"eXposed" in Lighthouse, Penang

It was a cloudy Monday on the 1st of December 2008 when the whole group of us comprising me, Yee Ching, Bei Wen, Zui Chin, Ying Ying, Tiong Kuan and Kok Keong made a visit to Lighthouse, a warm place which provide comfort and hot meals for the homeless. We were there by 3.20pm and were greeted courteously by Mr.Peterson and the smell of boiling curry coming from the kitchen. Through Mr.Peterson, we gathered that Lighthouse provides tea and dinner everyday from Monday to Friday to those in need. There will be approximately 100 people for each meal and since Lighthouse receives people from all walks of life, hence, no pork or beef would be serve. One could not help but to agree that this is definitely a show of respect to the different religions. Mr. Peterson also informed us that the homeless people could also have their bath, clean up and watch television there although bathing needs to be supervised sometimes to avoid the abuse of drugs. Our first ‘live’ activity was to prepare bread and coffee for our dearest brothers and sisters. Tea time is the usual 4pm so the 8 of us could be seen busy spreading jam and pouring coffee into plastic cups. I braced myself to face and see what I have not really pay deep attention into before. 4pm came and these brothers and sisters came to have their tea. Well? I expected them to crowd around but they proved me wrong by lining up properly to collect their food. I was drastically surprised when the first brother actually came up to us, collected his food and say a big “Thank you”. It was really heart warming to hear the word thanks from them. Deep inside I could feel their sense of gratitude and appreciation. I looked at my other faci mates and saw their smiles. They were indeed sharing the same feelings that I had at that time. Tea time passed and we were soon helping them to prepare for dinner. Before that, we were lucky enough to meet Brother Vincent, who cheerfully shared with us something about Lighthouse. Lighthouse which represents Let’s Inspire Give Hope Through Holistic Option Using Self- Empowerment, is run based on the aim to help those in need. A perfect analogy for comparison would be a light that is shone in the darkness. Lighthouse is currently working hard to help the homeless to secure a job besides just providing meals for them. However, after my first contact with them during tea time, I could feel that they are people who lack of confidence and social interactions. Bro. Vincent confirmed my predicament when he said that there were some who eventually ‘chickened’ out on the first day of their work, hence, going back to square one. They are always afraid of the society’s view towards them. So how does the society view them? “ Are you willing to mingle and mix around with them?” was the counter reply to my earlier question. I was not too sure about my reply. It was really heart breaking to learn that many of these homeless brothers and sisters do have their own children and family. With that statement, I could roughly rank the standard of filial piety in our society. I silently thought of my family and a meaningful portion of a statement the Tathagata once preached. The Tathagata said, even if a person is to carry his father on his left shoulder and his mother on his right shoulder until his bones were ground to powder by their weight, and if that person is to circumambulate Mount Sumeru for a hundred thousands kalpas, that person would still not have repaid the deep kindness of his parents. Dinner affair was a simple one with merely rice, chicken curry, vegetables and watermelon. As they ate quietly in a corner without any fuss, once again, a wave of gratefulness and appreciation came flooding by. It was a moment of realization that there are actually so many people who are less fortunate than us out there.
We also had the opportunity to meet up with Mr. Belle, the manager of Lighthouse. He once again re-emphasized the objective of Lighthouse to us. According to him, Lighthouse is run based on generous sponsorships. They have many helpful volunteers who came by to cook and prepare meals everyday. (Coincidently there was a ‘Datuk’ who came and helped to cook for dinner today.) Lighthouse would also have street scouting from time to time to provide food for those in need. What makes all of them, from a kitchen helper to a retiree to a ‘Datuk’ continue lending a helping hand? For Mr.Belle, it would be the satisfaction and feeling of wanting to help those who are less fortunate. For, Mrs.Peterson, the desire to help has always been in her bloodline since she was a kid. She had witnessed how her mother helped other poor mothers to feed their offspring by giving out milk formula to them. As for another brother who was helping out in the kitchen, it was in line with the Catholic spirit that they help those who are less fortunate. Our visit to Lighthouse came to an end. There were many times when during the visit, we actually witnessed the true nature of our own society. We seldom appreciate things that we already have, instead kept focusing on those things that we do not possess. How many of us actually realized that there are many more less fortunate people than us out there? Today’s visit was not merely helping out and interviewing. We had the chance to get up close to those without proper homes, some even abandoned by their families. They, like us need love and concern. Three words to conclude today’s brief but meaningful visit, “ Exposed” in Lighthouse.

ThE ONe meMorABle dHAmma cAmP

Time and tide waits for no man. Time flies at an undeniably high speed. Looking back, this year’s English Dhamma Camp took place three weeks ago, on 21st November 2008 at Butterworth Buddhist Association. Since we Biotech students were always granted the opportunity to sit for the last paper of the finals on the last day, I had to check in late for the pre-camp. It was definitely already bad enough that we had to brave the heavy rain, what more, we found ourselves lost like a sheep in the city, and on the highway to Alor Star. Luckily, and at last, our car and its entire human contents reached BBA…Pre-camp started its pace the next day..All departments were supposed to complete any uncomplete tasks…Dhamma and Cultivation department happily worked about their souvenirs for lay speakers..Yee Ching, Surita (according to Bhante Buddhavamsa) and Silk Guan…I will definitely enjoy the precious moments we shared together…How we made those lanterns, draw bamboo shoot pictures…The rest of the days in camp were fun and educational too…Despite being an AJK and only little time to snooze with my red striking sleeping bag, we actually had more time to interact with one another…I even told my new found mama about our special bond which made her felt so touched..and of course my other faci mates, like that funny Ker Li who would partner with me in our attempt to copy the laughter of a banshee..It was all warm and touching..Simple word, it was simply bonding…The word ‘bond’ was first initialized and used just to entertain and irritate Lee Chien during the form up committee’s meeting.God knows, the word was later spread from one street to another..If it was a fair game in the share market, guess I would have topped Bill Gates by now..It wasn’t, but everyone seemed to be using the word during EDC..Thanks for giving me the opportunity guys…Words can’t describe my feelings everytime I heard the word ‘bond’…I found myself a new papa too..simply by the chance of the Kalyana Mitra game…Supposingly, I had to write to this particular ‘kaya bun’..instead, I kept writing to ‘potato bun’.. thinking back, this potato bun, which turned out to be Xin Hoong had even told me before the revealing of the game that this year’s Kalyana Mitra is weird because he has two children instead of one..Even then, I was not on the realization part, offering only a sarcastic grin to him…Mana tau it was me…The rest of it was lots of laughter from other people…Was a total joke…and a swarm of guiltiness to my beloved ‘kaya bun’ which turned out to be Lip Giat..All fun and no studying? Nope, not really though..We had Dhamma Talks by Bhante Buddhavamsa, Dhamma sharing, case study, sutta study and talks given by layspeakers…All these customized programmes were incharged by me, Yee Ching and Silk Guan…So we had the golden opportunity to kick off and made our own conclusion after every programme..It was sort of a training to do public speaking…Rachel gave me some compliments in her snail mail to me..not after bringing up the dancing thing during faci workshop camp2…Felt happy of course… I can dance…. J Anyway, I grew with confidence during our sharing..Trying not to be so cheong hei, I shared with my group members whatever I had understood, sharing with them life examples and my own feelings…It was all about sincerity during sharing..Derrick did sent me another snail mail saying that I know the right way to do sharing…Thank you very much…with both his feedback and Li Qun’s I had gain some confidence in being a future faci…Nevertheless the journey continues thus I would definitely work my way up…to pass down the light of dhamma..Whatelse can I say besides all the fun and exposure I had during EDC? Perhaps it was once in a lifetime experience and while we enjoyed ourselves during those ten days be it meeting, having lunch, bathing, sleeping or getting into groups for sharing, the rest remains a history…All beloved participants of EDC 2008/2009, I will always remember those special memories…with the 31 of you…

S.H.E in Penang???

23rd September marked a special day for fellow students of School of Biological Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia. As early as 9 am, scores of students were seen pouring into the Bilik Persidangan…The whole S.H.E group will be belting out their performances after 2 months of intensive practical…Those who came to watch include professors, PH.D holders and students of course..Everyone who went were smartly dressed in their formal wear..3.5 inch of heels were also spotted ‘dancing’ around…The atmosphere was indeed applaudable. In came the S.H.E group with their performance.. Everyone that were present watched in awe…Since we are students of the Biological Science School as well, we were ‘awarded’ a golden opportunity to perform as well…Hence at 1pm, after having a quick lunch, we huddled our way to the Bilik Persidangan…It was empty so we seized this chance to rehearse first…Needless to say, we were of course quite nervous and unsure whether we will be well received like the S.H.E group or not.. And then, as if we were put on a death row, all 6 of us lined up and started the introduction…After 15 minutes of performance from our group, the bell was rung and we happily left the podium. Many heads turned when we left..It was definitely an excellent performance…It was not an easy practical neither was it hard… It was just a matter of cooperation and team work…Our S.H.E group was mentored by Prof. Lee who never failed to keep up with our progress..Bless him!!! That evening, he forwarded a motivational message to us.. It read “ Well done! I think your group got the highest marks for today’s presentation. Now, after looking at other presentations( some are quite poor), I hope you understand why I was so ‘BOILED’ yesterday…Your presentation today is clear, accurate and straight to the point..Congratulations!” Thanks Prof. Lee…Without you, we will never be on par with S.H.E..

P.S * S.H.E which stands for HUBUNGAN ETNIK course is a must to be taken course for every student in this university before they throw their graduation topi…Haha..gotcha…

Sweet sweet Birthday, my dear...

Looking back all these 9 faithful years….I definitely have no regrets at all….It was because of him I first have a clear direction of life… I was only 12 then…It was really a dramatic change for me…my secondary education rocketed to its maximum…Whenever there were any ups and downs, it was him who showed me the pathway …It was his words that lifted up my spirits…One could never deny how hardworking he is….Getting a name in the Guiness World of Records was no easy task for anyone….He is always working his magic out no matter what…He once told us “Believe in whatever you do” and “Hardwork sure does pays well”..Though always busy, he is also someone charitable….Many orphans and those in need had benefited from him…In the recent Paralympic in Beijing, he was there to contribute and gave his 100% support to the athletes….Throughout these 9 years, I learn how to live a life that is determined by yourself…I learn how to depend on yourself…I learn how to work hard…..My dear Andy Lau…. 9 long years….thank you for being there….From the time when you were only 38 years old, to today when you reached the figure 47, whether it is direct or in direct, you are always my idol and will always be….Love you always, Andy Lau Tak Wah...Happy 47th Birthday…May you always be happy and well. May you always be free from physical and mental suffering, May you be blessed all the time…I sincerely wish you all the best… Happy Birthday…my dear….

Biology-Degraded?

It all started on a stormy dullish night...Outside the rain was hitting hard against the window panes...A few of us, destined to head the society were huddled together discussing about the latest juicy news of our second home, the recent proclaimed 'Apex' university, Universiti Sains Malaysia....And on the topic of our recent Golden Girl of the year we dwelved into....All praises were bestowed onto her...One friend spotted from her news coverage that she was from the school of Computer Science...Hence, the horror began...That particular friend got so carried away that she somehow blurted out that if that Golden Girl was from the Biology school then there would be nothing to be proud of...Biology is only all about memorising facts ....according to her...I almost got choked while drinking from the bottle...It was devastating enough whatmore it served as an insult to all those in the Biological Sciences field...Well justifically, she was not the first one to present such comments before...I personally had encountered many since I decided to take up the science stream in my upper secondary...People have endless wrong views about this field....Biology is not only about memorising and 'vomitting' out the contents during exams...Try comparing results of those students who actually memorized blindly and with those who actually took the initiative to understand the real principle behind those Biological theories....You think Louis Pasteur and Watson Crick were memorising merely facts when they made their discovery? Nonsence my dear, nonsence...we need researches,understanding as well as the spirit to to work things out in this field..If Biology is hence only everything about memorising, each and every student of the tertiary education in this field could obtained their doctorate in let's say 2 years??Heck....no way....get your facts right people....I am definitely not pro bio just because I am one of them...I just feel that some justice could be done on this...What is our world currently working hard on? Yup, as you could guess it, genetically modified food, a treatment for chronic and fatal diseases and so on...We are living in an era where Biology is playing an important role in mankind's life....To be just relying on your memory would Biology survived until today? I would love to tender my doubts...

Malaysia and her 51st Birthday....

To my beloved Malaysia...I would like to dedicate a few words here to do some justice to your hard earned, blood mixed with sweat battled independance....all rewinding back to 1957...Needless to say, I was not even brought into this world yet at that time but anyone else would never say that they do not know how Malaysia's independance was gained 51 years ago... It was a beautiful and memorable classic and will be cherished as long as there is still a single Malaysian in this living earth...One would always admire and treasure how those locals fought their way through months after months, years after years...One would always salute the strong spirited soldiers who marched on despite knowing their lives are put to risk...And one would always cherish all those pain staking efforts by our leaders back then to gain independance for the sake of the people...We belong to where we come from....And finally, on 31st August 1957...Merdeka!Merdeka!Merdeka! It was our Bapa Kemerdekaan, whom finally brought back to us our long lost dignity...And with that, it was a total beginning for everyone since then..A new era, A new chapter of lives....For 51 years, our Malaysia's story was sort of the 'rags to riches' tale...No it was not a total smooth sailing journey for her...It was always filled with challenges along the way..But our pretty and smart Malaysia here would never listen to a word of giving up, hence we are here today, enjoying the hard fruits of labour of our darling Malaysia...51 years we see the unity of the different races in Malaysia...51 years we the generations of Malaysia live under one big roof...And from a totally unknown country 51 years ago, we became one of the popular tourist destination in the world...We lead and secure a position in the industry ocean...We became a country where almost everyone in this world wide would easily recognize....We came out with our own national car in 1981, we successfully built Asia's 3rd longest bridge in Penang, we have our own local twin-tower, and we managed to host both the F1 Race and the Commonwealth Games in 1998....How many countries would have achieved that? I would proudly say Malaysia did it with all her might...Of course there were a few hiccups in Malaysia's political arena but all is well at the end of the day...And because of that we continue to prosper under her...Living on her land for the past 21 years had me feeling that it would be all I would ask for again, given the chance to live my life again...I have seen various progress in our nation's developement and how the lives of Malaysians change....how we live in harmony....To my dearest Malaysia, a word of sincere thanks I would dedicate to you...Without you, there will not be any of us....Malaysia, I love you!!! and Happy 51st Birthday!

2nd article for all :)

Well its not really about whether you are getting a small fee or not...It is the feeling of being appreciated for your hardwork....Flipping through today' s Star newspaper got me dancing around....One last minute under pressured article which I wrote was featured....The last time my article was featured was in1998...as you can guess, that was when I was a kid...Perhaps I would just blog this feeling of mine...since it is not eternal and will fade off very soon, say...tomorrow? The happiness of looking and getting a glimpse of your own self written article shows only contentment and satisfaction...I remember vividly when this friend of my came by and asked me to write it....I was of course quite skeptical at first...It was like starting the engine of your old dilapidated 1975 car...The last time I wrote a full length essay was 2 years ago in form 6....Anyway, I took the initiative to brain storm the topic given and two days later...voila....an essay was produced...(a true writter would not have taken so much of time). The characters inside my article were based on three individuals with different backgrounds.....Those 'victims ' of mine were my dearest roomate, a good friend of mine and my wonderful sister (she was coming out from the bathroom when I targeted her)....I had, in desperation turned to them to ask whether I could use their names and stories....a good laugh then...To some, perhaps it is just a normal thing to see your article being published in the newspaper but then again....it is sort of a reminiscence for me after my 1st article that was featured in 1998...Down the memory lane we should walk again, should we?

when the apple was hit...

20th August 2008

20 days after I found myself inclining towards K.20 days watching after K and wishing that K will always be well and happy. Honestly, it seems like a joke when I reflected back. When I first took notice of K, I did not have the highest opinion of K. K was also a little egoistic, always walking up and down the corridor looking extremely busy. Then we went to a same annual activity and K was sort of already in my mind. However, nothing happened as the days rolled by until both of us had the opportunity to work together for these past few weeks. Unfortunately, K was one popular figure and me, a small potato among the scores of people. K hardly noticed my presence. What could I do except to eye K from the corner of my eyes? Each day of mine were filled with K’s visions. I knew that K already have someone else so obviously it would not make a difference right? Every single day whenever I see K, I would just wish him sincere happiness from the bottom of my heart. Like what those famous dead philosophers had said, ‘Loving someone does not mean owning him or her. As long as that person is happy, you should be happy as well’. Perhaps time would erase K from my thoughts given the fact that I have loads of work to accomplish. Sigh…Is it really that hard to share your feelings with someone else? I had tried but met with failures for all 8 times. Perhaps its just not the time for this little me, yet? Perhaps….I wonder…..