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!