AX.25

What the heck is this ?

Well, for those who are in the communication business, you'll know that this is the protocol for amateur radio communication.

Now, how does it end up that a computer science background student (like me) have to deal and understand with this ? It beats me... And I am still struggling to trying to understand this. If there is anyone of you out there who can shed a bit of light on this, I am very much honoured and happy.

Keeping The Bibles Holy, Just As Keeping Ourselves Holy

The recent spat about stamping the Holy Bibles or Alkitab with serial numbers (as though the holy scriptures are criminal men and women) and the wordings "For Christian only " (which is confusing, as though people wouldn't know that Bibles are meant for Christians until they need to see the sentence) and also "By The Order Of The Minister" (wa, now man can dictate Bible is it ? ) is very disturbing and I personally and strongly reject this kind of injustice call.

"There is no compulsion in religion" - is a phrase I remembered very clearly from a friend of mine who converted to Islam.

The 10-points resolution proposed by the Government is indeed a step forward to solving this problem. My question is - how permanent is that step ? And why must it be a bias act between Penisular and Sabah Sarawak ? Why can the bibles in Sabah Sarawak not stamped but for those that will be circulating in Penisular, it must be stamped ? Are we implying that the people in Peninsular does not know the national language very well ?

I sincerely hope that in spirit of 1Malaysia, everyone will be allowed the same courtesy to worship in their respective religion. And the holy books of any religion should just be kept holy, and not desecrated in any way as it is disrespecful.

And let us try to be holy men and women as well, and "DO UNTO OTHERS AS WE WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO DO UNTO US".

Political Change in Sarawak?

Many of you knows what had happened in Sarawak during the state's general election. While many (especially our political leaders) had hoped that they win BIG TIME in Sarawak, seeing that it is one of their safe deposit, it turned out far cry than what was expected.

The Chinese obviously proved them wrong by voting DAP. And the Ibans also had a few words to say. Many seems to be very unhappy with the current Chief Minister, who, by the way, had rule Sarawak for 30 years. Even I think it's high time that someone else, a fresh new face, be appointed to lead the state. I can't be sure that he has not done any good to the state, but staying in power for so long, there are bound to be questioning here and there.

Initially, I thought BN will win big time in Sarawak, and that will pave way for the next general election. Looks like there is gonna be more work to win back the people's trust before doing anything.

"Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan"

Time to see the first one being implemented in a more fruitful and forceful way.

Holy Week Is Just Around The Corner

Can't believe it that we are almost towards the end of Lent season, and beginning of the Holy Week. Speaking of Lent season, tomorrow there will be Way of The Cross in GKF, followed by mass. Hope we'll be there on time, though I doubt it very much that we can actually reach there before the start of Way of the Cross. Its usually before the start of mass (or end of Way of the Cross) that we finally arrived.

Don't forget to go for your penitential service. Happy fasting, people and GOD bless!

1 New Year Resolution Not Fulfilled

You must be wondering which resolution that I had failed to keep. Its blogging! I made a resolution to blog at least 12 times a month, and I just realized that the whole of March passed by without a single entry. You must be dissapointed with me, yeah ? I know, coz I am too....  *sob**sob*

Anyway, I am glad to post this entry, though we are already half way in April. There are lots of things that I wanna talk about, blog about, but .......  (this time, I am even too lazy to type out the excuses)

So, I am back ! I am alive ... (or so I'll like to be now, as I am caughing my lungs out)

Fever oh Fever, Go Away and Never Come Again Any Other Day

I do wish this fever, back ache, tonsil pain and gum pain near wisdom tooth will all go away. Is there any wishing well nearby so that I can make my wish ?

I am feeling so horrible right now, I just wish I can lie down and sleep. Unfortunately, I am due to meet a fork lift supplier.

Body oh body, why do you feel so terrible ?

Happy Valentine's Day, People !

Yup, it is the day of love today ... What have you planned with your loved ones ?

As for me, I wanted to bake my sygs a chocolate moist cake. So, last whole week, I was scouting on the internet for the perfect (read, easiest) recipe and I found one that is basically dump and pour. How hard can that be, right ?

So, on Sat, I went out to get the ingredients, though having fever, I continued on. Actually, I drove my mum and my sis to Taylor's University Lakeside Campus, to enquire about this course that my sis wants to enrol in. So, before reaching home, we stopped by at Carrefour to picked out the ingredients.

Later that night, as I find myself still capable of doing something, I started to bake the cake. Mixing and pouring it was easy, but it took kinda long to bake it, probably because my oven only has a maximum temperature of 250C where else the instruction said to bake it at 350C.

Still, I managed to bake it for almost an hour, made the chocolate topping, and voila, my cake is ready. Thank goodness I decided to bake it on Sat as I was totally incapable of doing anything on Sun.

So, that's my Valentine present to my to sygs... Hope they'll love the effort and love I put in. Hehehehe...

p/s: Wonder whose dumb idea was that, that says Valentine's Day is associate with Christianity ? Hello ? Catholics never celebrate this day as a Feast Day, whatsoever. Please don't simple say things when you wouldn't even know the background of it. And teach your children that everyday should be a Valentine Day, by showing love and affection to your parents... Valentine is not only for your bf or gf, k.

Old Relics at Kampar Temple

Notice the difference between the first two pictures and the third one ? Yeah, the relics that were on the roof of the temple. There were claims that the old relics were taken and sold off, and the new relics that were installed were no way as precious as the old ones. Um, wonder if it were true ?

Daniel's First Celebration of CNY

Taken at Ipoh on the first day of Chinese New Year 2011. On Daniel's right hand side was his second cousin, Rachel Woo. On his left hand side was his great-grandmother (my paternal grandmother)

Next, we went to the graveyard, to pay respect to my maternal grand-mother, who when was alive nicknamed Daniel as "Tai Ngau" (a.k.a Big Cow)

Two families were there, my mum's and my aunt's. The photographer was syg (which explained why he wasn't in the picture)

The Joy Of Watching Daniel

These pictures were taken at Universal Studio Singapore during our last trip on December 2010. It was basically Daniel's first time to the Lion's City, and his first time coming across a fountain. He got a few suprises whenever the water starts "shooting" out but he was squelling with delight. It was definately moments to be remembered, watching him running around and getting wet...  Hehehehe....

Layman's 10 Commandment

Got this from a friend of mine, and felt that it is worth sharing.

Commandment 1:
Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.

Commandment 2:
So a car's "windshield" is so large and the "rear view" mirros is so small ? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, LOOK AHEAD and MOVE ON.

Commandment 3:
Friendship is like a book. It takes few seconds to burn, but few year to write.

Commandment 4:
All things in life is temporary. If it goes well, enjoy it for they will not last forever. If it goes wrong, don't worry! They don't last long either.

Commandment 5:
Old friends are Gold! New friends are Diamond. If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a base of Gold!

Commandment 6:
Often when we lose hope and think that this is the end, God smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!"

Commandment 7:
When God solves your problems, you have faith in His abilities. When GOD doesn't solve your problems, it is because He has faith in your abilities.

Commandment 8:
A blind person asked St. Anthony, "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight ?" He replied, "Yes, losing your vision!"

Commandment 9:
When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

Commandment 10:
Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace. So, stop worrying!

Gong Xi Fa Cai ....

The season is here again. This will be the first year for Daniel to celebrate his first ever CNY in Ipoh. Last year we couldnt celebrate due to the demise of my late grandmother. This year, we plan to stay for 2 days in Ipoh, then we'll travel down to Tanjung Malim to gather at my bro-in-law's place. Egbert has planned to go swimming in the "sungai" and this time, he vowed to catch some fishes back. Let's see....

So, to all of you who will be celebrating Chinese New Year, we (Egbert, me and Daniel) would like to wish you and your loved ones

A HAPPY AND PROPEROUS NEW YEAR 

A Day Of Rest And Doing Nothing

It is good to have a day of rest on anyday of the week (except Sat and Sun, of course, because it is already rest days for me). I get to wake up late, laze around, and practically do nothing, except house chores and looking after Daniel.

Yesterday, was the first day of the year that we had a day of rest right smack in the middle of the week. And what did I do ? Get up, take my bath, bath Daniel, cook, feed the two big guys, then cross stich, and then water the plants, cook, eat, bath and sleep. I think it was nice, staying at home and basically doing all the things that I left idling for so long in the closet. Syg was busy trying to finish up his Titanic Project.

All in all, it was fabulous staying in .... Wonder when is the next holiday coming ? Ummmm......

"Do Not Insult Our Intelligence"

By Koh Lay Chin
01 April 2010

(All pics below courtesy of Sheila Majid)

ONE of Malaysia’s most beloved singers, Datuk Sheila Majid has been wowing fans with her jazzy and R&B-flavoured brand of contemporary pop since the 1980s. From the release of her debut album Dimensi Baru in 1988 to the bestselling Legenda in honour of the late Tan Sri P Ramlee, she has continued to break records through the years.

She was the first Malaysian artiste to have success in Japan, and perform a sold-out concert at the Royal Theatre in London’s West End in 1996. She was also the first local artiste to perform at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas.

She tells The Nut Graph about her childhood, and her thoughts about Malaysia past and present, in this interview in February 2010.

TNG: When and where were you born?

Sheila Majid: I was born in Kuala Lumpur, 45 years ago. I’m a born and bred KL city girl. I remember less traffic jams back then, and life being much [safer]. I could wake up in the morning, go out cycling and meet friends, go to the bookstores and read comics.

What are some of the childhood memories you hold dear?

My childhood was a lot of fun. My father worked in the forestry department, with the government. So we lived in a government house behind Bank Negara, near Swettenham Road. There was a lot of space to play for us eight siblings. Thank God we were in the hutan — we found many things to do.

I was the youngest, so had my fair share of being bullied! But it was a house full of laughter. We didn’t have to buy stuff. Nowadays kids want Toys”R”Us, but I remember my mother would come with this huge grocery box, and as soon as the things were taken out, we would tear that box apart. We’d sit on it and slide down the hill. I really miss those days. Somehow I feel my children don’t get to do that.

We were also in an area where there were many JKR (Public Works Department) people, so we played with the neighbourhood kids a lot, most of them Indian [Malaysians].

Sheila (right) with her sister

When I was young and in school, we never looked at other races as different. We felt that we were the same. Perhaps we had different colours, but we grew up with the same values: to do good, to be good to others.

Can you trace your ancestry? Where are your grandparents or ancestors from?

My father was Javanese, and my mother has always been from Kuala Lumpur. My mother’s great-great grandfather was actually a friend of Yap Ah Loy‘s. His name was Sutan Puasa, and is from the Mandailing clan, who are originally from Sumatera. The Mandailing are still around today; most of them are in Kajang. Sutan Puasa was the first of their settlers in KL, and most of the land was owned by him at the time. Later, he was involved in a clash with the Bugis. But the Mandailing lost because the British were behind the Bugis, and so they lost KL to Selangor.

The history books never highlighted this because, well, they obviously write more about the Bugis family. I know why Bukit Nenas is named as such, for example. At the time the Mandailing wanted to keep the Bugis out, so they built many pineapple trees as a foil against the enemies.

If my family meets any others from the Mandailing clan today, we say “Horas!”, which is like “Aloha” in the dialect, though we don’t know or speak it anymore lah.

On my father’s side, my great-grandfather was Javanese, who travelled to Mecca from Indonesia. They lived in Mecca for 10 years and were very religious. On his way back, my great-grandfather’s ship was shipwrecked, and he ended up on the shores of Peninsular Malaysia. He set up home here, and changed his Javanese name to Haji Salleh. Then there was my grandfather Haji Shahid, and later my father Haji Majid.

My father actually has a family tree that goes right up to the Majapahit warriors. My father’s lineage comes from Raden Hussein, who is the brother of Raden Hasan, the first Muslim sultan of Demak in Indonesia. Both were the sons of Probowo Wijoyo the Fifth of Majapahit, who was Hindu.

Sheila’s parents

Did that rich ancestry feature in or influence your upbringing?

Well, my father studied in Oxford University, England, so he is very English oriented. When we grew up he emphasised education, being an academic person. Therefore when I wanted to become a singer, he freaked. My parents encouraged us to listen to all kinds of music and sent me for classical piano lessons, but he never thought I was going to be a singer. He thought it was fine as a hobby, but not as a career.

I’m glad to say, however, that before he passed away in 1996, he saw that I could make a living out of this, and that I was not in it for the wrong reasons. I love singing, I’m passionate about music, and am very much into my art. So I think when he passed away, he was quite assured that I’d be okay.

Our parents were very religious, and we had our spiritual foundation, but they also brought us up in a very open-minded kind of way. When we were young, we could wear shorts and things like that, they never asked us to cover up. It was a very balanced upbringing.

How do these stories affect you when it comes to your identity as a Malaysian? Especially in the current landscape of controversial racial and religious issues?

Performing in the 80s.

Sheila’s dress says “Central Market KL” It’s all petty. None of us originated from here! I’m sure your ancestors came from China and they were probably merchants who came here. Same with the Indian [Malaysians]. Everybody was travelling the world to conduct business, and they decided to stay put in a certain area.

I think all the issues today are very petty because 30 years ago, we were doing very good together. Why is it all coming up today? It is all political. I’d say leave the people alone. If you want to play your politics, don’t get us involved. We were fine and well before, and we lived together in harmony. It’s all about power and money. I think so many have forgotten the fundamentals of life — being nice to each other.

The Malaysia then was more open and tolerant. From a musician’s perspective, for example, you have concerts and foreign artists coming in today, but people want to make a fuss over little things. We have a TV in our living room, and at the touch of a button our children can already see all those skimpy clothes if they want to. We are making an issue over little things, when there are other more important issues to be addressed.

Come on, do not insult our intelligence. Do you think they will go to a concert and suddenly want to be exactly like that? I may want to have a body like Beyonce (laughs), but, come on, I’m not going to be like her. I go and watch, learn and take what’s positive, and will not do whatever I feel is against my religion or culture. My parents brought us up in an environment which was very open-minded, and we could discuss a lot of things, and yet they made sure we had our religious values, too. We grew up okay!

And not less Malay.

I was brought up and exposed to Western culture, but it does not make me less Malay. I speak English because my father was an academic man, and he wanted us to speak the language well. Today I can converse in both Malay and English.

Why was the generation before more confident than the generation today? What happened along the way? For my children, we speak Malay and English at home, but I also send them to Chinese school. My eldest is 19 and speaks Mandarin, English and Malay. They will all know Mandarin. I think it’s an asset, and I think China is going to be a big economic powerhouse.

And say what you want, but English is an international language today. Malay [Malaysians] are beginning to have an inferiority complex because they cannot converse in English fluently. We are talking about, “Oh you must make sure you are Malay, and know your language.” Well, of course we will know the Malay language, it is our mother tongue! At the end of the day, we are just going to be katak bawah tempurung and jaguh kampung lah.

With husband Hasridz Murshim Hashim, better known as Acis, and her children

What are your hopes for Malaysia? What gives you hope?

Keep politics out of our music, keep it out of sports. When everyone wants to put their two cents’ worth when they don’t even know the subject, it is worrying.

Let us put it this way: there are two houses. One has a beautiful exterior, but the other is sturdy. If you ask a lay[person], of course he [or she] would pick the beautiful one; but ask an architect, and he [or she] would tell you that it does not have the right foundation or structure. Today people with no expertise whatsoever are giving opinions in whatever fields they like. Leave it to the experts!

I am not saying everything is negative in this country, but compared to 30 years ago, people’s priorities are so different. Today people are more into self gain, rather than what is good for the community, society and country. But my children give me hope. They are global in their outlook.

I always say you must not forget your roots, however modern you are. Hopefully they will grow up to be people who are compassionate and caring. I think it is important for it to start with parents and the schools, to bring all of this back. To not look at each other as Indian, Chinese or Malay. We are Malaysians, kan?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well said, Dato' Sheila Majid. I have always been a big FAN of her. And what she said is very true. We lived in harmony for the past 30 years. We knew we are of different races - Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans, etc but yet, we stayed together as Malaysians.

Why is it now we have racial disharmony ? Why are we attacking one another ? Why are we so paranoid about stuff that we weren't paranoid ten years ago ? What happened to the good values which was instilled in us long ago ? Has everything been sacrificed for the sake of development ?

I do not know about you folks, but I darn sure not gonna let that happen in my family, no matter what. I hope whatever good values that I have learned, I will be able to pass it down to my children. Let make this world a better place, for we can't be letting our children suffer because of our stupidity...

Daniel Dancing

This is a video of Dnaiel dancing.... Notice how his butt moves... I absolutely love this cute little guy...