Chi Hau:
May 29, 2008
Just finish watching The Brave One (starring Jodie Foster, my favorite actress of all the time) and The Invasion (starring Nicole Kidman) this afternoon. The movie The Invasion really urged me to ponder and to reflect the issues that are plaguing our current world. As what happens in Resident Evil and Black Sheep, this movie talks about the proliferation of a virus. The debris of a crashed space shuttle between Dallas and Washington DC has brought with it an extraterrestrial virus. The only way for victims – who have contracted this virus – to stay alive is to stay awake. People who fall asleep will be physically unchanged but they will become emotionless. People without the virus should not show emotion or else…
The main character, Carol Bennell, tries to locate her son (Olive), who is with Carol’s ex-husband (who is infected with the virus). Fortunately, Olive was diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) years ago and that gains him immunity against the virus. Carol gets the virus from her ex-husband and the only key to survival is to stay awake.
Nonetheless, the notion that the movie really tries to impart is that the only way to make this world a better place is by being emotionless. Throughout the movie, the tensions between the United States and other countries, wars, atrocities are emphasized. Therefore, the movie suggests that without such feelings as greed and desire, the world can turn out to be a better place to live in. Besides that, the movie also highlights the love of a mother towards her child. Frankly speaking, movies with this theme interest me very much. For instance, Panic Room and Flight Plan.
Here is a dialogue from the movie The Invasion that is worth to be contemplated;
A: *I say that civilization is an illusion, a game of pretend. What is real is the fact that we are still animals, driven by primal instincts. As a psychiatrist, you must know this to be true.
B: *To be honest, ambassador, when someone starts talking to me about the truth, I hear they tell me about themselves more than what they say about the world.
A: *All I am saying is that civilization crumbles whenever we need it most. In the right situation, we are all capable of the most terrible crimes. To imagine a world where this was not so, where every crisis did not result in new atrocities, where every newspaper is not full of war and violence, well, this is to imagine a world where human beings cease to be human.
The following is the idea espoused by the people who have been infected by the virus:
*Is this who you are? Is this who you want to be? We were wrong to fight them. You wondered what it’d be like if people could live more like those trees completely connected with each other, in harmony. As one. Have you seen the television? Have you read the newspapers? See what’s happening, what we’re offering? A world without war, without poverty, without murder, without rape. A world without suffering. Because in our world, no one can hurt each other or exploit each other or destroy each other, because in our world, there is no other.
Of course, I can’t deny the fact that hostilities and suffering are instigated by avaricious minds of those ruthless dictators, including Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Pol Pot, you name it. Nevertheless, let us not forget that love is the element that makes this world a better place to live in and yet love is a kind of emotion. Without emotion, without love, I can’t believe how this world will turn out to be…
*The Invasion 2007, motion picture, Warner Bros Picture, Village Roadshow Pictures, Silver Pictures, Vertigo Entertainment & Olive Pictures, New York. Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel.
6:30 AM
Chi Hau:
May 28, 2008
This afternoon, while having lunch with my parents, we talked about the issue of poverty. It reminded me of one of the books that I have read – The Diary of Ma Yan. It illustrates a girl named Ma Yan from a poor family in Ningxia, China. Due to poverty, she has no choice but to drop out of the school. The content of the book is in fact derived from a diary written by Ma Yan, which was later handed by Ma Yan’s mother to a French reporter. The book was initially published in France and it managed to raise concern regarding the issue of poverty. Soon, a foundation was established to fund children’s education in Ningxia.
Throughout the book, we can see how Ma Yan’s family is trying to eke out a living from a meagre income. Ma Yan tries to change her destiny and she shows a very strong desire to return to the school. It is really a heartbreaking yet touching real life story. Most of us are taking what we have for granted and we fail to realize that more than half of the population in the world is in fact craving for these things. Every day, we attend lectures but snooze in the class. On the other hand, some people don’t even have the opportunity to be educated. We should be grateful with what we have and appreciate it.
Talking about poverty, it raises my reminiscence of the 30-hour Famine I joined last year, located at Stadium Bukit Jalil. It was really an eye-opening experience for me. We were introduced to the starvation and poverty faced by the people, especially children in China. Nonetheless, starving 30 hours is absolutely nothing compared to those who have to starve for a lifetime. I managed to catch a movie there. It was about a little girl in China, who was forced to drop out of the school and to marry at an early age due to the poverty of the family. Unwilling to kowtow to her family’s wish, she tries all she could to gather a sum of money to continue with her education. I can’t really remember the number but she begs her teacher to allow her to return to the school just because she was dearth of a few cents for the fee. When she lost her only pen, she cries like it is the end of the world as she couldn’t afford another pen. Notice that, it is just a PEN.
A current spate of natural disasters throughout the globe makes the issue of destitution even worse. Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and earthquake in Sichuan, China lead to the demise of thousands of people and left thousands more struggling to survive, fearing the menace of contagious diseases and famine. The situation in Myanmar worsened when the junta refused to let in foreign aids initially. The military scares that the foreign aid workers might arm the locals with weapons to topple the government. This is an act of insanity and it is totally inhumane. While the people were still suffering from the cyclone, an election was held. Indeed this election was just a trick to force the people to support the military government. Now let us turn our attention to the earthquake in Sichuan. At Cannes, Sharon Stone’s recent statement about the issue of earthquake has raised uproar among the people in China. Trying to raise attention pertaining to the issue of Tibet, Stone said that the earthquake is a result of karma. Undeniably it is an inconsiderate and immoral statement…
2:38 AM
bella comments~
Ok first its regarding the so called sexy white baju kurung...
when i first read bout it in the paper, it is soooo ridiculous saying that baju kurung may lead to rape cases. blurgh... i mean, does it have to fall under the girls too? rape n girls... girls are the victim!!! sexy white baju kurung may be the catalyst but hey who's the culprit??? it's the stupid empty headed rapist that easily turned on by the view of girls lingerie beneath the baju kurung...
when they made this issue public i guess, they dont have any issue to come out with.
kelakar... but actually, i do agree with the statement that the bju kurung can be quite sexy... believe me.. the girls from my previous secondary school, the school before my boarding school was sexy. they wear very thin, almost transparent looking baju kurung with short tudung. and they love to wear these fancy, fluorescent colour bra... but i never see any guy from my school get turned on. it's just immoral seing these girls walking around showing off their baju dalam. its just the same situation for the non malay. how daring these students are...
but to make this thing a big issue, i dont quite agree. y dont dey just send a recommandation letter to the school, suggesting the student to wear camisole... rather than publicizing this issue that seems ridiculous. very weird people nowadays...
back then when i was in my all girls boarding school, i too, have to wear camisole under the baju kurung. In all girls skool... u imagine. no boys, plus all the girls have to wear quite long tudung. we arent complaining cuz its the rule but im just curious , why? n now this issue came out and again im asking why?
i agree with what lee kuan said.. why put the blame on the girls????
next, BTN... i can say that i quite enjoy it... a bit... u can check out at my blog why i enjoy it... but really pity the NZ bound student for the bad day at camp. at least our jurulatih wasnt as strict as urs... we didnt have the walk-inti-the-swamp during kembara and no harsh training.. im just grateful... hahaha... but im glad i went to btn... i learn a lot...
1:11 AM
Finally, yeah, finally, we finished our BTN camp. My opinion about this camp is, excluding the guys from France Program and our friends, other aspects are all sucks.
Firstly, the first impression of trainers is damn scary! "Letakkan barang-barang dan terus masuk dewan! (Australian-bound students may differ)" Just like we are as young as primary students, who are totally in their hands. Thanks for the NS, I still can bear for that. I didn't dare enough to watch Pak Yah's charblack face...
Secondly, the dorm, is another hell. I can say that we are trained to be a TaiChi expert, or rather immune to genicide. The millions mosquitoes became the target for our two bare hands. We can fly high up to the top of the bed, and then chase for another fighter jet manouvering at the lowest ravine. However, our KungFu is not well enough. Hence, we try to fight the fighter jets with signal smoke or rather genicide. We did it for three whole days, but we are beaten at last. Damn ler, my hands suddenly became... (Geramnya)
Then, the Kembara (adventure) is just like a holocaust. It sacrificed thousands of lives! I just mended my sport shoes, and the swamp made it as nice as shit! Kesiankan my Cendana C-CODE shirt, it may be in the incinerator now. Grrr!
Finally, the suckest one is the contents of every LDK and talks! They are just exposing governments weaknesses and ... I better stop here, or my scholarship will be terminated as soon as tomorrow.
Anyway, hope it is a fine holiday to go. Lets sleep...zzz
4:27 AM
LeeKuan says~
"Baju kurung sexy?"
In case you guys were wondering, no, i DID NOT just announce that our good old baju kurung is sexy.
Other people in the newspaper did.
wow...i am speechless.
The student association who claimed this called for a review on school uniforms for our schoolgirls.
they claimed that
1. Baju kurung's cloth is white and thin - can see through everything
2. Due to that, certain students 'seduce' males intentionally and unintentionally.
3. As a result, rape occurs because the guys can't seem to control their growing lust.
wow...again..i am totally speechless.
I can't believe the fact that they drag the issue of baju kurung as an excuse for the rising number of rape cases in the country.
Great.
now what?
we girls have to cover up everything in black from head to toe?
who knows?
the mere sight of our oh-so-beautiful eyes will cause rape too,
the next thing we know, it will be compulsary to wear sunglasses also.
oh wait, we can't!
The mere sight of girls will cause rape.
NONO, GIRLS SHOULD JUST STAY AT HOME.
Every single female in this world should just stay indoors .
Then crime against women will not happen.
the world will be peaceful again.
YAY!
.
..
...
....
NOT!
UNTIL now i have no idea why females ARE the ones to be BLAMED whenever something like this happen!
Whenever something happens, accusations will be directed towards the victim, not the rapist himself! why?
Isn't it logical that the victim is not at fault here?
Isn't it logical to assume that the victim suffers the most here?
and yet, no...
people are busy speculating whether the victim was wearing anything sexy that distracts the attention of the males.
you know, honestly,
this kind of belief is an insult to the males too.
by assuming that they are easily provoked by sexy outfits is totally wrong.
I strongly believe that not all male populations in this world will do such thing except for certain unknown species.
Back to the issue of baju kurung.
Certain people suggested using thicker material.
my answer is:
Try wearing that in our hot and humid country. You'll faint from dehydration.
Certain people suggested using darker colours.
my answer is:
sure, but what's the point? white is one of the colours which is frequently used. Even in BTN we wear white baju kurung and no problems there.
Certain people suggested wearing camisole underneath the baju kurung.
my answer is:
isn't that already a compulsary thing? in my secondary school, we have to wear camisole or else we kena denda and stuff like that.
In conclusion,
i still don't get it.
what exactly is the problem?
sigh~
1:59 AM
hello guys..well we just get shocked with the sudden marriage between En. Amir and Miss Lili (i quite ore..well..shocked as i really dont imagine that Miss Lili will be En. Amir's wife!) btw just hope both of them will berbahagia selalu ^___^
yeah..i just wondering that is Miss Fara also going to be Madam Fara too?ore..well i just hear it from someone from her class..she is teaching malay stud! i hahaha well cant imagine it!
just like to scream to hear that she also superb at malay too..and even more schocking is she is going to married too..ore..is it true?or just im listening to a prank?ha
wych
6:28 AM
Shu Ning rants:
Haha...the admittedly disastrous exams are over...finally...
Hmmm, what happened to all our writers of this blog? Come back...come back...lol...
PS: See you guys in BTN=)
9:17 PM
Today is the last day of our mid-year examination, sounds happy right?
Somehow, I don't even think that Miss Lili, our Biology lecturer, (er, should I say?), is going to get married! And, you know, that "lucky" guy is Mr Amir of Sports Deparment! I know both of them! This is another colleagues affair, I think. No matter what happens, they will be a lovely couple. Lets close your eyes, and pray to the God (even you are an atheist, PLEASE do it now): "Oh Lord, please bless our Biology lecturer, Sweet Miss Lili, and Mr Amir, our Sportsman, a happy marriage, and make a fabulous example for our INTEC students."
All right, it is not the time for me to crap. Malaysia lose the precious Thomas and Uber Cup! I don't familiar with Uber, but I watched the whole match of Thomas Semi Final. Malaysia versus China, what a good foght right? Like usual, Lee Choong Wei is the General, and he killed Lin Dan by straight two sets! I was so motivated at that time, and my voice almost gone "Serak" celeberating the victory. However, as exactly as I predicted, Tan Boon Hong and Koo Kien Kiet being beaten like a stupid lame donkey! Thanks God, the results are 21-16 and 21-17, not as bad as Hashim H. (Hafiz Hashim). The next game of Wong Choon Han :-( , sucks again! Like my friends said, Chinese should "Hormati Orang Tua"! Bao Chun Lai is just 20's, but Wong already 31. China, please la, you still have enough time, let me watch Malaysia's Thomas Cup... I had waited for 16 years (Another 2 years because Malaysia had losed). The surprise is, Zakri and Farukh Zizuan Menang! Yohoo! At first, I thought that Monkey (long limbs) will be the saviour, but he came out...? Better he acts as a Joker (Batman - The Dark Knight is coming soon)...
This is the first day of Merdeka, and he spoiled my day! You bloody Hashim H., you make me think of BTN again!
Labels: Badminton, Biology, Colleagues, Couple, Dissapointment, Failure, INTEC, Lecturers, Malaysia, Marriage, Thomas Cup, Victory
6:13 AM
ore2..its mid year already guys. next sem we hav the final XD
its 180 days to go from now!
gee...sorry im late joining you guys.nice job n congratulation for this blog huhu XD
new place to express our feeling that we dont have the opportuninty at class hehe
yeah...see ya next sem huhu
gud luck for the xzam
elm =P
7:00 AM
For fourteen years I swim in the sea of learners, I never think that a friends can be connected in the cyberworld, and can cooperate without further discussion. Even though there is no any "Lembaga Pengarah" for this blog, but the Tauke allow her friends to post their feelings and opinions, no matter funny or sad or anger. This make different fishes in the sea did come together and live peacefully in the same gyre... How fantastic is this!
Actually I can hardly figure out what am I going to say, for I am a nerd in expressing ideas and emotions.
I appreciate this blog, as it seems has no owner. I appreciate this blog, as it is the first in AUSMAT 19, I think, as a colaboration of values. I appreciate the efforts of all who are hectic and may not meet in the future. I appreciate the pioneer of the blog...
Please allow me to put the link in Yahoo! Groups of ausmat_19.Labels: Class, Group, Tears, Thanks
5:54 AM
Leekuan's ramblings
Actually,
at first...
i wanted to post this in my own blog,
but then..
i thought "well, it's all right, i have already posted something more personal there"
There's no need for another one.
Everyone.
next week,
something major's coming up.
yeah...Mother''s Day.
For the first time, i actually look forward to it.
i wanted to tell her.
"Happy Mother's Day"
the earliest in the morning.
After all, there's no one else who will wish my mother "happy mother's day".
except me.
her only child.
I remembered.
I was so spoilt when i was young.
I insisted on eating corn - in a cup.
the keyword: in a cup.
when my mother gave me the original corn, without the cup.
i selfishly told her.
'It's not in a cup"
frowning wordlessly, she went to the kitchen.
she pulled out the corn bit by bit and put them in a cup.
just for me.
and then she returned, gave the cup to me, and muttered "Here's your corn-in a cup"
Smiling brightly, i took it and ate it like there's no tomorrow.
It was tasteless.
It's not delicious at all.
But for me,
it was probably the best thing that i have ever tasted in my life.
Yes guys,
someone as fussy as me,
someone like me who despise onions, garlic and ginger more than anything.
The other day,
i read a newspaper article.
about this child who was asked to tell the class what's his mum's occupation.
he said with his head down "My mother's only a housewife"
I nearly cried.
I can relate myself to that situation very well.
My mother's only a housewife.
The exact words i have said.
very long time ago.
But now,
i am older.
i am much more wiser.
i know.
she's not only a housewife
she's more than that.
she's my mum.
she's my super mum who can do everything i can't.
she can cook very well, i can't
she can drive really well, i can't-in fact- i am prone to accidents.
she takes care of the whole family
even when she's sick.
i can't.
when i am sick,
i am as dead as a dead fish.
ask my roommate and housemates,
they know what i am like when i am sick.
that's why.
this blog post is a tribute to you.
thank you for everything you do.
the reason i have come this far is because you threw my bag out from the house many years ago when i said " MUMMY I HATE STUDYING!!!"
I remembered you said
" DO YOU WANT TO BECOME LIKE ME??? I AM ONLY A HOUSEWIFE!"
No mum.
you're not.
you're not a mere housewife.
you're my supermum remember?
Therefore,
Happy Mother's Day.
let's celebrate this day together everyone.
5:44 AM
Shu Ning rants:
O.o" Glances at the scallop-lala debate.
Amazing...I'm thrilled that everyone is responding really well to this blog. Do inform the rest of our classmates who haven't accepted their invites to come join the fun, yeah?
Anyway, I personally do not have much to rant about here, as most of my boring, long-winded ramblings are confined to my own personal blog. Nevertheless, I suppose you guys would want to see the class pictures we took the other day.
As a budding photographer myself, I have to say that the pictures are REALLY good, what with the suitable lighting and admittedly crazy poses...
Hmm, if you guys want the pics of our class, or any other class for that matter, you can get the pics from either Bella or me.
Cheers, and good luck with SRT and the investigation draft guys..=)
Labels: Photos
2:39 AM
