A post before October

I know i've been away from blogging for a very long time. I've lots to say but there's just too little time. 

I'll just post these 2 "Get Fuzzy" comic strips here. "Get Fuzzy" is one of my favorite comics strips, even though I don't get the jokes all the time, e.g. when the topic is very "american", such as those relating to baseball (Red Sox blah blah) etc. 

I like these 2 strips Darby Conley (the author/illustrator) has made in particular because he dealt with US politics by mixing it up with the geniuses of Monty Python. 

Michael Palin for president! Lol!

人在异乡

写主体之前让我先介绍一位马来西亚的朋友，Lee Chyi。她在日本已经呆了蛮久，目前也在那儿工作。她去过鲜少旅客会想要去的地方，比如说孟加拉和尼泊尔。她旅行时喜欢跟当地人接触，就算独自一人偶尔会跟陌生人聊天，甚至到他们家做客。

有一天我踏入前往文礼（Boon Lay）地铁站的火车，没空位只好站着。我面前坐着2位来自中国的工人（多数是建筑业的吧），还有一位马来妇女。工人甲翘着脚时（4字型）,鞋底碰到马来妇女的裙子，她很快地把他的脚甩开，并用力擦拭自己的裙子，嘴里念念有词。

不久后她站起来离开了（因为到了她要下车的那一站）。 我便坐在马来妇女原本坐的位置。工人甲首先跟工人乙说了一些他对马来人的看法，我没听得很清楚。一路上一直聊，到了裕廊东地铁站时他的话题变成批评新加坡人（嘴边还一直说着他妈的）。

我其实已经想了很久要跟他们聊，因为很好奇人在异乡的他们对新加坡/新加坡人有什么看法。所以就。。。

我 ： 这位老兄，你似乎对新加坡人有一些偏见。
工人甲 ： 是的。Blah blah blah...
我 ： 没有关系，其实我也不是本地人。。。
工人甲 ： Blah blah...
我 ： 我本身认为他们之所以那么觉得是因为。。。
工人甲 ： （插嘴）中国面积大，我们 Blah blah 很多不同blah blah 环境分别blah blah。。。
我 ： （重申）我不是新加坡人。
工人甲 ： 哦，那你是哪里人？
我 ： 马来西亚。
工人甲 ： 我以前在中国就有听说，印尼的华人被欺负，马来西亚的华人被欺负；没想到来到新加坡竟然会被华人欺负！
我 ： 是地，我明白。。。
工人甲 ： 那，你是马来西亚人你应该了解。。。

大概就是聊这样的话题。后来到了湖畔(Lakeside)地铁站，他下车了。

工人乙便移到我旁边的位子。

我 ： 那这位老兄当初又是为什么离乡背井来到新加坡工作呢？
工人乙 ： 这。。。不方便说。。。
我 ： 那，没关系，没关系。。。
工人乙 ： blah blah 兑换率五倍
我 ： blah blah 兑换率两倍

过了一阵子。。。

我 ： 你是从中国哪一（nei3）个省来的？
工人乙 ： 长春
我： 哦，对不起，不是很清楚在哪里。（城市的名字听起来蛮熟悉的，只是一时记不起来）
工人乙 ： 吉林省
我： 哦，我知道了。。。
工人乙 ： 是吗？
我： 就是。。。东北区嘛
工人乙 ： 对啊（稍微惊讶）！
我： 我对中国还略有认识。。。
工人乙 ： 很好，很好。我们一伙儿，有三个中国人，两个马来西亚人，我们跟他们很__（不记得用了什么字，总之就是说很谈得来）。可是他们总是不承认自己为中国人，偏偏说是马来西亚华人！（一半无奈，一半好笑地说) 我真是被气到！
我 ： 哈哈，我也是会称自己为马来西亚华人啊。中国人，我不敢当。
工人乙 ： 不敢当。。。 嗯，但你们祖先是中国人嘛。大家blah blah。。。
我 ： 是啊，我祖先是从广东来的。

etc etc... 到了文礼站还在跟他聊。后来他甚至跟我要了电话号码，有空时大家可以出来玩玩儿（我猜是去喝酒吧。因为他身上有酒味）。我跟他说对不起大学很忙，没空出来。最后握了握手，跟他说：“有缘再见”。

我觉得这样跟陌生人聊还蛮好玩的，以后可能会再试试看。 反正在火车上没事做。

Anyway, 之前看过润桓写过的一篇blog entry, 关于我们马来西亚华人的身份到底是什么？是马来西亚人？华人？中国人？

我一定会把马来西亚人的身份放在前端！！

'Glocal' Malaysia

I remember first hearing the word "Glocal" when Najib, our current Deputy Prime Minister, used it. There isn't any precise definition of the word, but as it is a combination of "globalisation" and "localisation", I take the meaning being local yet global at the same time.

To me, this ironically describes what is going on in Malaysia now, and even more interestingly it implicates Najib as well.

When I was drafting this blog entry there were already some links in place that I wanted to put in but I never expected more global links to emerge! So anyway...

Mr Anwar Ibrahim, a former deputy prime minster, claims that he can form a new government by September 16, which is Malaysia Day. Recently he claims to have received death threats and went to seek shelter at the Turkish Embassy. A 23-year old university dropout Mohd Saiful has accused Anwar of sodomizing him (for real? A 62-year old with a bad back?0, and this is the 2nd time Anwar has been accused of sodomy.

However 今时不同往日, the situation has very much changed in these 10 years (i.e. since the last time he was charged). I believe more Malaysians are supporting him than before, and the United States (who seem to like Anwar) has issued a statement opposing any politically motivated investigation or prosecution of Anwar and that it hoped there was no "pattern" in the new accusations against him.

The high-profile murder of a Mongolian model, Altantuya Shaariibuu, was big news in 2006. Based on new "evidence" by the private investigator (PI) of Mr Abdul Razak Baginda, Mr P. Balasubramaniam, she was introduced to Razak by Najib in Singapore. Eventually the three travelled together, including once in Paris, France, where Altantuya felt entitled to a huge commission for helping the Malaysian government in clinching a submarine deal. Not only that, when Altantuya met up with the PI she also told him that Razak and her were married in Korea.

And then there's the HINDRAF (HINdu Rights Action Force). Apart from popularising the now-famous cry of "Makkal Sakthi" (மக்கள் சக்தி in Tamil), one of the main original ideas was to submit a petition to the British High Commission. At some point of time there were also some talks (dunno rumour or what, dun remember liao) about engaging the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam) in Sri Lanka to help out.

I'm sure there are many more other links... do tell me if you know any more!

Peranakan

Sorry for the long hiatus from blogging. Didn't have much time and also the internet connection wasn't very good.

Anyway, I went to the new Peranakan Museum here in Singapore on May 4. It was their first week so I got a discounted entry ticket price of S$2. There were also many events going on that day so I enjoyed my trip very much.

This is not their dining table... it's their dessert table...

Peranakan, or better known as Baba Nyonya (Singapore spells it as Nonya), are descendents of early Chinese immigrants in South East Asia, in particular the Nusantara region. Due to their long history they have adopted local ways, especially food, clothing and language. My only recollection of Baba Nyonya culture was watching this show on RTM that had two Chinese looking middle-aged ladies (actually I think are guys) in traditional clothes (which I now know to be Baju Panjang) talking in Malay.

Baju Panjang worn by Nyonyas, picture from Kementrian Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan Pulau Pinang.

It is interesting to note that the Peranakan have their own special brand of Malay, which they call Baba Patois (pronounced as Patua... coz French word mah). I learnt some simple Baba Malay words during one of the activities they held. Most of the time the words they use are simply pronounced slightly different, such as Keday (pronounced as "Kedae"/"Kedé") for shop (Kedai in Malay). Other times they include Hokkien words, like Kamsiah for thank you, instead of the usual "Terima Kasih" in Malay.

You probably can't see this letter clearly, but I'll just transcribe the first line: "Dear Chin Tuan, Lu punia surat pada 10 hari bulan ini gua suda trima."

Their costumes, such as Baju Kebaya, are of course one of the main attractions. One thing about Nyonya clothes though... they seem to be rather tight-fitting... you've gotta have a slim waist to look beautiful wearing them. Malaysia has been promoting the wear of Baju Kebaya, Kain Songket, Batik etc. and I hope to see more people wearing them. Here are some photos I took during their fashion show event:

Nyonya cuisine, many of which I have yet to taste, is a potpourri of innovation and fusion, a wonderful blend of Chinese food with local ingredients. The amazing Laksa for example, is such a creation. But I was more surprised at this dish called Ayam Buah Keluak. The speaker in front mentioned something about having to bury the buah keluak underground for a few days, soak it in water for 3 days and peeling it before it is cooked with chicken and other spices. My god! Makes you wonder how they even knew it was edible. The explanation he gave was that the buah keluak was buried under volcanic ash (lots of volcanic activity in Indonesia) in the past etc. Possible explanation, but still, the process to prepare just this one meal is rather tedious.

Ayam Buah Keluak dish, picture taken from umami

It's a pity the original traditional Peranakan culture is disappearing. But I'm glad there are still people out there striving to preserve it. It's also a pity that they are not recognised as "Bumiputera" in Malaysia as their ancestors have been around in Malaysia longer than many Malays have. They way they had assimilated into Malaysia and the wonderful contributions they have made to Malaysian culture, these we should all cherish and eagerly promote.

On a side note, some of my friends would know that I sometimes grumble about the Chinese from China. It's not that I hate them; it's more of an assimilation issue. When I read about the how the Peranakan Chinese were wary of the new wave of Chinese immigrants, I see a striking similarity. There is always resistance to change, but I'm afraid the change will come. I'm trying not to describe it as good or bad though. Culture is fluid, it changes with time. With more PRC Chinese coming to Singapore it will inevitably cause some changes in society. My main worry is simply that something unique to this region might change in the pace of globalisation; just as how the Peranakan culture has been sidelined.

To learn more about the Peranakan, you can go to: The Peranakan Association Singapore and the The Main Wayang Company.

施氏食狮史

I found out about this "story" in Wikipedia (I can spend hours in there!). I wonder why I've never seen it! For those who aren't familiar with 文言文 (Classical Chinese), I've written a translation below (well, usually classical chinese is tough for me too, but this story was rather easy. Still, there might be some mistakes).

What's so unique about this story is that if it is read in Chinese (Mandarin), all the characters have the sound "shi", in either 1 of the 4 tones. Almost no one would understand you if you were to read it out loud, yet it would be rather clear for someone reading it.

施氏食狮史

石室诗士施氏，嗜狮，誓食十狮。
施氏时时适市视狮。
十时，适十狮适市。
是时，适施氏适市。
氏视是十狮，恃矢势，使是十狮逝世。
氏拾是十狮尸，适石室。
石室湿，氏使侍拭石室。
石室拭，氏始试食是十狮尸。
食时，始识是十狮尸，实十石狮尸。
试释是事。

The Lion-eating story of Mr. Shi

In a stone room lived Mr. Shi, a poet, who liked lions, and swore to eat 10 lions.
Mr. Shi always went to the market to look for lions.
10 o'clock, 10 lions arrived at a market.
At the same time, Mr. Shi arrived at the same market.
Mr. Shi saw these 10 lions, and using the might of his arrows, made these 10 lions dead.
Mr. Shi picked up these 10 lions, and went back to the stone room.
The stone room was damp, Mr. Shi asked his servant to wipe the stone room dry.
The stone room was dried, Mr. Shi began trying to eat the 10 lion corpses.
As he was eating, he realised that the 10 lions, were actually 10 stone lions.
Try to explain this matter.

~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~

I like Classical Chinese as it is complex and yet simple. The same text, written in Modern Chinese is always longer than the Classical Chinese version. But it's difficult to understand, as sometimes a same character is used for different meanings, or the word has a different meaning from its present use, or I don't know the word at all. @.@

Me & 石狮 @ Pergamon Museum, Berlin, Oct 2007

初恋

First Love. What would that remind you of? Or what would you hope it to be like? Famous poet Wisława Szymborska (one of my favorite poets by the way) writes of 2 very different encounters:

The conventional, lovey dovey, impossibly romantic form:

Love at First Sight

They both thought
that a sudden feeling had united them
This certainty is beautiful,
Even more beautiful than uncertainty.

They thought they didn't know each other,
nothing had ever happened between them,
These streets, these stairs, this corridors,
Where they could have met so long ago?

I would like to ask them,
if they can remember -
perhaps in a revolving door
face to face one day?
A "sorry" in the crowd?
"Wrong number" on the 'phone?
- but I know the answer.
No, they don't remember.

How surprised they would be
For such a long time already
Fate has been playing with them.

Not quite yet ready
to change into destiny,
which brings them nearer and yet further,
cutting their path
and stifling a laugh,
escaping ever further;
There were signs, indications,
undecipherable, what does it matter.
Three years ago, perhaps
or even last Tuesday,
this leaf flying
from one shoulder to another?
Something lost and gathered.
Who knows, perhaps a ball already
in the bushes, in childhood?

There were handles, door bells,
where, on the trace of a hand,
another hand was placed;
suitcases next to one another in the
left luggage.
And maybe one night the same dream
forgotten on walking;

But every beginning
is only a continuation
and the book of fate is
always open in the middle.

~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~

The above poem was of course made popular among Chinese due to it being the central theme of the movie 向左走，向右走. Pretty poem, be it in English or Chinese, and I bet, even better in Polish. Actually I think there might be some errors in the translation above, but that's not for me to judge. I learned during the China Synergy Programme (CSP) that translations aren't really easy to do; a lot of meaning gets lost.

Let's move on to the next, the unconventional, honest form:

First Love

They say
the first love's most important.
That's very romantic,
but not my experience.

Something was and wasn't there between us,
something went on and went away.

My hands never tremble
when i stumble on silly keepsakes
and a sheaf of letters tied with a string
-- not even ribbon.

Our only meeting after years:
two chairs chatting
at a chilly table.

Other loves
still breathe deep inside me.
This one's too short of breath even to sigh.

Yet just exactly as it is,
it does what the other others still can't manage:
unremembered,
not even seen in dreams,
it introduces me to death.

~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~

Oh, how the author belittles first love in this poem (probably because of all the emphasis and attention people and the media tend to give it), how seemingly unimportant she places it amongst "the others". How fleeting is this 'first love'...

So I continue interpreting the poem, until I get stuck at the very end where she places a sentence that just confuses me. "It introduces me to death"

Despite all she said about the first love, it is unique as it is, unique as an unremembered love. It was the first to introduce the author to love. It was the first, the first of many loves and relationships to come. And to love leads to certain death. The willingness to sacrifice for love. The "everlasting", "eternal", "til death shall we part" vows in a relationship. Lethal. Brilliant. Was würden Sie sagen?

Well unfortunately I will never fully understand the true meaning of the poems, as the originals were in Polish. But as they say, love transcends all boundaries, language included.

~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~

Before I proceed, please view this video clip I saw last year:



Yasmin Ahmad, the Malaysian film director I respect the most, has once again managed to pull off an amazing advertisement. Simple, like Wisława Szymborska; almost naïveté. Just had to grin after watching it. No wonder it has won so many accolades around the world!

Oh the look on his face! =)

Whither me?

Me @ Duomo di Firenze, 2007

After roughly 3 more months I will be coming to the end of my 3rd year in my 4-year engineering course. I'm kinda approaching a crossroads in my life. Which is why I made a promise to myself earlier this year that I'll make a decision by the end of this year (preferably earlier) on where I'll go after graduation.

I've more or less narrowed down my options to these 3 sectors:
1. Engineering
2. Banking/Finance (option 'inspired' by Eric)
3. Foreign Service/Ambassadorial (option suggested by Jiinjoo)

Of course the first step to take is to know more about each. Recently i've been focusing particularly on the Banking sector, going for asset/wealth management talks, investment talks and the like. Some people find it strange, or downright a waste of time, for an engineering undergraduate to go into banking.

Well first of all I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do when I entered uni, so to continue going down the engineering path may not exactly be the right path.

Secondly, I was terribly ignorant about banking, business etc. (and didn't bother to find out more) before I entered uni. Blame it on poor financial knowledge. It was after taking the Business Finance module that I found business, banking, finances etc. to actually be something that I can probably engage in.

And lastly, engineering pays are well known to usually not commensurate with the professional education that engineers have gone through.

Nevertheless, for whatever I choose to do later, these few aspects must be taken care of:
1. A reasonable pay
2. Opportunities to work overseas; international environment
3. Opportunities where my language skills can be put to good use
4. Good opportunities to advance; promotions

But now my main focus would be to gain work experience from my internship and complete my university education with first class honours.

Despite the uncertainties, the future looks bright and I'm lovin each day =)

Veränderung - Ein neuer Anfang

I needed some change, so here's my new blog.

So why am I 'ditching' my old blog... Well, with this new blog it's kinda like starting afresh, which is something that I need in my life once in awhile. Getting stuck in a rut of old ideas, old mindsets etc. is something that I'm all too familiar with.

So with this symbolic new beginning I wish to make some changes. Change for the better. I've constantly labelled myself an introvert and pessimist, but I believe I've made quite a progress in the past few years to overcome my shyness and pessimism. I need to persevere on.

Still there are some immediate challenges to overcome, like the fight with my eternal enemy Procrastination. I'm making some progress but I still need to put in more commitment. Apart from that I'm trying to rely less on my parents for money so for my entire internship period I (hopefully) won't call them for money. =P

Me @ Anglican House, 2004