Wednesday, April 21, 2010

"Master" and "Guest" in Malaysia

"You do not come to our place and question our rights. These "special" rights are reserved for us. You are foreigner. We already tolerate enough to let you stay and have a life here."

From the statement above, this is what I believe the opinion behind the nation of this country before the independence. Indeed it is true that, as a "guest" there is no right to interrogate the rights of the "master". The "master" is already more than considerate to allow the "guest" to be with them. The "guest" should be thankful enough for the fact that the "master" allows sharing certain of his belongings. Yet the "master" reserves the right on certain things and "guest" is not allow to question because it is the prerogative of "master". I get the whole idea behind this and it does make sense.

I found out very funny, after 52 years of independence, there are still some individuals who came and warn me about the metaphor of the "master and guest". The metaphor of this of coz still make sense but I believe the context behind the "master" and "guest" are already changed. Are the "guest" still the guest?

Let me put it in this way. When the first time you brought a girl or a guy back to your family, this person will be considered as guest. But after a relationship is built and you marry this person, will this person still be considered as the guest of your family? Most importantly, do the children from the marriage of you and this person will also be considered as a guest to your family?

Though the Chinese and Indians are not origin from this place according to the nation history, but things are different now. The children or the next generation of these two races are born and raised up here in this nation. So why these children are still be labeled as the "foreigner" in country they were born? These children obviously are not belong to the India or China. I personally felt so ridiculed by the fact that I am still labeled as the "foreigner" in my own country. I was born and raised in this country. Never single step of mine is out of this country. I can speak, write and read in Bahasa Malaysia better than most of the people today and even better than my own mother tongue. Yet I am still be denied by many of the rights in my own country.

In my opinion, if the government want to make 1Malaysia a reality, they should start to treat everyone as the same. Indeed we all are the same because culturally we are born and raised in the same environment. The problem is not the people dis-united but is the government that dis-unite the people by treating them differently.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

16/04 for year 2010

Today is my birthday. Another 16/04 in my life calendar. Wow, I am 23 dy. A figure that represent the duration of how long I already on this earth. However I would like to point out that this 16/04 for 2010 is kinda different for me. Why is it different?


Ever since I was born, 16/04 for me is a day where I get to receive gift from those around me. Other than this, is also a day where I get a reason to invite friends to home and have party. Well our party is not like those we watched in western movies, but more to like bbq, buffet stye or stemboat party. The focus is on the food and the gift. Of coz there are a lot of fun too but all is just the physical fun. I do not care who came or present, as long got people gather around and buy me some gift I am Happy dy. So childish me. Until I first came to university, the fun that all this while I thought was fun is fading away. I dun get to do party anymore, no more a stack a gift waiting to be unwrapped by me. Thanks to all my friends in university that keep the spirit of 16/04 celebration in my university life.


Things however went from bad to worse. My mom passed away in the year 2008. The departure of her in my life me had given me a reason to forget my entire life of 16/04 celebration. I told myself that, the person that brought me to this life is no longer here, so what's the point of celebrating it anymore? A person that works so hard every year during 16/04 just to make sure I am happy during 16/04 is already gone, so I guess for the coming 16/04 of every year, I won't be happy anymore. During my 16/04 - 2009 birthday, I rejected my friends’s invitation to celebrate with me. No matter how I still manage to have a small celebration during that day but is all with a hardened heart. The spirit and excitement of 16/04 was no longer in me. That was the moment when I lost all the sense of 16/04 in me. I started to look at 16/04 as just another day in the calendar.


However, during the year 2009 also, is the year I came to know a wonderful "person" named Jesus Christ. I also declared to accept him as a guardian in my life during year 2009. The day was 26th April if I am not mistaken. The journey with him in my life indeed has transformed a lot of things in my life. What I would like to share here today is the way of him re-affirms me the spirit of 16/04. I still remembered at the beginning of year 2010, I went to an island trip organized by my church. During that time, Chee Ho is doing some sharing. He got once mentioned something about the plan of God on someone even before he or she was born. He said that when we were about to be created to come to this world, God will spend His time writing about our life, choosing our parents, describe our physical body and many things else about us accurately and precisely. We were on God's mind and God does not take the process of creating or even the motive of creating us for granted. We were not made by left-over but as an all-over. So the day when we were born, was actually the day God put us into reality. So my perception towards 16/04 has been re-established and re-spiritualized. I do not know why, but it must be some reasons why God choose this day to start our life. No matter what's the reason is, it is still a reason to celebrate. Here I am now, on my 23rd 16/04 in 2010 with Christ in me.


There are many reasons why the 16/04 for 2010 is so special to me. Partially is because I have finished my final year project and presented it. The burden that already stayed in my heart for 1 year is officially been taken off on the day before 16/04. I believe that this is also a part of God's plan on how He wants to take this year 16/04 as something to celebrate on. If you guys know me, you should know how this final year project has depressed me. But with God's grace is all over. 16/04/2010 I will never forget. Why? The main reason is because, today I realized that there are so many people that really care and concern on me. God might have taken away a person that care so much about 16/04 for me in my life, but now He puts even more persons that care so much about 16/04 for me. I never felt so deeply touched by those around me, till this year 16/04 celebration. This is the first time I ever get to value the gift of sincerity, the gift of caring, the gift of warmness and the most valuable one, the gift of the heart from all my friends. I now realized that 16/04 is not just a day of receiving thingy or stuffy gift but most importantly is the day I was appreciated being a creation that God has placed me in the life of those around me. Here am I now in the 16/04 for the year 2010. I would like share the one day journey of my 16/04 here and personally say thanks to everyone that make this year 16/04 so wonderful to me.


I woke up at 11 something. That time my heart was so free. It was the first time ever in this semester I woke up without having FYP in my head. I suppose to have my industrial training briefing on 12pm but it was called off. Then I was invited by my roommate to 1B to celebrate with me. So he fetched me out and we went to Old-Town Kopitiam. Thank you James, Ah Bing and Francisca for the great opening of my day. Thank you for the cake and the gift from you guys. I love the cheesecake and the shirt given by you guys. Thank you ah, James, Bing and Francisca.


After that, I met up with my course mates, Siva, Ravi, Kavitha, Hema, Mages and Puvanna We gathered up at Hong Kong Recipe Restaurant. We have some chit-chat and then went for a movie. We even went to do some shopping to help someone on someone which I would not share here due to some undisclosed matter. Siva you know what I mean, LOL. However I would like to say thank to everyone of you for being with me throughout the day. Thank you for the drink, the movie and of coz the special “Arsenal” gift from you gals. I really like that gift. Thank you ah, Siva, Ravi, Kavitha, Hema, Mages and Puvanna for all the great time spent. So glad to have time to hang out with you guys before we graduate from our study here.


After the movie, I joined Kam Siang, Ah Chiu and Ah Tang to play pool. I personally want to say sorry to them because I could not spend more time with them though they are eager to celebrate with me. Bro’s just wanna say sorry for not being spend much time with you guys but I know the heart of you guys. Trust me, I felt it and it is enough to touch my heart even we manage to spend only one hour plus together. Thank you ah KamSiang@Maumin, Ah Chiu, Ah Tang and also to Kevin and Kar Ooi for the wishes.


At 6.30pm, Wai Wai came and fetched me from 1B. Together with all my EBS group mates, Vivien, Wendy, Eunice and Nicole, we went to a place somewhere in Sembulan to have dinner. Meeting us there were Kok Fung, Andrew, Stephanie, Sheren, Yong Guan and Joreen. Then Chee Ho who was just arrived KK from Sandakan joined us too. We have a great time here, taking pictures and of coz the official celebration of cake cutting together. From the bottom of my heart I would like to say thank you to you guys for taking me out somewhere nice and being together with me for the celebration. Thank you for the cake and everything. With the vocabulary level I am, really can’t express how much I appreciate it. Thank you ah Chee Ho, Wai Wai, Joreen, Kok Fung, Stephanie, Andrew, Yong Guan, Sheren, Vivien, Wendy, Eunice, and Nicole. And of coz to the official cake of my 16/04 for year 2010.


Then we went for another movie before we went back to our respective place. I would like to take this chance personally say thanks to Chee Ho, Wai Wai, Vivien, Wendy, Eunice and Nicole for the gift. For Nicole, thanks for the card too. Your message I will bear in mind. Thanks to everyone of you. Thank you Emmanuel Church.


Last but not least I would like to say a million thank you for every wishes from everyone out there thru SMS, Facebook and phone call to me. Thank you for making this year 16/04 so special to me. Thank you Lord Jesus for everyting. And Lord, I pray that your blessing will come upon to everyone around me.



The end of 16/04 for year 2010.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Same yet different.

My flight has been announced delay. I guess it should be some mechanical problems with the plane. Whatever it is, thank God for the discovery. This thing can be fatal if gone through undiscovered.

Well I am still in the terminal. looking out to the glass in front of me, I was reminded the same place I use to be at the last two weeks. Is funny how a same place I used to be and I am now at can be total 2 different feelings and emotions. I still remembered last two weeks when I arrived at the terminal. I was so overwhelming with excitement of reaching at the airport. I do not know where am I heading next and pile up with multi-choices of ways to get to my next 'not-yet-decide-place', yet I am still feeling easy. Everything looks wonderful even with all the thinking I need to do. My luggage was delayed but it does not bother me at all. All I can think of is the joy and peace of coming back to this land.

Now I am here. The same place I use to be. I can't find myself anything to be overwhelmed. My emotions are mixed-up. The mental and physical burden is back now. Nothing in my mind that sounded nice to me. Everything is like a mess. With the delay, I felt worse now. All I can think of now is how to overcome the coming 2months+.

God I pray to you that towards my coming 2months I may find strength in you to carry on. May you pour out the blessing and peace into my heart in everything I do. Thank you Lord.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The greatest gift from my Mom

It is the second Chinese New Year I did not get to celebrate with my Mom. Everytime I see my uncles and aunties sharing and laughing together, it reminds me of her. Is like missing someone in the picture of the family. Still remember how she wait for me back from friends house late at night during Chinese New Year. If anyone in my family found it unpleasant for my late return she will step out and defend for me. She will stay in my room and ask me hows my day, angpow collection good or not and chat up with me the whole night. Now when I come back late during Chinese New Year, everyone is asleep. I guess if I die outside or did make it back home also no one will realize.
"I miss you alot, Mummy for this Chinese New Year".

Today when I was attending my girlfriend's grandma birthday dinner, I can see the enjoyment of her family. Everyone sitting next to their beloved mother and laughing with each other. Her grandma was so happy on the stage accompany by all of her sons, daughters, grandson and granddaughters. During that moment out of sudden my teardrops flowing out from my eye. I am not sad or happy. I just imagine on something that me and my mom cannot share anymore. She will never get to celebrate her birthday anymore with me. "I am sorry Mummy for being unable to give u this moment of joy in your life before".

Today I was reminded by God on the greatest gift I have ever received. Two years back, I was 21st years old. In the cultural of mine, whenever a son or a daughter reaches 21 years-old, parent will give them a necklace or something significant as the sign of reaching maturity and adult. I still remember a moment during my semester break (about two months after my 21st birthday), my mom came and apologized to me because she fail to give me something during my 21st birthday. She cried and said that she is sorry for not making my 21st birthday something special in my life. That time I told her," Is ok. You already gave me the best of everything you had. " Necklace or no necklace you already made my life special. At the end of the conversation I still can sense the sadness in her. Then about two months later, she passed away. The day before moment she passed away, she speak to me through the phone with the last few words, "Dun worry boy, Mummy is ok". Today, my mom has gave me one of the greatest gift that I could ever ask for, a life. The death of her has lead me back to God. My mom has introduced God and Jesus Christ back into my life. She maybe failling in giving me something for my 21st birthday, but she has died to give me everything for the rest of my life. About 8 months after her death, I was baptized. I was blessed and found the true meaning of life. "Mummy, God has promised me that one day we will meet again. For mean time I will keep on growing spritually and this gift you have given to me I will used to bring glory to the God".

*If one I was called by God to step into politics, my manifesto will be bringing glory to God.


What should I do and how should I do it?

Is funny sometime when people come to you telling you what to do and how to do on certain things. The way they put it on is like, if I'm not do it according the way they suggest failure is my only option. Nevertheless thanks for the concern.

It really does not bother me when things come as an advice to me as an alternative of improvement. I always welcome if people want to advise me. But what really make me can't find myself tolerate with, is when people trying to define me using another standard of another person. Is like every thing I'm about to do or I've done is bonded to this "human-made life marking scheme". I admit sometime I'm kinda rebellious in the sense of obeying the rules but to follow another standard by others is a definite rebellion. Just because others have done in this way, it doesn't obligates me to do it the same way. I am who I am and the only person who defines me is my creator, God. If others standard is to be used as the standard, life will be screwed up because people tend to live in the life that was never meant for them. If machines created by human is define uniquely by it purposes, don't you think human, one of the greatest creations by God is also define uniquely?

Why some people so bother about what happen in others life when the his or her is also a mess?

Matthew 7:3-4
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?"

There is a story, when a guy AB and a girl CD first start a relationship, many of CD's friends came and warned AB to treat CD nicely, be serious in relationship and all the 'friends-would-say's warning to CD. As time goes by after 4 years, AB and CD still in relationship. But among their friends, many come-and-go relationships have happened. Is not that I am angry or what, but my point is be sure that the same measure you used on others apply to you too. So my advice, do not judged. For we do not know what tomorrow holds but we know who hold tomorrow, God.

Most of people I knew always inquire about how I treat my girlfriend. They sometime so concern about things that I did not do which by right every guy should do to a girl. Anyway this does bother me at all. How I treat her is bounded in our relationship. I do things for her is merely for her, not for anyone to see. I need not to announce everything I'm about to do to show the world how much I love and care for her. I have my own plan and way. It is same as the way I honour God. Few days ago, a friend of mine, ask me "Why I did not see you pray before you eat". Deep inside my heart I have only one answer, I pray to God is for God not for you to see. The same thing applies here. The direction of the heart matter the most. If we live so much on pleasing others, the real essence of relationship is no longer there.

Do not come and tell me what to do. You might have experience in dealing certain relationships, but when it comes to mine, I run my own show in my own way. For my standard is not u but me. Even worst is, some who never in relationship before also try to comment on me. Seriously asking, how good are u in handling relationship? If anyone out there think they are really great, my suggestion come and have a piece of my life then only tell me what to do.

Our life should not be define by others but God himself. Call me crazy or insane in trusting God but I tell you, I am still strong throughout the circumstances of my life till today is because of God.