AM back, finally!

Well, has been a while since i last blogged. Too stingy with my time to well, blog...rather, was way too immersed in life events....But memories can't run far therefore, there is always a new starting after sometime...Guess what? It was really a roller coaster life these few months...things that you can't really expect...But after all, we are all human and still in the samsara, the life cycle of life...So, why blog when everything seems to be impermanent? For many and me, its sort of reminising the thoughts...Plus not everything you could share it with your buddies right? So, blog-lah.....Whatlah,....anyway, will start to blog from now onwards....see you people again...from time to time.... :)

Wonderful New Year's Eve at Paradise..... :p

We, the whole family actually did had a memorable and wonderful dinner at Paradise on 31st December 2008....Nah, it was at the Paradise Hotel nevertheless....not any other paradise....Dad came along this time....therefore, we siblings were sort of sticking to a certain dress code instead of the free sexy skimpy style....hehehe....It was dad k....On one hand, food was not really that good...The management of that night were also below average...when it was time to feed on...guess what? It was a total scene of hungry refuges lining up for food rations....Malaysians.....come on, get a grip people...surely we have the morality in us right??Ponder, ponder.....speaking about civilisation....argh....Anyway, if you minus out that particular "zoo" part.....we had a great time surveying and modelling at various parts of the hotel....The atmosphere was great and one could never resist the temptation to go barefooted strolling down the beautiful beach....This is Penang after all.....It was a family affair as well....We seldom eat together as one big family, hence, the feeling of appreciation and gratitude....with a new year now, let bygones be bygones....live in the present and dwell not in the past and future.....Family....Love you lots.....

"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...