Gong Xi Fa Cai

http://www.care2.com/send/card
Well, I have yet to read and review my 'free' novel but managed to take a break from early semester schedule since most people around are on a holiday mood anyway.
Happy Lunar New Year to all friends and (acquired) family members who celebrate the cultural festival.
The Year of the Golden Rat has a special meaning for me since my late mother was born in the year of the Rat. Although she was no Rat (perhaps a Ratatouille), she had the misfortune of having to deal with many who were not even born in that year. Speaking of Real Life Rats (RLRs - of animal and human forms), I wonder if a person close to me should seek help (and if so, where?) for her phobia as a result of having encountered too many 'human rodents' in her past. It will certainly make her take incremental steps to change her solitary life to one that is more fulfilling.
In any case, here's a description of people born in this 'auspicious' year:
Rats are imaginative, honest, charming and generous - although they do have a tendency to be aggressive. They are expressive and talkative, yet keep their problems to themselves. The Rat is sensual and loving. They are very loyal and devoted to their families. They are quick-witted and get things done fast. They are confident and usually have good instincts. Stubborn as they are, they prefer to live by their own rules rather than others. They are very organized and talented. The Rat makes a good business person, politician, writer, critic or publicist.
Famous people born in the Year of the Rat:
Ursula Andress, Marlon Brando, Englebert Humperdinck, Burt Reynolds

Nigel Barley's "Rogue Raider"

Rogue Raider
The tale of Captain Lauterbach and the Singapore Mutiny
by Nigel Barley
It is the First World War and Julius Lauterbach is a German prisoner of war in the old Tanglin barracks of Singapore. He is also a braggart, a womaniser and a heavy drinker and through his bored fantasies he unwittingly triggers a mutiny by Muslim troops of the British garrison and so throws the whole course of the war in doubt. The British lose control of the city, its European inhabitants flee to the ships in the harbour and it is only with the help of Japanese marines that the Empire is saved.
Rogue Raider is the adventure story of how one ship, the Emden, tied up the navies of four nations and how one man eluded their agents in a desperate yet hilarious attempt to regain his native land. It is fictionalised history but a true history that was deliberately suppressed by the authorities of the time as too embarrassing and dangerous to be known. Revealed here, it brings vividly to life the Southeast Asia of the period, its sights, its sounds and its rich mix of peoples. And through it an unwilling participant in the war becomes an accidental hero.
Boy, am I glad I won a free copy of the title from Monsoon Books in Singapore.
Now to find the time to read and review it.
To win a book, do check out: http://www.monsoonbooks.com.sg/freestuff.html

Go Eco in 2008

Well, it's that time of year again - time to start putting those New Year's resolutions into practice.
Top of the list — shed 5 kg, the unsightly 'butterfly' arms, the 'thunder' thighs, and hit the gym for that six-pack abs and jlo butt;
Second - get on a regular detox program and go organic;
Third - fill in the application form for the phd program and put my nose to the grind for the doctoral research and dissertation;
Fourth - link research and teaching with neighborhood conservation and cooperation projects.
Have a happy and bountiful new year.
Below are tips from care2.com:
Be Naturally Beautiful. I hate to break it to you but that gook you put on your face and in your hair might be doing a lot more than making you feel pretty. It could make you feel sick. Take this quiz and check your products for dangerous chemicals such as phthalates or sodium laurel sulfate. Many everyday products such as shampoos, soaps, lotions and lipsticks contain them. Opt for organic products made of natural ingredients and thank Mother Nature for that radiant glow.
Wake Up and Smell the Perfume. Don't let the pretty smell fool you: Most fragrances are just chock full of hazardous chemicals. But there are alternatives that will leave you smelling sweet as a rose. Get the scoop here.
Eat Organic. No two ways about it, buying organic dairy and meat saves tons of resources and is just plain better for you. Organic produce is tastier and also healthier, but it is more expensive because it's a lot cheaper to dump chemicals on a crop. If you can't afford to buy all organic, here's a list of the top 10 fruits and vegetables to eat organic.
Buy Local. Common sense says that the farther away your food is grown, the more fossil fuels are required to get it to you. So look for local produce at your grocery store and make it a point to visit your community farmers market whenever possible. Defining local.
Be a Bag Lady. Even if you're just bringing back all the paper and plastic bags stuffed in that bottom drawer of your kitchen, always BYOB. If you don't want to spend money on reusable grocery bags—although there are lots of really cute options out there—look around the house for old totes, beach bags, twine-handled fancy shopping bags or even large baskets. Keep lots in your trunk (and don't forget to put them back in the trunk after unloading your groceries!), plus one compact bag folded up in your purse so you're never without it.
Clean Green. You don't even want to know all the gross chemicals that are in commercially made products. Not only are you breathing those chemicals, but then you end up pouring them down the drain. Not good for you, or the Earth. So what's the answer? Make your own non-toxic cleaning kit.
Change a Light Bulb. If just one light bulb in every home in America were switched out for a compact fluorescent—aka CFLs—it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year. CFLs are everywhere now, there are tons of different kinds to choose from and it's such an easy fix. Learn more.
Sip, Don't Guzzle. Even if you don't plan to buy a hybrid, there are ways to make the car you have get the best possible gas mileage. A properly tuned engine will get between 6 and 20 percent higher mpg, for example. Here's a list of 12 things you can do to stretch a tank of gas.
Be a Peddle Pusher. Sometimes a car is necessary, but just running errands around town? Ride your bike to the post office, the grocery store, the dentist, etc., and experience the true joy of being car-free for a while. Bonus: Hello, exercise! More benefits of biking here.
Be an Online Activist. Did you know you can help stop global warming, save the rainforest and keep pollutants out of our oceans with a single click? You can. You can also sign petitions to let the people in power know you care and want to make a difference.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/resolution-be-green-in-2008.html

The Golden Compass

Although features about the novel and movie focus on the writer's criticism of the church or organised religion, I would extend that to the critique of the social and education systems in straightjacketing people from their intuitive, creative and innovative spirit.

D'Arranged Marriage

As the saying goes, "There ain't no free lunch". Being the 'soldier of fortune', having availed myself to the splendid performance by Rajeev Varma and the post-performance briyani dish by Bangles, I am obliged to spread the word.
At any rate, it would have been worth every sen spent watching Rajeev re-enact Sanjay's interactions with his de-centred family and community!
Synopsis
On his 10th birthday, Sanjay’s parents announce, “Sanjay,
you are 10 now. Isn't it time that you thought about getting
married?” Enter a birthday cake crowned with a picture of his
bride-to-be. However, to his horror he discovers that Neenu,
the prospective bride, is already dating the village idiot Rundeep!
Adding to Sanjay’s trials and tribulations are an uncle who yearns
for the perfect woman who loves to cook, clean and play cricket,
a Maori best friend and a potential bride with a boyfriend.
All these wickedly funny Indian characters are portrayed in the
hilarious one-man show, D'ARRANGED MARRIAGE. Add in a
few Bollywood-style song and dance routines and you have the
funniest parody of Indian family life since The Kumars at No. 42.
This is a show not to be missed by anyone who has been
set up on a blind date… especially by their parents!
SHOW TIMES Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri + Sat 8:30pm | Sun 6pm
TICKETS RM53, RM64, RM75, RM86. Reduced rates for groups.
VENUE The Actors Studio @ Bangsar Shopping Centre
Level 3, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
PARENTAL ADVISORY: Contains adult material

Kokopelli, All Stars & Enchanted

Another birthday, another round of treats and movies.
Dinner at Kokopelli on Saturday evening was alright but the ambience and service could certainly be improved with more plants, misty fans, table cloths, place mats, classy music and skilled service.
All Stars was the next best place we could get after Chilli's was full on Sunday evening. The broccoli soup and nachos were great and the t-bone was better than the sirloin I had the night before. Then off to GSC to catch "Enchanted".
Actually, ISA and I wanted to watch "Across the Universe" or "Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium" but "Enchanted" matched our schedule.
We were, however, not dissapointed. It's wonderful how Disney re-invented itself by turning their saccharin sweet tales of princes charming and beautiful princesses into contemporary spoof of true love and "happily ever after".

FLAMS da place

Nothing like a 'fine dining experience' to delight the palates and the senses.

Beowulf - Pride is a curse

Another screenplay by Neil Gaiman. Another spectacular showcase of legend and larger than life characters. Definitely a far cry from the oldest surviving epic about the adventures of the sixth century Norse warrior written in pre-10th century A.D. Old English, by no means an 'easy' read even for English lit students.

What's in a name?

"The challenges of globalising Malaysian herbal brands"
From here on, I will be writing more on a joint research project on building local brands, focusing on herbal-based cosmetics as case studies.

Auburn's Slow Burn

'Radio Free KL Pt. Deux'
I may not be able to appreciate ISA's brand of music but it doesn't stop me from promoting it and perhaps taking a lil peek, if I feel up to it.

For readers of ISA's generation, it's Auburn's turn to burn along with other bands of similar frequency - Fathulistiwa, Komplot, The Mindless Show and Oddity at The Annexe, Central Market, KL, on November 3 2007 (Saturday) at 2pm.

Wish Upon a Star

'Being a romance set within the realm of fairie'

ISA, who initiated me to Neil Gaiman's work, had sent me a lovely e-card a few weeks prior to the release of the silver screen adaptation of Stardust.
I had found Gaiman's fantasy comic-novels a welcome escape into vicarious adventures that a 'frozen' woman such as myself hadn't allowed herself to partake.
Be that as it may, the movie version of Stardust enthralls me as a big screen picture book that comes alive and invites me to identify with the key character in the 'fairie' tale - Yvaine the Star, of course.
And I didn't mean that in an egoistical, narcisistic manner, but in a lonesome kindred spirit kind of way. Or had I been a Star all this while but simply never realised it? Hah! Dream on, lady, dream on.
In any case, an enormous fan of Gaiman's books finds Yvaine "passive and soppy", which is why I could relate with her character. I wish I could be more assertive and competitive, though, like Michelle Pfeiffer as Larnia the wicked witch. But I think Yvaine the Star shines brightly enough with her musings on human foibles and her love for the very ordinary 'shop boy', Tristan Thorne (Charlie Cox).
The story opens with Tristan working in the very ordinary grocer’s shop in the very ordinary English village of Wall. The only thing that's not ordinary about the Wall is the wall that divides the 'real' world from the land of Faerie on the other side, a wall that its inhabitants are forbidden to cross.
Now, Tristan is besotted with one Victoria Forrester (Sienna Miller), the Wall's most beautiful and most pampered of all the damsels in that village. In his bid to outdo his competition and to win her hand in marriage, he rashly promises to venture into Faerie and bring her back the shooting star that fell on the other side on an evening when they were having their moonlit picnic. Having made his way into the magical kingdom of Stormhold, Tristan is surprised to discover that his star is not a lump of rock but an incorrigibly fractious young woman named Yvaine (Claire Danes), whose leg was injured when she fell.
Despite her protests, Tristan is determined to present Yvaine to Victoria. However, he soon finds himself having to protect her since Yvaine is in real and present danger - her heart is sought after by Larnia and her ugly sisters, who need to devour it to restore their youth and beauty. Since she has on her a magic chain and pendant that was tossed by the deceased King of Stormhold, she was also sought by the Princes of Stormhold, who have to transform the gemstone on the pendant to ruby in their claims as rightful heirs to the throne.
With evil witches and murderous pretenders hot on their heels, Tristan and Yvaine get to hop onto Stardust's adventure ride filled with a graceful unicorn, a prince with his 'ghostly' sibilings on a macabre stage coach, a cross-dressing captain and his motley crew of swashbuckling pirates in a flying ship, and more.
DeNiro's performance was impeccable; Cox is a rising star, convincing both as the naive and innocent younger Tristan as well as the more suave and debonair version. Pfeiffer shone as the wicked witch, brilliant both as a youthful beauty and an old crone.

Selamat Hari Lebaran

Minal Aidil Wal Faizin
Walaupun saudara serumpun di tanah seberang
Sudah tiada lagi Rasa Sayang
Namun saya tetap kasih dan sayang
Pada semua umat Islam dan Alamin
Kartu eidulfitri ngak bisa ngpos
Masalah dengan server, ya Mas Tos
(Bekas pacaran arwah sister,
Dicekup buat cukup meter!)
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Maaf Zahir dan Batin
Salah Silap Harap Ampunkan
Jika memandu pulang ke kampung
Jangan lupa stoppan di Petronas
Jika tidak pun, stoppan jugak ya, Kang Mas!
Wassalam

Silenced Majority (Part II)

"Conversation at the Convo"
"You know, my student had to abandon his studies just two weeks before the end of the semester because the PTPTN loan was late," CLL told me.
"Really?" Please give me a break! Should I be answerable for everything that the UMNO go-men did or didn't do? I learnt later from another student that she had to pay a MYR10 fine for late payment.
"You know, two of my nieces married Chinese guys, and one of them had his university education financed by his clan association," I blurted, trying to shift her locus of blame.
"SO," CLL turned and asked me, "he must be rich for your niece to marry him?"
"No, actually, it's my brother-in-law who is well-off; his S-I-L came from a lower middle class family" (a 'sinkhek', my late mother would disdainfully termed him, to distinguish him from the Straits-born Babas and Nyonyas that her family would approve and fraternise with). "And when he failed his exams during his second year of studies at a UK university, my B-I-L financed his education til he graduated. In fact, my B-I-L financed their wedding, first home, family car, business venture, etc. (as he did for all his three SILs)."
"Hmm... he must be handsome then?"
"I would consider him above average in terms of looks."
After a few awkward moments, she said: "But you all can get scholarships from the government."
"Not all of us. I know of Malay parents who applied for PTPTN loans and their children got 9 or 10As. In fact, I would rather use my own savings to finance my children's education so that the allocation would go to the poor farmers' and fishermen's children."
TBC

Silenced Majority

"On course and found horizon"
I’ve been meaning to write about an unpleasant exchange with yet another 24 year old for quite sometime but was searching for the right words so as not to sound ‘illiberal’.
The few times that I shared the painful experience of losing my kampong due to political intrigues, I was rebuked for being ‘emotional’ or ‘a Drama Queen’.
So, I assured myself that the ‘hijrah’ was indeed a blessing in disguise – that I may not have managed to secure a place at the university, pursued a career in the academy, traveled the world and lived in upper middle class residential areas, had my family not moved to Kuala Lumpur.
Though there were times when I entertained thoughts of finally settling in Jeddah, I often asked myself: “Will I actually uproot and migrate once again, if the circumstances are intolerable?”
And WA, on that unforgettable balmy evening by the poolside, seemed to have just the answer for me: “Well, everyone has their 'victim story'; I have my share of loss too"
(She meant her father to a 'Malay diva', so her mother decided to remarry a non-Malay. I didn't bother to tell her that I lost mine to a 'gadis setiausaha'.)
"But you know, you forgive, let go and move on.”
“Try telling that to the Palestinians,” I countered her blithe statement.
“Perhaps they should also learn to forgive, let go and move on,” she was so confident that the mantra (which she paid for almost RM 3,000.00 at a ‘leadership’ program to have it drummed into her head) would work for anyone, at any given situation.
And as if to drive home her point, she looked straight into my eyes and added, “All you need is love in your heart to change the world.”
“That’s what I thought too when I was 19 until experience taught me otherwise,” I uttered to her, as much to myself.
“Well, that was your experience,” she retorted.
I restrained myself from reacting to her last remark, got up and paid for her meal.
I checked myself at the counter: Should I be delighted that she's magnanimous or should I be upset with her parents for not inculcating a sense of political consciousness?
Incidentally, earlier that very day, I had been part of an audience to an impassioned plea by a courteous young man, Feris Omar, the President of ProWaris, on the “20 DEMANDS ON SOUTH JOHORE ECONOMIC REGION”.
Would young, urban and upper middle class Malays like WA be grateful for his struggle?
Or would she be apologizing profusely for his ‘parochial’ sentiments?
I recalled the time when WA and ND were facilitating the multicultural holiday camp with 9-12 year olds from different ethnic groups - how they would chide the Malay girls for using a 'politically incorrect' term to taunt the Indian boys and for being reluctant to mingle with the Chinese vernacular school kids.
"It's ok if they don't want to learn or speak Malay," she said.
I was glad that they were not biased towards their own ethnic group but I was disturbed when they only chastised and criticized the Malay kids. In fact, there seems to be a compulsion to apologize for being a Malay, if not outright embarrassment at being one.
To be continued.

Rasa Sayang Eh ...

Lihat nona jauh, rasa sayang sayang eh ...

Kasihan Yoyo, dulu di padang lumba kuda;
Kini di tepi pantai di Tanjung Bungah;
Kulitmu sawo matang, matamu coklat muda;
Merenung jauh ke tengah samudera;
Menanti pelancong membayar biaya.

Quotations about Courage

Courage is reckoned the greatest of all virtues; because, unless a man has that virtue, he has no security for preserving any other. ~Samuel Johnson (Thank you, Frank Lynch.)
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. ~Ambrose Redmoon
Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. ~Winston Churchill
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow. ~Mary Anne Radmacher*
It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare. ~Mark Twain
People are made of flesh and blood and a miracle fibre called courage. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960
*This one is definitely ME!

Lost Horizon at Shangri-La

To offset my dissapointment at having to cancel a trip to Paris, I seized the opportunity of a get-away weekend at Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa in Penang. I had another offer to visit the Cameron Highlands but, unfortunately, I can't be at two places at the same time.
We were whisked off from the launch of 'Every Baby a Book' at the Equatorial in Bukit Jambul by the loquacious Khor, who drove us to the doorstep of Rasa Wing, where we were warmly welcomed by Suleiman TAR, Rasa Sayang and Golden Sands' Director of Communications. While our luggages were checked-in by a personal conceierge, we sipped our complimentary cocktails, admired our welcome gift of white orchids and chatted with Suleiman in the exclusive Rasa Wing Lounge. Upon arrival at our spacious and stylishly decorated 1281 sq ft Rasa Premier Suite, we had our photo taken by the bell-hop and our needs taken care of by Syuen, our very own round-the-clock butler.
The suite has a separate parlour/sitting area, and a private balcony with a huge soaking tub facing the luxuriant garden and the ocean. Apart from having our nightly lavender and tuberose baths drawn by Syuen, we also took a dip at the Rasa Wing pool, next to the Chi Spa, where we were pampered to one of its signature spa therapies, aptly called Rasa Asmaradana.
Our neighbour was Chef Spinosi, who prepared his designer label pasta, Spinosini, for entree, main dish and dessert at our cozy dinner tete-a-tete with him and Suleiman at the Feringgi Grill.

Breakfast was a generous buffet spread at the Spice Market Cafe while high tea was a delightful sampling of canapes and fine teas at the garden terrace of the Rasa Wing Lounge. Lunching on Chef Salad and fruit juices at the Poolside Bar while watching people swimming, sun bathing or engaging themselves with recreational activities was a welcome reprieve after the spa treatment. We were indeed sad to bid farewell to Suleiman and his team who had been such hospitable hosts throughout our short stay at Rasa.

Critical Mass

A parade to raise awareness of bicycle use in KL on July 27 2007 at 6PM in front of Central Market. Spread the word and the love of our natural environment.

Launching of Citizen Think T@nk

Finally, the day arrived for the launching of Citizen Think T@nk on 21 July 2007 at Restoran Widuri, Aman Suria. Although about 30 people showed up, TV3's Bulletin Utama gave it priority coverage at 8pm. CTT was in the main news even before the first advertisement.

The launch was graced by the trustees and ardent supporters - Tan Sri Aziz, Dr. KJ John, YM Tengku Mahaleel, Edward Lee, Dr. Abu Bakar, Jeff Ooi, Bernard Khoo, Tony Pua, Wong Chin Huat, among others.
My fervent hope is for the initiative to signify the dawning of the Age of Knowledge Democracy and Knowledge-empowered Voters. Instead of resigning ourselves and lamenting about the lack of competent leaders, let us all strive to improve the performance of the incumbents and simultaneously identify the next generation of leaders so as to mitigate the problems of attrition and apathy. Give your support to this authentic e-community project via active virtual participation.
http://www.citizenthinktank.com/

Peace Education

When I was a young scholar, I thought it was irrelevant for Prof Fatimah Hamidon to propose 'peace' research since we've never been a nation at war, well not since the Second World War or perhaps the Emergency.

Now I realised she was ahead of her time and there really is an urgent need to not only study but practice ways to promote and maintain peace within the family, the neighborhood, the community and so on.

The presentations were, on the whole, eye-opening and thought-provoking. Scholars from the ASEAN region shared their ideas, experiences and empirical findings from war-torn and conflict zones such as Acheh, Pattani and Mindanao.

I personally find Madeliene Sta Maria's and Faridah Noor's presentations on socio-cultural approaches/dialogic competencies and efforts in cultural archiving the most valuable for my own research on multiculturalism.