National Day

Today is 31 August 2008.

It is a very significant date to all Malaysians . Today marks the 51 st anniversary of independence for Malaya. A day when all Malaysians came together to wrestle ruling power from the colonial masters. A day in history , poignant with pride & tolerance. What is it to the current generation of Malaysians ?

We have to ask ourselves this question ? From the recent events around the country , I can only draw the conclusion that many among us have no idea of the 1957 spirit that has been so well hyped. There are big companies displaying this so called spirit in their TV commercials. Alas, in their day to day practice , it was totally the opposite with an added clause - no questions allowed. Period.

On this day , Malaysia is past 50 as a nation. 51 years is not too long a time as a nation but not that short either. How has that initial spirit evolved ? Are we becoming more as one or more polarised ? What is the obstacle ? Who is at fault ? Is it the education system , federal law, family values, or plain GREED ? No equality because you are not equal to me although you & I can be born on the same day in the same hospital . Many more deficits but say no more. The basic human makeup has the inate ablity to rise above adversity & become stronger. Strange ,isn't it ? The oppressed get stronger & the favoured weaker.

Happy birthday, Malaysia !

Not a homily

Someone reckons to believe in God is a sign of man's weakness. Many of us turn to God in times of distress . We want to lean on an imaginary great force who can prop us up. In a way , it is true. Man is weak. When faced with calamity, the strong ones seek their own way of handling it. The so-called lesser mortals pray to a higher being. But, man is not infallible. There are times when the strong feel weak & cannot see a solution. What do they do ? Suicide or kill ? So , are the strong still strong & the weak weak ?

"You do not seek God. God seeks you." How true. You want to believe & yet not practice the religion you embrace. Only by the grace of the Omnipotent, can we really partake in His ways. A friend of mine commented , " Then , the problem does not lie with man . it lies with God. " Aha. In an analogy. When your neighbour was looking at you, trying to make eye contact & start a conversation & you went straight from your car into your house, what happens. Your neighbour will not want to disturb you since you are so busy.

Man needs quiet time . Time to let go of all earthly embraces. Time to listen to the voice of the Almighty. Time for Him to send us His message . He does not need a calamity to enter our lives. If only we let Him....talk to us & we truly listen a few minutes a day.

Undercurrents

Well, well , well . Finally , a charge is pending. For a most "infamous " leader. The past headlines in the news have been mindgoggling. Like reading some CSI . Except evidence not evidence, victim not victim, aggressor not aggressor. Looks like there is a great hand in the works. Wish I can read the producer's script. At the end of the day , let us ask " who stands to gain ? " May be, this will give us a clue.

Amidst all this turmoil, the economy will suffer. With it , the poorer strata of society. There will be more suicides from financial disasters & the like. Can someone really sleep on his pillow every night , pray to the almighty & preach the gospels & yet wrong his fellow man ? And bring misery to the masses ?

"What does it bring to gain the world & lose his soul ?"

I can only pray.

Chinese painting

Today, I got a new idea how to spend my retirement years. Someone asked what I liked to do as a hobby.
I answered " learn chinese painting ".
One elderly gentleman added " computer chinese painting ".
I furrowed my forehead . " Computer or chinese painting ?"
" Computer chinese painting ". He answered very decisively. " You can learn chinese painting using the computer . No need to go & buy paints & paper."

Well , that will be excellent for me. But, I do like the smell of the paints & the feel of the rice paper . I like too, to hold the brush & perform the strokes. At the same time , I am game to try what the gentleman recommended. If at all I grow to like it , I may then venture further . Get all the stuff & make myself busy setting the props as an artist.

Retirement activities

I have been working at my "old " job on a new contract for a week . It does feel a bit odd though . I felt like I am a newbie on the job in many ways. It is a job that I have been most adept at . Yet , the feeling of the newness did not escape me. All my colleagues are the same; they treat me the same way. The place is the same. I know it is me. But, it does require getting used to the feeling that you are on a time limit.

Many of my classmates are not working anymore at this age. Fifty six , to me is still a very young age to stay at home & not contribute to society. I guess they have other ways to do so , & to their own satisfaction. Doing charity work , learning a new skill , having fellowships with friends , starting a hobby are some of the activities I have in mind. These are some of the things I am already doing. May be, add church work which I have put off for some time.

My job gives me a lot of satisfaction. I am happy to contribute to their recuperation & see the smiles on their faces. When work is over , I go home carefree. No homework to burden my free time.

Going on holidays & seeing places are also my favourite pastimes. Will be going to Chiangmai soon with hubby & friends. Looking forward to it.

A much needed rest

Today I am officially retired. After 36 years in service, I can call it a day . I have been on leave for the past 10 days. There was no urge to go anywhere. ( I even turned down a friend's invitation for dinner a few days ago.) Only a desire to laze around the house & feel the ultimate luxury of time on my hands. Lazy to wash the car , lazy to go into the garden & pull the weeds, lazy to clear the store room. Just want to laze, laze & laze. I never had this feeling before. There was always something to attend to in the past.

But today , I feel rejuvenated. I can take any bull by the horns. I have started to do all that needs to be done . And knowing me, all will be done in day. Feels good to be on leave like this. All my previous leaves have been spent travelling to places I had always wanted to visit. It was hectic . I felt tired after those leaves.

Celebrated my birthday yesterday at a Thai restaurant quietly with the children. Kin was on call & was unable to rush back from Penang. Better not , with the fuel hike & the unsafeness of the buses. I was given a very thoughtful gift. Yes , the children have been well brought up , like Weng said. All these blessings from the Almighty. " Give thanks with a grateful heart "

Have received a few calls from friends sending good wishes.

Low morale

It has been some time. There was so much uncertainty in the news. Anwar, Alantuya, PI Bala, SDs, threats, murders. What is the coumtry going into ? Not digressing into some lawless nation, I pray.

I thought the country was righting itself in many departments after March 8 2008. The present state of affairs is very unsettling, not only to investors but also individuals. Credibilty in the law enforcers seems to be a foreign word.

What is happening in the country as a whole seems to be affecting the GLCs as well. Incredulous siphonage of coffers drain a once prosperous establishment to zero. Benefits have been removed on a gradual but sure basis. Morale in the establishment has never been so low.

We can only pray this low national morale will not lead to extreme frustration. Riots and disillusionment will cause the individual & nation to fall apart. We have to watch our newly elected leaders to see what direction we are going.