Christmas is More Than Just Santa Claus

One can easily tell Christmas is drawing near when shopping malls are decorated with gigantic pine trees ornamented with colorful light-line, pinecone clusters and metallic balls. Christmas carols are heavily played on radios and when you see throngs of people dashing into shopping malls to buy presents, you know it is time to order your turkey!

Christmas Day which falls on the 25th of December is widely celebrated throughout the world as it commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Although conventionally a Christian festival, now many non-Christians around the world celebrate Christmas as well but of course for different reasons. In fact, this festival serves as a reminder for those with hectic lives to go home and be with their families. It is a time for good tidings, a time to spend quality time with your loved ones and especially, a time to share blessings with the less fortunate; at least this is how Christmas is supposed to be.

Imagine this; the smell of vintage red wine and freshly baked gingerbread men fill the air where you and your family are cozy near the fireplace singing carols with piano accompaniment by your niece. How sweet and heavenly, I told myself. Regrettably, unbridled commercialization and materialism has taken away so much of the joy and gist of celebrating Christmas.

Instead of seeing children smiling with bliss, I see them sulking and crying for overpriced limited edition toys. At such, the supposedly-perfect-holiday might grind down family relationships by adding hassle in getting the so-called ‘anticipated’ gift. In fact if you ask a 5 year old what Christmas means, it is all about presents and Santa Claus. Where is the joy of celebrating Christmas when all you can smell is your burned wallet? Now Christmas and any other celebration has been manipulated to be the ‘money making time of the year’.

Christmas is more than just getting gizmos or expensive gadgets. Christmas is a day for people to show their appreciation and care by spending valuable time in the company of loved ones and probably, giving them a thoughtful present, in the true spirit of giving. I have always found it exquisite and lovely to see people secretly knitting, sewing or crafting accouterments for their cherished ones when it comes to Christmas. It is a symbol of love and appreciation rather than simply selecting from a myriad display of gifts.

On this meaningful and significant day, let us spread cheer to everyone. Despite this momentary world being struck by economic downturn, let us not grumble if we didn’t get what we wanted as Santa is probably reducing his budget too! So this Christmas, enjoy the serenity with family members and reach out to those in need. Here’s wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Love, Death and Everything in Between

Many people will ask this question - "What is Life?" Such matters question my very existence. Perhaps one of the simplest yet most complicated words to be defined is life itself. The wittier one would answer, Life is a journal. So are Time and Fortune. However, the life that I meant here is the very essence of our human race.

Picture a goldfish swimming in its bowl. It swims around aimlessly popping its eyes out to whoever approaches. Many of us might live our life like the goldfish. Boring, monotonous and routine. Seriously, what we need to know is how to make the most out of our life. Most people spend too much time looking back at what they could have done, reflecting on opportunities which lined up outside their door. When we miss out on opportunities and look back at them, we are lost in a state of regret - thinking stuffs like "I could have been this and I could have done that". Seriously, who will ever be happy living this kind of remorseful life?

Death, in everything alive, this term seems to blend perfectly with the humdrum cycle in which we exist. In other words, death is a part of life and undeniably, no one can choose when to die. When the time is right, death will beckon the individual. One can't resist, one can only accept. However, people tend to take death for granted. That is, until a loved one dies or one's own demise approaches. It hits like a bolt of lightning. Quick, precise and painful. It makes someone realize the harshness of reality. What if you can’t see your loved one anymore? What if you can't feel the warmth, the hug, the love from them anymore? Is it too late to regret or even tell them the three simple words that they have always love to hear?

That is why they always say "cherish your loved one". Love is to give without asking for return. True, it is easier said than done, but in order to gain something precious, one need to sacrifice right? Sometimes, the feeling of insecure and loneliness can drive one crazy. "Think positive"! Because analyzing too much only bogs us down. When we have positive outlook in life, we begin to see the bright side of everything.

An essential part of our lives is the people around us. Many people tend to neglect their families, their loved ones, living only themselves in the circle of life. Do remember that they were there for us when we are down and something to look forward to at the end of the day. Some people only spend few hours a week with their loved ones but the catch is, "it's not the quantity that counts, it's the quality." Sounds reasonable eh? Sure everyone can read and understand this but to put this in action is a whole different thing.

Have you ever had one of those days when you just don't feel like getting up in the morning to face the world, your parents, your friends or even your loved one? I sure have. Well, take a look through your daily newspaper but don't read the front pages as they will only make you feel even worse. Instead, take a look at the obituaries. Each deceased person listed there would be more than happy to trade places with you, no matter how many problems you have. You see, they are dead. There have no more opportunities, no more chances and no more life. When you realize that, I'm sure you'll feel grateful that you are still alive and well. So I guess, it's ashamed if you neglect your loved ones and regret soon.

Anyway, that is my life now. Learning on how to grow up and cherishing people around me. What I can say for now is I'm in the process of growing up and climbing up the ladder. I just hope that people around me will cherish me like how I cherish them. I'm trying and learning.... because when you start be appreciative you can make your life more than just a goldfish in its bowl. :)

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Dear Grandma

“The memories never really fade away even though it has been ages. Or perhaps, it has etched eternally in me that I could never eradicate it from my head…”

It has been 14 years since I felt this way. The long lost feeling suddenly struck me; piercing deep into my heart I could feel as if my heart is bleeding. Sincerely, how long has it been since you last take your loved ones out for a pleasing dinner? Or even, buy your loved ones their favorite ice-cream? If you have done at least one of these, you must be a grateful person who knows how to appreciate, I must say. In fact, I will have to admit, I envy you. Nobody teach me the word appreciate. No one tell me that I should cherish the people around me. I learn it myself… the hard way.

It has always been my greatest wish to have grandparents attending my convocation and of course, to witness the day I finally tie the knot with my other half. Having only one last surviving grandmother since the day I was born, I put all my hope on grandma. Back then, I never truly understand the word, death. I was just a primary two, naïve little girl when I told granny how I wish she could watch me grow up until the day I am married to the love of my life. Every time I said this, granny would chuckle and said to me, “Silly dear, by that time, I’m afraid I will be at a place far away from you. However, do not be upset. I will still be able to witness your wedding. I promise to watch you, my dear granddaughter to grow up every day from above when the day comes.”

At that moment, I never bother much about what she said as long as I heard; she promised to watch me grow up because that is the only thing I yearned for. I thought if someone died, they will just travel to a faraway place and after a period of time, the deceased would come back eventually. That was the definition of death to me when I was in primary two. In fact, probably you already know the real meaning of death when you were in primary one but I must admit, I am not like one of the bright cheeses in school.

To be honest, I had a wonderful sweet childhood that even sometimes, I hope I could turn back the time and live my life as a child forever. Being the youngest daughter in the family has a lot of advantages. You get less scolding, less punishment and of course more of everything you wish. When I was a child, I ruined just everything at home. You name it; from kitchen utensils to my mom skincare products and every time chaos happened, my ultimate tactic would be crying out loud. In that way, nobody has the right to scold me because my granny would come to my rescue. She would cuddle me in her arms and if anyone dares enough to scold me, my granny would fire them off. Still, this is not necessary a good thing because when you are spoilt, you just want everything to behave the way you desire but when things turn sour, you will feel like the end of the world is coming. I knew it more than anyone else because I was spoilt and I still am. I still remember that night she told me how she craved for ice-cream. I thought I would give her a surprise by asking daddy to buy me a box of ice-cream but since it’s already late at night, daddy could only bring me go the next day after my piano class. I was so eager to get grandma the box of ice-cream she craved that I didn’t really want to concentrate on that typically boring piano class. As I was playing the piano at my best hoping for the teacher to end class earlier, I felt miserable because the teacher wasn’t really paying his attention on me. Instead, he was talking on the phone with a rather serious tone. As he ended his call, I was shocked to know that class has ended and my mother is on her way to fetch me home. I thought angel must have heard my prayer.

When my mother picked me up, I hesitantly asked her to buy me ice-cream. “Not now,” and that is the only two words came from my mother.

“Why not? Grandma likes it. She told me she love ice-cream and I want to get it for her now!” I yelled.

“Grandma passed away. She will never be with us anymore.” My mother couldn’t hold her tears and burst out crying. The situation was so silent, only the sound of my mom sobbing could be heard. I was flabbergasted. I couldn’t find a word to utter. Still, I convinced myself that she might just have fainted and will regain back her conscious later or worst, she will travel to a faraway place and someday, she will come back to me.

When I entered the living room, everyone was in silence. Nobody say anything, not at all. I saw grandma in her room, lying down on her bed, so calm and so still. Her face was pale, lips were dry and even when there was not a single respond. I promised to buy her ice-cream if she wakes up and there is no respond again. My vision was blurred. I could sense my tears are flowing down from my eyes. The floodgate has been opened without my awareness. Only at that moment, I know; she will never come back to me forever. She will never tell me the anecdote of her life and yes, she will never ever be able to attend my wedding. I know she will not. That was the first time I learnt the feelings of real pain.

I cried so loud that only my voice could be heard. I keep on yelling grandma but she remain emotionless. Perhaps the English Language isn’t theatrical for me to paint the pictures of my ample feelings.

That night when she left me, I couldn’t sleep. My eyes were swollen and I was still crying. I went down to the living room. I wanted to see my grandma. I miss her dearly even it’s only a night we didn’t talk to each other. When I stand beside her coffin, I know tomorrow will be a different day. My life would never be the same again and I am not even ready for this.

Now that I am 21 years old, I still miss my departed grandma. I miss her flower scent, I miss her anecdotes and most of all, I miss her cuddle. I hope she will be able to watch my success and be proud of me from the faraway place like she promised. Til’ then, you will always stay in my heart and I will always be your dearest granddaughter. This is how i learn the meaning of cherish, pain and death...

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Internal Security Act 1960

“They stripped me of everything, starting with my own clothing, and my rights as a human being”

Lim Chin Chin of her ISA detention during Operation Lalang. (Arrested 27 October 1987)
Sources: http://hrforall.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/experience-of-detention-without-trial/#more-853

“His interrogators stripped him naked and forced him to enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Inspector Yusoff and two other Inspectors, Zainudding and Ayub, assaulted him on several occasions, causing him to injure his back and pass out blood in his urine. Inspector Yusoff also threatened to “disturb” his girlfriend if he did not divulge the information they demanded.
Jamaluddin Othman @Yeshua Jamaluddin, a Malay who converted to Christianity (Arrested 27 Oct 1987)
Sources: http://www.aliran.com/oldsite/monthly/2001/11d.html

“An interrogator tried to burn his genitals with a burning rolled-up piece of newspaper. They pulled his hair, stepped hard on his fingers and toes with their booted feet and whacked his back with rolled-up bundles of newspapers. He was made to do so many push-ups that he could hardly lift his arms to feed himself.”
Chow Chee Keong, social activist (Arrested 28 Oct 1987)
Sources: http://www.aliran.com/oldsite/monthly/2001/11d.html

“He was forced to perform mock sexual acts by his sneering torturers, who also used stretched rubber bands to flick painfully at his ears, chest and nipples. He had to do endless strenuous exercises like duck-walking, leap-frogging, crawling on all fours and “swimming”on the floor. If he stopped from exhaustion, they kicked him.”
Abdul Rahman Hamzah, a former Sarawak State Assemblyman and political secretary to the former Sarawak Chief Minister (Arrested 20 Sept 1988)
Sources: http://www.aliran.com/oldsite/monthly/2001/11d.html

*Above are the confessions by former ISA detainees who were tortured and oppressed during the detention period.

The Internal Security Act 1960 or commonly known as just ISA is a preventive detention law, first enacted to curb any communist’s activity that is deemed detrimental to the national security. Our very own native soil Father of Independence, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj during his time affirmed that “My Cabinet colleagues and I gave a solemn promise to Parliament and the nation that the immense powers given to the government under the ISA would never be used to stifle legitimate opposition and silence lawful dissent". Therefore, it is said that the core rationalization of enacting ISA is solely to restrain communist actions – nothing more, nothing less. This affirmation made my Tunku has proved otherwise when the Supreme Court (Theresa Lim Chin Chin & Ors. v. Inspector General of Police 1988 I MLJ 293) held that the scope of ISA is not only limited to communist insurgency and subversion. It has now broadened to the extent whereby ANY manner conducted by a person that the Minister believed is prejudicial to the security of Malaysia, he or she shall be detained under ISA for a period not exceeding two years (Section 8 of ISA). For example, telling the truth about the ugly side of our very own government might get you detained IF the Minister believed this will bring harm to the national security. Hence, sometimes truth-telling is not a good deed after all because some are not ready to handle the reality yet. Ignorance is bliss.

As of today, ISA is said to be draconian by many as it undermines the primary rights of human and nation democratic value. In most democratic system, every single citizen has the right to be informed of the grounds of his arrest without delay and shall be allowed to consult a legal representative of his or her choice. This fundamental human right of personal liberation is stated in Article 5 of Malaysia Constitution. Now, the most sardonic part is that Article 149 allows any laws made under them to be incoherent with other provisions of the Federal Constitution including provisions under fundamental liberties. One good example is the case of Jamaluddin bin Othman v Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri, Malaysia & Anor (1989) 1 MLJ 367. Jamaluddin was detained under s.8(1) of the Act and the grounds provided by the Minister in the order referred to his activities to practice and propagate Christianity. While Islam is the official religion of the country, Article 11 provides that general public have the right to opt and practice their preferred religion. Although federal law may control or restrict the propagation of any religion among persons professing Muslim religion, is it necessary to detain Jamaluddin under ISA just because he wished to practice and propagate Christianity? Is it right to claim that his action is prejudicial to the national security by practicing Christianity? Apparently, there is abuse of power by the authorities and who really cares after all? In fact, Malaysians “mudah lupa”.

Additionally, Section 73(1) of ISA grants enormous power to police officers. Any police officer may without warrant arrest and detained pending enquiries any person whom he has reason to believe that there are grounds which would justify his detention. The decree, “he has reason to believe that there are grounds which would justify his detention” sounds almost too subjective to be true. Who will review the righteousness of the police officer’s and his decision when even the court is not in such position? On 12th September 2008, a Sin Chew reporter by the name of Tan Hoon Cheng was detained not more than 20 hours. The only ground provided by Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar as to why Tan was detained under ISA was to protect her from possible life threat after reporting controversial issue on Umno division leader’s racist remarks. This matter has certainly raised another controversy. ISA was not enacted to protect people from menace at the first place. Therefore, isn’t it ironic when the authorities misuse the power of ISA again and again?

Hence, by having ISA around, is there any separation of powers and limited government? It has already violated principles of the Rule of Law and Human Rights to begin with. If one is concerned that without ISA, there will be no special powers against subversion, organized violence and crimes prejudicial to national security, do not fret because we already have emergency ordinance since long ago to counter the above.

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Lucky Number One. Not!

Out of 45 numbers, and I get this?? Number ONE? WUAHHH! I don't wanna be the first to present. Why must I be the first to present? Ms. Lina, my lecturer can even shout YeaY, Cherry is the Lucky Number One! I am doomed... I am soooo doomed! and those evil people were celebrating and laughing in front of me.

See those two mengade fingers pointing at my name? Those are the devils. God Bless Me!

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Greenday - 21 Guns

Lately I have been addicted to this song. Greenday - 21 Guns. I Heart ♥ I have even saved the chorus as my cell phone's ringtone. Cool-ness.

Hence, if you happened to heed this ringtone at mall or any other places, probably you have just bumped into ME! and if its true, come say hi to me then :)

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Confessions of a Dim-Witted Guy

This guy mentioned below seriously needs to learn some manners first before he even talk to Ms. Cherry and because he had somehow, somewhat pissed me off, I will have to post this up for everybody to see his foolishness. For your information, this guy is actually a law student from xxx public university. Talk about someone who studies law in the public university, his stupidity really amazed me. What a shame!

July 04
11:44amxxx
i have a strong confidence on myself dont have to worry, coz i believe i m too good, and when fate passes, it passes it passed
**makes me wanna puke right in front of the comp.

12:11pmCherry
okay maybe im not as wise as you but the only thing dat i know is you need to be humble when talking to frens

11:49amxxx
there is nno need to pretend humble. let me tell u one thing i'm searching for a girlfriend, to be frank i think u r good, why not we give chance so tht we knw each other more and better
** he thinks he is Christian Bale, please take a mirror and look at your own bloody face.

11:48amCherry
sorry but i think i will have to say this, you seems desperate for girls .

11:51amxxx
if one guy is serious nothing should be afraid of. the bad thing is girl always chooses wrong guy
** who is he to judge whether the girl has chosen a mr. wrong or not?

12:07pmCherry
you don approach girl this way bcos onli ppl who are not sensitive to a girl's need would do such thing and dat makes you a pervert.

12:04pmxxx
most of the men would the way i did, and i knw how and what they are going to do, but i m not interested to imitate others. i will spend mmost of my time on the girl with high IQ and EQ
**he sure have mental disorder

12:06pmCherry
ahahaha sorry but unfortunately, girls with high IQ and EQ wouldnt like a desperate guy like you

12:06pmxxx
tht only means they dont have wisdom
** so he is trying to say, girls who don fell in love with him, do not have wisdom

12:08pmCherry
if you are really dat good you wouldn’t need to go out like dat seeking gf. seriously you need to do some self-reflection. use the mirror if you would like.

12:09pmxxx
i only knw 10 chinese girls in 4 years
**this proves that no ordinary chinese girl would want to know him.

12:09pmCherry
dat bcos no girl would want to approach someone like you.

12:09pmxxx
sigh. u still dont understand the wisdom
**okay so, im stupid and he is smart.

12:10pmCherry
you are over confident. you think you are as great as God but let me tell you this, you are not. I bet nobody would want to talk to the likes of you.

12:18pmxxx
i only talk to my professor, judges, lawyers, my good friends only.
**what in the world is he? super arrogant monster.

12:19pmCherry
ohh then im sorry. i think im none of the above. you should have talk to them more when you have the chance cos I doubt you will have the possibility to talk to these ppl after you graduated. loser.
Offline.

This is only an excerpt from our previous conversation and I couldn’t believe that I even respond to him at the first place. What a waste of time talking to the likes of him. Anyway, I have already deleted him from my contact list. Such an arrogant, dim-witted guy who is so full of himself, I wish you best of luck in your future. What a joke...

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Time to Sharpen Your Axe

When it comes to education, it is a critical substance we must not overlook as in due course, education is what shapes a person’s mind ultimately. Whether our nation will persist to soar higher or left behind as a third world country eventually depends on our future leader. If the education system itself failed to thrive, I wonder what would have become to our future leader?

Wikipedia, the multilingual web-based encyclopedia project which is now magnetizing over 65 million of visitors from all over the world proclaimed below statements over education in Malaysia:

i) Applicants to public universities must have completed the Malaysia matriculation programme or have an STPM grade. Excellence in these examinations does NOT guarantee a place in a public university.

ii) Prior to 2004, all lecturers in public tertiary institutions were required to have some post-graduate award as a requisite qualification. In October 2004, this requirement was REMOVED and the Higher Education Ministry announced that industry professionals who added value to a course could apply for lecturing positions directly to universities even if they did not have postgraduate qualifications.

iii) Also pointed out that there is quality in the English Question Papers but the passing mark has been MANIPULATED in such a way that even the undeserving students manage to score an A for English, and this speaks volumes for the education system.

iv) Dr. Shafie Salleh, stated at the United Malays National Organisation 2004 general assembly, "As the Higher Education Minister, I will ensure the quota of Malay students' entry into universities is always HIGHER".

Extracted from Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issues_in_Malaysian_Education

As a fellow Malaysians, I am always proud of my country but mind you, being proud of my very own motherland and loving it still does not mean I am proud of the nation education system as well. The above excerpt was just a gist of how education system in Malaysia works according to Wikipedia but it is already adequate enough to put me in a despicable emotion. Perhaps, one would have question about my over-reaction towards this issue as people are so used to the facts that they could not care less. However, please do not forget that Wikipedia is an international web-based encyclopedia which means anyone with internet connection will be able to view this excerpt. What will foreigners think of Malaysian students when they read the excerpt? A bunch of incompetent graduates with English Language deficiency? Now, that is pretty ironic.

For the first statement from the excerpt, distinction in STPM and matriculation programme will not secure a place for that particular student in public universities. Even if you have scored a 4.0 CGPA in STPM, you should not be too sure that the university will grant you a place because after all, there is no such policy in the education system. If you are ill-fated, you are deemed to be rejected. Also, according to Dr. Shafie Salleh, the Higher Education Minister back in 2004, the allocation of Malay students’ entry to public university is always privileged. Of course, I would advise you not to question about this statement as it is protected under Article 153 of Malaysia Constitution. You would not want to end up getting caught and detained under ISA. Enough said.

Back then, to ensure the education quality is at its best, public university lecturers are required to possess at least a Master qualification in the related field. However, such prerequisite was eliminated in the year of 2004. Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said "This is not because we are facing a shortage of lecturers, but because this move will add value to our courses and enhance the name of our universities...Let's say Bill Gates and Steven Spielberg, both well known and outstanding in their fields, want to be teaching professors. Of course, we would be more than happy to take them in." Well, that was quite a joke I would say and excuse me, HAHAHAHAHA! Okay back to the topic, Bill Gates and Steven Spielberg wanted to become our public university lecturers? Don’t make me laugh. Datuk Fu Ah Kiow sure knows how to joke. Maybe that’s an example but sorry Datuk, that was not really a good one. Sure if people like Bill Gates and Steven Spielberg are interested to teach in OUR public universities namely University Utara Malaysia, University Malaya, or University Sains Islam Malaysia, by all means we are more than happy. Sardonically, will people like Bill Gates and Steven Spielberg EVER wished to teach in our public university? Not in the next ten years I would say.

Personally, I am not very convinced with lecturers who do not possess at least a Master qualification. Undeniably, field experiences are crucial but at the end of the day, it is the teaching profession we are talking about. Even if you are someone like Steven Spielberg but your teaching ability is intolerable, I don’t see a point there. Understanding is a part of learning and it is the lecturer’s profession and responsibility to convey the knowledge both from his personal experiences and books. Wouldn’t it be better if the lecturer possesses at least a Master qualification and he also has an extensive field experiences instead of losing one of the qualities? I believe two is always better than one.

Veteran English teacher Ibrahim Zakaria put forward, even intelligent young graduates too have trouble getting ideas across in English languages, and even local lawyers are of poor quality English. This issue has always been a predicament to the local students yet lots of them are not aware of their own incompetency. Talk about being over-confident and self-indulgence. Communication is one the most important part in daily life. Can you rely on a leader, medical practitioner, minister, lawyer, lecturer, and even journalist if these people are not even able to speak or write proper English? How are they going to convince other people with their language deficiency? One would argue that there is no point having good English proficiency if the person lacks knowledge and wisdom. That is not entirely true. With good command of English, you can at least speak for yourselves and convey the idea you are having. However, if you have the greatest proposal in your mind but you simply do not have a good command of language, how are you supposed to work that idea out to other people?

There has been an extensive debate on mass media lately in regards of this predicament. Reportedly, many of the public university graduates’ are suffering from job retrenchment and incompetency. Private corporations are all looking for graduates with excellent command of English Language and compelling portfolios. Job competition is everywhere and it is getting more brutal with current economic down turn. In this malicious and momentary society, it is always the strongest who wins. Fumble and you will be left behind.

Perhaps, one should now start sharpening his or her axe and fight for own's future instead of waiting for responsible authorities to make a change on the education system.

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