My entry today is a little different from the rest. Lets forget about the Melayus, about politics and about dirty jokes ( its hard though to forget about jokes ). I am a teacher so I am going to write something academic. Its about English. I was in the school library one day when I picked out this book: Brain Teasers in English by Renu Narula, Golden Books Centre Sdn Bhd 1996. If you have read the book I am sure you found it both interesting and helpful, at least I did. I would like to show some examples of Collective Nouns that we thought we knew it all. See if they match what you had in mind. Below are some interesting ones.
1. A shrewdness of apes
2. A cete of badgers
3. A sloth of bears
4. An army of caterpillars
5. A clowder of cats
6. A peep of chicken
7. A murder of crows
8. A dule of doves
9. A shulk of foxes
10. A husk of hares
11. A cast of hawks
12. A siege of herons
13. A harras of horses
14. A snock of jellyfish
15. A kindle of kittens
16. A deceit of lapwings
17.An exaltation of larks
18. A leap of leopards
19. A nest of machine-guns
20. A watch of nightingales
21. A parliament of owls
22. A covery of partridges
23. An ostentation of peacocks
24. A nest of rabbits
25. An unkindness of raven
26. A crash of rhinoceroses
27. A horde of savages
28. A pod of seals
29. A host of sparrows
30. A dray of squirrels
31. A murmuration of starlings
32. A mustering of stocks
33. A gang of thieves
34. A knot of toads
35. A rafter of turkeys
36. A pitying of turtledoves
37. A bale of turtles
38. A gam of whales
39. A route of wolves
40. A descent of woodpeckers
English being what it is today, I am sure there is no hard and fast rule to the use of collective nouns. Do you agree?
Friday, 29 June 2007
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
Tag for Charity
I've been tagged. Since this is for charity why not? Below are the people I tag but since this is for charity all are invited to play along. Please visit http://bakpo.blogspot.com/ for the rules of this tag. It is for a charitable cause.
1. A person is only as good as how true he keeps his promises.
2. Friendship is always the only thing that lasts.
3. To love is to no more think about yourself.
4. Money makes me wish they had not invented it.
5. I miss my late father, mom and brother so much.
6. My way of saying I care is by doing the things that show I care but never saying it.
7. I try to spread love and happiness by despising hate and sadness.
8. Pick the flowers when you’ve been given the permission.
9. To love someone is to to give your all.
10. Beauty is seen with the heart.
11. When I was twenty one, I remember it was a non-event.
12. I am most happy when I am with my whole family
13. Nothing makes me happier than to be with my wife and children.
14. If I can change one thing, I will change my laziness.
15. If smiles were abundant then its hard to know which are sincere ones.
16. Wouldn't it be nice if we could feel see each other as brothers and sisters
17. Money is not everything but it is a hell of a something.
18. The most touching moment I have experienced is when my teachers cry when I was transfered.
19. When I am happy, I am happy.
20. The best thing I did yesterday was to not hurt anyone.
21. If I ever write a book, I will give it this title, 1001 ways to torture a retired dictator.
22. One thing I must do before I die is to make my children responsible people.
I tag Zabs, Buayaputih and PiBani
1. A person is only as good as how true he keeps his promises.
2. Friendship is always the only thing that lasts.
3. To love is to no more think about yourself.
4. Money makes me wish they had not invented it.
5. I miss my late father, mom and brother so much.
6. My way of saying I care is by doing the things that show I care but never saying it.
7. I try to spread love and happiness by despising hate and sadness.
8. Pick the flowers when you’ve been given the permission.
9. To love someone is to to give your all.
10. Beauty is seen with the heart.
11. When I was twenty one, I remember it was a non-event.
12. I am most happy when I am with my whole family
13. Nothing makes me happier than to be with my wife and children.
14. If I can change one thing, I will change my laziness.
15. If smiles were abundant then its hard to know which are sincere ones.
16. Wouldn't it be nice if we could feel see each other as brothers and sisters
17. Money is not everything but it is a hell of a something.
18. The most touching moment I have experienced is when my teachers cry when I was transfered.
19. When I am happy, I am happy.
20. The best thing I did yesterday was to not hurt anyone.
21. If I ever write a book, I will give it this title, 1001 ways to torture a retired dictator.
22. One thing I must do before I die is to make my children responsible people.
I tag Zabs, Buayaputih and PiBani
Sunday, 24 June 2007
Are Malays Really Like This?
Is it true what they say about the Malays? I have heard many jokes about the Malays and I dare say they are not flattering ones. One joke in particular that I like and would like to share if you have not heard it yet is about the Malay convict in Pulau Jerejak. No it is not meant to poke fun at the Malays. What I like to put forth here is this "Are Malays in general like this?
A warden was chatting up 3 convicts in Pulau Jerejak, Malaysia's Alcatraz.
He asked the Chinaman what he was in there for.
Wa rompak bank. Bila mau lali punya time wa sudah tembak mati 2 olang.
Then he asked the Indian fellow.
Saya gangster la jugak encik. Saya tarak kira punya, saya panggil saya punya gang kita kasi tetak sama itu parang.
Then it was the turn of the Malay guy.
Abang saya tak buat apa pun, saya kena naya la abang.
When I first heard the joke it sound funny because the line used by the Malay guy is so typical Malay. Then I got to thinking, are Malays really like this? I am a Malay myself so please do not take this as a race thing.
A warden was chatting up 3 convicts in Pulau Jerejak, Malaysia's Alcatraz.
He asked the Chinaman what he was in there for.
Wa rompak bank. Bila mau lali punya time wa sudah tembak mati 2 olang.
Then he asked the Indian fellow.
Saya gangster la jugak encik. Saya tarak kira punya, saya panggil saya punya gang kita kasi tetak sama itu parang.
Then it was the turn of the Malay guy.
Abang saya tak buat apa pun, saya kena naya la abang.
When I first heard the joke it sound funny because the line used by the Malay guy is so typical Malay. Then I got to thinking, are Malays really like this? I am a Malay myself so please do not take this as a race thing.
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Terror of The Bukit
The year was 1970 and BM High School was going to the dogs. Discipline was at its lowest and the education authorities decided to do something about it. One day during the assembly we were introduced to a new Headmaster. He was called Malayapillai. We heard that he was a senior officer specially sent to get BMHS back to its former glory.
He was a 6 footer. We have never seen him smile. His nose was large with deep pimple marks on them. He looked more like a boxer then a headmaster. Despite his unfriendly look nobody gives a damn until the next day. During the second day of his posting to the school 16 boys had their hair cut real short. Before that we have never seen such action taken.
Now let me tell you how he instilled discipline. No student is to be caught walking outside the class during lessons, not even going to the toilet. If caught outside despite protestations that they were asked by a teacher to get something from the staff room or from another teacher, the student would be given 1 cut in the office. After that the students refused to run errants for their teachers.
I remember he once entered my class and woke a student up. When asked, the smart ass answered that he studied until late the night before. Since he couldn't fault the boy for the answer, his only response was " Your hair is long, go to my office". You can be sure he will be coming back with a sore arse.
My brother who had the misfortune of having him teach them English related how he demanded that his students memorize reading passages. They were to recite the passages or else suffer the consequences. The passages were at least 2 page long.
In the evening when we had football or rugby competitions, supporters must be in full school uniform or else suffer. I remember once he confiscated about 50 pairs of slippers. During one rugby game where we played another school (I can't remember which school) our star player, who was indispensable to the team reacted to a very vicious tackle. He was given the yellow card by the referee but that was not the end. The next day he was handed a six month suspension from representing the school in any sport by none other than the ogre himself.
One funny memory was when two boys from the primary school (Stowell School) down the hill took a short cut through our grounds. He caught them and they could be seen kneeling down as if praying to him. They almost shit in their pants.
Yours truly had 2 encounters with him. First when it was early in 1971. I was in form 3. I was assigned as the look out while the rest were having a fun time while no teacher was in class. I could remember clearly popping my head out of the class turning my head to the back and front and giving the OK signal when all of a sudden I felt a sting on the back of my head. When I turned back there he was. It was like all the blood had deserted my face. I am sure if you were to cut my cheek there would be no blood trickling. I was lucky that he decided that the whack was enough.
My second encounter was after our LCE the same year. I took my brother's guitar to school and we were having fun. There was no teacher in class. My monitor, Khor Hang Song, was playing at that time when he suddenly appeared out of thin air. He looked sternly and asked the monitor to take the guitar to his office. I didn't know what to do. I had heard that it would be next to impossible to get the guitar back. I had to get it because my brother would kill me. Anyway I borrowed the guitar without his permission. I knocked on the office door and he asked me to enter. After wishing him good morning, I almost begged him to give the guitar back. He just said, "I am not prepared to give you your guitar back". I was silent. Then he said, " You were not the one playing right?" I only dared to nod. He asked me to get out. While in the hall listening to some announcements, a prefect came looking for me. he said the headmaster wanted to see me. I said I was a gonner. I made my way to his room and he didn't say much, he pointed to the guitar and said "Take it". I am sure he could see how relieved I was. Before leaving the room I asked him if I could bring the guitar to school the next day. He said no, and I had no intention to ask why.
The only time he showed the other side of him was when we had a concert for two nights. The concert was a success. The play was well received and the variety show was first class. On Monday he announced that he was giving all of us a half day. I am sure even the teachers didn't believe what they heard.
Before the 1st term of 1972 ended, he was transferred. I guess it was job done. I next met him when I was in college in Ipoh. He visited our college in his capacity as the Deputy Director of Education.
He is one headmaster I could never ever forget. He came, did his job and did not overstay.
He was a 6 footer. We have never seen him smile. His nose was large with deep pimple marks on them. He looked more like a boxer then a headmaster. Despite his unfriendly look nobody gives a damn until the next day. During the second day of his posting to the school 16 boys had their hair cut real short. Before that we have never seen such action taken.
Now let me tell you how he instilled discipline. No student is to be caught walking outside the class during lessons, not even going to the toilet. If caught outside despite protestations that they were asked by a teacher to get something from the staff room or from another teacher, the student would be given 1 cut in the office. After that the students refused to run errants for their teachers.
I remember he once entered my class and woke a student up. When asked, the smart ass answered that he studied until late the night before. Since he couldn't fault the boy for the answer, his only response was " Your hair is long, go to my office". You can be sure he will be coming back with a sore arse.
My brother who had the misfortune of having him teach them English related how he demanded that his students memorize reading passages. They were to recite the passages or else suffer the consequences. The passages were at least 2 page long.
In the evening when we had football or rugby competitions, supporters must be in full school uniform or else suffer. I remember once he confiscated about 50 pairs of slippers. During one rugby game where we played another school (I can't remember which school) our star player, who was indispensable to the team reacted to a very vicious tackle. He was given the yellow card by the referee but that was not the end. The next day he was handed a six month suspension from representing the school in any sport by none other than the ogre himself.
One funny memory was when two boys from the primary school (Stowell School) down the hill took a short cut through our grounds. He caught them and they could be seen kneeling down as if praying to him. They almost shit in their pants.
Yours truly had 2 encounters with him. First when it was early in 1971. I was in form 3. I was assigned as the look out while the rest were having a fun time while no teacher was in class. I could remember clearly popping my head out of the class turning my head to the back and front and giving the OK signal when all of a sudden I felt a sting on the back of my head. When I turned back there he was. It was like all the blood had deserted my face. I am sure if you were to cut my cheek there would be no blood trickling. I was lucky that he decided that the whack was enough.
My second encounter was after our LCE the same year. I took my brother's guitar to school and we were having fun. There was no teacher in class. My monitor, Khor Hang Song, was playing at that time when he suddenly appeared out of thin air. He looked sternly and asked the monitor to take the guitar to his office. I didn't know what to do. I had heard that it would be next to impossible to get the guitar back. I had to get it because my brother would kill me. Anyway I borrowed the guitar without his permission. I knocked on the office door and he asked me to enter. After wishing him good morning, I almost begged him to give the guitar back. He just said, "I am not prepared to give you your guitar back". I was silent. Then he said, " You were not the one playing right?" I only dared to nod. He asked me to get out. While in the hall listening to some announcements, a prefect came looking for me. he said the headmaster wanted to see me. I said I was a gonner. I made my way to his room and he didn't say much, he pointed to the guitar and said "Take it". I am sure he could see how relieved I was. Before leaving the room I asked him if I could bring the guitar to school the next day. He said no, and I had no intention to ask why.
The only time he showed the other side of him was when we had a concert for two nights. The concert was a success. The play was well received and the variety show was first class. On Monday he announced that he was giving all of us a half day. I am sure even the teachers didn't believe what they heard.
Before the 1st term of 1972 ended, he was transferred. I guess it was job done. I next met him when I was in college in Ipoh. He visited our college in his capacity as the Deputy Director of Education.
He is one headmaster I could never ever forget. He came, did his job and did not overstay.
Sunday, 17 June 2007
Bolehland Thou Art So Kind
When you take your exams, shouldn't you be studying your butt out to pass? What do you think happens if you fail. How do you think a failure should react?
I personally don't know how one should react coz I have never failed an exam before but I get it from those who have failed before that it not actually a time to bring out the champagne. That was what they say. Now just a few days ago I found out that it is better to fail than to work your arse out and pass with flying colours.
Feel your legs, anyone pulling them? No, right? I am not pulling your legs when I say this and I have the proof to show that I am not wrong to say make this claim and to proof that we here in Bolehland are actually truly blessed. Do you think I can patent this argument somewhere?
Bolehland is fantastic I tell you. If I were to be reborn, god please don't let it be in any developed country. Please make it here. Yes, here in Bolehland, the land where anything is possible.
I have 2 teacher friends in their 40s who did their distance learning. One was very serious. She actually borrowed books from many different libraries and, honest to god, actually read them. She called up old friends and discussed her coursework and took notes.The other is a male who makes Carl Lewis out of a tortoise. To him a library is a prison cell and friends are only for small talks.
Okay, okay I'll get to the point. Both were on RM2500 a month in the PPPLD (Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan Lepasan Diploma). The one who studied hard of course got through. The other failed. Since she already earned more than the starting pay of a PPPS (Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan Siswazah) she was offered the next highest level which meant about RM30 better than the other fellow who remained in PPPLD.
Recently the government announced that civil-servants would get a pay rise. There was so much jubilation.Please see below.
PPPLS Present 2535 x 15% = 379 +2535 = 2914.
PPLD Present 2500 x 25 = 625 + 2500 = 3150.
Both teach English and got a critical allowance for teaching English.
PPPLD 3150 x 10%= 315 + 3150 = 3460
PPPS 2914 x 5% = 148 + 2914 = 3060
Yes, for non graduates their allowance is 10 % while a graduate gets only 5%.Who is laughing now? From what I heard from friends, the PPPLD fellow is having a fun time teasing the lady. I don't blame her for being cheated because if I had not got my degree 11 years ago and remained a PPPLD I would now be drawing more then a thousand ringgit than I am earning now and that does not include the extra 5% in the allowance.
Please la don't study, it doesn't pay, not in terms of ringgit and sens la.The best part is that the JPA people refuses to admit this discrepancy or anomaly which ever way you see it. They are always right.
I personally don't know how one should react coz I have never failed an exam before but I get it from those who have failed before that it not actually a time to bring out the champagne. That was what they say. Now just a few days ago I found out that it is better to fail than to work your arse out and pass with flying colours.
Feel your legs, anyone pulling them? No, right? I am not pulling your legs when I say this and I have the proof to show that I am not wrong to say make this claim and to proof that we here in Bolehland are actually truly blessed. Do you think I can patent this argument somewhere?
Bolehland is fantastic I tell you. If I were to be reborn, god please don't let it be in any developed country. Please make it here. Yes, here in Bolehland, the land where anything is possible.
I have 2 teacher friends in their 40s who did their distance learning. One was very serious. She actually borrowed books from many different libraries and, honest to god, actually read them. She called up old friends and discussed her coursework and took notes.The other is a male who makes Carl Lewis out of a tortoise. To him a library is a prison cell and friends are only for small talks.
Okay, okay I'll get to the point. Both were on RM2500 a month in the PPPLD (Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan Lepasan Diploma). The one who studied hard of course got through. The other failed. Since she already earned more than the starting pay of a PPPS (Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan Siswazah) she was offered the next highest level which meant about RM30 better than the other fellow who remained in PPPLD.
Recently the government announced that civil-servants would get a pay rise. There was so much jubilation.Please see below.
PPPLS Present 2535 x 15% = 379 +2535 = 2914.
PPLD Present 2500 x 25 = 625 + 2500 = 3150.
Both teach English and got a critical allowance for teaching English.
PPPLD 3150 x 10%= 315 + 3150 = 3460
PPPS 2914 x 5% = 148 + 2914 = 3060
Yes, for non graduates their allowance is 10 % while a graduate gets only 5%.Who is laughing now? From what I heard from friends, the PPPLD fellow is having a fun time teasing the lady. I don't blame her for being cheated because if I had not got my degree 11 years ago and remained a PPPLD I would now be drawing more then a thousand ringgit than I am earning now and that does not include the extra 5% in the allowance.
Please la don't study, it doesn't pay, not in terms of ringgit and sens la.The best part is that the JPA people refuses to admit this discrepancy or anomaly which ever way you see it. They are always right.
Thursday, 14 June 2007
Getting Even
I was in form 5 at that time. Since I played the guitar for the school band, some scouts coaxed me to joint the movement specially to cater for the music wing. Oh yes we had a music wing at that time, at least in my school. Our job was to represent the school scout's movement in Jamborees, which I did not get to go, gatherings an camp fires in other schools.
I had in lower secondary joined the scouts movement but quit because it was no fun. I had passed my tenderfoot then. I was asked to take my tenderfoot again since I was considered a recruit. It was no big deal. I took it again and passed and in the meantime I led our music wing in get togethers and campfires in other schools.
We were in an all boys school so any chance to meet girls were welcomed. Being in the music is considered glamorous. Girls would go crazy over the musicians and singers, so we were quite popular then. Being shy I kept to myself mostly but found that the girls were not as shy. I was never short of company and began to enjoy myself. Little did I know there was a sinister plan to get me out of the movement.
One day out of the blues during the assembly in the morning, the troop leader announced that a friend of mine and myself were sacked from the movement. No reasons were given. When I confronted the troop leader I was told that they had to do it because I did not pay my monthly subscription. I told him that I did not even know that there was such thing as monthly subscription. It was only 10 cents and surely I could afford 10 cents a month. He just shrugged me away. Later I found out from the other scouts that he and the assistant troop leaders were jealous because of the attention I got in the gatherings and campfires. Can I help it that they were tone deaf and can't even hum?
I spent more time with the school band and we performed in quite a few functions. One day I got my revenge. Merdeka celebration was approaching and the school band was invited or drafted, to perform at the DO's residence. The DO was having a tea-party and they wanted to be entertained. Now, the DO of Bukit Mertajam lives atop a small but steep hill. The lorry carrying our equipment could only go up to a certain level after which we had quite a number of steps to take to get to the lawn. Our equipments were heavy so we decided that we were definitely not going to carry the heavy stuffs up the steep stairs.
Our scout movement was also on duty to help out with the preparations. Now my chance for revenge. I went to the ADO and complain that the scouts were not helping us any. He called the troop leader and gave him a lashing in front of me. I just smiled at him. Did I feel guilty? No at that time, I did not feel guilty at all. I even made sure that they stayed and helped us pack up after the show.
Thinking back, I may be a little hush and cruel but I can tell you this, it did not feel cruel then.
I had in lower secondary joined the scouts movement but quit because it was no fun. I had passed my tenderfoot then. I was asked to take my tenderfoot again since I was considered a recruit. It was no big deal. I took it again and passed and in the meantime I led our music wing in get togethers and campfires in other schools.
We were in an all boys school so any chance to meet girls were welcomed. Being in the music is considered glamorous. Girls would go crazy over the musicians and singers, so we were quite popular then. Being shy I kept to myself mostly but found that the girls were not as shy. I was never short of company and began to enjoy myself. Little did I know there was a sinister plan to get me out of the movement.
One day out of the blues during the assembly in the morning, the troop leader announced that a friend of mine and myself were sacked from the movement. No reasons were given. When I confronted the troop leader I was told that they had to do it because I did not pay my monthly subscription. I told him that I did not even know that there was such thing as monthly subscription. It was only 10 cents and surely I could afford 10 cents a month. He just shrugged me away. Later I found out from the other scouts that he and the assistant troop leaders were jealous because of the attention I got in the gatherings and campfires. Can I help it that they were tone deaf and can't even hum?
I spent more time with the school band and we performed in quite a few functions. One day I got my revenge. Merdeka celebration was approaching and the school band was invited or drafted, to perform at the DO's residence. The DO was having a tea-party and they wanted to be entertained. Now, the DO of Bukit Mertajam lives atop a small but steep hill. The lorry carrying our equipment could only go up to a certain level after which we had quite a number of steps to take to get to the lawn. Our equipments were heavy so we decided that we were definitely not going to carry the heavy stuffs up the steep stairs.
Our scout movement was also on duty to help out with the preparations. Now my chance for revenge. I went to the ADO and complain that the scouts were not helping us any. He called the troop leader and gave him a lashing in front of me. I just smiled at him. Did I feel guilty? No at that time, I did not feel guilty at all. I even made sure that they stayed and helped us pack up after the show.
Thinking back, I may be a little hush and cruel but I can tell you this, it did not feel cruel then.
Monday, 11 June 2007
Which Come First
I have been wondering these past few days about the Smart Tunnel. Which comes first, Smart Tunnel to fight flooding in KL or Smart Tunnel as a new highway? Now why is it so important to me?
Well it is the responsibility of the federal government to solve the flooding problem of KL. If they were to build dams like they say they would, would they be charging the people for it? Look since it is the duty of the federal government to solve the flooding problem, it is they who should cough out the money. As it is right now, motorists who use the tunnel are financing the cost of the tunnel and as always enriching some bloody well connected arsholes.
If on the other hand, if the tunnel was initially meant to ease traffic flow and cut short the time taken to travel from point A to point B but at the same time they found out that by modifying certain designs, it could also be used to help solve this flooding menace, then shouldn't the federal government at least bear half the cost and cut half the toll charge?
Sorry if the question sound stupid to some but it has been nagging me for quite some time and I just had to ask.
Well it is the responsibility of the federal government to solve the flooding problem of KL. If they were to build dams like they say they would, would they be charging the people for it? Look since it is the duty of the federal government to solve the flooding problem, it is they who should cough out the money. As it is right now, motorists who use the tunnel are financing the cost of the tunnel and as always enriching some bloody well connected arsholes.
If on the other hand, if the tunnel was initially meant to ease traffic flow and cut short the time taken to travel from point A to point B but at the same time they found out that by modifying certain designs, it could also be used to help solve this flooding menace, then shouldn't the federal government at least bear half the cost and cut half the toll charge?
Sorry if the question sound stupid to some but it has been nagging me for quite some time and I just had to ask.
Saturday, 9 June 2007
Deja Vu
Hi, Morning.
What! You again?
Why! Not glad to see me?
Glad to see you? What do you think I'm a nuts?
Well, aren't you?
Oh, come on give me a break will you?
Oh, I 'll break you alright.
Just visiting or official duty?
What do you think?
Oh stop that.
Stop what?
Stop answering me with a question.
I did that?
There you go again. I told you before didn't I?
Told me what?
Told you not to answer a question with a question. Don't you ever learn?
Do you?
Do I what?
Learn?
He sent you here didn't He?
Do you think He should?
If you do that again I'm not going to talk to you.
Do you think that would make me go away?
Aw, common, do you know how long it took me to get on my feet again?
How long?
Ten damn long years, thats how long.
You enjoyed them didn't you?
Enjoyed what?
The ten years.
You nuts? I suffered those ten years.
Did you?
I sure did.
Casualties?
Ya! collateral damage. Thats the way it is right?
Collateral damage?
Ya.
It didn't bother you?
Sure it did.
You sure?
Okay, it didn't. Satisfied?
You happy now?
I thought I was, but now that you're here. I don't know.
Lets cut the crap alright. Now you shut up and listen, and you better listen good. The last time I was here coz you did the same thing. You stepped and trampled on all those lives. All those dreams you ruined didn't bother you none and He had to send me to deal with your kind. I did a good job didn't I? All those success and you were still miserable. Then you promised me and promised Him that you'd change. Did you? You didn't. You were at it again even before I could say 'see ya'. I think you actually loved the journey. That makes you tick. Yes, you like to be there but getting there is what really gives you the kicks and for your information they are not collateral damage. They are lives. Not too happy now are you? I think I'll stay a little longer this time.
What! You again?
Why! Not glad to see me?
Glad to see you? What do you think I'm a nuts?
Well, aren't you?
Oh, come on give me a break will you?
Oh, I 'll break you alright.
Just visiting or official duty?
What do you think?
Oh stop that.
Stop what?
Stop answering me with a question.
I did that?
There you go again. I told you before didn't I?
Told me what?
Told you not to answer a question with a question. Don't you ever learn?
Do you?
Do I what?
Learn?
He sent you here didn't He?
Do you think He should?
If you do that again I'm not going to talk to you.
Do you think that would make me go away?
Aw, common, do you know how long it took me to get on my feet again?
How long?
Ten damn long years, thats how long.
You enjoyed them didn't you?
Enjoyed what?
The ten years.
You nuts? I suffered those ten years.
Did you?
I sure did.
Casualties?
Ya! collateral damage. Thats the way it is right?
Collateral damage?
Ya.
It didn't bother you?
Sure it did.
You sure?
Okay, it didn't. Satisfied?
You happy now?
I thought I was, but now that you're here. I don't know.
Lets cut the crap alright. Now you shut up and listen, and you better listen good. The last time I was here coz you did the same thing. You stepped and trampled on all those lives. All those dreams you ruined didn't bother you none and He had to send me to deal with your kind. I did a good job didn't I? All those success and you were still miserable. Then you promised me and promised Him that you'd change. Did you? You didn't. You were at it again even before I could say 'see ya'. I think you actually loved the journey. That makes you tick. Yes, you like to be there but getting there is what really gives you the kicks and for your information they are not collateral damage. They are lives. Not too happy now are you? I think I'll stay a little longer this time.
Friday, 8 June 2007
Marriage Jokes
Love is in the air. The quiet Wedding of the Year is coming so maybe its time for some marriage and wedding jokes.
Marriage is not a word. It is a sentence (a life sentence!!!)
Marriage is an institution in which a man loses his Bachelor's Degree and the women gets her Master.
Getting married is very much like going to the restaurant with friends.You order what you want, and when you see what the other fellow has, you wish you had ordered that.
It's true; all men are born free and equal - but some of them get married
A happy marriage is a matter of giving and taking; the husband gives and the wife takes.
There was a man who said "I never knew what happiness was until I got married... and then it was too late!"
There was this lover who told his love that he would go through hell for her. They got married - and now he is going through HELL!
I recently read that love is entirely a matter of chemistry. That must be why my wife treats me like toxic waste. - David Bissonette
When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her. - Sacha Guitry
Eighty percent of married men cheat in America. The rest cheat in Europe-Jackie Mason
A friend asked my wife if I was hard to please She replied, "Don't know. Never tried."
Beifeld's Principle:
The probability of a young man meeting a desirable and receptive young female increases by pyramidal progression when he is already in the company of:
(1) a date,
(2) his wife,
(3) a better looking and richer male friend.
I never married because there was no need. I have three pets at home which answer the same
purpose as a husband. I have a dog which growls every morning, a parrot which swears all
afternoon and a cat that comes home late at night." - Marie Corelli
Do you know why God witheld the sense of humour from women?
That we may love you instead of laughing at you."
Son :How much does it cost to get married, Dad?
Father:I don't know, son, I'm still paying for it.
Son :Is it true, Dad, that I heard that in ancient China, a man
doesn't know his wife until he marries?
Father:That happens everywhere, son, EVERYWHERE.
Love is one long sweet dream, and marriage is the alarm clock.
Marriage is a thing which puts a ring on a woman's finger and two under the man's eyes.
Marriage life is full of excitement and frustration:
-in the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens.
-in the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens.
-in the third year, they BOTH speak and the NEIGHBORS listen.
Couldn't have been happier when my wife became a "libber" Now, she complains about all men and not just me
I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage.
They've experienced pain and bought jewelry.- Rita Rudner
If you think the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, you're aiming too high.
The best reason to divorce a man is a health reason: you're sick of him.
A really great salesman is one who can actually make his wife
feel sorry for the girl who lost her panties and bra in his car.
Women don't make fools of men; most of them are the do-it-yourself types.
For twenty-four years I've been in love with the same woman.
If my wife ever finds out she'll kill me.
Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same. - Oscar Wilde
Sure God created man before woman.. but then you always make a rough draft before The Final Masterpiece
A man who won't lie to a woman has very little consideration for her feelings." - Olin Miller
Ah, yes, divorce, from the Latin word meaning to rip out a man's genitals through his wallet.
-Robin Williams
Marriage is not a word. It is a sentence (a life sentence!!!)
Marriage is an institution in which a man loses his Bachelor's Degree and the women gets her Master.
Getting married is very much like going to the restaurant with friends.You order what you want, and when you see what the other fellow has, you wish you had ordered that.
It's true; all men are born free and equal - but some of them get married
A happy marriage is a matter of giving and taking; the husband gives and the wife takes.
There was a man who said "I never knew what happiness was until I got married... and then it was too late!"
There was this lover who told his love that he would go through hell for her. They got married - and now he is going through HELL!
I recently read that love is entirely a matter of chemistry. That must be why my wife treats me like toxic waste. - David Bissonette
When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her. - Sacha Guitry
Eighty percent of married men cheat in America. The rest cheat in Europe-Jackie Mason
A friend asked my wife if I was hard to please She replied, "Don't know. Never tried."
Beifeld's Principle:
The probability of a young man meeting a desirable and receptive young female increases by pyramidal progression when he is already in the company of:
(1) a date,
(2) his wife,
(3) a better looking and richer male friend.
I never married because there was no need. I have three pets at home which answer the same
purpose as a husband. I have a dog which growls every morning, a parrot which swears all
afternoon and a cat that comes home late at night." - Marie Corelli
Do you know why God witheld the sense of humour from women?
That we may love you instead of laughing at you."
Son :How much does it cost to get married, Dad?
Father:I don't know, son, I'm still paying for it.
Son :Is it true, Dad, that I heard that in ancient China, a man
doesn't know his wife until he marries?
Father:That happens everywhere, son, EVERYWHERE.
Love is one long sweet dream, and marriage is the alarm clock.
Marriage is a thing which puts a ring on a woman's finger and two under the man's eyes.
Marriage life is full of excitement and frustration:
-in the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens.
-in the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens.
-in the third year, they BOTH speak and the NEIGHBORS listen.
Couldn't have been happier when my wife became a "libber" Now, she complains about all men and not just me
I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage.
They've experienced pain and bought jewelry.- Rita Rudner
If you think the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, you're aiming too high.
The best reason to divorce a man is a health reason: you're sick of him.
A really great salesman is one who can actually make his wife
feel sorry for the girl who lost her panties and bra in his car.
Women don't make fools of men; most of them are the do-it-yourself types.
For twenty-four years I've been in love with the same woman.
If my wife ever finds out she'll kill me.
Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same. - Oscar Wilde
Sure God created man before woman.. but then you always make a rough draft before The Final Masterpiece
A man who won't lie to a woman has very little consideration for her feelings." - Olin Miller
Ah, yes, divorce, from the Latin word meaning to rip out a man's genitals through his wallet.
-Robin Williams
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
No Malay Race? Tell that to the kampung people.
I have on many occasions walked into kampungs and spoken to kampong people whom someone called Truly Asian People. I dared not ask them if they are Melayu or not for fear that they would mistaken me for a LUNATIC or an ALIEN who do not know of their ancestry. As far as they are concerned, they are Orang Melayu. Ask them what is their race and the answer would be "Bangsa Melayu la bongok, awat bodoh sangat sampai aku bangsa Melayu pun hang tak tau?"
Its not that I don't know they are orang Melayu but it seems that some people with degrees made studies that say that there is no such thing as bangsa Melayu. A Bangsa Melayu does not exist. There is a fixed number of Bangsas and Bangsa Melayu is not in the list. Many were applauding these degree holders saying, "right, right where got Bangsa Melayu? Where can add new Bangsa one, if none, none la". Ehem excuse me didn't you say you liked to be called Bangsa Malaysia? That one can add ah?
I am not saying the research is wrong. Have you heard of fossilised errors. Errors that are accepted to be the truth coz they have been so widely accepted.
Look, this thing about bangsa Melayu surfacing in the midst of the Joy controversy smells of haruan fish. The Malays have been calling themselves Melayu or Malays whichever way you like to call it for a damn bloody long time, and no scholar is going to change that. No study by any brilliant professor is going to persuade the Melayus that they are not actually Melayus, that they are Truly Asian People, or Rojak People.
Try something else la.
Its not that I don't know they are orang Melayu but it seems that some people with degrees made studies that say that there is no such thing as bangsa Melayu. A Bangsa Melayu does not exist. There is a fixed number of Bangsas and Bangsa Melayu is not in the list. Many were applauding these degree holders saying, "right, right where got Bangsa Melayu? Where can add new Bangsa one, if none, none la". Ehem excuse me didn't you say you liked to be called Bangsa Malaysia? That one can add ah?
I am not saying the research is wrong. Have you heard of fossilised errors. Errors that are accepted to be the truth coz they have been so widely accepted.
Look, this thing about bangsa Melayu surfacing in the midst of the Joy controversy smells of haruan fish. The Malays have been calling themselves Melayu or Malays whichever way you like to call it for a damn bloody long time, and no scholar is going to change that. No study by any brilliant professor is going to persuade the Melayus that they are not actually Melayus, that they are Truly Asian People, or Rojak People.
Try something else la.
SELAMAT PENGANTIN BARU PM & JEANNE ABDULLAH
DATO' SERI ABDULLAH BIN HAJI AHMAD BADAWI
PERDANA MENTERI MALAYSIA
PEJABAT PERDANA MENTERI, PUTRAJAYA
Date:06/06/2007 :
KENYATAAN MEDIA MENGENAI PENGUMUMAN MAJLIS AKAD NIKAH YAB PERDANA MENTERI
Dengan sukacitanya dimaklumkan bahawa YAB Perdana Menteri Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi akan melangsungkan majlis akad nikah dengan Jeanne Abdullah pada hari Sabtu 9 Jun 2007 bersamaan dengan 23 Jamadilawwal 1428 Hijrah.
Jeanne Abdullah dilahirkan di Kuala Lumpur pada 29 Julai 1953 dan merupakan anak sulung daripada empat orang adik-beradik. Beliau menerima pendidikan di Sekolah Menengah Assunta dan mempunyai pengalaman yang luas dalam bidang pentadbiran dan penghotelan setelah terlibat dalam pengurusan beberapa hotel terkemuka di Malaysia, termasuk Hotel Hilton Kuala Lumpur dan Hotel Pan Pacific. Jeanne juga pernah bertugas sebagai Pengelola kediaman rasmi Timbalan Perdana Menteri dan Pengurus Kompleks Seri Perdana.
Jeanne mempunyai dua orang anak, Nadiah dan Nadene.
Perkara yang baik saya sambut dengan baik kalau tak kita tak gelarkannya 'mendirikan mesjid'. Kepada pasangan Abdullah Hj Ahmad Badawi dan Jeanne Abdullah, saya ucapkan Selamat Pengantin Baru, semoga berkekalan ke anak cucu. Komen yang tidak sesuai dengan kesucian dan kemurnian perkara ini akan di deletekan
PERDANA MENTERI MALAYSIA
PEJABAT PERDANA MENTERI, PUTRAJAYA
Date:06/06/2007 :
KENYATAAN MEDIA MENGENAI PENGUMUMAN MAJLIS AKAD NIKAH YAB PERDANA MENTERI
Dengan sukacitanya dimaklumkan bahawa YAB Perdana Menteri Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi akan melangsungkan majlis akad nikah dengan Jeanne Abdullah pada hari Sabtu 9 Jun 2007 bersamaan dengan 23 Jamadilawwal 1428 Hijrah.
Jeanne Abdullah dilahirkan di Kuala Lumpur pada 29 Julai 1953 dan merupakan anak sulung daripada empat orang adik-beradik. Beliau menerima pendidikan di Sekolah Menengah Assunta dan mempunyai pengalaman yang luas dalam bidang pentadbiran dan penghotelan setelah terlibat dalam pengurusan beberapa hotel terkemuka di Malaysia, termasuk Hotel Hilton Kuala Lumpur dan Hotel Pan Pacific. Jeanne juga pernah bertugas sebagai Pengelola kediaman rasmi Timbalan Perdana Menteri dan Pengurus Kompleks Seri Perdana.
Jeanne mempunyai dua orang anak, Nadiah dan Nadene.
Perkara yang baik saya sambut dengan baik kalau tak kita tak gelarkannya 'mendirikan mesjid'. Kepada pasangan Abdullah Hj Ahmad Badawi dan Jeanne Abdullah, saya ucapkan Selamat Pengantin Baru, semoga berkekalan ke anak cucu. Komen yang tidak sesuai dengan kesucian dan kemurnian perkara ini akan di deletekan
Monday, 4 June 2007
Its Not Only The Students
Its the school holidays and the 2 weeks break is indeed a welcomed respite. For those who thinks a teacher's job is easy think again. Yes, it is the break now but I have 7 piles of exam papers to mark in between shuttling to the hospital for my wife's surgery. She is now at home and recuperating well. Nope I am not going to write about how difficult it is being a teacher. I guess every job has its own appeals and downsides. What I want to write is more about you, those readers with school going children, and of course when we talk of schools and students we would inevitably have to touch on teachers.
I would like to blog about the kinds of parents I have met in my 30 years of teaching. Lets start where it all began.
1. 70s Kelantan 'What you have report cards in school' kampung parents
I do not know how they are now but back then when I was teaching in Sekolah Menengah Bukit Jawa Pasir Puteh Kelantan, we have parents who really do not know what is going on in schools. Once we had a visit into the kampungs for meet the parents session. We show them their parents report cards and surprisingly many have not seen a report card in their lives. Heck, I remember once giving out the report cards in class and a student returned it signed two minutes later.
2. 70s Kelantan try to be clever parents
One year we had a session with parents in schools. That was after the above incident. We gave out report cards to the parents and attempted to answer any queries should there be any. One man got on stage, took the microphone and said that his son did pretty well in all subjects except science. He said that the science teacher is a lousy good for nothing teacher. Then the teacher asked for the boys name. He took out his Teacher's Record Book and looked through. He answered. The class the boy was in had a certain number of students and a high percentage got A for science with a few failures. "If I am a lousy teacher how come so many in the same class got A for science. Its your son who doesn't like science, I know I am his teacher. The hall was filled with roar and the father sheepishly walked down without even saying a word.
3. 70s Kelantan beat my son up but don't blind him or break his bones parents
Most of the parents come from this category. Should they be called to school to discuss about their children, they usually say the above. They leave it up all to us.
4. 70s Kelantan gedebe parents
Now these are the type that we don't like. They will tell us outright that they don't like their children being punished. These are usually the more hostile type of personalities.
5. 80s/90s Penang kampung baru Chinese parents
There is only one category in this type of schools. These are parents of students coming from Chinese primary schools. Their results were not too good so they were not accepted by the premier Chinese Secondary schools in Penang. The quite good ones got enrolled into the better government secondary schools and the real bad one got sent to certain schools. I had the experience of teaching in 3 schools catering to students of these type. Their parents, almost all of them have one comment attitude. They don't go to their children's schools, especially the fathers. The mothers are only slightly better. Most of these students come from families with both parents working and the students themselves work after school. We don't have problems with the parents but a lot with the students coz these schools are the breeding grounds of triad members.
6. 90s/new millennium Penang Malay can't be bothered parents
These are the ones who gave us constant headache. Their children constantly gave problems but the parents will never come despite the countless reminders and phone calls.
7. 90s/new millennium Penang Malay my son is an angel parents
These are the ones we can do without. They will never accept the fact that their children are terrors. Usually mothers but occasionally fathers, they accuse teachers of having a personal agenda against their little 'angels'. Once I had to call a mother, coz the father had an allergy for schools, for consultation regarding her son. This boy was expelled from another school and upon appeal he was sent to my school a stone throw away from his old school. The mother insisted that her son is an angel and that it is the teachers who are giving him problems. None of his teachers could give him a good character reference. When she asked him something he shouted at her right in front of me. I had to get up and shout at him and to give him a lecture on how to talk to his mother. I could see that she now where to hide her face.
8.90s new millennium Penang Malay funny character parents.
Oh yes we had a few of these types. There were those he came shouting and upon seeing the principal rolling his sleeves up to meet him, he shut the fuck up. Then there is this weird father. Cikgu you can beat my son up even break his arms or blind him for his own good. What's on his mind? Teachers are butchers?
I am sure other teachers could add to the types of parents they have met. This post is not meant to make fun of anyone just to let readers know of the kind of parents there are. Of course what I have said is based on the schools I have personally taught. What happens in other schools I don't know. No, I am not saying all teachers are angels. As a one time administrator I had difficult times with some teachers too. Maybe in another post.
If I had in any way offended parents, I humbly apologise
I would like to blog about the kinds of parents I have met in my 30 years of teaching. Lets start where it all began.
1. 70s Kelantan 'What you have report cards in school' kampung parents
I do not know how they are now but back then when I was teaching in Sekolah Menengah Bukit Jawa Pasir Puteh Kelantan, we have parents who really do not know what is going on in schools. Once we had a visit into the kampungs for meet the parents session. We show them their parents report cards and surprisingly many have not seen a report card in their lives. Heck, I remember once giving out the report cards in class and a student returned it signed two minutes later.
2. 70s Kelantan try to be clever parents
One year we had a session with parents in schools. That was after the above incident. We gave out report cards to the parents and attempted to answer any queries should there be any. One man got on stage, took the microphone and said that his son did pretty well in all subjects except science. He said that the science teacher is a lousy good for nothing teacher. Then the teacher asked for the boys name. He took out his Teacher's Record Book and looked through. He answered. The class the boy was in had a certain number of students and a high percentage got A for science with a few failures. "If I am a lousy teacher how come so many in the same class got A for science. Its your son who doesn't like science, I know I am his teacher. The hall was filled with roar and the father sheepishly walked down without even saying a word.
3. 70s Kelantan beat my son up but don't blind him or break his bones parents
Most of the parents come from this category. Should they be called to school to discuss about their children, they usually say the above. They leave it up all to us.
4. 70s Kelantan gedebe parents
Now these are the type that we don't like. They will tell us outright that they don't like their children being punished. These are usually the more hostile type of personalities.
5. 80s/90s Penang kampung baru Chinese parents
There is only one category in this type of schools. These are parents of students coming from Chinese primary schools. Their results were not too good so they were not accepted by the premier Chinese Secondary schools in Penang. The quite good ones got enrolled into the better government secondary schools and the real bad one got sent to certain schools. I had the experience of teaching in 3 schools catering to students of these type. Their parents, almost all of them have one comment attitude. They don't go to their children's schools, especially the fathers. The mothers are only slightly better. Most of these students come from families with both parents working and the students themselves work after school. We don't have problems with the parents but a lot with the students coz these schools are the breeding grounds of triad members.
6. 90s/new millennium Penang Malay can't be bothered parents
These are the ones who gave us constant headache. Their children constantly gave problems but the parents will never come despite the countless reminders and phone calls.
7. 90s/new millennium Penang Malay my son is an angel parents
These are the ones we can do without. They will never accept the fact that their children are terrors. Usually mothers but occasionally fathers, they accuse teachers of having a personal agenda against their little 'angels'. Once I had to call a mother, coz the father had an allergy for schools, for consultation regarding her son. This boy was expelled from another school and upon appeal he was sent to my school a stone throw away from his old school. The mother insisted that her son is an angel and that it is the teachers who are giving him problems. None of his teachers could give him a good character reference. When she asked him something he shouted at her right in front of me. I had to get up and shout at him and to give him a lecture on how to talk to his mother. I could see that she now where to hide her face.
8.90s new millennium Penang Malay funny character parents.
Oh yes we had a few of these types. There were those he came shouting and upon seeing the principal rolling his sleeves up to meet him, he shut the fuck up. Then there is this weird father. Cikgu you can beat my son up even break his arms or blind him for his own good. What's on his mind? Teachers are butchers?
I am sure other teachers could add to the types of parents they have met. This post is not meant to make fun of anyone just to let readers know of the kind of parents there are. Of course what I have said is based on the schools I have personally taught. What happens in other schools I don't know. No, I am not saying all teachers are angels. As a one time administrator I had difficult times with some teachers too. Maybe in another post.
If I had in any way offended parents, I humbly apologise
Saturday, 2 June 2007
Ambulance and Boundaries
I am not going to blame anybody until I get the facts right. In fact I am not going to blame any one, I just need enlightenment. Its not everyday that one calls the ambulance to one's home that one becomes an expert as to what to expect. The first time I called one was many years ago and everything went well. The ambulance arrived quite fast and my wife's nephew who is a dark skin fella forgave the personnel for talking Tamil to him.
My next experience with requesting for an ambulance service was on the day my brother died. My nephew, the son of arwah told me that he wanted to send his father to hospital again coz arwah didn't look good at all. He wanted to send arwah to the Kepala Batas hospital where he was hospitalised 2 days earlier.
He related how it was the first time he wanted to send arwah to the hospital. They called the relevant number and was answered quite promptly. They requested for an ambulance be sent coz they wanted to send arwah to the Kepala Batas hospital. When they gave their
address, there seemed to be a problem. They were told that the ambulance from Kepala Batas couldn't come to their house because they were living in the Bukit Mertajam District. The distance from their house to Kepala Batas is a little bit further than to Bukit Mertajam Hospital but Bukit Mertajam is notorious for her traffic crawl at anytime of the day.
They wanted to send arwah to Kepala Batas because they have friends working there so things could be made easier. It was suggested to them to take the patient to a few kilometres away into the boundary of Kepala Batas and the ambulance from Kepala Batas could service them. All this jurisdiction bullshit proved too much of a hassle so his children carried him into their car and drove him to Kepala Batas. Mind you, his condition was quite bad.
I have blogged about how stubborn arwah could be and he got discharged the next day night. The following morning on the day of his death, his condition was so bad that the children panicked and decided to send him to the hospital again. This time he couldn't be carried coz he really needed medical care if he were to be moved. Since he was previously warded into Kepala Batas Hospital, they wanted to take him there again but had to call for an ambulance to take him to the Bukit Mertajam Hospital first. Their plan was to transfer him to Kepala Batas from the Bukit Mertajam Hospital. He died en route to the Bukit Mertajam Hospital.
I do not blame the ambulance personnel for his death for they arrived very promptly and were good at their work. He was fated to die that day so he died that day. I accept that. What puzzles me is this boundary thing. Since when did they start to have boundaries and that no ambulance from one district could cross into another district to carry patients. Why is there a prize for the most number of patients ferried by each district or cost constraints or like someone said because of the privatisation of ambulance services?
I am in the dark about this. Is the ambulance service really privatised. Like in the case of where the shorter route may not be the faster route, and the sick is really sick, how do we plead for them to understand our predicament?
Anyone out there care to enlighten me a bit?
My next experience with requesting for an ambulance service was on the day my brother died. My nephew, the son of arwah told me that he wanted to send his father to hospital again coz arwah didn't look good at all. He wanted to send arwah to the Kepala Batas hospital where he was hospitalised 2 days earlier.
He related how it was the first time he wanted to send arwah to the hospital. They called the relevant number and was answered quite promptly. They requested for an ambulance be sent coz they wanted to send arwah to the Kepala Batas hospital. When they gave their
address, there seemed to be a problem. They were told that the ambulance from Kepala Batas couldn't come to their house because they were living in the Bukit Mertajam District. The distance from their house to Kepala Batas is a little bit further than to Bukit Mertajam Hospital but Bukit Mertajam is notorious for her traffic crawl at anytime of the day.
They wanted to send arwah to Kepala Batas because they have friends working there so things could be made easier. It was suggested to them to take the patient to a few kilometres away into the boundary of Kepala Batas and the ambulance from Kepala Batas could service them. All this jurisdiction bullshit proved too much of a hassle so his children carried him into their car and drove him to Kepala Batas. Mind you, his condition was quite bad.
I have blogged about how stubborn arwah could be and he got discharged the next day night. The following morning on the day of his death, his condition was so bad that the children panicked and decided to send him to the hospital again. This time he couldn't be carried coz he really needed medical care if he were to be moved. Since he was previously warded into Kepala Batas Hospital, they wanted to take him there again but had to call for an ambulance to take him to the Bukit Mertajam Hospital first. Their plan was to transfer him to Kepala Batas from the Bukit Mertajam Hospital. He died en route to the Bukit Mertajam Hospital.
I do not blame the ambulance personnel for his death for they arrived very promptly and were good at their work. He was fated to die that day so he died that day. I accept that. What puzzles me is this boundary thing. Since when did they start to have boundaries and that no ambulance from one district could cross into another district to carry patients. Why is there a prize for the most number of patients ferried by each district or cost constraints or like someone said because of the privatisation of ambulance services?
I am in the dark about this. Is the ambulance service really privatised. Like in the case of where the shorter route may not be the faster route, and the sick is really sick, how do we plead for them to understand our predicament?
Anyone out there care to enlighten me a bit?
Cyber Salvos
I don't usually venture out of my writing turf and write about heavy stuffs coz I feel more comfortable writing about ordinary things in life. My last post was a little heavy in the midst of the Lina Joy controversy. I was a little worried that I may invite hostile reactions. No its not because I can't handle them. I just want peace. Verbal or written salvos fired at each other is not my idea of peace .
I wrote the piece not because I want to increase traffic to my blog. I may be hefty in size but I am not a heavyweight writer. Considering the things that I like to write about, I will never be a heavyweight writer and it suits me just fine.
I wrote the piece to give my point of view on one aspect of the matter. The aspect that I touched on was that apostasy amongst Muslims must not be made legal. I have my reasons based on what is taught to me about Islam and the Quran. I do not condone people going out and trick others into converting to Islam for here there is truly 'no compulsion'. Never have I ventured out to belittle other religions to support my stand. I don't take too kindly to those ridiculing my religion either. They should know that two can play that game.
It hurt me to read in other blogs debates relegating into a cyber fist fights. When it was the constitution that was being debated, religions became the victim. People denounce other religions. Stick to the question at hand. Some do not realize, or do they, that what they have said tantamount to branding Islam as backward and barbaric. Do you in your proper frame of mind expect a Muslim to accept that lying down? It is this very people who said that we should be civil. If there are fundies in Islam, which I don't deny there are also fundies in other religions too which shouldn't shock you too much.
I wrote the piece knowing fully well that there is no easy solution to the matter. If there is one, then someone would have thought of it already. There are many great thinkers in this country, they would have solved this headache already. The fact is it is a tricky situation. It has been brought to the courts and been made public which makes it even trickier and potentially messy. Clouded minds are not going to solve the issue.
I wrote the piece knowing that those against my writing have equal convictions and I respect that. What can I say to them to make this any easier. I don't know what to say.
Having said what I have to say regarding this, I would like, after, this to continue writing on more mundane everyday life things. I love doing them.
To the leaders of this country, they better do something about it. Their elegant silence on this matter is not appreciated. To the bloggers, do not give the powers that be the opportunity to brand us as trouble makers and thus accuse that blogs are the source of many ails.
I wrote the piece not because I want to increase traffic to my blog. I may be hefty in size but I am not a heavyweight writer. Considering the things that I like to write about, I will never be a heavyweight writer and it suits me just fine.
I wrote the piece to give my point of view on one aspect of the matter. The aspect that I touched on was that apostasy amongst Muslims must not be made legal. I have my reasons based on what is taught to me about Islam and the Quran. I do not condone people going out and trick others into converting to Islam for here there is truly 'no compulsion'. Never have I ventured out to belittle other religions to support my stand. I don't take too kindly to those ridiculing my religion either. They should know that two can play that game.
It hurt me to read in other blogs debates relegating into a cyber fist fights. When it was the constitution that was being debated, religions became the victim. People denounce other religions. Stick to the question at hand. Some do not realize, or do they, that what they have said tantamount to branding Islam as backward and barbaric. Do you in your proper frame of mind expect a Muslim to accept that lying down? It is this very people who said that we should be civil. If there are fundies in Islam, which I don't deny there are also fundies in other religions too which shouldn't shock you too much.
I wrote the piece knowing fully well that there is no easy solution to the matter. If there is one, then someone would have thought of it already. There are many great thinkers in this country, they would have solved this headache already. The fact is it is a tricky situation. It has been brought to the courts and been made public which makes it even trickier and potentially messy. Clouded minds are not going to solve the issue.
I wrote the piece knowing that those against my writing have equal convictions and I respect that. What can I say to them to make this any easier. I don't know what to say.
Having said what I have to say regarding this, I would like, after, this to continue writing on more mundane everyday life things. I love doing them.
To the leaders of this country, they better do something about it. Their elegant silence on this matter is not appreciated. To the bloggers, do not give the powers that be the opportunity to brand us as trouble makers and thus accuse that blogs are the source of many ails.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
