We are hitting the voting booths tomorrow to elect a new university president.
I have one full vote and I am going to exercise it...
Today in Bolehland, the 'servants in high places' once again politically(?) appoint a new vice-chancellor for UUM.
What are his vice-chancellorship credentials, I wonder...
Meanwhile, amidst the several voices in Malaysiakini urging readers to steer away from 'race', Richard Teo throws this challenge...
'Ask all the top bumiputera civil servants, the inspector-general of police, the chief justice and they will deny that they are products of the system. I'll bet my last ringgit that every one of them will say that they are where they are due to merit and not because of bumiputera-ism'.
He continues...
'And if we are to believe that this is true then we better start believing that the 40 percent of Malaysia's non-bumiputera citizens are incapable of holding or leading any top government institution'.
And swings another one...
'It is not by accident nor by merit that the top positions in the country are occupied by one ethnic group. It is a clear and irrevocable design by those in the corridors of power. It is people like Musa who choose to deny that they have benefitted from the system and by their own volition often choose to bite the hand that feeds them'.
Well said, my man...
And to think that one of the NEP goals was to eradicate the association of economic sectors with race...
Heeeheeeheeheeee...
I'd personally love to see Malaysia move away from this affinity with 'race'...
How about starting with removing the 'bangsa' item on official documents?
Then we can talk about voting for new university vice chancellors...
Whether the candidate is black or white, or somewhere in between, the one with the strongest credentials wins...
Just imagine the respect this vice chancellor is going to get...
Gardening, photography, food, fishing, traveling, scuba diving, life in Japan, plus of course, news and views of being away from home...
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
DURIANS...
A (former) colleague from Korea once said that his wife thought the durian smelled like shit...
Well, thank god that it smells like shit to folks like her...
Otherwise, they will only help to demand the fruit, thus making it scarcer and subsequently, more expensive for real 'connoisseurs' like me...
Come this August, I am heading back home for some of those goodies...
Usually buy only one or two good ones at one time... those B2 or D24 or whatever...
We sometimes drive the country roads of Kedah, and purchase the kampong types for cheap...
HEADACHES ON THE JOB
Woke up with a splitting headache this morning...
So much for gungho-ing with the two-week Japanese language plus host family program for the 17 Korean students...
On their second night here, while I was preparing to hit the sack, a phone call came.
One Japanese host mother reported that the Korean student had not returned home yet.
A rush of phone calls followed and luckily, she returned home half an hour after the promised time.
Then, last night, the third night of thirteen home-stay nights, and just as the curtains were closing down on my tired eyeballs, another flurry of phone calls came.
A student lost consciousness after some alcohol drinks during dinner.
I could not believe my ears...
Images, undesirable images, raced across my brain...
The host father, Mr. U, is a close friend of mine...
Did he go out of bounds to do the unthinkable?
I asked myself... how could he do this to me?
So instead of hitting the sack, I had to dress up to go to the hospital.
The student was undergoing drip treatment.
Just as I was about to leave the house, a call came in to say that it was not necessary to go.
She seemed fine, thank god.
I did hit the sack, but I could not sleep the whole night... worrying about the girl...
The office staff handled the whole affair last night and from their accounts, the student was anemic in the first place...
We presume that she was probably not used to drinking alcohol, even a small amount of it, and could not refuse the offer by the host.
I have yet to talk to Mr. U the host father.
If I found out that he did what he was not supposed to do, I am going to skin him alive...
UPDATE
Finally got to talk to Mr U.
He assured me that everything is ok now.
What happened was, he was at work.
His wife and two of her friends were having 'yakiniku' (BBQ) dinner with the two Korean students they are hosting.
All five ladies had a little alcohol...
Then the student, Ms. P went to the bathroom and collapsed...
Everyone panicked...
So much for gungho-ing with the two-week Japanese language plus host family program for the 17 Korean students...
On their second night here, while I was preparing to hit the sack, a phone call came.
One Japanese host mother reported that the Korean student had not returned home yet.
A rush of phone calls followed and luckily, she returned home half an hour after the promised time.
Then, last night, the third night of thirteen home-stay nights, and just as the curtains were closing down on my tired eyeballs, another flurry of phone calls came.
A student lost consciousness after some alcohol drinks during dinner.
I could not believe my ears...
Images, undesirable images, raced across my brain...
The host father, Mr. U, is a close friend of mine...
Did he go out of bounds to do the unthinkable?
I asked myself... how could he do this to me?
So instead of hitting the sack, I had to dress up to go to the hospital.
The student was undergoing drip treatment.
Just as I was about to leave the house, a call came in to say that it was not necessary to go.
She seemed fine, thank god.
I did hit the sack, but I could not sleep the whole night... worrying about the girl...
The office staff handled the whole affair last night and from their accounts, the student was anemic in the first place...
We presume that she was probably not used to drinking alcohol, even a small amount of it, and could not refuse the offer by the host.
I have yet to talk to Mr. U the host father.
If I found out that he did what he was not supposed to do, I am going to skin him alive...
UPDATE
Finally got to talk to Mr U.
He assured me that everything is ok now.
What happened was, he was at work.
His wife and two of her friends were having 'yakiniku' (BBQ) dinner with the two Korean students they are hosting.
All five ladies had a little alcohol...
Then the student, Ms. P went to the bathroom and collapsed...
Everyone panicked...
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Monday, June 27, 2005
LIONFISH AT MABUL ISLAND
Shot this lionfish at the 'Paradise One' dive site of Mabul Island.
Size from head to tail was about 40 centimeters.
The bottom was very sandy and a slight stir of the scuba fins will send the sediments rising to cloud the picture.
Lionfishes are part of the Scorpion fish family, which means, that they have venomous fins that could hurt anyone coming into physical contact with it.
Extreme pain is felt when its fins puncture the human skin.
Movement of limbs become difficult, while nausea and breathing difficulties may follow.
Although death is rare, the broken fins in the skin remain active for many days.
Full recovery may take months.
However, if left untreated, the wound may deteriorate into gangrene.
HOUSE TRANSACTION, JAPANESE STYLE
Three days ago, we showed up at the real estate agent to formalize the preliminary transaction...
There was no lawyer as in Malaysia, only the boss and four employees...
After some small talk, the boss laid out a bunch of documents in front of us.
There were just huge pages upon pages of blue prints of the house... in minute details that cover everything from the louver windowpanes to the wastewater drainage system...
He then dished out his real estate agent 'license' and said that it is required by law to explicitly show this document to the customer before the transaction.
He went on to explain in great detail on the land rights, the house designs, and the roads...
I found out that we would be co-owners of the adjacent roads as well...
Half an hour later, the owner's wife, Mrs. M, came...
Prior to meeting her, I had suggested that we do not want to 'inherit' any of the loose stuff from the house... stuff such as furniture, crockery, futons, and so on...
Of course, we do not want the old air cons, the washing machine, the TV, the over-sized water boiler...
But after meeting her and seeing that she is the age of my mother, I volunteered to assist in the clearing of the stuff...
The real estate agent however, advised us to take the stuff because those are 'un-common' stuff that you cannot get from the ordinary market...
There is a pretty nice pottery there, and I suppose the ceramic wares are nice too...
Oh, I didn't mention that there is a dedicated Japanese tearoom in the house?
Mrs. M is a practitioner of the Japanese tea ceremony and they probably had this tearoom specially designed...
We spent about two sleepy hours listening to the explanations while breathing the exhaust fumes from their cigarettes... arrrggghhh...
After which, we stamped our hanko many times on several copies of the contract...
We paid a deposit and agreed to discuss with Dr. and Mrs. M. on how to deal with the stuff in the house.
I could not allow myself to ask these two senior folks to move the fridge, the ancient, huge TV, or the old washing machine.
But let's see...
We are set to pay the balance of the sale price on 29th July and the title will change hands three or four days thereafter.
Renovations are of course, to be followed...
There was no lawyer as in Malaysia, only the boss and four employees...
After some small talk, the boss laid out a bunch of documents in front of us.
There were just huge pages upon pages of blue prints of the house... in minute details that cover everything from the louver windowpanes to the wastewater drainage system...
He then dished out his real estate agent 'license' and said that it is required by law to explicitly show this document to the customer before the transaction.
He went on to explain in great detail on the land rights, the house designs, and the roads...
I found out that we would be co-owners of the adjacent roads as well...
Half an hour later, the owner's wife, Mrs. M, came...
Prior to meeting her, I had suggested that we do not want to 'inherit' any of the loose stuff from the house... stuff such as furniture, crockery, futons, and so on...
Of course, we do not want the old air cons, the washing machine, the TV, the over-sized water boiler...
But after meeting her and seeing that she is the age of my mother, I volunteered to assist in the clearing of the stuff...
The real estate agent however, advised us to take the stuff because those are 'un-common' stuff that you cannot get from the ordinary market...
There is a pretty nice pottery there, and I suppose the ceramic wares are nice too...
Oh, I didn't mention that there is a dedicated Japanese tearoom in the house?
Mrs. M is a practitioner of the Japanese tea ceremony and they probably had this tearoom specially designed...
We spent about two sleepy hours listening to the explanations while breathing the exhaust fumes from their cigarettes... arrrggghhh...
After which, we stamped our hanko many times on several copies of the contract...
We paid a deposit and agreed to discuss with Dr. and Mrs. M. on how to deal with the stuff in the house.
I could not allow myself to ask these two senior folks to move the fridge, the ancient, huge TV, or the old washing machine.
But let's see...
We are set to pay the balance of the sale price on 29th July and the title will change hands three or four days thereafter.
Renovations are of course, to be followed...
Sunday, June 26, 2005
TWENTY-SEVEN AND LOOKING PRETTY
It was like, love at first sight...
She is 27 years old and she stands beautifully...
Finally decided to hit the button on this one...
It is a holiday house currently owned by a 70 year old doctor and his wife.
We saw it a week ago and decided almost instantly that we wanted her...
We saw the house again...and the feeling was the same...
The land size... 820 square meters compared to about 150 square meters for an average house in the city core...
The location... about 20 kilometers from the university...
I intend to continue cycling to work with my mountain bike.
The Japanese people were shocked to hear this...
Travel time is expected to be one hour per way...
There are five uphill slopes so there is going to be some sweat...
A stone's throw away is the northern most point of Shikoku island...
And, a well known temple in a cave housing the Goddess of Mercy...
Five to ten minutes walk from the house is the beach...
I foresee swimming, snorkeling, and fishing...yeah!!!
Yesterday, we sat on a large rock in the garden... and gazed to our heart's content...
Pretty luxurious, I must say...
The garden is 'mature', and 'Japanese'...with a slope on the east side...
There are large sakura trees, plum trees, maple, pines...
At the lows, there is ginger, bamboo, iris... and lots more...
Three seasoned stone lanterns and rain-scrapped bamboo fences further characterize the garden...
To cap it, there is a raised plot for vegetable planting...
I see fresh cucumbers... bitter gourd... salads...
Oh yes, we are going to indulge ourselves with some 'space' pretty soon...
She is 27 years old and she stands beautifully...
Finally decided to hit the button on this one...
It is a holiday house currently owned by a 70 year old doctor and his wife.
We saw it a week ago and decided almost instantly that we wanted her...
We saw the house again...and the feeling was the same...
The land size... 820 square meters compared to about 150 square meters for an average house in the city core...
The location... about 20 kilometers from the university...
I intend to continue cycling to work with my mountain bike.
The Japanese people were shocked to hear this...
Travel time is expected to be one hour per way...
There are five uphill slopes so there is going to be some sweat...
A stone's throw away is the northern most point of Shikoku island...
And, a well known temple in a cave housing the Goddess of Mercy...
Five to ten minutes walk from the house is the beach...
I foresee swimming, snorkeling, and fishing...yeah!!!
Yesterday, we sat on a large rock in the garden... and gazed to our heart's content...
Pretty luxurious, I must say...
The garden is 'mature', and 'Japanese'...with a slope on the east side...
There are large sakura trees, plum trees, maple, pines...
At the lows, there is ginger, bamboo, iris... and lots more...
Three seasoned stone lanterns and rain-scrapped bamboo fences further characterize the garden...
To cap it, there is a raised plot for vegetable planting...
I see fresh cucumbers... bitter gourd... salads...
Oh yes, we are going to indulge ourselves with some 'space' pretty soon...
THE ANDEAN MUSICIAN
Can't dance even if my life depends on it...
but strangely, when I hear Andean music, my feet starts to waggle...
their music is so joyous... more so if I hear it played live...
here is a member of the group called Wayrason, a multi talented guy who held me spellbound along with two other guys the other day at Takamatsu Station...
I have seen them before performing at the busy streets of Kyobashi, Osaka...
couldn't resist buying one of their albums...
here, he sings, and plays the Charango (guitar like), Quena (flute), Antara grande (pentatonic scale large flute), and a bunch of hardy thumb size seeds for percussion...
these guys were simply fabulous...
Saturday, June 25, 2005
KARA TSUYU
Was very honored that Mystic asked if she can learn Japanese from me...
Hmm... have no experience 'teaching' Japanese through the net yet lah...
Anyway, I think the word 'karate' （空手）is well known all over.
'Kara' as in 'empty' and 'te' as in 'hand'...
So, karate means you fight with an 'empty hand'...
Similarly, the equally well known term, 'karaoke' means 'empty orchestra'...
But why 'oke' for 'orchestra'?
My take... the Japanese are fond of truncating words to 'save' energy...
Where I live, June is a time for persistent raining.
Rain that sometimes pour and sometimes continuously dripping for days, stopping intermittently only for cloudy skies...
They call it the 'tsuyu'（梅雨）season... literally, the season of the plum rains...
But as in the unusual number of typhoons hitting our shores last year, we are having an unusual spell of dry weather.
Thus, as per karate and karaoke, we are having 'kara-tsuyu'...
The last dry spell to hit the Sanuki plain was in 1994 when taps went dry except for only four hours per day.
The weatherman today fears that we could be heading toward a drought worse than that of 1994...
The 'save-water' notice just went up… and naturally I feel obliged to follow suit...
But my poor garden...
I feel a bit embarrassed to be seen using the precious water for the plants...
Luckily, I have a habit of waking up at 5.00 am during most of the summer, so I make a quick appearance at the garden to caress the plants before my neighbors wake up...
Still, my poor plants...
Their leaves, wilting... they seem thirsty...
I should be doing the Rain Dance soon...
Hmm... have no experience 'teaching' Japanese through the net yet lah...
Anyway, I think the word 'karate' （空手）is well known all over.
'Kara' as in 'empty' and 'te' as in 'hand'...
So, karate means you fight with an 'empty hand'...
Similarly, the equally well known term, 'karaoke' means 'empty orchestra'...
But why 'oke' for 'orchestra'?
My take... the Japanese are fond of truncating words to 'save' energy...
Where I live, June is a time for persistent raining.
Rain that sometimes pour and sometimes continuously dripping for days, stopping intermittently only for cloudy skies...
They call it the 'tsuyu'（梅雨）season... literally, the season of the plum rains...
But as in the unusual number of typhoons hitting our shores last year, we are having an unusual spell of dry weather.
Thus, as per karate and karaoke, we are having 'kara-tsuyu'...
The last dry spell to hit the Sanuki plain was in 1994 when taps went dry except for only four hours per day.
The weatherman today fears that we could be heading toward a drought worse than that of 1994...
The 'save-water' notice just went up… and naturally I feel obliged to follow suit...
But my poor garden...
I feel a bit embarrassed to be seen using the precious water for the plants...
Luckily, I have a habit of waking up at 5.00 am during most of the summer, so I make a quick appearance at the garden to caress the plants before my neighbors wake up...
Still, my poor plants...
Their leaves, wilting... they seem thirsty...
I should be doing the Rain Dance soon...
NASI CAMPUR AT REDANG
Was flipping over the pictures I took on my last trip to Redang.
The food there... it was delicious...
Especially when you are out at sea and returning back to base with an 'empty tank'
The beef redang was heavenly... the sotong, belacan long beans, fried menkuang, mushrooms, green peppers... uuuaaaahhh...
Friday, June 24, 2005
CLOWN FISHES AT PULAU PERHENTIAN
Clown fishes are a joy to observe.
They rarely rest still and are always moving here and there...
See here for a story on their reproductive behaviors...
OUT OF THAT PIGEON HOLE (2)
See Part 1 here...
Incidentally, before the vacate-notice came, we have begun some months ago to search for an appropriate home to move to.
Finally, my missus has had enough of staying in this pigeonhole...
She said, life is too short to 'waste' our lives in this matchbox...
We are getting really hungry for some space...
Said she...
Let's go and enjoy some real space!!!
One advantage of being asked to move out rather than asking to move out is that we don’t have to cough up a lump sum of money to pay for replacements of the tatami mats and paper walls.
Which could come up to quite a fortune...
On a related front, cars are relatively cheap here, as compared to Malaysia.
We got our Honda CRV years ago at about 2,000,000 yen, approximately 70,000 ringgit at the current exchange rate.
But houses... they are the killers...
And more so, the land in land-starved Japan.
A square meter of land costs about 100,000 yen (close to 3500 ringgit) in Takamatsu city.
The ones in the city center would cost a bomb...
And Takamatsu is but a mere kampong-city...
Further out in the outskirts, they go for about half that price.
Many a Japanese 'salaryman' takes out loans of up to 30 years to purchase homes.
Imagine slaving throughout your working life to finance a loan, just to live in a landed house.
‘Mansions’ which are merely glorified apartments with no swimming pools or tennis courts, are priced from about 20,000,000 yen (about 700,000 ringgit) and you get no land.
Plus, you pay a chunk for monthly building-maintenance fees and for the parking lot as well.
I refuse to even consider moving to a mansion... primarily because I want to do gardening...
Presently, I love to cycle my Giant mountain bike to work.
Been doing that for as long as I can remember...
I dislike the morning traffic jams and the occasional rude driver.
It takes less than 30 minutes to cover the seven-kilometer course...
The roads are flat and the bicycle paths, wide.
I get to exercise everyday and I particularly enjoy the views of the sea as I pedal at my pace...
However, on rainy days, I do drive (somewhat unwillingly... )
I look forward to see what awaits us at the end of our search...
What house we shall be dwelling in...
Where the vicinity is going to be...
And how long the cycling distance is going to be...
Wooohoooo...
Incidentally, before the vacate-notice came, we have begun some months ago to search for an appropriate home to move to.
Finally, my missus has had enough of staying in this pigeonhole...
She said, life is too short to 'waste' our lives in this matchbox...
We are getting really hungry for some space...
Said she...
Let's go and enjoy some real space!!!
One advantage of being asked to move out rather than asking to move out is that we don’t have to cough up a lump sum of money to pay for replacements of the tatami mats and paper walls.
Which could come up to quite a fortune...
On a related front, cars are relatively cheap here, as compared to Malaysia.
We got our Honda CRV years ago at about 2,000,000 yen, approximately 70,000 ringgit at the current exchange rate.
But houses... they are the killers...
And more so, the land in land-starved Japan.
A square meter of land costs about 100,000 yen (close to 3500 ringgit) in Takamatsu city.
The ones in the city center would cost a bomb...
And Takamatsu is but a mere kampong-city...
Further out in the outskirts, they go for about half that price.
Many a Japanese 'salaryman' takes out loans of up to 30 years to purchase homes.
Imagine slaving throughout your working life to finance a loan, just to live in a landed house.
‘Mansions’ which are merely glorified apartments with no swimming pools or tennis courts, are priced from about 20,000,000 yen (about 700,000 ringgit) and you get no land.
Plus, you pay a chunk for monthly building-maintenance fees and for the parking lot as well.
I refuse to even consider moving to a mansion... primarily because I want to do gardening...
Presently, I love to cycle my Giant mountain bike to work.
Been doing that for as long as I can remember...
I dislike the morning traffic jams and the occasional rude driver.
It takes less than 30 minutes to cover the seven-kilometer course...
The roads are flat and the bicycle paths, wide.
I get to exercise everyday and I particularly enjoy the views of the sea as I pedal at my pace...
However, on rainy days, I do drive (somewhat unwillingly... )
I look forward to see what awaits us at the end of our search...
What house we shall be dwelling in...
Where the vicinity is going to be...
And how long the cycling distance is going to be...
Wooohoooo...
Thursday, June 23, 2005
HANEDA AIRPORT, JUNE 8th 2005
Terminal Two, Haneda Airport... with some free time after checking in, watched the travellers scurrying about the terminal...
OUT OF THAT PIGEON HOLE (1)
Mama22beas commented that Japan is nice for traveling if not for its high costs.
True, true... for living as well...
Here, I consider myself extremely lucky in that both my missus and I are not spendthrifts.
Simplicity is our guideline...
We don’t play golf...
We don’t go to the races...
We don't puff...
But we drink... bit-bit only lah for 'kampai' and for health...
After living here for a while, we have learned to live within our means.
For example, we can enjoy sea bream fish head curries at extremely low prices.
Home cooked, of course...
The supermarkets slice off the meaty parts of the fish for sashimi, and sell off the fish heads and bony parts for cheap.
Cooked with Cap Tarbus Kari Ikan powder, they are one of our all time favorite dishes.
Received a notice the other day to vacate the government-owned forty-year old 'apato' (apartment) that we have been occupying for the last 9 years.
The reason... the government needs to tear down these old barrack-like buildings to build new ones.
We have one and half years to look for our next home.
When we first moved in, my missus sat on a chair...
Blank-faced, she shook her head slowly... disbelieving...
I am not sure if I want to stay here, she said...
We have a dear friend at Damansara Jaya.
Their linked two-story terrace house has a lounge the size of our whole apartment.
Imagine, that lounge space sliced into three multi-purpose rooms, a kitchen, toilet and bath, plus a narrow verandah to hang the clothes.
'Multi-purpose' as in bedroom, dining hall, exercise room, study room...
A friend lives in a 500-year-old cottage in UK...
He asked to visit us some time ago.
I tried to find excuses to dissuade him.
But I could not make a devil out of myself even if I tried to.
So he came...
He must have been surprised to no end...
The kitchen and dining area is in the same location as the toilet...
Imagine having your meals and someone goes into the toilet... puuurraraaaaatttt...
See here for Part 2...
True, true... for living as well...
Here, I consider myself extremely lucky in that both my missus and I are not spendthrifts.
Simplicity is our guideline...
We don’t play golf...
We don’t go to the races...
We don't puff...
But we drink... bit-bit only lah for 'kampai' and for health...
After living here for a while, we have learned to live within our means.
For example, we can enjoy sea bream fish head curries at extremely low prices.
Home cooked, of course...
The supermarkets slice off the meaty parts of the fish for sashimi, and sell off the fish heads and bony parts for cheap.
Cooked with Cap Tarbus Kari Ikan powder, they are one of our all time favorite dishes.
Received a notice the other day to vacate the government-owned forty-year old 'apato' (apartment) that we have been occupying for the last 9 years.
The reason... the government needs to tear down these old barrack-like buildings to build new ones.
We have one and half years to look for our next home.
When we first moved in, my missus sat on a chair...
Blank-faced, she shook her head slowly... disbelieving...
I am not sure if I want to stay here, she said...
We have a dear friend at Damansara Jaya.
Their linked two-story terrace house has a lounge the size of our whole apartment.
Imagine, that lounge space sliced into three multi-purpose rooms, a kitchen, toilet and bath, plus a narrow verandah to hang the clothes.
'Multi-purpose' as in bedroom, dining hall, exercise room, study room...
A friend lives in a 500-year-old cottage in UK...
He asked to visit us some time ago.
I tried to find excuses to dissuade him.
But I could not make a devil out of myself even if I tried to.
So he came...
He must have been surprised to no end...
The kitchen and dining area is in the same location as the toilet...
Imagine having your meals and someone goes into the toilet... puuurraraaaaatttt...
See here for Part 2...
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
JACKS AT PULAU SIPADAN
Location: Baraccuda Point... depth about 20 meters... this dive site is well known for huge schools of baraccudas and jacks... the sight is breathtaking... the currents are normally there, so it takes quite a bit of huha to hang in there... anyway, jacks make lovely sashimi... the whitish flesh is sweet... a balance between crunchy and chewy...
BLOGGING'S PLEASURE...
Was once asked why I keep a blog...
Yesterday, I received an email from an old friend in UK.
We were prefects together in 1977/78 at Sultan Abdul Hamid College in Alor Star.
I was happy as a cuckoo bird...
Prior to this, I had the honor and pleasure to received numerous emails from folks in US, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Singapore, and of course Malaysia.
I was particularly thrilled to hear from a guy who married a Malay lady, a true life Sepet, as he said.
He offered to take me for some Kajang satay when I return for a holiday... wooh...
Got into chatting because one of my first puppy loves was a charming Malay girl who lived opposite my house.
I used to time the departure from my house to coincide with her walking out of her house, and pretended as if it was a mere coincidence...
The ten minutes or so of walking her to her school was... what could I say, except that I wish it were ten kilometers of walking...
Anyway, puppy love is puppy love... gaaahhh...
The last I heard of her was she was happily married with kids... and living amongst the concrete jungles of Kay El...
The PPS bash tomorrow... actually, I am secretly hoping that I could join the crowd... but no way lah, because of work commitments...
Would be a bonus if they can hold future meets in August to coincide with my balik-kampong days...
Anyway, I wish PPS, success...
Yesterday, I received an email from an old friend in UK.
We were prefects together in 1977/78 at Sultan Abdul Hamid College in Alor Star.
I was happy as a cuckoo bird...
Prior to this, I had the honor and pleasure to received numerous emails from folks in US, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Singapore, and of course Malaysia.
I was particularly thrilled to hear from a guy who married a Malay lady, a true life Sepet, as he said.
He offered to take me for some Kajang satay when I return for a holiday... wooh...
Got into chatting because one of my first puppy loves was a charming Malay girl who lived opposite my house.
I used to time the departure from my house to coincide with her walking out of her house, and pretended as if it was a mere coincidence...
The ten minutes or so of walking her to her school was... what could I say, except that I wish it were ten kilometers of walking...
Anyway, puppy love is puppy love... gaaahhh...
The last I heard of her was she was happily married with kids... and living amongst the concrete jungles of Kay El...
The PPS bash tomorrow... actually, I am secretly hoping that I could join the crowd... but no way lah, because of work commitments...
Would be a bonus if they can hold future meets in August to coincide with my balik-kampong days...
Anyway, I wish PPS, success...
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
YASUKUNI SHRINE
I had some time to kill one morning on my last trip to Tokyo.
So, what better thing to do but to visit that shrine in the news?
While certainly not of the grandeur of Ise Shrine or Meiji Shrine, Yasukuni Shrine is by all means a 'top grade' shrine.
The nearest subway station is Kudanshita, a five-minute walk from the shrine.
Nearby is the famous Budokan where my once favorite rock group Deep Purple played in the early 1970s.
A gigantic torii welcomes worshippers as they step into the shrine grounds.
Two more equally massive toriis guard the path towards the main building.
Ordinary worshippers offer prayers at the public prayer area while ‘extra’ ordinary worshippers like Koizumi offer theirs in the inner shrine...
Usually, I throw in a coin or two whenever I visit a shrine or temple.
But not this time... and not this shrine...
I walked up to the prayer area and aimed...
At that instant, a shrine guard roared 'kamera ha yame nasai!' (Put down that camera!)
My heart missed a beat... 'Gomen nasai...'
On reflex, I walked away meekly like a loser-dog with its tail tugged between the legs...
I scolded myself for not realizing that it must be pretty rude to photograph the spirits...
Took a short break and sipped on 100% apple juice before continuing with my itchy-backside-ness...
I was surprised to see a museum in the grounds showing exhibits on the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese war.
This is the first shrine I know that houses a war museum... although I must also add that I enjoyed a 'sex' museum at one shrine in Ehime prefecture...
The entrance fee was rather expensive for a poor student like me then, but it was the only museum that I enjoyed browsing...
These days, NHK runs a number of programs highlighting the 60th anniversary of the end of the pacific war.
Most if not all focus on the sufferings of Japanese civilians and the damage brought about by bombings from US warplanes.
You see and hear old folks crying about losing their children in the war... about the scarcity of food and clothing... pitiful scenes indeed...
But unfortunately, Japan once again fools herself by implying that nothing happened before the US came by, air raiding and destroying her cities...
Somewhat like Malaysia pretending that Malaysian history only started when Parameswara staggered meekly into Melaka, tail tugged between his legs...
Yesterday, Prime Minister Koizumi flew into Korea to meet President Roh Moo Hyun.
As expected, Japan and Korea failed to see eye to eye with regards to history.
After previously setting up a joint committee to study their adversarial historical relationship, Japan rejected Korea's proposal to incorporate their joint findings into school texts so as to infuse a common understanding among their youth.
Why waste time setting up this committee, I wonder...
At the same time, Koizumi remains adamant on visiting Yasukuni Shrine despite the numerous calls from politicians from both the ruling parties and opposition parties to reconsider.
So, what better thing to do but to visit that shrine in the news?
While certainly not of the grandeur of Ise Shrine or Meiji Shrine, Yasukuni Shrine is by all means a 'top grade' shrine.
The nearest subway station is Kudanshita, a five-minute walk from the shrine.
Nearby is the famous Budokan where my once favorite rock group Deep Purple played in the early 1970s.
A gigantic torii welcomes worshippers as they step into the shrine grounds.
Two more equally massive toriis guard the path towards the main building.
Ordinary worshippers offer prayers at the public prayer area while ‘extra’ ordinary worshippers like Koizumi offer theirs in the inner shrine...
Usually, I throw in a coin or two whenever I visit a shrine or temple.
But not this time... and not this shrine...
I walked up to the prayer area and aimed...
At that instant, a shrine guard roared 'kamera ha yame nasai!' (Put down that camera!)
My heart missed a beat... 'Gomen nasai...'
On reflex, I walked away meekly like a loser-dog with its tail tugged between the legs...
I scolded myself for not realizing that it must be pretty rude to photograph the spirits...
Took a short break and sipped on 100% apple juice before continuing with my itchy-backside-ness...
I was surprised to see a museum in the grounds showing exhibits on the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese war.
This is the first shrine I know that houses a war museum... although I must also add that I enjoyed a 'sex' museum at one shrine in Ehime prefecture...
The entrance fee was rather expensive for a poor student like me then, but it was the only museum that I enjoyed browsing...
These days, NHK runs a number of programs highlighting the 60th anniversary of the end of the pacific war.
Most if not all focus on the sufferings of Japanese civilians and the damage brought about by bombings from US warplanes.
You see and hear old folks crying about losing their children in the war... about the scarcity of food and clothing... pitiful scenes indeed...
But unfortunately, Japan once again fools herself by implying that nothing happened before the US came by, air raiding and destroying her cities...
Somewhat like Malaysia pretending that Malaysian history only started when Parameswara staggered meekly into Melaka, tail tugged between his legs...
Yesterday, Prime Minister Koizumi flew into Korea to meet President Roh Moo Hyun.
As expected, Japan and Korea failed to see eye to eye with regards to history.
After previously setting up a joint committee to study their adversarial historical relationship, Japan rejected Korea's proposal to incorporate their joint findings into school texts so as to infuse a common understanding among their youth.
Why waste time setting up this committee, I wonder...
At the same time, Koizumi remains adamant on visiting Yasukuni Shrine despite the numerous calls from politicians from both the ruling parties and opposition parties to reconsider.
Monday, June 20, 2005
BLACK BUG WITH WHITE SPOTS
Saw this guy resting on a mulberry leaf (I think...) one morning in my garden.
I have never seen this bug before and I am clueless about its name and its life cycle.
I was just admiring its sheer beauty... until it had enough of my staring and clicking and went off hiding under the leaves... body length about 3 centimeters...
Scroll down Patrick’s Sanzen-in Temple post to see a red version of two bugs...
Thursday, June 16, 2005
EXTENDING YOUR LIFELINE
Spent the later half of last night slapping my ears, cheeks, and legs trying to squash that irritating helicopter-mosquito...
Woke up feeling groggy and horrors of horrors... slipped into a verbal wrestling match with my sweetheart over who invited that helicopter inside...
**Couples... they argue over the tiniest and most inconsequential of things**
Wasted 30 minutes of precious morning time...
Cursed and kicked myself silly for that...
But, made up immediately... ***kiss kiss, hug hug, ooh ooh***
Score: piptee-piptee...
While we are on the medical check up mood, have any of you folks tried to look at your palms and the so-called lifeline?
Mine is actually rather short... and disjointed at places...
Years ago, while struggling with my PhD thesis at Nagoya University, I seriously thought my time was up...
After all, my lifeline said it, and I felt like 'knocking out' then...
But luckheee me... I am still dribbling the ball today...
There was this story... perhaps some of you might have heard it before...
A young man (or a young woman, if you prefer) with a rather short lifeline was very worried that he would die soon.
Like you and me, he wanted to live long, of course...
And he thought of a 'smart' way to do so...
He took a knife and carved over his lifeline, lengthening it towards the wrist area...
He died soon after...
Reason?
The contaminated knife...
Moral of the story... can't fight against fate... (?)
Woke up feeling groggy and horrors of horrors... slipped into a verbal wrestling match with my sweetheart over who invited that helicopter inside...
**Couples... they argue over the tiniest and most inconsequential of things**
Wasted 30 minutes of precious morning time...
Cursed and kicked myself silly for that...
But, made up immediately... ***kiss kiss, hug hug, ooh ooh***
Score: piptee-piptee...
While we are on the medical check up mood, have any of you folks tried to look at your palms and the so-called lifeline?
Mine is actually rather short... and disjointed at places...
Years ago, while struggling with my PhD thesis at Nagoya University, I seriously thought my time was up...
After all, my lifeline said it, and I felt like 'knocking out' then...
But luckheee me... I am still dribbling the ball today...
There was this story... perhaps some of you might have heard it before...
A young man (or a young woman, if you prefer) with a rather short lifeline was very worried that he would die soon.
Like you and me, he wanted to live long, of course...
And he thought of a 'smart' way to do so...
He took a knife and carved over his lifeline, lengthening it towards the wrist area...
He died soon after...
Reason?
The contaminated knife...
Moral of the story... can't fight against fate... (?)
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
BODY TWEAKING AND CREAKING
No one can beat Father Time.
At slightly past mid forty, the 'engine' begins to experience tweaks and creaks like a Proton.
Went for my annual medical check up last week.
Been doing that for the last 9 years.
It is always a pleasure to be on the receiving end of services Japanese styled.
The neat slippers... the cotton pressed light green pajamas... it was blue last year...
At 8:15 am, our group of about 20 ugly men took turns to pee into our respective paper cups.
We were to reject the first 30 cc and take only the middle portion of the pee.
Hmmm... now, how do I that...
Next, a veteran nurse took blood from my right arm... no pain...
The chest x-ray was a 30-second affair; no need to remove my pajamas...
I then peeped into the monitor that showed my liver, pancreas, etc, but could not make out what was what.
To check my weight, height, and body fat, all I had to do was to stand barefoot on a square plate with contact points at the heel.
Blood pressure was 62 and 110... pretty normal, thankfully.
The ECG was also another lightning fast affair.
But my eyesight is surely going to the dogs.
Had trouble to make sense out of those fat characters at the very top line of the table...
So much for reading the small fonts from Jackie Collins' saucy novels in the dimly lit hotel rooms while working in the airlines.
A punishment from God, perhaps...
At about 9:00 am, I began to feel hungry because I was to come with an empty stomach.
In the room that examined my eyeballs, the machine flashed right into the deeps.
Vertigo, man...
The 'nastiest' part of the check up was probably that of the stomach.
The nurse makes an injection on my right arm to 'calm' the stomach muscles.
Inside the room stood a vertical platform, a bed with two handles on the sides.
It quite resembles a torture table...
There were three items on the left side of the platform...
A small container of white granules, a small plastic cup filled with about 50 cc of valium, and a larger plastic cup filled with about 200 cc of valium.
The technician instructed me to sip from the small cup.
I was then to transfer the granules into my mouth and to wash them down with the remaining Valium from the small cup.
The granules tasted like lemonade, sort of like Eno.
Not too bad a taste...
Valium is whitish, and the texture, heavy powder.
The taste?
Yaaarrrggghh... even with an empty stomach...
This 15-minute routine required the technician to move the 'bed' horizontally and vertically, and me to repeatedly turn my body in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.
Quite strenuous, and I wonder how many more years I can do such a thing.
Upon finishing, I was advised to take two laxative pills to flush the Valium out of my system by the end of the day.
I was the first among the 20 ugly creatures to finish all the tests and consequently, the first to enjoy the two-tier hexagonal box lunch provided.
Not all hospitals provide this lunch service.
The box lunch was a rather grand thing with about almost 30 different items, all tiny portions of course.
The main course was grilled sea bream and there was shellfish, beef, pumpkin, tofu, yam, boiled vegetables, rolled egg, rice and miso soup, followed by hot coffee.
Still, I could not really enjoy the lunch as my stomach felt heavy with that load of Valium.
It was like I had swallowed a calf whole, and the animal is not digesting.
Paid 2050 yen (a little over 70 ringgit) for the check up, about 10% of the full price.
Now, for the results in a week or two...
At slightly past mid forty, the 'engine' begins to experience tweaks and creaks like a Proton.
Went for my annual medical check up last week.
Been doing that for the last 9 years.
It is always a pleasure to be on the receiving end of services Japanese styled.
The neat slippers... the cotton pressed light green pajamas... it was blue last year...
At 8:15 am, our group of about 20 ugly men took turns to pee into our respective paper cups.
We were to reject the first 30 cc and take only the middle portion of the pee.
Hmmm... now, how do I that...
Next, a veteran nurse took blood from my right arm... no pain...
The chest x-ray was a 30-second affair; no need to remove my pajamas...
I then peeped into the monitor that showed my liver, pancreas, etc, but could not make out what was what.
To check my weight, height, and body fat, all I had to do was to stand barefoot on a square plate with contact points at the heel.
Blood pressure was 62 and 110... pretty normal, thankfully.
The ECG was also another lightning fast affair.
But my eyesight is surely going to the dogs.
Had trouble to make sense out of those fat characters at the very top line of the table...
So much for reading the small fonts from Jackie Collins' saucy novels in the dimly lit hotel rooms while working in the airlines.
A punishment from God, perhaps...
At about 9:00 am, I began to feel hungry because I was to come with an empty stomach.
In the room that examined my eyeballs, the machine flashed right into the deeps.
Vertigo, man...
The 'nastiest' part of the check up was probably that of the stomach.
The nurse makes an injection on my right arm to 'calm' the stomach muscles.
Inside the room stood a vertical platform, a bed with two handles on the sides.
It quite resembles a torture table...
There were three items on the left side of the platform...
A small container of white granules, a small plastic cup filled with about 50 cc of valium, and a larger plastic cup filled with about 200 cc of valium.
The technician instructed me to sip from the small cup.
I was then to transfer the granules into my mouth and to wash them down with the remaining Valium from the small cup.
The granules tasted like lemonade, sort of like Eno.
Not too bad a taste...
Valium is whitish, and the texture, heavy powder.
The taste?
Yaaarrrggghh... even with an empty stomach...
This 15-minute routine required the technician to move the 'bed' horizontally and vertically, and me to repeatedly turn my body in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.
Quite strenuous, and I wonder how many more years I can do such a thing.
Upon finishing, I was advised to take two laxative pills to flush the Valium out of my system by the end of the day.
I was the first among the 20 ugly creatures to finish all the tests and consequently, the first to enjoy the two-tier hexagonal box lunch provided.
Not all hospitals provide this lunch service.
The box lunch was a rather grand thing with about almost 30 different items, all tiny portions of course.
The main course was grilled sea bream and there was shellfish, beef, pumpkin, tofu, yam, boiled vegetables, rolled egg, rice and miso soup, followed by hot coffee.
Still, I could not really enjoy the lunch as my stomach felt heavy with that load of Valium.
It was like I had swallowed a calf whole, and the animal is not digesting.
Paid 2050 yen (a little over 70 ringgit) for the check up, about 10% of the full price.
Now, for the results in a week or two...
IKAN BILIS AT PULAU LANG TENGAH
Might be mistaken, but I think these are called 'sweepers' although I would prefer 'ikan bilis'.
They like to hang out beside rocks where they can avoid the currents. Size is about 2 to 3 centimeters.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
COMMUNIST CHINA & MALAYSIA
It just dawn upon me that there is a strange similarity between Malaysia and Communist China.
That is, their way of appointing vice chancellors (or university presidents) through political channels.
Viz, Malaysiakini...
'According to the Universities and University Colleges Act, the vice-chancellor is appointed by the minister of higher education. It is unfortunate that we have a system where the minister, in consultation with the prime minister, decides who should be the vice-chancellor of the university. That means the vice-chancellor himself would probably recognise he is rather indebted to the executive for his appointment'.
The one difference is perhaps; the Chinese university presidents and their top guns have no qualms to reveal their party positions in the university list while the Malaysian ones go 'incognito'.
See here for an example.
On a related front, I once read a Singaporean article suggesting that Malaysia is renowned for delayed (re)action.
As in the so-called congratulatory message from the prime minister to Gomez...
'The Prime Minister congratulated me on my appointment and said that he was proud that Malaysians were being given important appointments at international agencies such as the United Nations. He said he felt my research was important and could be used by the Government for policy planning'.
Now, how are we to digest this?
Is the prime minister really sincere in this message?
Is so, why the delay in conveying it?
He should have been among the first, at least the official mouthpieces would report it as such, to hit the ceiling with joy upon hearing the U.N. appointment weeks ago...
To paraphrase a writer I admire...
'The prime minister feigns...'
That is, their way of appointing vice chancellors (or university presidents) through political channels.
Viz, Malaysiakini...
'According to the Universities and University Colleges Act, the vice-chancellor is appointed by the minister of higher education. It is unfortunate that we have a system where the minister, in consultation with the prime minister, decides who should be the vice-chancellor of the university. That means the vice-chancellor himself would probably recognise he is rather indebted to the executive for his appointment'.
The one difference is perhaps; the Chinese university presidents and their top guns have no qualms to reveal their party positions in the university list while the Malaysian ones go 'incognito'.
See here for an example.
On a related front, I once read a Singaporean article suggesting that Malaysia is renowned for delayed (re)action.
As in the so-called congratulatory message from the prime minister to Gomez...
'The Prime Minister congratulated me on my appointment and said that he was proud that Malaysians were being given important appointments at international agencies such as the United Nations. He said he felt my research was important and could be used by the Government for policy planning'.
Now, how are we to digest this?
Is the prime minister really sincere in this message?
Is so, why the delay in conveying it?
He should have been among the first, at least the official mouthpieces would report it as such, to hit the ceiling with joy upon hearing the U.N. appointment weeks ago...
To paraphrase a writer I admire...
'The prime minister feigns...'
MT. FUJI IN PURPLE
One of the pleasures of my occasional trips to Tokyo is to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji.
On that late evening flight, the skies were cloudy and the sun, setting. I was sitting on the right side of the plane and just minutes after lift-off, the plane banked to the right, revealing a beautiful cone shaped structure.
While a student at Nagoya University, I climbed Mt. Fuji on two occasions.
The first was a solo trip. It was in the midst of summer as I took the first steps from mid-mountain. The 'proper' time to start is at about 8:00 pm so as to reach the summit just before sunrise.
There were countless number of people climbing and the long lines of shining torches looked like flickering candles in the dark. But it was the smell of pee that left a strong impression. Plus, the garbage that was scattered all over the slopes.
By accident, I had chosen a moonless night and boy, the number of shooting stars I saw that night... it was unforgettable. Each time a shooting star zooms by, fellow climbers would 'wow' and 'aah'... A number of elderly climbers were breathing from oxygen bottles.
On the second occasion, I led a group of foreign students. We saw fewer shooting stars because of the bright moon.
But, the cold up the summit... it was like winter there. They have a post office and a Shinto Shrine up there.
As in the first trip, the sunrise observed from the summit was memorable...
There is talk that Mt. Fuji may erupt in the near future...
Monday, June 13, 2005
DON'T RAISE STUPID ISSUES
Yes sir, as some politikusian snarled some time ago...
DON'T RAISE STUPID ISSUES...
Now, how about this...
'Scholars and educators should spur themselves on to seek more knowledge to improve themselves'.
This, when Malaysia is tossing and turning with regards to the 'educational crisis'?
(That Abdullah promises to get PSD scholarships for top students and that Shafie okays Gomez's leave is another story lah...)
And, dig this...
'Scholars should not wait for political masters, corporate leaders or some other patrons to guide them towards excellence'.
A Freudian slip, my man?
Just take a moment to ponder the words over...
Political masters... **An (un)intended pun?**
Guide them towards excellence... **Is he serioulsy thinking that political masters, of all people, can guide scholars and educators to excellence?**
Perhaps the issue is, politikusians need to mumble something, however stupid, to show that they are really 'hard at work'...
What do you think, my friends?
Click here to find out who that politikusian is...
DON'T RAISE STUPID ISSUES...
Now, how about this...
'Scholars and educators should spur themselves on to seek more knowledge to improve themselves'.
This, when Malaysia is tossing and turning with regards to the 'educational crisis'?
(That Abdullah promises to get PSD scholarships for top students and that Shafie okays Gomez's leave is another story lah...)
And, dig this...
'Scholars should not wait for political masters, corporate leaders or some other patrons to guide them towards excellence'.
A Freudian slip, my man?
Just take a moment to ponder the words over...
Political masters... **An (un)intended pun?**
Guide them towards excellence... **Is he serioulsy thinking that political masters, of all people, can guide scholars and educators to excellence?**
Perhaps the issue is, politikusians need to mumble something, however stupid, to show that they are really 'hard at work'...
What do you think, my friends?
Click here to find out who that politikusian is...
Saturday, June 11, 2005
AROUND THE WORLD, SOLO
Two pieces of news in Japan got me thinking about the Malaysian sailor who was conferred a datukship for sailing around the world, 'solo'.
'Horie completes solo circumnavigation' and 'Nonstop circumnavigator, 71, sails into record books'
The first piece talks about Kenichi Horie, who at age 66, completed an eight-month nonstop solo voyage around the world.
And the second piece focuses on Minoru Saito, age 71, ending a 7 1/2-month, nonstop, unassisted solo circumnavigation around the globe.
In Malaysia, most people of this age will be queuing up to 'keluar baris'.
Yet, what struck me most were the energy and the humbleness that seems to radiate from their salt-worn physique.
Horie appeared especially down-to-earth in the interview.
Saito howled like he was in paradise when he took his first bite of tuna sashimi to celebrate his feat.
On the Malaysian sailor...
I don't know much about this guy, actually.
Except that he is a fellow Kedahan...
And that the Malaysian Navy assisted him with his broken mast and furnished him with microwave-oven ready-to-eat 'nasi kunyit'...
Perhaps he should sail again to make Malaysians really proud?
This time, absolutely solo, without the help of the Navy...
Who knows, those fellows 'up there' might be so impressed so as to dish him a Tan Sri...
'Horie completes solo circumnavigation' and 'Nonstop circumnavigator, 71, sails into record books'
The first piece talks about Kenichi Horie, who at age 66, completed an eight-month nonstop solo voyage around the world.
And the second piece focuses on Minoru Saito, age 71, ending a 7 1/2-month, nonstop, unassisted solo circumnavigation around the globe.
In Malaysia, most people of this age will be queuing up to 'keluar baris'.
Yet, what struck me most were the energy and the humbleness that seems to radiate from their salt-worn physique.
Horie appeared especially down-to-earth in the interview.
Saito howled like he was in paradise when he took his first bite of tuna sashimi to celebrate his feat.
On the Malaysian sailor...
I don't know much about this guy, actually.
Except that he is a fellow Kedahan...
And that the Malaysian Navy assisted him with his broken mast and furnished him with microwave-oven ready-to-eat 'nasi kunyit'...
Perhaps he should sail again to make Malaysians really proud?
This time, absolutely solo, without the help of the Navy...
Who knows, those fellows 'up there' might be so impressed so as to dish him a Tan Sri...
Friday, June 10, 2005
TURTLE SERVICED BY TANGS IN SIPADAN
This is probably a green turtle as they are the most common specie found in Sipadan. At this ‘cleaning station’, she rests her majestic body on the rocks, and is quickly serviced by two black tangs, which feeds hungrily on the parasites that cling on her skin.
You can also see three smaller fishes feeding on the ‘morsels’ off her leg. I took this picture from a rather far distance because I did not want to disturb the ritual by scaring the fishes away. So, the pale colors (giving excuses, eh?)
Thursday, June 09, 2005
SO NICE TO BE IN LOVE...
I like this shot very much. It was ‘stolen’ at Haneda Airport. These folks seem to have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and are still so much in love. I stood quietly at a corner, keenly observing their body language as they communicated. Shall I say, I would like my missus and I to be like that... about thirty years later?
Gov’t plays deaf and dumb over Gomez affair
Just got back from the trip to Tokyo and was pleasantly surprised to see my letter to Malaysiakini published... http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/36809
What to do... had to register my piece what, and many thanks to the Editor for accepting...
Gov’t plays deaf and dumb over Gomez affair
Lrong Lim Jun 8, 05 4:20pm
I applaud malaysiakini for the coverage on the Edmund Terrence Gomez affair. There is so much commotion but the 'servants sitting in the high places' have not made a single move.
Distinguished individuals and academicians from in and out of the country have voiced their trepidation, making pleas to the government to exercise fair play but the government elects to play deaf and dumb.
Then we read that the vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya had previously put on a similar facade by not responding to a letter from Professor Jeffrey Henderson of Manchester University.
Perhaps it is only me, but I would expect any university vice-chancellor worth his salt to be answerable to the world of academia at large, never mind the basic manners of responding when written to.
And while playing this ridiculous game, these people have the cheek to set up a committee to 'explore ways to build world-class universities'. Throughout this appalling episode, I am reminded of just how immobilised and paralysed our country has become.
We seem to be held hostages by these 'servants' as we helplessly watch critical issues roll by us untouched and unsolved. Come 2020, do we expect our country to be a 'developed nation' at the wave of a 'tongkat sakti' by the prime minister?
What to do... had to register my piece what, and many thanks to the Editor for accepting...
Gov’t plays deaf and dumb over Gomez affair
Lrong Lim Jun 8, 05 4:20pm
I applaud malaysiakini for the coverage on the Edmund Terrence Gomez affair. There is so much commotion but the 'servants sitting in the high places' have not made a single move.
Distinguished individuals and academicians from in and out of the country have voiced their trepidation, making pleas to the government to exercise fair play but the government elects to play deaf and dumb.
Then we read that the vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya had previously put on a similar facade by not responding to a letter from Professor Jeffrey Henderson of Manchester University.
Perhaps it is only me, but I would expect any university vice-chancellor worth his salt to be answerable to the world of academia at large, never mind the basic manners of responding when written to.
And while playing this ridiculous game, these people have the cheek to set up a committee to 'explore ways to build world-class universities'. Throughout this appalling episode, I am reminded of just how immobilised and paralysed our country has become.
We seem to be held hostages by these 'servants' as we helplessly watch critical issues roll by us untouched and unsolved. Come 2020, do we expect our country to be a 'developed nation' at the wave of a 'tongkat sakti' by the prime minister?
Monday, June 06, 2005
BAJU MELAYU DIPLOMACY
Why, a second post today, eh?
As my tongue slithers through the gaps of my teeth checking for remains of a delicious sashimi lunch today, an elderly woman approached me with a leaflet at a busy junction.
She appeared permanently bent by about 30 degrees at the waist.
Through my well-used Rayban, I looked at the leaflet.
Why does the prefectural government refuse to discuss the construction of the Kankakei dam publicly?
Apparently, she and a group of Shodoshima (a tourist infested island in the Japan Inland Sea) residents are questioning the Kagawa Prefectural government on the wisdom of constructing an expensive dam that does not seem to benefit the locals.
Sounds familiar?
Over in Malaysia, PAS elects a progressive new face.
Some prominent guys are of my generation.
I am quite pleased to read new deputy president Nasharudin talking about re-branding the party's extremist image to appeal to all Malaysians.
For a start, the Baju Melayu appearance is one step forward albeit in form.
Dr. Asma Abdullah asked me if I have any ideas on how to foster unity in Malaysia.
I have not replied to her email yet but let me note some off-the-head views here.
1. Super-ordinate goals. There should be goals that transcend the narrow aspirations of the respective constituents. Our destiny should be shared. As in, we are in this boat, together. We sink as one or we move forward as one.
2. Inclusive, not exclusive principles. Why 'Bahasa Melayu' when it should be 'Bahasa Malaysia'?
3. Unbolt the gate for dialogue and keep an open mind for voices from the people. As in the perennially bent lady at the junction.
4. Equal 'power' (for lack of a better word) in the sense that each of us count as much as the guy next door. Unequal 'power' means that voices will be ignored. So will 'unity'.
5. Use bridges; mine, yours, and a third party's. Talk of commonalities in cultures, in food, dress, whatever... In Malaysia, I believe we have tons of it. For example, Baju Melayu, Baju Kebaya, nasi lemak, koew teow kerang, kongsi raya... durian... And exploit English as a third party bridge to bridge our differences.
Ooooh... easy to say, difficult to implement?
I for one have pretty much given up hope on the present crop of inepts in the administration.
Now if PAS can promise and demonstrate slowly but surely their determination to carve out a truly democratic Malaysia based on universal principles, which I believe are often consistent with Islamic principles, I am willing to give them a shot.
Re-branding alone will not enhance the product.
They (or, we?) have a mountain to move...
Why not start the game by playing down the religious issues and get on with how much a plate of mee rebus is going to cost me in 5 years' time.
By the way, I wear a sarong to sleep and I love the Baju Melayu...
(Note: shooting off to Tokyo by ANA tomorrow, and staying at the 'romantic' Taisho era Gingko-nut Villa... )
As my tongue slithers through the gaps of my teeth checking for remains of a delicious sashimi lunch today, an elderly woman approached me with a leaflet at a busy junction.
She appeared permanently bent by about 30 degrees at the waist.
Through my well-used Rayban, I looked at the leaflet.
Why does the prefectural government refuse to discuss the construction of the Kankakei dam publicly?
Apparently, she and a group of Shodoshima (a tourist infested island in the Japan Inland Sea) residents are questioning the Kagawa Prefectural government on the wisdom of constructing an expensive dam that does not seem to benefit the locals.
Sounds familiar?
Over in Malaysia, PAS elects a progressive new face.
Some prominent guys are of my generation.
I am quite pleased to read new deputy president Nasharudin talking about re-branding the party's extremist image to appeal to all Malaysians.
For a start, the Baju Melayu appearance is one step forward albeit in form.
Dr. Asma Abdullah asked me if I have any ideas on how to foster unity in Malaysia.
I have not replied to her email yet but let me note some off-the-head views here.
1. Super-ordinate goals. There should be goals that transcend the narrow aspirations of the respective constituents. Our destiny should be shared. As in, we are in this boat, together. We sink as one or we move forward as one.
2. Inclusive, not exclusive principles. Why 'Bahasa Melayu' when it should be 'Bahasa Malaysia'?
3. Unbolt the gate for dialogue and keep an open mind for voices from the people. As in the perennially bent lady at the junction.
4. Equal 'power' (for lack of a better word) in the sense that each of us count as much as the guy next door. Unequal 'power' means that voices will be ignored. So will 'unity'.
5. Use bridges; mine, yours, and a third party's. Talk of commonalities in cultures, in food, dress, whatever... In Malaysia, I believe we have tons of it. For example, Baju Melayu, Baju Kebaya, nasi lemak, koew teow kerang, kongsi raya... durian... And exploit English as a third party bridge to bridge our differences.
Ooooh... easy to say, difficult to implement?
I for one have pretty much given up hope on the present crop of inepts in the administration.
Now if PAS can promise and demonstrate slowly but surely their determination to carve out a truly democratic Malaysia based on universal principles, which I believe are often consistent with Islamic principles, I am willing to give them a shot.
Re-branding alone will not enhance the product.
They (or, we?) have a mountain to move...
Why not start the game by playing down the religious issues and get on with how much a plate of mee rebus is going to cost me in 5 years' time.
By the way, I wear a sarong to sleep and I love the Baju Melayu...
(Note: shooting off to Tokyo by ANA tomorrow, and staying at the 'romantic' Taisho era Gingko-nut Villa... )
OUI! FORGET THE LOVE HOTELS
Yesterday evening, managed to talk to my Boss about my intention to try night stopping at a love hotel.
5xmom warned that I could very well get a whack on my head for suggesting such a wacky idea.
Luckily, no whack...
But still, a big fat NO...
Imagine, she says, a fire occurs.
After five heavy hours of fighting the inferno, firemen dish out a barely identifiable burnt body.
Imagine the evening news...
Malaysian-born lecturer found sleeping in love hotel during seminar...
So, I am back to staying at an old, dreary, and dull guesthouse managed by the ministry.
Ichyo-so (銀杏荘) or 'Gingko-nut Hall' was built in the 1940s after the war.
Rooms are tatami mat style and toilets and baths are shared.
It is about 10 minutes walk from Shibuya Station, the magnet for teenagers all over Japan.
One guy who stayed there before mentioned that Ichyo-so has a romantic feel of the Taisho era.
See picture here... and tell me what you think...
Hmmm... maybe I should expect Taisho era cockroaches to be my roommates as well...
So much for my enthusiasm on love hotels...
Limp, man...
5xmom warned that I could very well get a whack on my head for suggesting such a wacky idea.
Luckily, no whack...
But still, a big fat NO...
Imagine, she says, a fire occurs.
After five heavy hours of fighting the inferno, firemen dish out a barely identifiable burnt body.
Imagine the evening news...
Malaysian-born lecturer found sleeping in love hotel during seminar...
So, I am back to staying at an old, dreary, and dull guesthouse managed by the ministry.
Ichyo-so (銀杏荘) or 'Gingko-nut Hall' was built in the 1940s after the war.
Rooms are tatami mat style and toilets and baths are shared.
It is about 10 minutes walk from Shibuya Station, the magnet for teenagers all over Japan.
One guy who stayed there before mentioned that Ichyo-so has a romantic feel of the Taisho era.
See picture here... and tell me what you think...
Hmmm... maybe I should expect Taisho era cockroaches to be my roommates as well...
So much for my enthusiasm on love hotels...
Limp, man...
Sunday, June 05, 2005
PREMIER SCHOOLS?
Been gasping for air the last few days... sooo busy...
I recall Dr. Bakri Musa once saying that he is very fed up with the pontifications of the Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.
In his latest sermon, Badawi says that the government intends to consolidate national schools into premier schools.
(By the way, I am a product of the national school system: Sultan Abdul Halim Primary School (1965-1970) and Sultan Abdul Hamid College (1971-1978) in Alor Star, Kedah.)
Here I am, still reeling from that 'smart school' rubbish, and he lobs another hot potato at my face.
Just what creature is this 'premier' school?
And, 'consolidation' he is talking about?
He preaches...
'The government's aspiration should be given undivided support by all the people'.
Asking for undivided support eh, when his men are doing such a rotten job with the national schools?
Can appord ah?
'It is also in this spirit that the government always holds steadfast to the social contract among the various communities in Malaysia'.
Oooh, I get ill with just hearing this term 'social contract'.
And proudly, he continues...
'The country was always prepared to face competition and challenges and was bold enough to take measures to step up resilience and competitiveness'.
Huh?
Hasn't he witnessed that dying horse Proton, staggering and sputtering in front of his face before?
On the dreadful police: 'The Royal Commission to enhance the operations and management of the police force reflects the commitment of the government in this matter'.
And similarly on corruption fighting: 'The setting up of the Malaysian Integrity Institute and the National Integrity Plan indicated the government's commitment'.
Ok Boss, I agree lah...
If only commitment alone can discipline the police thugs and weed out deep-rooted corruption, monkeys could rule the world.
Finally, coming from a religious man, a most dishonest statement...
'There should be no exploitation and discrimination in the name of religion or race, anywhere at all'.
Wahlaaaaa, I dei my receding forehead man... profusely...
Excerpts...
Govt To Consolidate National Schools Into Premier Schools, Says PM
KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Saturday the government will continue to consolidate national schools into premier schools that enjoy the support and trust of the people.
He said the government desired to see national schools become the preferred choice of the people and to play a major role in fostering national solidarity.
"National schools belong to all groups; the government's aspiration should be given undivided support by all the people," Abdullah said in his speech at the investiture ceremony at the Istana Negara here in conjunction with the 62nd birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"It is also in this spirit that the government always holds steadfast to the social contract among the various communities in Malaysia.
"There should be no exploitation and discrimination in the name of religion or race, anywhere at all," he said.
On the economy, the prime minister said the country was always prepared to face competition and challenges and was bold enough to take measures to step up resilience and competitiveness.
"The Royal Commission to enhance the operations and management of the police force reflects the commitment of the government in this matter," he said.
On the efforts to curb and eliminate corruption, Abdullah said the setting up of the Malaysian Integrity Institute and the National Integrity Plan indicated the government's commitment.
I recall Dr. Bakri Musa once saying that he is very fed up with the pontifications of the Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.
In his latest sermon, Badawi says that the government intends to consolidate national schools into premier schools.
(By the way, I am a product of the national school system: Sultan Abdul Halim Primary School (1965-1970) and Sultan Abdul Hamid College (1971-1978) in Alor Star, Kedah.)
Here I am, still reeling from that 'smart school' rubbish, and he lobs another hot potato at my face.
Just what creature is this 'premier' school?
And, 'consolidation' he is talking about?
He preaches...
'The government's aspiration should be given undivided support by all the people'.
Asking for undivided support eh, when his men are doing such a rotten job with the national schools?
Can appord ah?
'It is also in this spirit that the government always holds steadfast to the social contract among the various communities in Malaysia'.
Oooh, I get ill with just hearing this term 'social contract'.
And proudly, he continues...
'The country was always prepared to face competition and challenges and was bold enough to take measures to step up resilience and competitiveness'.
Huh?
Hasn't he witnessed that dying horse Proton, staggering and sputtering in front of his face before?
On the dreadful police: 'The Royal Commission to enhance the operations and management of the police force reflects the commitment of the government in this matter'.
And similarly on corruption fighting: 'The setting up of the Malaysian Integrity Institute and the National Integrity Plan indicated the government's commitment'.
Ok Boss, I agree lah...
If only commitment alone can discipline the police thugs and weed out deep-rooted corruption, monkeys could rule the world.
Finally, coming from a religious man, a most dishonest statement...
'There should be no exploitation and discrimination in the name of religion or race, anywhere at all'.
Wahlaaaaa, I dei my receding forehead man... profusely...
Excerpts...
Govt To Consolidate National Schools Into Premier Schools, Says PM
KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Saturday the government will continue to consolidate national schools into premier schools that enjoy the support and trust of the people.
He said the government desired to see national schools become the preferred choice of the people and to play a major role in fostering national solidarity.
"National schools belong to all groups; the government's aspiration should be given undivided support by all the people," Abdullah said in his speech at the investiture ceremony at the Istana Negara here in conjunction with the 62nd birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"It is also in this spirit that the government always holds steadfast to the social contract among the various communities in Malaysia.
"There should be no exploitation and discrimination in the name of religion or race, anywhere at all," he said.
On the economy, the prime minister said the country was always prepared to face competition and challenges and was bold enough to take measures to step up resilience and competitiveness.
"The Royal Commission to enhance the operations and management of the police force reflects the commitment of the government in this matter," he said.
On the efforts to curb and eliminate corruption, Abdullah said the setting up of the Malaysian Integrity Institute and the National Integrity Plan indicated the government's commitment.
MANTIS SHRIMP AT KAPALAI ISLAND
Predatory crustaceans living in shallow waters.
Very beautiful colors. Size of up to 30 cm.
This particular specimen is estimated to be about 10 to 15 cm.
Reputedly, one of the most aggressive and confrontational of all marine creatures.
Preys on not only fishes but also on hard-shelled animals such as crabs, clams, and snails.
Furthermore, the mantis shrimps are known to have the world's most sophisticated vision.
Their eyes (those two bulbous, short-stalked eyes between the antennae) contain 16 different types of 'photoreceptors', 12 of which are for colour analysis.
Apparently, they are able to distinguish up to 100,000 colors, compared to the 10,000 by human beings.
Hmmmm... didn't know that we could see up to 10,000 colors, but 100,000 colors?
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
LOVE HOTELS IN JAPAN
Talked to my better half over dinner about my intention to try out the capsule hotel next week.
Her response was immediate.
YOU SHOULD CANCEL THE RESERVATION RIGHT AWAY!
Her reasons?
Too dangerous... atmosphere too smoky... bed too smelly of you-know-what... Yakuzas (gangsters) loitering around... too noisy... no privacy... and you will certainly be frustrated because you will not be able to sleep soundly...
Recalling my earlier blog about listening to your wives, I did just that. .
Just then, another brilliant idea popped up...
Now, how about trying to spend the night in a 'love hotel'?
After all, this is the only other type of hotel that I have yet to experience staying in.
The principal purpose of love hotels is self-explanatory.
Lovers go there to love one another...
'Lovers' as in people involved in illicit affairs.
Or legitimate lovers who live with nosy and noisy family members in crowded housing premises too inconducive for 'aktibiti malam'.
Discretion thus is the key word here, so guests check in and out without the need to meet any soul.
Love hotels have an equally important second function...
They act as your 'regular' hotel from 10.00 pm to 10.00 am.
Apparently the love hotels in Shibuya area are among the most famous in all of Japan...
Garish architectural designs and bright neon lights characterize these hotels.
They come in different themes, such as Caribbean, Tropical, White Christmas, Savannah, Jungle, Starry Night, Victorian...
See an example of the Marine theme here.
The rooms come with king or queen-sized water beds, huge plasma TVs, special lights that filter through water bodies to create a 'soft' feel on the 'skin', videos, whips, poles, plus karaokes to keep you occupied the whole night through.
Mind you, the rooms are not really cheap...
Some of them have rates that match a 4 or even 5 star hotel...
Hmmm... and I happen to be in the vicinity of Shibuya... heheheheee...
Am now eyeing for the opportune moment to propose this wacky idea to my better half...
Her response was immediate.
YOU SHOULD CANCEL THE RESERVATION RIGHT AWAY!
Her reasons?
Too dangerous... atmosphere too smoky... bed too smelly of you-know-what... Yakuzas (gangsters) loitering around... too noisy... no privacy... and you will certainly be frustrated because you will not be able to sleep soundly...
Recalling my earlier blog about listening to your wives, I did just that. .
Just then, another brilliant idea popped up...
Now, how about trying to spend the night in a 'love hotel'?
After all, this is the only other type of hotel that I have yet to experience staying in.
The principal purpose of love hotels is self-explanatory.
Lovers go there to love one another...
'Lovers' as in people involved in illicit affairs.
Or legitimate lovers who live with nosy and noisy family members in crowded housing premises too inconducive for 'aktibiti malam'.
Discretion thus is the key word here, so guests check in and out without the need to meet any soul.
Love hotels have an equally important second function...
They act as your 'regular' hotel from 10.00 pm to 10.00 am.
Apparently the love hotels in Shibuya area are among the most famous in all of Japan...
Garish architectural designs and bright neon lights characterize these hotels.
They come in different themes, such as Caribbean, Tropical, White Christmas, Savannah, Jungle, Starry Night, Victorian...
See an example of the Marine theme here.
The rooms come with king or queen-sized water beds, huge plasma TVs, special lights that filter through water bodies to create a 'soft' feel on the 'skin', videos, whips, poles, plus karaokes to keep you occupied the whole night through.
Mind you, the rooms are not really cheap...
Some of them have rates that match a 4 or even 5 star hotel...
Hmmm... and I happen to be in the vicinity of Shibuya... heheheheee...
Am now eyeing for the opportune moment to propose this wacky idea to my better half...
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