyway, is it worth it? A lot of critism arose above this matter whether should we keep the money to help the more needed citizens of our country. Did you know that it was a part of deal when the Malaysian government purchased one and a half dozen of Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets from Russia? A single unit of this babies costs about $40 million dollars I think and I don't know on what currency. Anyway, if you didn't know about it and probably start thinking "See? What Malaysia is wasting money again?". There are so many other things that we fail to know about. Russia chipped in to train two of our countrymen about space travel and send one of them to ISS. I wonder how much are they treating us? Well, that's how far I wish to post about it here. Lots of information I gained are just from an hour worth of internet browsing. You can find out more about it yourself if you wish. Tonnes of reading during this exam weeks heh. And who knows what's more that didn't manage to get published? I believe there are so many other things exists in regards to this matter and it is really unfair to judge our county's leaders decision on things we hardly know about. All in all, I believe it is a good thing we send one of our countrymen to space. Kids of young generations will dream of space conquest while the elders are thinking about how much money are wasted. Typical. Is it worth it? Decision was made. We'll see as we'll keep our faith that we are moving forward and become a better nation everyday. Optimistic I am. My girlfriend just asked me to buy her $80 worth of slippers. I ain't complaining. Her feet feels better. She feels happier. The happier she will treat me better. I feel happier. See? It works. Not a good analogy anyway. Tibai ah. And no I don't have a girlfriend. It's just a hypothetical situation. And no I won't simply buy her $80 worth of slippers. Probably. Depends. Ntah. Try aa tengok. Come come NJB is up for grabs. :D

Love

Recently, I just finished watched a Japanese drama; Oiishi Puropozu, which translated as 'Delicious Proposal', the whole complete series. Well Nuzul often downloads a whole lot of TV series, ranging from English, Japanese and Korean dramas, for our house viewing and wasting time pleasure. Anyway, spare me the thought "Takde keje/assignment ape2 ke mamat nih layan drama Jepun nih?".

Love.

Well, it's a love story. About a female cook (Very nice. My type I think.) and a young business boy who seems pretty spoiled. Anyway, it is still a typical love story drama series kind of thing. Not much difference than Winter Sonata, Mis Tres Hermanas or a number of TV series some of us enjoyed a long time ago. I was not one of them. My mom loved to watch foreign TV series from Venezuela, Spain, Korea, etc. It was my ever bothering wonder that why people actually watch these stuffs? Not that I think that these people are ridiculous. Just that it hardly come to my understanding of human nature of how viewers can get so attracted to such fictional and low quality acting materials.

Same goes to Dota before, I got caught once again by my own past disgust - I watch foreign Asian TV series nowadays. Sigh. A love story, and I actually feel them. I got irritated when that dude just fricking hesitate to confess his love to her when the time was so annoyingly critical. I pity the situation when the selfish parents force their son to marry that bitch just for their own benefits instead of considering the boy's feelings. I felt like my mom whenever I was at home walking down the stairs to the lounge watching her cursing the TV for some nonsensible fictional characters. Now I get you mom. No wonder you hated that bitch so much. Well, I hope you only hated that character though and wish you won't bear the same grudge whenever you somehow somewhat meet them in the outside world.

Owh by the way, I actually think 'Oishii Puropozu' is a good TV series. Apparently as the story goes on, everyone has their own justifications for what they do. No bad guys, or girls. Just a spoil bitch and typical small minded old parents. Pretty logical I think. I often thought that these type of stuffs, I mean the TV series thingy, are often too fictional and rather unsound. Maybe I'm new in this kind of thing. I am recently affected by this story. Love. I kind of miss it I think. Heh.

Platonic love. That is another story. At this moment, romantic love. Boy girl stuffs. I feel like a immature little girl dreaming of meeting my ever so handsome prince charming riding on the white horse, possibly in Wellington so that the strong wind can create that wavy hair and cape flying so majestically. Ah shucks I'm bad at describing this in words. Here I'll show you in my scribblings;



Well, something like that, but for me, well, I would love to draw a girl to show how it really looks like in my head, but, well, you know, I won't want to spoil a girl's delicate physical features and just doodle like how I did above. Plus, I would like to keep my own fantasy in my head. Love is beautiful. To you boys and girls out there, celebrate your love. Call your loved ones and tell them you miss them, just thinking about them or whatsoever you like. Spend a few seconds to tell them how much you care for them. If you do this too often, do it more. If they get irritated, break up and thus, more opportunity for me. Celebrate love. :D

Windy Wellington

This is an old post from a previous group blog I wrote for. Good to know fact. Heh.

---------------------------------------

Wokeh, some useful stuffs which I think us who're living in Wellington should know (..or maybe at least do care a bit?)

All of us are well aware of that Wellington is windy, but how exactly is windy? It's October now and I do think this post over here serves very well on the topic. Why? Fact number 1: October is generally the windiest month of the year in Wellington with average of 27 days with wind speeds over 15 knots and 19 of these days are over 20 knots (Approximately 37 kmh). Ahh, did I get you interested already?

Alright now, lets start this thing slowly. Why Wellington is specially windy? Geographically, to put into simple terms, this city is somehow positioned in the middle of the "Wind of Rivers" of New Zealand. Not that simple eh? Well, we're located in a gap between the long range mountains from North and South islands which cause high acceleration of wind through the Cook Strait (Wellington is located next to it). It's like a wind corridor between the North and South islands. Simple enough?

This is turning into a kind of lecture eh? Fact number 2: Wellington is possibly the windiest city in the world with the highest windiest month average of approximately 36kmh and the highest least windiest month average of 24kmh.

Okey, enough of the boring stuffs. I can go on more about this thing; wind directions, wind breakage in the cities (of course you won't experience the total 40kmh wind gust on Cuba Street), global wind statistics and other stuffs. If you're interested, drop a question. If you think this is boring, feel free to make fun of this post down here as well. It is enough for me to know that just by the end you're reading this, you would tilt your head a bit in awe knowing that Wellington is one of the windiest cities in the world and October is the windiest month of the year in Wellington.

Wellington is unique. Brag this to your friends in Christchurch, Auckland or Otago. Enjoy :)

You Give A Little Love

Grand Theft Auto Coca Cola Commercial



You give a little love
And it all comes back to you

Da da da ra da da da ~

You gonna be remembered
For the things that you say and do

Da da da ra da da da ~

:D

Good Food

Good Food. I would like to think that I was raised in a beautiful environment of a family who loves food - good food especially. Well, of course! Who doesn't? Everyone loves good food. It's a fact in this current human civilization we live in. Nonetheless, everyone treats their appreciation towards food differently, and now, I want tell you a little story about mine.

I was born, on the morning of the 9th of June 1985, with a weight of 3.9 kilos, I think, roughly at least. It was slightly above normal par. The doctor insists my parents to put me on a diet - since I was born! Funny, but I guess all babies has their each of their own amusing histories. Mine? I was fat since I was born. Heh.

The diet worked I guess. From fatty I turned into skinny for the rest of my life. When I was about 10, our family had this one maid, specially imported from Indonesia heheh, who we loved to call as 'bibik' - pretty common to 'our' Malaysian culture, I think, to call their maid with such nickname. She was the one who just really love to stuff me with food, a really lot of food. Everyday, coming back from school around afternoon, she would prepare a big lunch for me - a proportion that fits to feed a whole village! Surprisingly, she would still dare to ask whether I have had enough. Every single time after I finished eating my lunch, "Cuukuuupp Jibbb?", she asked with her rather scary Indonesian accent. More surprisingly, I can still have that unusual suspicion, that feeling of unsure whether I actually had enough. "Aku kenyang ke tak ek?", I often asked myself, and I would check the mystery by poking my stomach with my index finger. "Dah keras yeah!". Thus, full it is. Yet, normally, kids around me would have become a big fatty in no time with that kind of everyday eating programme. Apparently, my body metabolism defies that of a nature, but in return, I tend to be tembam instead. Cibey.

Anyway, I guess the most important significant part in my memory, of what triggers this massive love for good food of mine, relates a lot with my sister, the eldest one. Being the first child of the family, she was the scientist of many things. Experimenting life with literatures, romance, entertainment videos and music, and for this topic of entry - cooking. Have you ever experience growing up with a sister, or a brother perhaps, from the start of her learning how to switch on the oven, till she creates the masterpiece of a fettucini carbonara, just the way you love it? From tasting a brownie; which was suppose to be a chocolate sponge cake, until the char kuey teow; which apparently was actually planned to be the ever amazing spaghetti bolognese. Every experience I had was awesome. There was no such thing as bad food. It just that sometimes it doesn't hit the right part on your tongue, that's all. I ate it all. Me and my brother were the DBKL of the family. We ate anything that was laid down on the table. Eat first, ask question later - although most of the time we were never curious of what we just ate anyway. Good times.

My family loves to dine out - in a special manner. Where we eat, the service, the recognition of the place, the ambience, everything counts. Good food can worth all the money in the world. As far as we went, I can name a few outstandingly recognized restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, the best dessert place you can find around Lembah Kelang and the best tomyam around that probably suits a local Siamese taste bud. Eheh.

Anyway, this is only how far I would wish to write for today. Watching Yakitate too much made me write this. I miss my sister's desserts. I wonder if she has those legendary blizzard hands?

My Own Pinocchio

I like to lie about many things. Regardless as it's one of the world's most popular sins, I somewhat bound to have this despicable trait and practising it as it is almost common as breathing air. Nonetheless, it's not that lying is my native tongue as I'm also familiar of speaking about the truth. Yet, if I were a pinocchio, well, wait! What if all of us were like a breed of pinocchios?

Maybe Carlo Collodi wrote that wonderful fairy tale with a hidden meaning dedicated for our human civilization. A wish. A dream where lies are as crooked as pulling up a knife and jab it into the person's heart. Truth as nothing is more pure. Imagine; you're watching an advertisement on television, a host is promoting a new brand of washing liquid that can almost wash anything! As he/she is demonstrating on live national television, his/her nose suddenly grows longer and thus, you know you can just switch on to another channel. Easy. No more of that "Is it true?" or "I wonder if it really works,". When the handsome dude tells you "I'll call you," after your first awesome date, you know you don't have to have that false hope or dreamy wonders when that angel's face just grew on an eternity length of nose. Moreover, love would be easy! "I love you," he said, and you can quickly know whether you can just walk away from him after you broke his incredibly long nose or stay as he is actually for real.

How about in football? How many times we can see Christiano Ronaldo grows that annoying long nose on that pretty face whenever he tripped over another player to gain a foul. Politicians? "I shall cut your taxes!" and a minute later, there goes his votes and another remarkable landslide win for that other man with the pure heart.

Ok. Cukup.

Recently, I watched an endless anime series of Yakitate Japan. And owh, a short break of Selimut Putih on YouTube. Not bad. National discovery for today; Atong suka Cerekarama. Owh, now I'm not saying that I wasted my time with those worthless activities. Priorities. Rojak sangat nih. I lie a lot to myself. Telling stuffs what I like to hear and make myself feel better. Consequences? Catastrophic. Well, probably not to that extent, but possibly very near. Writing blog is unnecessary too. Ah shucks.

Last Longer, Much Longer

"Ikhlas tapi Jauh" performed by our band M'sha for Malaysia Festival 2007 in Wellington last month on the 12th of August.

Kay, Po'on, Athi and Aimi on vocals, Joe, NJB and Sheila on acoustics, Sean on bass, Auni on violin and Nad with duracell powered Kerel on percussion

The Favourite Triple Threat

There's a basketball tournament in Lower Hutt this weekend which just started this morning at 8:00am. Stayed after sahur, I drove to St Oran's College at 7:30am which Ija kindly kasi pinjam her car thank you very much. First game was against team ah chong number 1. Actually I can't remember what's the name of the opponent we played so I just name it Ah Chong I. This tournament is organized by the strong Chinese community here in Wellington. Thus, most of the teams participate are Chinese with a few minorities of Kiwis, Niggas and myself. I never liked early morning games. Nevertheless, I believe everyone is the same anyway. So not much disadvantage for me or them opponents I guess. Yet, it was a close fight throughout the game of 40 minutes, running clock by the way, and as the result was fair, we emerged winner with 41-36. I scored 8 points. Not bad I think. I do somewhat learnt that I'm no longer a strong point getting beast like before. Probably the competition is a rather tougher here or I just got rusty. Possibly both. Yet, I compensate with good rebounds, a few assists and tactical ball distribution. Puji diri sendiri heheheh. I always believe that there are so much more than scoring when you play full court tactical basketball matches. I apparently like to play this small part in basketball that won't appear that prominent in the statistical sheet.

Anyhow, the second game was a lot tougher. Team Ah Chong II, as again fictioned, was younger, faster and fitter than most of us in our team. They punished us badly in fastbreaks and quick transitional game. Yet, a few 3-pointers and high percentage field goals inside and out really saved us on that match. We pulled away a 20 points margin during the start of the third quarter. However, intense full court press was well executed by the opponents rewarding them by closing the gap to only 4 points difference at the last 2 minutes of the fourth quarter. Bloody young brats. Stamina cam kuda. At the end, I do think we were lucky to survive until the end with the 50-45 win with 12 points went into my account. Hopefully the hot shooting streak last until our next few games tomorrow.

What I specially discovered for myself today? I actually manage to fast for the whole day. I thought I might have trouble playing without food and water for this tournament. Apparently, at the end, it wasn't all that bad at all. Alhamdulillah. And owh, I found another awesome spot in this awesome town of Wellington. It is located somewhere near Wainuiomata. There is this lepak point where you sit down at the bench and watch the whole town of Lower Hutt and the Wellington City Centre at a distance. Beautiful. It's somewhat like the one you can find on top of Mt Victoria. There is also this Mt Lowry Lookout Point but it's an hour and 15 minutes walk away from the parking spot. So, I might try it later this summer I guess. Yeah, best.

Good day. And I also found the super awesomeness in the triple threat position. Google it. You'll find out what I mean. Like as if it matters hahah.

Seyip is the name of a province in south of China. I have no idea why it's our team name. Number 10 jersey. Sakuragi Hanamichi. Heheh.

Pre-Ramadhan Ponder

KEPALSUAN HADIS KELEBIHAN TERAWIH

Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pengasih Lagi Penyayang

Puji-pujian bagi Allah Subhanahu wata'ala, selawat dan salam keatas junjungan kita Nabi Muhammad Sallaahu 'alaihi wasallam serta para sahabatnya.

SEJAK beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini satu hadis tentang kelebihan Tarawih pada malam-malam Ramadan telah tersebar dengan meluas sekali. Media elektronik, cetak serta media massa lain turut memainkan peranan menyebarkannya melalui akhbar, dairi Islam, TV, radio, risalah dan lain-lain dengan harapan semoga mereka mendapat saham dalam usaha menggalakkan umat Islam supaya rajin beramal ibadat, terutamanya dalam bulan yang diberkati itu. Hadis yang dimaksudkan itu ialah satu hadis yang agak panjang kononnya diriwayatkan oleh Sayyidina Ali r.a. yang sebahagian darinya adalah seperti berikut,

Diriwayatkan oleh Sayyidina Ali bahawa Rasulullah s.a.w. telah bersabda berkenaan dengan fadilat sembahyang Tarawih pada bulan Ramadan antaranya:

* Malam Pertama: Keluar dosa-dosa orang mukmin pada malam pertama seperti mana dia baru dilahirkan (mendapat keampunan dari Allah Taala).

* Malam Keempat: Mendapat pahala sebagaimana pahala orang-orang yang membaca kitab Taurat, Zabur, Injil dan Al-Quran.

* Malam Keenam: Allah kurniakan pahala kepadanya pahala malaikat-malaikat yang tawaf di Baitul-Ma`mur (sebanyak 70 ribu malaikat sekali tawaf), serta setiap batu-batu dan tanah akan mendoakan supaya Allah mengampuni dosa-dosa orang yang mengerjakan sembahyang tarawih pada malam ini.

* Malam Ketujuh: Seolah-olah dia dapat bertemu serta menolong Nabi Musa A.S. menentang musuh ketatnya Firaun dan Haman.

* Malam Kelapan: Allah mengurniakan pahala orang sembahyang tarawih sepertimana yang telah dikurniakan kepada Nabi Ibrahim A.S.

* Malam kesembilan: Allah kurniakan pahala dan dinaikkan mutu ibadat hambanya seperti Nabi Muhammad S.A.W.

* Dan kelebihan-kelebihan seterusnya sehingga sampai kemalam yang ke-tiga puluh

Namun begitu setelah diajukan pertanyaan kepada beberapa tokoh agama tanah air mengenai kedudukan hadis ini, dari manakah ianya diambil, semuanya tidak dapat memberikan penjelasan. Dan setelah diteliti dalam kitab induk hadis seperti Sunan Sittah dan lain-lain kitab hadis lagi, ianya tidak ditemui. Begitu juga dalam kitab-kitab hadis palsu (maudhu`aat) sendiri pun tidak didapati hadis ini. Ini menunjukkan bahawa hadis ini merupakan satu hadis yang baru diada-adakan sehingga ulama-ulama hadis dahulu yang menulis tentang hadis maudhu` pun tidak mengetahui akan wujudnya hadis ini. Kita tidak menafikan kelebihan sembahyang Tarawih dan kedudukannya dalam sunnah. Namun begitu kita tidak mahu umat Islam tertipu dengan berbagai-bagai janji palsu yang menyebabkan umat Islam mengerjakan amalan kebaikan dengan mengharapkan sesuatu yang sebenarnya tidak akan diperolehinya. Dengan tersebarnya hadis-hadis palsu seumpama ini juga akan mencemarkan kesucian hadis Rasulullah s.a.w. yang dipelihara dengan dengan begitu baik oleh ulama kita dahulu.

Rasulullah S.A.W. telah pun memberikan amaran terhadap orang-orang yang mengadakan pendustaan atas namanya dengan ancaman yang berat sebagaimana sabdanya: Barang siapa sengaja mengadakan dusta atas namaku maka hendaklah dia menyediakan tempatnya dalam neraka. (Bukhori, Muslim)

Hadis ini diriwayatkan dengan banyak sekali sehingga sampai keperingkat Mutawatir. Ancaman ini merangkumi segala jenis pendustaan keatas Nabi S.A.W. sama ada dengan maksud memberi galakan supaya rajin beramal ibadat ataupun ancaman supaya menjauhi segala larangan Allah (targhib dan tarhib).

Mulla Ali Qari dalam Al-Asrarul-Marfu'ah selepas membawakan lebih dari seratus riwayat hadis mengenai pendustaan atas nama Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. menukilkan kata-kata Imam Nawawi dalam syarah Muslim. Kata Imam Nawawi: Haram meriwayatkan sesuatu hadis palsu (maudhu`) bagi orang yang mengetahui bahawa hadis itu maudhu` atau dia hanya menyangka hadis ini maudhu`. Siapa yang menceritakan hadis yang dia tahu atau dia sangka bahawa ianya maudhu` serta dia tidak menerangkan keadaannya maka dia termasuk dalam ancaman ini. Katanya lagi, tidak ada perbezaan dalam pengharaman pendustaan atas Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. di antara hadis tentang hukum-hukum dan hadis yang bukan berkenaan dengan hukum seperti hadis yang mengandungi dorongan serta galakan beramal ibadat, hadis-hadis nasihat dan lain-lain. Semuanya haram termasuk dalam sebesar-besar dosa dan sejelek-jelek perkara dengan ijmak ulamak Islam? seterusnya dia berkata: Ulama sudahpun sepakat mengenai haram berdusta atas nama orang-orang biasa. Bagaimana pula dengan orang yang kata-katanya adalah syariat, kalamnya adalah wahyu dan berdusta atasnya adalah pendustaan atas Allah juga. Firman Allah bermaksud: Tidaklah dia mengucapkan mengikut kemahuan hawa nafsunya. Apa yang diucapkan tidak lain melainkan wahyu yang diwahyukan. (An-Najm: 3-4).

Di dalam hadis tersebut nampaknya ada galakan supaya umat Islam rajin untuk melakukan amalan Tarawih dalam bulan Ramadan seperti kita sering dapati hadis ancaman terhadap orang yang meninggalkan sembahyang yang sebenarnya hadis itu pun direka atas nama nabi Muhammad s.a.w. seperti contoh satu hadis yang sebahagian darinya berbunyi: Jika seseorang itu meninggalkan sembahyang Zuhur dosanya adalah seperti dia berzina dengan ibunya sendiri. Jika dia meninggalkan sembahyang Asar dosanya adalah seperti meruntuhkan Kaabah.

Adakah tidak cukup dengan janji ganjaran dari Allah bagi orang yang menghidupkan malam Ramadan yang terdapat dalam kitab hadis shahih contohnya hadis yang bermaksud: Sesiapa yang menghidupkan malam Ramadan dengan penuh keimanan dan mengharapkan ganjaran dari Allah diampunkan dosa-dosanya yang lalu. (Al-Bukhari)

Dan adakah tidak cukup dengan ancaman terhadap orang yang meninggalkan sembahyang yang terdapat dalam al-Quran antaranya firman Allah yang bermaksud: Apakah yang menyebabkan kamu dimasukkan ke dalam neraka saqar? Mereka menjawab: Kami dahulu termasuk orang yang tidak mengerjakan sembahyang. (Al-Muddatsir)

Sebenarnya bagi mereka yang suka menghidupkan malam Ramadan tidak mesti dengan adanya hadis rekaan yang seperti ini mereka akan bersungguh-sungguh dalam menghidupkan amalan Tarawih ini. Dan orang yang malas bersembahyang bawalah hadis yang bagaimana teruk sekalipun seksaannya, namun mereka tetap tidak mahu mengerjakannya.

Antara ciri-ciri hadis maudhu`(rekaan) dari segi zahirnya selain dari meneliti sanad perawinya ialah

1. Kelebihan yang disebutkan menyamai atau mengatasi kelebihan yang terdapat pada para sahabat nabi kita Muhammad s.a.w. atau orang yang berjuang bersama dengan nabi yang lain apatah lagi untuk menyamai atau mengatasi kedudukan nabi-nabi kerana umat yang datang kemudian walaupun setinggi-tinggi wali sekalipun tidak akan dapat mengatasi atau menyamai kedudukan sekecil-kecil sahabat apatah lagi untuk menyamai kedudukan seorang nabi.

2. Kelebihan yang terdapat didalamnya tidak sepadan dengan amalan yang dilakukan sedangkan ia menyalahi apa yang terdapat dalam syariat sebagaimana tersebut dalam Al-Qur'an dan hadis-hadis sahih.

3. Kandungannya serta ertinya rapuh, tidak menyerupai kalam Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. dan lafaznya tidak sesuai keluar dari mulut Nabi seperti yang terdapat dalam hadis-hadis sahih.

4. Dalam sesetengah risalah yang terdapat hadis ini, ianya dimulai dengan "Ya Ali" sedangkan ulama hadis sudah mengatakan bahawa hadis yang dimulai dengan kata-kata ini hanya dua atau tiga sahaja yang sahih. Yang lainnya palsu.

Oleh itu umat Islam sekalian, terutamanya pihak seperti institusi agama di peringkat negeri dan pusat, sepatutnya prihatin terhadap perkara seperti ini demi menjaga kesucian hadis Rasul yang menjadi pegangan Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah. Umat Islam janganlah mudah tertipu dengan dakyah palsu yang dikaitkan dengan Rasulullah sedangkan ianya tidak ada hubungan langsung dengan Rasulullah s.a.w. Janganlah sampai masyarakat kita melakukan sesuatu amalan dengan harapan akan mendapat pahala sedangkan sebaliknya dosa besar pula yang diperolehi dengan menyebarkan dan seterusnya beramal dengan hadis-hadis palsu seperti ini.

SELAMAT BERPUASA DAN BERIBADAT MENGIKUT SUNNAH RASULULLAH S.A.W.

________________________________

Extracted from Berita Harian Online. Good reading. On this special occasion, I humbly apologize for all of my misconduct on my past (and if possible, future) actions and behaviour. As we say in our Malaysian culture, kosong-kosong ek? Have a great month of Ramadhan and God bless.

The New Roommate

I have no idea what to write anything at the moment. New event in my life. Atong just moved in with me in my room. Nah gamba dia. Hensem bukan. 021 167 9063. YM ID: khairul_zhafri2005@yahoo.com. Status: single kot.

Edamame Delight

Last night I went to a Japanese restaurant for dinner with a group of friends. It was our last dinner together with Azie as she just left Wellington for good just this morning. I don't go to Japanese restaurant that often and all my knowledge about the food from this land of the rising sun only comes from my experience of reading lots (and a whole lot more) of Japanese comics; GTO, Shin Chan and Doraemon, particularly for last night's dinner.

I actually started to have interest with Sushi from reading GTO. Well, they rather exaggerated on how delicious the Sushi can be in that comic and I was kind of bought to it. Even it was illustrated in black and white, I still find it bloody appetizing. Ah, I am a sucker for comics nonetheless. Even Archie's Digest made me asked my mom to buy me a hamburger ten years ago. Owh, and watching Obelix feast himself with monster truck size wild boars did somehow got to me as well. One of my life-to-do list; eat a whole lot of lamb like how they have it, which is actually wild boars, in the Gaulish village. Yum!

Anyway, last night I had my first experience of Edamame delight. I read about this in Shin Chan; eating Edamame with a nice cold drink, maybe juice or a nice soda. It will make you feel like you are standing on top of Mount Fuji with fireworks sparkling on the clear skies, as illustrated in the comic exaggeratively. How I really felt? Well, I am actually easily influenced by comic. Regardless, I have to say it was quite nice. Not Mount Fuji delight though. Still, quite nice. Enjoying it with a set of Japanese appetizers; Sushi, Tempura, Sashimi, etc, I then ordered Tempura Set on Rice as the main dish for the night and top it off with Doraemon inspired Doriyaki with Green Tea ice cream as desserts. Nice. Most of the meal I shared them with Joe. Biase la orang bujang - miskin. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant night. It's been a while since I last really enjoy dining out. Coffee at Espressoholic later and wrapped up with All Blacks smashing, yet not that surprising, victory against Italy 76-14.

Of my 3 years here in Wellington, people come and go and it was another difficult goodbye for us as a group of just sent off a dear friend to the airport this morning. Azie just left us for good. It's about time I think as she has been with us for many years now. Life goes on. We are travellers visiting this country to gain something for ourselves and come back to our home land as future intellectuals. Azie has been one of the most prominent character in our Malaysian group in Wellington. Very well known for her energetic sportswomanship, a graceful dancer and her ever cheerful presence which is always wonderfully infectious. Having to know her since my first year here in this city, she has grown to be one of my most respected seniors around and a cherished friend for life. Wish you an amazing future ahead. I look forward to hang out with you again in Hartamas later hopefully in not a too distant future. I'm sure someone can drive you there nanti. XD

TRIBUTE TO AZIE

Minah Rempit

Winter Trip 2007

Edamame is a boiled green immature soybeans commonly found in China and Japan. Enjoy it with soda or green tea. Heavenly.

National Discovery

Reporting for my previous entry, I reached school at 1:37 p.m. Hm, delay the shower a bit, just grabbed whatever nearest to me (I wore green today), shorten the time for the scooter to warm up, miscalculate the time for the coffee to be made. Yet, 2 minutes is not all that bad. In building industry, they usually allow a few percentage for contingencies; i.e. 10-15% for a whole tender. So throw me a bone will ya?

Today, reached school and sit down for the lecture for 3-4 hours. Listening. I couldn't jot anything down. I'm not that of a note-taker kind. However, listening isn't either. Anyway, a tutorial following afterward and I shot off from school around 5:30 p.m. Went to 240 The Terrace for a small jam session. A group of amateur musicians getting together slapping some tune off some boxes with strings.

What's the National Discovery for today?

1. Green is not a bad colour for me. Thus, handsome day it still is.
2. Many New Zealanders build their own house to cut labour cost. Yet, this isn't possible anymore due to regulation that has become more strict over the years.
3. KRU/Feminin's Untukmu is not a faggot song. It can be cool if you want it to be.
4. My room can never be tidy.
5. I make bad looking pancakes. Yet, delicious perhaps. I still blame the pan.

Ah, that should be enough for today. Maybe I'll add something else later, tomorrow, next week or never. It's not entirely a bad day today. I had better. Maybe some of you had something extraordinary today. I'm happy for you and I wish you for a better tomorrow.

50 Minutes

The clock is now showing roughly about 12:50 p.m. Yes, right this second. I just woke up, an hour ago. Sad, I know. I have class at 1:40 p.m. 50 minutes.

1. Finish this post : 5-10 minutes
2. Take a shower. Short one due to limited amount of time : 10-15 minutes
3. Pick something to wear. Today is handsome day. Might try purple shirt : 5 minutes
4. Warm the scooter up : 5 minutes
5. Drive to Mt Cook Cafe and buy some sushi and coffee. Funny combination : 5 minutes
6. Go to school : 5 minutes

Roughly, the earliest I could reach school is about1:25 p.m with latest at 1:35 p.m. Awesome. Beautiful day too. Wish everyone have a good one! XD

A Minute Break

Well You Did Ask What She Was On

A couple of guys walking, guy gets text message reply.

Guy #1: What did she say?
Guy #2: She said 'K.'
Guy #1: 'K?'
Guy #2: Yes 'K'... I spent 30 cents so she can tell me 'K.'

--Target, Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn

Overheard by: Jubilee

Taken from http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/

Independence

"In-de-pen-dence n. 1. The state or quality of being independent."

-www.thefreedictionary.com-

It is today the 31st of August 2007. Yes, yes we all know. Yet, how many of us actually really feel passionate about this date? How many of us really feel the pride and dignity to stand as a countrymen of an independant nation? Question yourself; do you possess the quality of being independant? Does our country?

"An Independence Day is an annual celebration commemorating the anniversary of a nation's assumption of independent statehood, usually after ceasing to be a colony or part of another state."

-http://en.wikipedia.org-

I find it funny how Wikipedia actually defines Independence Day on the phrase 'nation's assumption' to describe the meaning of this celebration of our country. How does the country assume its independant statehood? I am far from questioning the value of our Independence Day. Having to come from a migrating family, one should never take the value of being independant ever so for granted. You might as well want to talk to my parents if you really want to learn the value of being in a independant country. Why I brought this issue? Nothing. Just for the sake of sharing some definitions of what are we celebrating today on this date.

Iraq earned its independence on 3rd of October, 1932 from the United Kingdom. Think about it.

The 50th Post

What does this mean for me? My 50th entry as a celebration for the freedom of speech. Oh wait, should I celebrate in terms of entries or date anniversary? My first entry was on November 15, 2006. It will be for a while to wait for me to celebrate my first blog anniversary. Owh well, yey me for writing up to 50 entries now!!

Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan Malaysia yang ke-50

Malaysia's 50 Years of Nationhood

It's 31st August 2007. Again. Every year. I think I should write something about this date. Seemingly an important date, probably. Independence. Freedom. Hmm, maybe later. Owh, this is my 49th post for this blog. So, I'd reckon writing my 50th post about my country's 50 years celebration of freedom and independence would make an awesome irony/coincidence/collaboration. Malas bukak dictionary. So, tonight then. Until then, be proud fellow Malaysians. Congratulations on Malaysia's 50 Years of Independence and Nationhood.

Playing Devil's Advocate

I just learnt the meaning of the phrase above during the small trip up north a few days ago. Sita mentioned about it and Kak Adnin explained the meaning of such interesting idiom. I thought, "Say, that's so possibly very me,". Maybe.

"Play devil's advocate; To take a position for the sake of the argument against an idea or plan which usually more favourable, practising more critical discussion in details to question all reasonings,"

-idioms.thefreedictionary.com-

Arguments are suppose to be objected to achieve the betterment of the discussion, not winners. A phrase I often like to remember. Yet, there are times when the imperfection of a human kicks in and the worst in self comes out in the form of a defensive being. Ego might have something to do with it. Mr. Vaillant there should have something to say about it. Heh.

Ego. Ahh, tricky. Every single human possess this interesting element in life, or more specifically the three series of ego, superego and id. I read quite a number of times about this issue, yet I find myself hardly ever near to understand how the unconscious mind works against our reactive actions. Ego is also associated with pride with oneself or self-esteem. I wonder how it works with vanity. The male population, in general, has the tendency of being the ego-oriented creature. Possibly. I doubt its a sexist issue anyway as I believe female has a massive ego issue as well. Yet, probably defined in different terms. Maybe. I'm not that entirely sure of how strong I could have this stand. I browsed through my old posts here in this blog and I find my previous early writings are somewhat more competent or well sounded. Shucks.

"The intention does not justify the means,"

A post I wrote before on how people around us that really screw up their actions; unintentionally hurt people feelings, discharge a number of workers to save the productivity of the company, killing one people to save millions others and many other inevitable circumstances. Whether that do we ask these people why they did that and how many times it would just end up in assumptions of others as rumours corrupting the air we breathe everyday.

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

- Maya Angelou, American Poet -

I read this somewhat long time ago and I found this quotation back during the trip in a fortune cookie. Interesting stuff. People usually will only remember how you made them feel. Question is later asked. Assumptions come first which evolve as judgement. Cruel. Yet, who to blame. The victim, guilty or not, is ruled bounded by this human nature of perception. Is there something wrong with it?

Merdeka Day Out

Paintball, bowling and go-kart. Thursday 30 August 2007. Shoot your friends, blow some pins and enjoy some speed down the racing laps. Good for blowing off steams before school starts. XD

Malaysia Festival 2007

It was about early 2005 since I registered and become an active member for the Wellington Malaysian Students Organization. Ever since I got here, the club has been contributing so much for the welfare of the club members and the whole Malaysian community in Wellington as well. Countless. I am not counting only the activities on papers. Aesthetic values. Who it had brought together. What it had given to us inside ourselves. Opportunities to learn about ourselves, other people and many other things that we value in life. For many people, a club is just a club. People are free to join us whenever they wish to do so. Nonetheless, there's this saying; sometimes you never actually realize the importance of an element in your life until it lose it existence or vanish from your consciousness. How our lives could be without this club?

Well, some of you might never get to know that cute Malaysian friend you met during the annual picnic WHICH you're dating at the moment AND may get married in the future and have beautiful kids who'll grow and become the Malaysia's next Prime Minister, you won't get that opportunity to learn Arus or any other kind of Malaysian authentic dance WHICH you met this handsome boy-dance-mate AND you're dating him now which he may actually be your so-called-soul-mate-of-your-life, you might never get the chance to learn some talents that your friends might have WHICH you fell in love with her voice AND you're somewhat dating her as well you casanova bastard, or of foremost, you would never feel prouder to be a Malaysian as much as how I feel at the moment.

Might.

People survive from hard situations. If the club does not exist, I would probably live my own life with my Te Aro friends, play basketball with the locals more often and start developing more of a Kiwi trait in me. Not a bad outcome at all. Hahah.

MALAYSIA FESTIVAL 2007

It was about 2 weeks ago, Wellington Malaysian Students Organization hosted one of the biggest event ever held by the club in its history of its establishment in this capital city of New Zealand. Malaysia Festival 2007 was held in the Wellington City Town Hall on the 12th of August 2007. It was officiated by the Deputy Mayor of Wellington; Mr. Alick Shaw together with the High Commissioner of Malaysia to New Zealand; Dato' Supian Ahmad with the attendance of Her Worship Mayor of Wellington; Mrs Kerry Prendergast.

Traditional and modern stage performances. Games and cultural demonstrations. Historical and contemporary video screening. Authentic Malaysian delicacies and awesome air sirap bandung.

Yet, again, these are just stuffs on papers. What can we usually tell people about it. What most people actually see, or eat of course, heh. What did we get for ourselves from Malaysia Festival 2007? What managed to get inside you in contemplation, feeding your soul in content and pure satisfaction? What did we learnt about ourselves, other people and your surroundings?

I learnt that my life is surrounded by extraordinary people with exceptional talents. Good souls. Names? I have a few in my head of whom had done so much for us this entire project. Yet, I will refuse to name these wonderful people here. Why? In every cluster of a community, different people arose in different perspective to different people. I believe there are so many other individuals that are worth the same recognition as anyone who had worked so hard for this project. It just that I don't see them. Others might. Although others might not see what I see. Sigh. Well, I'm just a small character along this process. My perspective is limited. I will let other more important people to do the recognition. Probably that's why people always speak about "Everyone's been doing a good job,". Yes, because everyone did. Every puzzles is just as important as another to complete the final masterpiece. Moreover, how important is my recognition for you here? Worthless. Hahahah. I am nobody. What you get for yourselves is your trophy of life. What you gain for your soul will bring you further in the future.

Nonetheless, what prevails at the end? Wellington Malaysian Students Organization. Why? Because you're reading this. We belong to this community. We learn about each other, through the formal process or random. You want to learn about Kerel our president on how he successfully managed MFest? I can give you his YM ID. Fond of our VP? I can give you her Friendster link. Want to know where you can get the cheapest banner around? I can lead you to the contact for the Kedai Banner WMSO. Awesome nasi kerabu? Air sirap bandung? Want to learn to dance? Sing? Play in a band? Travel around New Zealand? Best place to have prawns? Part-time job? Muslim activities? Dota? Soccer? Tennis? Want to buy a scooter? Jazz place in town?

I can continue on and on for this entire page, and this is only from my network of friends I found in this community. Yours can be more. Together? We have a good community here. I thank you for reading up to this far. I thank you for being in my life, and others as well. I thank you for being in this massive puzzle which I enjoy so much. Huge congratulations to the organizing committee for Malaysia Festival 2007. Huge congratulations to the members of Wellington Malaysian Students Organization this year. We have reached so far, and years ahead, there are so many other things that we can look forward to.

The Cautious Mask and the Coward Behind

I occassionally do welcome deep-kind of conversations at times. Apparently, I'd really love to have a few more of those more often. Introspection is a lot better done when you have company to share with. Sadly, that don't happen much. Reserved? Possibly. I'm not that certain. Confide. I choose really carefully to whom I open up to. Nonetheless, this brings to the issue of my topic; the easier choice to be taken.

Cautious is probably the reasoning I always use whenever I refuse on something I'd thought that could actually help me immensely on some certain stuffs. Don't get me wrong. Cautious may actually be the best solution. Yet, I often ended up thinking that I was just being a coward. Ahh, generally metaphorically speaking. I apologize. Heheh. No pain no gain they say. Good things require sacrifices. Risk is such a small price to pay for bigger and better future benefits. Common sense. Yes I do dig these stuffs. As mature as my reader can be, I'm pretty sure all of you'd agree that life ain't easy just to have great understanding for such fundamentals. Theory can be learnt and understood. Practical? Sigh. Every each word of progress I write here brings me deeper more frustration of how coward I have been making such wusses decisions all this while. A few companions may have been very helpful of pointing out how straight forward and easy to take a step in life. Yet, the degil mind keep differing otherwise, choosing the easier option. Yes, I love easier options. Apparently, this interest has never done me any good. Logically, things that don't benefit you should be thrown away. Again, common sense. The cycle of frustration comes back again. Sigh.

I don't want to throw away the cautious mask. Its just that the person behind it needs to change. The mask has been a good friend. I only have myself to blame about anything. Luckily, the court will adjourn for now. The trial of self will continue somewhat later I suppose. I wanted to write something about Malaysia Fest 2007 in Wellington last week. Now I'm in my 2 weeks holiday. Help me God so I will spend my time wisely. Bismillah.

Music Feeds The Soul

"Keroncong untuk Ana" and "Rasa Sayang" performed by our band M'sha for WMSO Idol 2007 on the 3rd of August.



Flat on vocal, Joe on acoustic guitar with Sheila, Adee on bass, Auni on flute and harmonica, NJB on piano and Nad on percussion.

Bloggers Beware

Woah.

At last, a mood to update this blog. Nevertheless, I have yet to come with anything interesting-for-me to write about nowadays. Owh wait, recently I've made this habit of bookmarking pages that I sort of find somewhat fascinating. So, a few days ago, I came across an article from Berita Harian Online; "Amaran Kepada Penulis Blog", or in English, "You Bloggers Watchout or Die".

"KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak malam tadi menegaskan pengendali dan penulis laman blog yang membangkitkan isu berbau perkauman atau menghina agama tidak akan terlepas daripada dikenakan tindakan undang-undang. Timbalan Perdana Menteri berkata, kebebasan menulis atau memberi pandangan ada hadnya dan kerajaan tidak akan membiarkan mana-mana pihak mengganggu gugat perpaduan negara serta menimbulkan keresahan di kalangan masyarakat. Mereka mesti bertanggungjawab sepenuhnya kepada laman web mereka dan tidak menganggap sikap toleransi kerajaan sebagai lesen untuk menyiarkan apa saja atas nama kebebasan bersuara tanpa memikirkan kesannya kepada masyarakat."

-Retrieved from Berita Harian Online at 24 July 2007-

Well, to put in simple words, if you're not careful with what you write in your blog, particularly if it regards politics, religious, etc, you can go to jail. Freedom of speech. Tricky. Some stuffs that came into mind; Denmark, South Park, MalaysiaKini, Bloggers, etc.

"Najib dalam ucapannya menjelaskan perkembangan mendadak teknologi komunikasi menyebabkan media cetak dan elektronik kini bukan lagi menjadi pembekal tunggal maklumat."

I just recalled an episode from The Simpsons Series Episode 22 Season 15; "Fraudcast News". Ah yes, I actually remembered which episode was it. Apparently if you watch The Simpsons everyday everytime during lunch, dinner or lupper (Homer discovered a new meal), yes you can actually remember such details, sadly. Anyway, this particular episode portrays Mr. Burns as the mass media monopolist controling the information wave in Springfield. What you see on TV, what you listen on the radio, what you read from the newspaper, are all manipulated in objective to control the amount of information you can have and lure your perceptive minds to the monopolist advantages. Interestingly enough, you'd never realize such devil's scheme, like ever. However, when some small timers emerge from the deep mass media empire, bloggers particularly, information monopolists are at risk of extinction. I am not implying that the government's warning against bloggers is objected to preserve such surviving species. I am not implying anything actually at the moment.

Apparently, a while ago, I took a short few hours break before I continue to complete this blog entry and somehow, I forgot what's the point of me writing this. Anyway, before I leave this, something to ponder about;

"Bloggers put much more of a premium on understanding the medium rather than joining in,"

-Kevin Madden, US Republican Spokesperson for Mitt Romney, 2007-

In the mean time, enjoy your Sunday people!

I Wish I Own a Clavinova

I just found this song on YouTube. Awesome. "I Just Can't Wait to be King" from the Disney Motion Picture "Lion King". Favourite childhood movie animation.



I'm a moderate low-key pianist, and I enjoy not to reach as far as Elton John, Maxim, Jim Brickman or Richard Clayderman. Yet, I wish I can really play this song in the near future. This is no Mozart's Symphony in Eb. It is neither near ambitious. Just, one of those things like when you wanted to learn how to cook Tomyam ala Thai or save some money to buy that nice pair of shoes you found at Bata. In the mean time, lets enjoy this video.

ARCH 275 : Future of Architecture

Taken from Overheard in New York;

I Wanna Learn about Things before They Happen

High school student #1: I hate history. I'm flunking it, man.

High school student #2: Yeah, dude, I hate history. All we learn about is old stuff.

--2 train, 42nd St

Ehehehehe. Owh, how great would it be if we could learn about things before they happen. New academic subject to look forward to: Future. Apparently, Future of Architecture doesn't sound too ridiculous of a subject. Maybe they should have it on our study syllabus. We learn history as a preparation for the future. It can't be the other way around, so we learn future for what then?

The Artisan - Crafter

I'm taking Management Principles and Practice, or BBSC 363, as one of my subject electives this trimester. One of the exercises for the course is about knowing ourselves, our trait and personality for corporate, career and most important of all, our own personal development. We are asked to log into a website and take the Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II test. You can try it as well by registering a few minor details and off you go. You don't have to take the advanced test report as it'll require payments from you - and we both know we're all kedekut kan? kan? Mini-report is sufficient for you to know roughly what trait do you belong to.

There are four temperament types; Artisan, Guardian, Idealist and Rational.

I am the Artisan. All Artisans share the following core characteristics;

• Artisans tend to be fun-loving, optimistic, realistic and focuse on the here and now.
• Artisans pride themselves on being unconventional, bold and spontaneous.
• Artisans make playful mates, creative parents and troubleshooting leaders.
• Artisans are excitable, trust their impulses, want to make splash, seek stimulation, prize freedom and dream of mastering action skills. (Wow!)

Artisans are the temperament with a natural ability to excel in any of the arts, not only the fine arts such as painting and sculpting, or the performing arts such as music, theater and dance, but also the athletic, military, political, mechanical and industrial arts, as well as the "art of the deal" in business.

Artisans have exceptionally keen senses and love working with their hands. They seem right at home with tools, instruments and vehicles of all kinds, and their actions are usually aimed at getting them where they want to go, and as quickly as possible. Thus, Artisans will strike off boldly down roads that other might consider risky or impossible, doing whatever it takes, rules or no rules, to accomplish their goals. This devil-may-care attitude also gives the Artisans a winning way with people, and they are often irresistibly charming with family, friends and co-workers. (And the ladies too, perhaps?)

Artisans want to be where the action is; they seek out adventure and show a constant hunger for pleasure and stimulation. They believe that variety is the spice of life and that doing things that aren't fun or exciting is a waste of time. Artisans are impulsive, adaptable, competitive and believe the next throw of the dice will be the lucky one. They can also be generous to a fault, always ready to share with their friends from the bounty of life. Above all, Artisans need to be free to do what they wish, when they wish. They resist being tied or confined or obligated; they would rather not wait, or save, or store, or live for tomorrow. In the Artisan view, today must be enjoyed, for tomorrow never comes.

They are four types of Artisans; Composers, Crafters, Performers and Promoters.

I am the Crafter. Crafters are the true masters of tool work, with an innate ability to command tools and to become expert at all the crafts requiring tool skills. They love actions and know instinctively that activities are more enjoyable and exciting, if done impulsively, spontaneously, subject to no schedules or standards but their own. Of all the types, Crafters are most likely to be risk takers, pitting themselves or their technique, against chance or odds.

Crafters are hard to get to know. Perhaps this is because they tend to communicate through action, and show little interest in developing language skills. They let their actions speak for them and their actual conversation is sparse and brief. They can also be wonderfully generous and loyal to their friends, teammates and sidekicks, often giving up their evenings or weekends to help with building projects or mechanical repairs-house remodelling. On the other hand, they can be fiercely insubordinate to those in authority, seeing rules and regulations as unnecessarily confining. Crafters will not usually go against regulations openly, yet will simply ignore them. More than anything, Crafters want to be free to do their own thing, and they are proud of their ability to do it with an artist's skill.

---------------------------------------------------

Hoh! That's about it from the complete article regarding the Artisans. I'm the creative mind and a slacker as well. Heh. Really. The lecturer actually pointed out that day that Artisans have the tendency of not passing into university because of their rebellious trait. Slacker. Tsk3. I do feel somewhat familiar with some of the details described. Nonetheless, I don't think that I do possess all of the traits illustrated as an Artisan. What say you? Or better, what are you - The Guardian? An Idealist? The Rational? Or the same slacker as I am?

Dark Remora and White Dovena

Once upon a time, there was a group of young teenagers, young and brave they all presume, out onto the wild roads crossing the evil King Arthur's Pass into the west coast of the old town of Hokitika.


They suddenly stopped. A sudden urge has strucked them to push the brakes of their stallions; Dark Remora and White Dovena aka a couple of Nissan sedans. Heh. Well, they just wanted to step out and took some photos. Blerh. Susah rupenye menglipur lara nih.



What's the adventure? Climbing up to the evil lair's of Ice Queen Syzaria on top of Franz Josef Glaciers.



"But mommy2 I'm scared~," says Farah, worried by the strong cold breeze on top of the mountains and the many evil obstacles and monsters that may come to defy our voyage.



"Don't worry dear. Your valiant dad will always be there to take care of you," says mom comforting her daughter while suaping dad some keropoks as he's maneuvering the Dark Remora.



Alas, the young adventurers reach the bottom of the grueling Franz Josef Glaziers. The trip went well eih? Cet, adventure konon.



Grueling I said. Yes it was. There are warnings everywhere around the starting point of the quest.



Yes, we were scared.



Nonetheless, there's always Mr Nakashi Himomoto, the legendary samurai from Japan, to lead our arduous quest to conquer Ice Queen Syzaria.



There we go, taking our first steps into the lair of an evil queen. Scary, I know.



Uu, our first obstacle - a river. How challenging.



Yet, we went through happily. "Kacang je nih," mommy said.



Mountains we climbed.



Icepaths we broke through.



"Mane Puan Syzaria?" Kerel raised an interesting question.



"Celah sini takde pon?" Ainee seemed to grow impatient.



Owh, well. Farah seemed to be very happy as she's not worried anymore because the evil ice queen was long to be found.



So, off we go continue aimlessly around Franz Josef Glaciers looking for the mysterious hidden ice lair. Pathetic. Is there any Puan Syzaria anyway?



The ice queen wasn't there to be found. "Mrs Syzaria is safe - for now," the young handsome prince pledged his will to wipe out all the evil flares off the mountain of Franz Josef.



Until then, "Zzz.."



The day after, the young adventurers continue their quest to the nearby pond of the devil - Lake Matheson.



"No smell of evil around here," the young handsome prince enjoys the beautiful scenery of the devil's lake.



Mm, yes, how come this place so beautiful can be so evil?



Ah well, we came this far. Might as well take a photo kan?



And another. We can let the evil ice queen go for now. Soon, the evil will vanished and the good adventurers will prevail.



"Kite makan dulu~" mommy insists.



Devil's lamb was served for lunch. The young adventurers feast themselves upon the dark meat from hell unaware of that was the evil plan of the Ice Queen Syzaria all along.



"Sedap je. Lantak ko le Syzaria," the adventurers couldn't care any less.



The boys were the same. Syzaria is off the hook. Let her be with her evil plans. The adventurers were tired as they spent their last day of their quest captivating the beauty of the devil's lake of Matheson.



"Tahun depan kite dtg carik Syzaria lagi ye!!" young Farah starting to enjoy the thrill of this ridiculous adventure and apparently wish for some more. Banyak duit ye?



Ahh well, it was a good trip. Dark Remora was then returned to her humble stable in Picton as we, the young adventurers, went home to our beloved town of Wellington. Blerh. Holiday is over. School just started. I wonder what's Mrs Syzaria doing at the moment?

Crap. I need to read more epic novels. First attempt to create a LOTR-like story. Sigh. Ah well, I wonder Peter Jackson could make this a movie?