Beautiful

I made a vow yesterday. I promised my brother, Yang one thing. I was sorry for him and myself because I did not work hard all this while.

Our dream is big.

From now onwards, I promise my brother that I will work hard for these few months; work hard for the final examination and the public examination, STPM too. I already got up.

I will perform my best and I will be the crème de la crème!

This is no kidding. I promised him and I will fulfill and accomplish it!

I want to further my studies abroad; I do not want to stay in Malaysia anymore. I will do this. I do not want to regret anymore.

Yesterday night, I was awoken. I did not sleep anymore. Some words got me thinking. It is not the time for me to rest and relax anymore.

This is the only chance I work my best of the best and fly overseas.

For the first time, I felt the love and passion rushing to my heart! I knew what I want very clearly. I knew what I want! I will walk and die for it! I do not want local university, I want a scholarship and to stay in The United States and get a green card and stay there as a citizen! This is my American Dream.

I promised my brother and myself that we will work hard together until we win all these!

We have the same dream and we are going to pursue it. We are going to do whatever to go for it and to get a title of Psychologist.

We are not going to let that go!

At night, I was listening to mix.fm while I was pulling my socks and slogging my way to revision and home works. The song “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera was playing and this is my brother’s favorite song that I sent him.

At that very moment, deep in my heart, I did not feel hollow and empty anymore. I felt there was a fire inside me. The flame was burning hot and it was my passion inside that was burning.

I know I had to do something that moment. Aye. I have to work thousand times harder to go for my dream.

I am going The United States and I am going to be the world’s prestigious psychologist (my brother too!) and a criminal profiler. I will not let myself and my brother down!

This is me, the real me! I have awoken. I do not sleep in slumber anymore.

I love you forever Yang. This is the sound you hear from me talking. For brothers: Macus Ong and Ong Ch’n Yang.

Why Some Men Rape?

Many people have said that even grandmothers and small babies have been raped, yet they are not sexily dressed and the women’s clothes should not be a factor in the rising number of rape cases in the country.

Don’t these people know that rapists rape women of their fantasies? And under all the layers of covering, they know that there is still a woman, the “sexy” woman of their fantasies.

These rapists are normal human beings; they do everything that other men do. But deep inside them there is resentment. And with continued exposure to films, TV programmes, magazines and even newspaper that many people consider to be revealing, sooner or later, the rapists in them emerge.

Yes, believe it or not, sports too encourage such men to dwell on their weird fantasies especially when they see young women and under-aged girls wearing skimpy clothes or swimsuits live on TV.

The quest to win gold medals in sporting events have even forced pious Muslim women in Malaysia especially to discard their religious values on aurat, and the sports and other political authorities too don’t seem to mind.

Olympic gold medals, or even the lowly ranked South-East Asian Games or SEA Games bronze medals are enough temptation for these women to push aside religious values.

And these potential rapists are everywhere. They may be your close friends, relatives or husband, but they are not rapists yet if they do not have the victims.

And the victims are not those women they often see in the media wearing skimpy clothes because these women are often in the company of other women and men. And they do not parade their skimpy clothes in the secluded areas, but in public places.

However, there are some women and girls who go about on their own, riding motorcycles in the woods, walk in a deserted lane to go to college and go to the deserted car parks at night with their equally young boyfriend because they had seen movies showing young couples doing the same thing.

The girl thinks just because her young boyfriend is there, she is also safe. But doesn’t she realise that if they are confronted by several men who are older and stronger than the boy, she will become a victim?

This is adapted from an article in The Star by a writer from Cheras, Selangor.

So far, do you agree with her saying?

Waste Not, Want Not

Amid soaring global food prices, Penangites are thinking twice about where and what they eat.

While some are opting to eat in more, hawkers are finding ways to reduce wastage and those who continue to frequent hawker centres are prudently finishing each meal.

For hawkers, soaring prices of raw noodles, rice and meat were a concern, but many had long taken steps to reduce wastage.

Food sellers who operate buffet-style businesses are more susceptible to excess food and Golden BBQ Steamboat Restaurant co-owner Joseph Yeong Kok Choong has taken steps to cut down on wastage.

A sign at the Nagore Road restaurant states that a RM5 fine will be imposed for every 100gm of wasted food.

So, Penangites, are you opting to waste more or eat more?

HELP the PARENTS! SAVE the CHILDREN!

Are you living in rush?
Do you have time for yourself?
Do you have time for your children?
Do you think of yourself?
Do you think of your children?
Are you doing them favours?
Or you are giving them troubles?
What are these questions all about? You are about to find out...

Today is a very hot day, as usual, the weather never change. The temperature keeps on increasing. And everybody is so hectic on the streets.

Many honks are heard on the street; drivers who do not refrain from using their fingers as indicators; vehicles and car owners that do not make a way for others. Wow! These are the common scenes we can see from our daily life – on a street.

But, what I am here is not to talk about their behavior, not yet. What I am about to expose is the scene where it is not noticeable because it has been rooted in our lives from long ago.

I saw 4 cars. Yes, inside the cars, there sat the students, they were eating lunch in the rice boxes! What the heck? Just after school, they have to rush to another place, which is the tuition centre to get tutoring. They do not even have the spare time to do their own things before they can step into the tuition centre, how pathetic this is!

You blame the children? No. I think this is what their parents do, they want their children to get as many tuitions as they can, as for their subconscious – tuition and tutoring make their children better somehow stray their children from straight D’s to straight A’s. But, this is what the parents in this world want for their children; do they ever think about their children? Do they want so many tuitions? Do they have their little own spare time to rest and relax?

I don’t think so. Their parents are already filling their times with tuition, tuition and more tuition! It’s a pity situation to see children eating in car... Pathetic...

Children nowadays do not even have their own time to do their own things and garner their own hobbies.

Think about it, parents. Do you want your kid to be happy or to be burden with your expectations? Please think for your kids... I guess you do not want your kids growing up resenting you for the rest of their life! Help them and Save yourselves.

Watch your tongue!

Are you confused with the pronunciation we Malaysian pronounced in our daily life?

Sometimes, I just get confused with the words they pronounce and now and then, I get mixed up with the true meaning the word really carries.

Would you prefer ‘stainless steel’ or ‘standard steel’? I always hear Malaysian speaking of ‘standard steel’ instead of ‘stainless steel’. At that moment, I thought they were tongue-tied. Ha-ha. They carry different meaning if they are differently pronounced.

There is another situation where I often hear people saying ‘as accuse me’ rather than ‘excuse me’. Wow. Isn’t that a very funny and awkward moment for other people to listen to you saying “as accuse me”?

As the Malaysian University English Test, MUET is coming soon. To Malaysians, whether they are retaking the MUET exam or not, I still hope that you mend with your pronunciation in your life.

MORON!

I hate MORON!

They are the unwanted guests in special occasion.
They have the unwanted hands on your food.
They have the insincere attitude.
Stupidity is their profession.
Talking loudly is what they do best.

What else could have they done to you? Many to say... All in all, I hate MORON twice as much as I hate cockroaches.

There Will Be Blood

Malaysian riot police stand guard as protesters hold banners during a demonstration in Shah Alam, Malaysia, Friday, March 14, 2008. Hundreds of ruling party members protested outside the administrative headquarters of the opposition-ruled state of Penang on Friday in the first sign of partisan tensions after the weekend elections, police said.

Hundreds of ruling party members protest outside the administrative headquarters of the opposition-ruled state of Penang, Friday, March 14, 2008. Some 300 United Malays National Organization members took part in the demonstration, chanting slogans and waving banners, the spokesman said by telephone.

A protester shouts slogans in front of Malaysian riot police during a demonstration in Shah Alam, Malaysia, Friday, March 14, 2008. Hundreds of ruling party members protested outside the administrative headquarters of the opposition-ruled state of Penang on Friday in the first sign of partisan tensions after the weekend elections, police said.

Protesters listen to United Malays National Organization State Secretary Azhar Ibrahim , center left, during a protest in Penang Island, Friday, March 14, 2008. Hundreds of ruling party members protested outside the administrative headquarters of the opposition-ruled state of Penang on Friday in the first sign of partisan tensions after the weekend elections, police said.

United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) supporters carry a banner reading, "Lim Guan Eng did not respects the Malays in Penang" during a protest outside the state government building in Malaysia's northern state of Penang March 14, 2008. Hundreds of protesters, shouting "Long live the Malays" and "Don't push the Malays out of Penang" demonstrated for a half-hour until police asked them to leave.

United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) supporters carry a banner reading, "Anwar Ibrahim is a traitor to the Malays", during a protest outside the state government building in Malaysia's northern state of Penang March 14, 2008. Hundreds of protesters, shouting "Long live the Malays" and "Don't push the Malays out of Penang" demonstrated for a half-hour until police asked them to leave.

How to Survive the BUSINESS OF LIVING

Real is the person who does not define happiness as an absence of problems. Surviving this business of living is a difficult ordeal at times. How can we retain a healthy sense of humor and experience a sense of balance in our lives? How can we realistically and yet with a sense of wonder live fully and not just survive? How can we maybe even celebrate this business of living? To answer some of these questions we will focus on seven points.

***Life Isn't Fair***

No matter how good we get at this business of living, none of us gets out of it alive. Frustrating, isn't it! Life doesn't always deal us a good hand and doing our best doesn't always pay off with a positive.

***Suffering***

Growth is seldom easy and pain is an integral part of our human condition. Everybody hurts. It's just that some of us are better actors in hiding the pain we feel. Seldom if ever ... are all of our ducks in a row.

***Loneliness and Alikeness***

Dr. Albert Schweitzer said, "We are all so much together, but we are all dying of loneliness." We have all known moments of apartness and empty loneliness. Embracing that reality is essential if we are to cope effectively.

***Personal Responsibility***

We each have a choice to be either a death-peddler or a life-giver. We are responsible for the choices we make. We can become most of what we wish to be if we are willing to change and pay the price.

***Self Worth***

A poster reads, "God don't make junk." People are special and each is, "Beautiful in his/her own way." We are more than our accomplishments!

***People Need People***

Life is not meant to be lived in isolation. All of life occurs within relationships. We need to know we are needed and so do those we need.

***Mystery***

Life is not just one big problem to be solved. Rather, it is a mystery to be experienced, all the more meaningful and beautiful when it is shared and celebrated with other persons who are committed to "growing deep, not just tall!"

Third Class Mentality in Chung Ling High School

Prologue slash Interlude

*** ***

Are they hypocrites? Are they the rotten apples? Are they drowned in their own indulgence just because they are the so-called teachers in this school? What are they? No one knows, only them.

No enthusiasm in teaching, sleep in the class, no sympathies towards students, not anything. Should they get fired and asked to wake up in their overindulgent selves? YES! They are no less than society trash.

*** ***

Can you even think of a well known school has this phenomenon? Yes, it may not happen to you. It may not happen to some high ranked school in Penang Island. To me, this school is well known for its name and I think it has been notorious for its teachers’ quality.

In Chung Ling, this phenomenon happens always. Not that you do not believe, it is too good to be true, eh? However, now, it is not the truth anymore! Third class mentality can be seen anywhere at any corner in this school.

*** ***

Your mother’s friend: “Which school is your son studying at now?”
Mother: “Oh, he is now studying in Chung Ling High School.”
Your mother’s friend: “Wow! Wow! That is a great school to be in. my child cannot even enter the school after his UPSR because his results do not meet the school’s requirements... What a waste... (Your mother’s friend seems to be very impressed by Chung Ling High School.)
*** ***

I believe your mother’s friend will sigh for his son’s incompetence, incapability and regrets that her son cannot study in this school...

I cannot deny anymore that Chung Ling has the system breakdown of the administration. For those who still have not dip a taste of HOW GOOD Chung Ling High School is may think that it is a rare opportunity to study in this well known school and be proud of their children. I have studied here, for the seventh year in year 2008 for my Upper Sixth Form. Seven years... seven years in this school, this school is rotting from day to day, from time to time...

Talk about teachers. You find undedicated ones, irresponsible ones, those who pin point students and can I say, those hypocrites? There are many types of teachers in Chung Ling High School, too many until I cannot even think out a list of them! HOW PATHETIC. Nowadays, more and more “newbie” – new and inexperienced teachers – eh? – so-called teachers. They do not teach with their hearts; they teach with their mouth and ass. What they do is just read out the whole passage or anything or even everything written in the text, without further explanations.

*** ***
Student A: Teacher, what is meant by “tantalizing”?
Student B: Sir, how to solve this equation by multiplying them? I cannot get the whole picture here.
Student C: Sir, what happens to the chemical reaction after the concentration is being increased? Can you explain it?
Student D: Teacher, you told us that we have to finish the assignment by this Friday, but you did not tell us how you would want us to do it?
*** ***

Teacher A: You find the answer in the book by yourself!
Teacher B: I do not know! (The worst teacher I had ever seen in my life.)
Teacher C: You do your own assignment! Do not ask me how. I ask you to do and not to ask me how! Keep quiet!
Teacher D: Are you stupid enough to not know the word? Idiot! (There is this type of teachers in Chung Ling High School, do not be surprised.)

***

All sorts of inquiries and questions and unsolved problems of students were actually turned down by teachers. How pathetic!

To make the matter worst, they even sleep in class throughout their lessons. Is this what a school for? To contain all these moron teachers and let them cultivate, nurture and educate our next generation? I think I would like to send my children to private tutors or even start school schooling rather than letting my children go to school flooded with bunches of incapable, incompetence and irresponsible teachers!

I have seen this throughout my years in Chung Ling High School and this is not a rarity anymore. Not anymore...

They rather sit in front of the classroom and pretend nothing happens in the class rather than start their lessons. Believe me, believe it! You can spot the NOT in Chung Ling High School.

Some times ... some times ... They can be said “dedicated” and “hardworking” for a period of time...

They are likely to be said that they dislike to be blamed on something they do not do. Likewise, they will “do their best” sometimes to shown the parents they are doing their duties as teachers. They do not give home works some times, and here to go, they give a lot of home works some times. Eh? A little contradictory, is it not? Wow! Home works in bulk! How great and nice they are to the students. But, they were on a purpose of, just to show the parents that they have been doing their job to educate their children with home works, bunch of home works. How bravo they are in acting! I think they can be the best actors or actresses nominees for the Oscar Awards or even the Grammy Awards. ACTS AFTER ACTS. Without the feeling of getting bored... How great it is!

They specifically choose a “right” time. The exam spree! When the exam or test is drawing nearer and nearer, closer and closer, tah-dah! Home works are popped out of the student’s bag. Bunch and bunch of home works. Students cannot even breathe with their mouths! Is this a way how a teacher should be? You think of that and tell me. This is not a rarity, again. This is the truth. I am watching it everyday, as this happens to me and my brother.

How pathetic the teachers can be in Chung Ling High School... rotting in the nest!

And, lessons are not supposed to be a carol or al-Quran preaching time. Lessons need to be carried on with explanations and on-going participation by both parties, teachers and students. There must be interactions between them. Some teachers are so great and fluent in preaching the students during their lessons.

Definitely to say, there are still some dedicated teachers. But, not more that I can think of. They can be counted even with your ten fingers only.

That is not something going wrong with the students; instead, it is the teachers.

You cannot have a great expectation over the teachers, you yourself are the one to have determination to walk your path and color your life. Do not let the teachers mislead you! You choose your own way.

P/S: If you wish to know more about what I have been experienced in school, you can comment on this and leave me with further requests and questions. I would be glad to help and provide you with more information.