:: Life is a Box of Chocolates ::

Interlude: What is Love?

2009-03-16T13:18:00.004+08:00

愛是一種需要一種缺乏所以我們都喜歡情歌
不管愛在進行中還是仍未萌芽
不管你愛他比較多還是他愛你比較多
愛或被愛其實都是一種喜悅

聽說愛情回來過

(Heard that Love Was Here Before)

by Sandy Lam, re-popularized by Jolin Tsai including the above speech.

Sorry. Can't translate the song. Too troublesome. Use Google!

Cultural Revolution and Absolution

2009-03-13T10:25:00.003+08:00

What defines who we are? Is it our experiences? Is the environment that we are in? Peer pressure? Societal conditioning? Our own principles?

How about culture? Does that partly also shape who we are?

In my opinion, culture provides us with a sense of identity and belonging. Different pockets of societies can be shaped and governed by a set of cultural rules. These are not so much rules that guide us in the way of life. Rather, they are rules that one should perform as expected for that culture. In most cases, they are related to festivities, rituals and celebrations of some sort.

Different societies have distinct cultural identities. The Indians carry a heavy item on their shoulders and walk for a few hours to reach their destination. They bodies are pierced with a paraphernalia of sharp instruments in a show of great self control. In chinese culture, a whole science is devoted to the teachings of feng shui. Joss sticks are used frequently in their prayers.

Most of the time, culture is handed down via word of mouth - from one generation to another. It is fervently hoped that the next generation is able to receive them and to hand it down to the following generation, even if they do not practice them. This would ensure that at least some form of identity can be maintained and passed on.

It has become more and more common that culture has been largely disregarded. For whatever reason, the values and knowledge dwindles as one generation moves on to another. And as this happen, the society loses more and more of its identity.

So, my question is this: Do you see culture as important in a society? Do you think we need to preserve some form of culture so that the identity of the society can be maintained?

Interlude: Loss. Regret. Return.

2009-03-13T10:18:00.006+08:00

"Once you're gone I miss you even more"

8:32

Sa rang heyo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wv2UGX_xGY

When is the Miracle a Burden?

2009-02-18T08:59:00.008+08:00

It is said that giving birth is indeed a miracle. To give life to a body is something special. To be able to bring another soul into this world is an unparalleled ability. But is there a limit to how many miracles you want to create?

Nadya Suleman gave birth to octuplets recently. That's eight babies! In one go! Now she has 14 children, with 6 children previously, including 1 set of twins. Ever since then, her family and her have been put under the spotlight. The issue? She is unable to financially support her children.

But Nadya is just an extreme example. I'm sure there are parents out there who are in a similar situation. My question is, should we stop creating miracles, given the circumstances?

However much we would like to deny it, unfortunately, money does makes the world go round (and so does a host of other things). Without sufficient funds, parents would be hard-pressed in providing the basic necessities for the little ones. When they just arrived into this world, at the top of their need-list are milk powder and diapers. Then there's the countless check-ups and jabs the doctor requires the baby to be subjected to. That's fine if you have them one at a time. Imagine for Nadya, you'd need to go for 8 everytime. Hopefully healthcare is comprehensive enough to cover for such expenses.

Then when they grow up, there will be lots to pay for. Still at basic necessities, you need clothing and food. All 8 in one go. Suffice to say, your expenses for one month is increased eight-fold.

And as they grow older, the situation repeats when they reach an age where education becomes a factor. Who should we send for further studies? Can we afford to send ALL of them go? If so, school fees need to be eight-fold!

So the question here is, do you draw the line base on your financial capability? Someone once told me, we should not wait till we have money before having a child. It's because when you have a child, somehow, things will work out financially. I may agree to that. One child is not that tough an act to juggle. But will it put a strain when you have a second child? Or even a third? Or, goodness me, a fourth, when you are having trouble as it is to make ends meet?

Religiously, some view abortion as a no-no. That we should not take a life. That we should rejoice God's gift to us. And that we should leave things to Him. If it happens, it happens. But don't we have a hand in the matter? Don't we have a say as to what environment we want to child to grow up in? Don't the child deserve a good life? Instead of being born directly into poverty and have difficulty in obtaining the basic neccessities?

I am neither supporting nor condemning Nadya's actions here. I am merely wondering where to draw the line in not having another child simply because you are unable to support the child. Nadya had a choice. She chose to embark on a path of pro-creation. Different people will choose differently. I know I will stop where I am and concentrate on the ones I already have instead of bringing more miracles into this world, for better or for worse. What would your choice be?

Asians and Fair Skin: Are They Used Interchangeably?

2009-01-14T12:18:00.005+08:00

But if you're thinking

'bout being my baby;

It don't matter, if you're black or white.

~ Black or White, Michael Jackson

If only it is as simple as that. If you have fair skin, it just means that your skin is pale or light-colored. But why is it that we have an ingrained perception that Asians need to have fair skin? Is it because an elevated status begets those with fair skin? Do people treat you differently depending on how fair your skin is? Is that even fair?

Having fair skin can be a pigmentation disorder. People suffering from albinism lacks melanin pigment in the eyes, skin and hair. This causes the appearance of these areas to be almost white in color. This disorder is hereditary in nature and is few and far in between. Nevertheless, however much Asians want to have fair skin, it is safe to say that this is not the direction that they wish to go. The reality is that they control the fairness of their skin with the aid of cosmetics.

Perhaps social acceptance is the main reason that Asians pursue the pinnacle of having the perfect fair skin incessantly. With the constant introduction of whitening products and judging by how fast they are snapped up, one can only surmise that it is social conditioning and peer pressure that drives Asians to having a fairer skin. Even babies, as they come out of the labour room, are judged upon. Ah? So dark one? How can? goes one grandmother. Wah, so fair the skin! So cute! goes another. One would think the powers above have mixed up the paints required for Asians. It is uncanny how Asians perceived themselves that they MUST have fair skin. It is, as if anything less (or darker) makes you a non-Asian, that you do not fit into society - an outcast.

It is possible that this perception was conditioned upon years ago by our forefathers. And being of a particular lineage within a particular geographical area lends to a certain skin tone. This gives credibility and increases the expectation of new-borns to be of a similar skin tone. As time goes by, the expectation slowly becomes fact. And in modern times, it does not help that the advertising industry portrays pretty models who are fair skinned. This leads to further conditioning that having fair skin means that you are a pretty lass. While this may be true, it is hardly all-encompassing.

So, do you have fair skin? Do you think you will be prettier if your skin is fairer? Do you enjoy the second looks that you think you have been getting? It may be due to your fair complexion. Then again, it may not. It is all fine and good if you are a lady. However, if you are a gentleman, having fair skin may cause you to be the butt of endless jokes. Suddenly, the term 'tall, dark and handsome' does not apply to you anymore. Apparently, having fair skin does not equate to being manly. In fact, quite the opposite applies.

Without a doubt, Asians ladies and fair skin are expected to go hand in hand. No thanks to societal conditioning and misguided expectations. The question is, should Asians continue with this perception at all? As MJ says, it should not matter whether your skin is black or white. After all, it is said that beauty is only skin deep.

Intolerable Cruelty

2008-11-06T17:32:00.004+08:00

Annoying. That is something you associate with a wailing kid lying down on the floor kicking away. Or when you rush your way to the supermarket to get that discounted product, just to see the last unit being taken by someone. That is just, so... arrggghh!

But what about when someone you know, or even related to, starts to get annoying? And you are just forced to tolerate it? On one hand, you cannot really comment since you do not want to damage the existing relationship. On the other hand, YOU JUST CAN'T STAND IT!

Imagine a colleague who incessantly prattles on and on to you, even when you have a pile of work stacked right in front of you. What do you do? Tell them politely to shut up so you can get on with your work? Tell them to stop bothering you with meaningless questions? You know they will stop... only to continue not five minutes later. Or you can just suffer the situation, all the while politely nodding your head and giving noncommittal grunts in the hopes that it shows you are remotely paying attention even though that is the furthest thing from your thoughts.

Or how about when your younger brother whines and whines to you about wanting to watch his favorite cartoon when you are in the middle of High School Musical? You keep missing the dialogue because he just cannot keep quiet! You feel like just... Why is it that of all times, he must choose such times to be annoying?

And it is most strange when your neighbour throws their rubbish into your rubbish bin. What. Don't they have a rubbish bin of their own? They sure do! And yet! Maybe they think there's no harm in it. After all, it's just rubbish... in a rubbish bin... is it not? Nevertheless, it annoys some people that their own rubbish bin is used while the one situated next to that is not. A most bizarre condition.

Again, the situations beg an answer: What to do, what to do? Do you reproach? Do you suffer in silence? Granted, we all have our different tolerance levels so when push comes to shove, it may not be the prettiest sight to see. Also, the implications from that one single outburst may cause lasting hurt and disappointment. Other people may view you differently from that point onwards, for better or for worse.

I guess it all boils down to how important the relationship is to you. Can you afford to lose it? Maybe if the relationship is close, the other person may even be able to accept your grievances. And oblige accordingly, perhaps. Nevertheless, having to tolerate someone sure is a cruelty in itself. How much annoyance can you tolerate?

In God We Trust

2008-10-31T11:46:00.004+08:00

How real is God? Are there divine interventions or are they called coincidence? Is God something that we choose to believe in even though we are not sure if it's real? Or is God just a figurehead for a religion? In fact, what is religion? It looks to me that religion is just a collection of beliefs. Albeit a belief on things that are good.

When face with uncertainty in life, is it wise for someone to 'leave it up to God' or fate or destiny? Some people have the view that we should 'take life by the horns' and 'control your own destiny'. I agree that it is difficult to leave your life to be managed by some unseen entity or an abstract concept. However, a lot of people still do it, such is the strength and faith they have in God.

This is by no means meant to dissuade you from believing in something nor losing faith in the ethereal being that, for all intents and purposes, may very well exist. Something that is not proven to exist does not mean that it doesn't.

Nevertheless, handing the reins of your life to someone else other than yourself lacks conviction. It just doesn't work. God works not by handling your life for you. He works by throwing adversities and rewards at you. Usually in quite a different form than what we are accustomed to or what we define as adversities and rewards.

Do you believe in God? Do you believe He exists? Does it really matter to you whether he does or not even though you have already believed in Him? Or is believing in what God stands for, in the form of religion, beliefs and concepts, more important? Put in another way, is God more important to believe in or is the Ten Commandments more important? Again, does it matter? Are they not one and the same?

The existence or non-existence of God need not be an issue. Rather, belief in all that He represents is more important, in my opinion. And that is what religion is there for. To remind us always of the conducts we should carry ourselves by. It is this 'ideal way of life' that is depicted by religion that we should model ourselves after.

I say you should live your life as you see fit, while using the basics as provided by religion. And we trust in God to give us a fulfilling and purposeful life. And to have a fulfilling and purposeful life, God will make it full of ups and downs. We take the good times as well as the bad times. It defines who we are. And I believe that is what God would like to do with us. That is what I trust God would do, if there is such a thing as God.

A Friendly Definition

2008-10-24T17:43:00.006+08:00

How do you define friend? Is a friend someone who you would go through thick and thin for? Or is it someone who would go through thick and thin for you?

Here's what Hyperdictionary has to say:

[n] a member of the Religious Society of Friends founded by George Fox (the Friends have never called themselves Quakers)
[n] a person with whom you are acquainted; "I have trouble remembering the names of all my acquaintances"; "we are friends of the family"
[n] an associate who provides assistance; "he's a good ally in fight"; "they were friends of the workers"
[n] a person you know well and regard with affection and trust; "he was my best friend at the university"
[n] a person who backs a politician or a team etc.; "all their supporters came out for the game"; "they are friends of the library"

Source: http://www.hyperdictionary.com/search.aspx?define=friend

Do you need to confirm the meaning with Oxford dictionary? Go ahead. I think none of them fits my definition of friend.

I believe who you define as a friend is completely a subjective matter. Some people are mere acquaintances; people you would walk past and just nod. Then there are those you would actually venture to give a quick hello, how are you greeting as you pass them by, not really waiting for a prolonged answer other than a fine, thank you response.

But, to me, friends are those you share things with. Your loved ones, your relatives, some of them qualify as a friend too. You share all things with them, not just the physical. ESPECIALLY not just the physical. You want the car? Go ahead. You want the disc player? No problem. A DVD? Take your pick.

Apart from that, you tend to share with them your emotional thoughts. You share your daily going ons. What you did today. What happened in your life for the past week. You share your problems. You complain to them. You share your happiness. You tell them your joy when you get a new job. You tell them how excited you are. You just want to share all your feelings with them.

Asking for help and advice from friends is also a selective process. Whom can you ask for help? Who would give you advice without any prejudice? In fact, who would give you advice even without you asking? Would you qualify them as friends of yours? Or just mere annoyance? Are friends people that you are ready to throw away your pride and humble yourself before you go to ask them for help and advice?

Would you be able to freely give help and advice if your friends were to come to you for it?

It is truly an acid test on who you want to qualify as your close friend. Such is human nature that betrayals abound. One wrong move and our most inner secrets will be let known to the wrong person. And yet, if we keep everything close to our hearts, how much more lonelier can we be? It is said that being lonely is not the same as being alone. How many friends do you have?

Who Me?

2008-10-24T17:08:00.002+08:00

Hey look! This blog is alive! Wow...

New post coming up soon!

Filial Piety: Is It An Obligation?

2008-06-17T17:39:00.003+08:00

What are the responsibilities of children towards their parents? Are they even OBLIGATED to return some sort of unspoken favor? It is strange that this point is harped upon by the chinese culture and while the western culture exhibits some form of filial piety, they are nonetheless less critical on it.

A point to consider: Is it appropriate for a working adult to ask money from the parents if the person is in dire straits? At what point do the children 'pay back' the parents? And when they DO start paying back, can they ask for additional favors from their parents?

Some people have the perspective that the children should take care of their elders at their old age. And even more so if they have retired and have no source of income. What do you think of that?

The parent's roles would have been fleshed out before you are set out into the world on your own. Their unspoken efforts at sheltering you, sweating blood and tears, imparting good advice while protecting you from the bad elements has made you what you are today. Granted, not everybody have the chance in obtaining the full spectrum of what they have to offer. Life is such that you do not know what tomorrow brings.

Which brings me back to our first question. Are we obligated to repay our parents for some unspoken favor? I personally have no real answer to all this. However, I believe in any kind of relationship, there should be give and take. You know the conditions your parents are in so you act appropriately. And you also have your own values to fall back on. If your actions fall within your values, why not? Here's to hoping the values taught by your parents are sufficient to carry you through life admirably. And for that, I believe they deserve some form of respect.

Closed-Mind Syndrome

2008-05-28T14:37:00.002+08:00

The speaker in front proclaims, "If you think having experience is useful, think again!"

I so disagree with that statement. Personally, I think experience is so much more valuable than paper qualification.

But then, he goes on with his theory. "I mean, picture this, experience is the effect of doing things over and over again. What happens when a fresh mind comes into the picture and offers a different point of view on things? A point of view which, in your experience, you have never encountered before? Do you fall back on experience, the safer route? Or do you embrace the new idea and explore it further?"

That got me biting back on my earlier retort. It was a valid point. But I still lean towards the point that experience is more useful than it seems.

But that was not the point. The point was the one the speaker put up as to whether we are able to embrace different and even radical ideas when we are confronted with them.

People always say that no idea is a stupid idea. I believe that (except for some that really defies explanation). I prefer to listen to all parties and all suggestions and ideas. Who knows, it could really, really be a good one. If we supress the idea, we will never know whether it was good or just downright silly. But an important point is, when we start throwing out ideas, in a group situation, it just encourages others to build upon a certain idea. All leading towards a better solution. One that can be said that was contributed by the whole group.

Conversely, having a closed-mind syndrome won't help things much. By sticking to the safe and tried and tested solution, one can never evolve much. How can you evolve when it's the same thing over and over again, albeit with just slight variations?

I believe one should not have a closed mind. We should accept all ideas and listen to them before we pass judgement. And after listening to them, we should really consider them. And probably debate about it, with valid reasonings. At this point, it is all to easy to shut off any incoming comments and to close debates with the reasoning "because I said so".

I hope that with the passing years I do not degenerate into my own comfort zone of having superior experience. I believe experience should be used to think of creative ways in solving a problem rather than to use it as it is to solve one. Don't you think so?

Monetary Motivation Disillusions Future Expectations?

2008-03-05T14:16:00.005+08:00

Money makes the world go round. Having a handful of it makes you and I smile. Buying what we want, when we want is pure bliss. But is money all that appropriate to be used as a motivation factor? We can certainly reward someone in monetary means for a job well done. But should we give someone money as motivation to do a good job?

This is like giving a kid $5 and asking the kid to color properly. How does one measure a good job? Shouldn't the satisfaction of doing a good job be enough motivation to try our best in performing our tasks? Perhaps it should but yet, this is not the reality that we know of.

Giving someone money before a task is performed automatically causes the person to expect a similar arrangement the next time. And when this is not met, will the quality of the task suffer as a result?

Money, they say, is the root of all evils. Man, as have been proven time and again, are always greedy. You give them the world, they will ask for the stars next. I believe one does not have to be pushed to do a good job. Certainly not by any monetary means. Would more money spur you to do a better job?

Note: Not a very strong post. Disjointed thoughts, to say the least.

Death, Redefined

2007-01-29T16:09:00.000+08:00

When is one considered dead, really. Sometimes, I think death is subjected to too objective a definition, clinically. If your organs work, you're still alive. If your organs can work only with assistance from machines, are you still alive?

Sometimes, the doctors make the judgement. Sometimes, the relatives make the judgement. But in making the judgement, the question still remains. How do we define death if one is hooked to a life support machine? When do we pull the plug? With doctors, it is based on a medical judgement. With relatives, it is based on an emotional judgement; which in turn governs doctors' actions.

Some doctors may even keep the plug in in the hopes that one day the much needed cure will materialize. Of course, the hope is that the cure appears sometime soon. Hope is a powerful thing indeed, especially in the face of desperation.

Relatives also may have the same reasoning, though for a different goal. The requirement here is for the patient to wake up again and return to their side. And keeping the plug in will offer a hope for that to happen, however slim. Whether the hope is well placed or not is not the issue.

Putting in another perspective to this, what about God's view? When is one considered to be dead in His books? Can we make that decision for Him? Are we allowed to? Should we? Some may argue that in prolonging someone else's life in the hopes that a cure can be found in the future is considered as a good and noble gesture. And doing a good and noble deed cannot be frowned upon by God, can it? But on the other hand, is it considered wrong if one changes nature and the way things that are meant to be?

So, when do you think our soul leaves our body?

I Hear Myself... Clearly

2006-10-04T11:53:00.001+08:00

"I hear myself... clearly."

That's the statement uttered by the person onscreen as recognition and acceptance dawns on his face. As the weight of his responsibility drops onto his shoulders. As he realizes the magnanimity of the situation and the herculean effort he must provide to overcome the odds.

While that may have been an exaggeration, the turning point that gave birth to that simple phrase persists. Oft times, we focus so much on the outside that we forget to listen to ourselves. We try so hard to please others that we fail to please ourselves.

Selfish? Perhaps. But selflessness gets us nowhere. Except maybe in the good books of other people. But again, it gets us nowhere. We do not progress ourselves just by being selfless all the time. Life, is ours to direct. The path, is ours to walk.

And yet, some people try to walk on another's path. With the excuse that being selfless is good. No doubt, I agree being selfless is a good quality to have. However, one must look at the true essence of being selfless. Selfless acts are actions made with no thoughts whatsoever of any rewards. And these actions are, most of the time, very small, like holding the door for someone, giving up your seat for the elderly and letting the women out of the elevator first. No repercussions whatsoever on our lives.

It is when our lives come into the equation that conducting selfless acts become debatable. Do we still give up seats if we are pregnant? Do we still hold the door if our hands are full with groceries? Do we still conduct selfless acts even if they inconvenient us?

It is times like these that our little voices inside us talk to us. It is our ability to listen to ourselves that govern our actions. To ensure what we do are what we deem right. Conditioned by our upbringing and experience.

In looking outside and listening to other people, we sometimes fail to listen to ourselves and to plainly make a judgement based on what we think is what we should do. Right or wrong is not the question here. Rather, it's the ability to do as we see fit instead of doing what others think is fit.

We shape our own conscience. We do what allows us to sleep well at night. And the key word here is 'we' and not 'others'. It is your conscience that speaks to you. It is your experience that tells you which path to take. It is your upbringing that guides you towards the correct path. We are all different. We all take different paths. But they should all be our own path.

Listen to yourself and let yourself tell you what needs to be done. I try to hear myself. Do you?

Getting Married Is...

2006-06-27T10:28:00.000+08:00

I think I should coin this quotable quote by yours truly:

"Before marriage, we look for compatibility;
After marriage, we look for tolerance."

I believe one should not look for one's soul mate overly hard. Because, the danger is not knowing when to stop looking. Where do you draw the line? How can we guarantee that there is no 'better one' out there when you are already in a relationship?

As long as both of you are compatible, are happy, are comfortable with each other. That should be grounds enough to take the next step.

Interlude: Or Lack Thereof

2006-06-12T17:20:00.000+08:00

No inspiration today. Don't know what to write about.

Maybe that's life.

Such Sweet Partings

2006-06-09T10:04:00.000+08:00

Partings are almost always sad. Especially more so if you do not know the reason. And then there are the ones that just 'drifted apart'. You don't even know that you have parted until you wake up from your reverie one day and thought, "Gee, are we still considered to be together?"

Why do partings happen? Is it part of our process of evolving? Of growing up? Of changing phases? Perhaps there are new things that crop up and occupy our minds. Are we guilty of letting it slip away?

Partings. Sweet things. Bitter things. Memories.

The Chocolate Life

2006-06-08T17:23:00.000+08:00

Life's like that.
Full of its ups and downs.
One minute you're riding along it happily,
and suddenly it dips down,
and you're holding on for dear life.

Life's like that.
Different people treat you differently.
Friends and enemies are just labels that we give.
Companionship and camaraderie is what we're after.
But at times when we least expect it,
some turn around and bite you.

Life's like that.

Technology: A Necessary Evil?

2005-12-14T11:54:00.000+08:00

And so science marches on. For the betterment of mankind, of course.

We can now regenerate cells. Grow whole organs. Can we harvest humans next? And maybe turn them into batteries?

We can now communicate in real time and low rates with our colleague who is currently half a world away.

We do not need to face each other now when we communicate.

A tome of information is available on our fingertips. Desirable or not.

Information flows faster than before. A simple prank delivers drastic repercussions.

Movies and music can now be experienced in the comforts of our own home. DVD and CD replicating process has gotten easier and more accessible.

All our data can be stored in a single place. Which is akin to putting all eggs into a single basket.

Science and technology. Is it a necessity or is it an evil? Can we live without it? For me, I view it as just a tool to help us. In the end, it is the wielder of the sword that determines where the sword cuts.

Interlude: Are We Done Yet?

2005-11-30T09:23:00.000+08:00

More calamities.

Earthquake in Iran. Earthquake in China.

More storms coming.

Is this a sign?

Interlude: The Path of Life

2005-11-09T09:02:00.000+08:00

"The world is filled with pain and joy. The former keeps you on the path of growth, the latter makes the journey tolerable."

Montolio DeBrouchee

Flawless

2005-10-25T14:34:00.000+08:00

Or faultless. Or just plain perfect.

Some demand that of other people. Some demand that of themselves. Anything less is unacceptable. Is that reasonable?

The slave herders will say yes to that. The slaves, obviously, will disagree vehemently.

The perfectionists will try their best to ensure everything runs according to plan, that everything is spick and span, that all bases are covered. The not-so-perfectionists will opt for a happy-go-lucky, come-what-may, if-the-sky-falls-we'll-use-it-as-cover attitude.

Is there a right or wrong, better or worse attitude among the two? As with all other emotions, I guess we should take what is most comfortable to us.

To be perfect is to be meticulous. To go through each process again and again and yet again to make sure not one strand of hair is sticking out. Everything needs to be spot on.

Unfortunately, life is full of surprises. Are we really able to cover all bases, however detailed we are? What is there to living if we have only smooth sailing from beginning to end?

I say we take life as it comes. Certainly, we should cover our bases as much as possible. But we need not spend so much time perfecting it and missing out on other things in the process. After all, the bigger picture counts as much as the detailed portions of life.

Stop being perfect, and start being the best we can.

"Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human."
Anthony Robbins

Interlude: Stupendous Man!

2005-10-24T17:18:00.000+08:00

In tribute to final strip of Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson 10 years ago today.

Societal Conditioning

2005-10-21T11:09:00.000+08:00

Or peer pressure. Or conforming to the norm. Or following the leader. Or not being creative. Or not being adventurous.

But it is more than that. It is accepting a situation as it is because 'the society does'. And it is all the more dangerous due to the society being such a huge number of acceptance.

Is there a right or wrong issue anymore? Or is it now acceptable or rejected by the society? Nevertheless, societal conditioning is advantageous for good practices. But then, the problem is what is good and what is not good? What is acceptable and what is not acceptable?

Different sexual preferences are merely just that - preferences. Is there a line to draw that states which is good and which is not good? Not unless some religious text specifically tells us that preference A is no-no while preference B is acceptable. Was there such a thing?

We are brought up according to the environment around us. We are 'taught' about the good and bad points in life by people around us. We live in a society that accepts and rejects different issues.

Is there a right or wrong issue anymore?

"We will discover the nature of our particular genius when we stop trying to conform to our own or other people's models, learn to be ourselves, and allow our natural channel to open"
Shakti Gawain

Interlude: Lost Polar Bears?

2005-10-17T17:41:00.000+08:00

"The biblical account of Noah's Ark and the Flood is perhaps the most implausible story for fundamentalists to defend. Where, for example, while loading his ark, did Noah find penguins and polar bears in Palestine?"

Judith Hayes

Adam vs Apeman

2005-10-14T11:03:00.000+08:00

Who came first? Adam? Or the Big Bang?

Which one stakes the claim? Evolution? Or Creation?

Who is mightier? Science or God?

Look at it this way, if there is no God, will there be science? No wait, that is not fair. There was no science in the old ages. But then again, even if there is science, there COULD also be a God... one does not necessarily must exist without the other. Both are somewhat independent of each other's existence.

Did you know our great-great-greatest.... ancestor is a... protein? Or at least that's one of the general scientific thoughts. Evolution would bring that piece of protein from billions of years ago into everything organic you see around you today. Plausible explanation? What do you think?

Or would you prefer the Adam timeline? About how Adam and Eve get together to have little Abel and so on and so forth. There was nothing before Adam, was there? Except for the five days. But then again, the timeline in the bible is, perhaps, differently defined as our timeline. After all, we've started measuring time according to the current standards only recently (by comparative standards). The great seven days could mean... oh, I don't know, 7 generations? 7 months by our reckoning? 7 decades? 7 millenia? You get the idea.

But I digress. Examining time does not tell us who is more accurate. The Big Bang happened billions of years ago. Well, probably so did the 7 days. Except maybe for day 6. Maybe that was about a few thousand years ago.

Here's a radical thought: Maybe there WERE apemen, during the dinosaur era. Maybe God started it all with the Big Bang. And maybe the Ice Age was something like a 'reboot' of Earth. God's way of sweeping the slate clean and starting over again, with the 7 days. Did the apemen survive the Ice Age?

Can creation and evolution co-exist? Apparently so. Sort of. In a way...

Whose side are you on? Which side of the fence do you sit? Evolution or Creation? Why? Does it matter to you? Why? Actually, maybe God was none to happy (not angry, mind you, God is all-forgiving) with Adam and transformed him into an apeman...

"If we are going to teach creation science as an alternative to evolution, then we should also teach the stork theory as an alternative to biological reproduction."
Judith Hayes (author of religious books with humour)

Dawn to Dusk

2005-10-10T18:24:00.000+08:00

More is Not Enough

2005-10-10T18:13:00.000+08:00

Enough is enough. But more is not enough. How much is enough? What is enough for me, might not be enough for you. In fact, most people never gets enough. We all want more. For better or worse.

Wanting more is not the same as greed, is it? Greed is mostly associated with material things. Wanting more usually tries to fill a non-physical need. But I guess they mostly intertwine. And we tend to use one or the other interchangeably.

Wanting more is not bad at all times. Looking at it in a positive light, we can use the word 'determination' instead. But sometimes, wanting more brings us down the path of greed. It easily spills over and we are led astray into the forest.

How much is enough, indeed. It is man's weakness that we do not, know not or will not draw the line when we should. We are given something today. Tomorrow we will ask for something more, something better, something more extravagant. Wanting something more today is never enough for tomorrow.

Why are we not contented with what we have? Why must we constantly compare ourselves with our neighbour? Buddhism teaches us to be free of material wants in order to attain spiritual needs. While religiously, that is valid, other (more mortal) views require us to satisfy some sort of basic wants in order to live comfortably. But again, the subjective and relative question is how comfortable is comfortable?

But looking at it in yet another angle, we all must have dreams, no? Otherwise, what are we to attain in this lifetime? We are given something today. We will dream for something more tomorrow. So we have determination to strive for something better. But take care we must, lest we follow off the beaten path.

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed"
Mahatma Gandhi quotes (Indian Philosopher, internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest, 1869-1948)

Interlude: Droopy Eyes

2005-10-07T17:36:00.000+08:00

I am tired. Mentally and physically.
What does it take to recharge oneself?
Sleep. I think that is the best.
Worry-free. I think that is best-er.
Finishing my task and moving on. Is that the best-est?

How do you recharge yourself?

Disobedience or Creativity?

2005-09-30T14:36:00.000+08:00

Conforming to the norm. Afraid of deviating. How are we to be creative if we follow rules that are given to us? Deviate and you will be branded as disobedient. Conform to the norm and you will be just plain ol' ho hum.

Think out of the box... and risk breaking rules laid down. Who is at fault here? Are rules stifling our creativity?

Dad says, "When you grow up, I want you to be a doctor." He says, "But I really like to sing..."
Mom says, "Don't climb the tree!" We say, "I wanna know what's up there! Not to mention learn how to climb..."
Grandma says, "Girls are meant to be prim and proper." She says, "Does that mean I can't go jungle trekking?"
Teacher says, "I want you to write a composition titled 'My Father'. Make sure you include things like how he looks like and his occupation." Students say, "But we prefer to write about how he takes care of us."

What do you think? Are we being conditioned to be less creative? Because we were given rules to follow? But do we not need rules to bring a semblance of order to our lives? On the other hand, do we not need creativity to tackle the parts of life that are not so... normal? The part of life where it's not so straightforward? Where there are no precedence to follow?

How far do we push creativity before we cross the line and be labeled as being disobedient? What is society's role in this? To support creativity and accept blatant disregard for house rules? To make sure rules are followed while disregarding creative potential?

I think there must be some form of rules. But I also believe behind every rule, there is a rationale. And it must be rational. Else why bother? To be creative is to be able to think out of the box. But thinking out of the box does not necessarily lead to being disobedient.

The son says, "Maybe I'll be a singing doctor!"
They say, "We should take proper climbing lessons."
The granddaughter says, "I can be prim and proper during a trek. I don't have to be all rugged and disregard my outward appearances."
The students say, "Teacher didn't say we can't include stories about how daddy takes care of us. I'm sure we can put that in."

"The chief enemy of creativity is "good" sense."
Pablo Picasso quotes (Spanish Artist and Painter. 1881-1973)

Inspired by Billi Lim.

Interlude: A Husband and Wife's Conversation

2005-09-29T13:59:00.000+08:00

Wife: Hey, if you plan to wed another, would you ask for my permission first or would you go somewhere secret and marry quietly?

Husband: Hmm... *thinking* I'd probably ask your permission first. I wouldn't marry someone else secretly now, would I?

Wife: WHHHHHAAAATTTT???!!! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO ANSWER YOU'D NEVER MARRY ANOTHER!!!!

*sigh*

Adapted from another.

Bad Days are Cured By...

2005-09-27T14:55:00.000+08:00

A smile
A kiss
Staying in bed on a rainy morning
Curling in front of a fire with hot chocolate and a book
Listening to good music, tapping your legs in time
Winning a prize you've always wanted
Going on a holiday and do nothing
Taking a walk in the park
Taking a drive in the evening with the windows rolled down

A rainbow
The light morning breeze
Light drizzle freshening things up
Dew on the leaf
Smell of freshly cut grass
First snow flake
The gentle sound of waves lapping on the sand
Birds chirping in the tree
The clear blue sea and the white sand underneath

Gurglings of a baby
Pecks on the cheek by your children
Hear a child say 'Please' or 'Thank you'
Hanging out with close friends talking about everything and nothing
All the housework finished when you reach home
Getting a present for no reason
Your child getting good results
Watching a movie on Sunday afternoon with your loved one's arms wrapped around you

"A long life may not be good enough, but a good life is long enough."
Anonymous

The Thin Red Veil

2005-09-20T11:01:00.000+08:00

A red haze shimmers in front of us. Almost blocking our vision. To the point that red spots are seen. The beating of the heart is heard loud and clear in your ears. Accompanied by the sound of rushing blood to your head. Teeths are together, jaws clenched tight. Eyebrows brought together.

What do you do? What do you do?

The defining moment. What you do next have consequences... and repercussions... and affects the people around you... At that moment, it is a thin red line that you walk on. Which side of the fence will you be on? Expect comments about retaliation, physical harm, heartbreaks, hurt, accusatory glances, envy, power, pride, righteousness from spectators on one side of the fence. Expect comments about forgiveness, empathy, willing to listen, willing to discuss, benefit of a doubt, foolishness, pride, righteousness, cowardice from spectators on the other side.

Are we free to indulge in anger? What good do we get from expressing our anger? Really. More hurt than good, I believe. With the red veil in front of us, we tend to imagine things that are not there. We tend to say things we know are not true. We try to find fault where there are none. We try to convince ourselves we are right and justified. We try to act unfairly. We try to hurt the other the same way we got hurt.

The veil is thin indeed. Whoever heard of a long temper? We are quick to jump the gun. We are trigger-happy. And a veil it is, indeed. Any movement and we jump... to conclusions. Anything heard and we complete the story ourselves. Anything seen and we make assumptions. Who should we fear the most other than ourselves?

Yet at times, anger forces submission. And subsequent dealings are much easier. But is there no other way? Diplomacy is a tack used in place of anger. Negotiation is an angle taken to contain emotions. Discussion and debate can lead to a shift in perspective.

Focus on the long term. Think of the repercussions. Act not first. When in anger, drink in a gulp of air and release it s..l..o..w..l..y..

"You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger."
(Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

Progress or Regress

2005-09-08T15:03:00.000+08:00

Progress: A gradual improvement or growth or development.
Regress: Moving back to a former state.

Mankind has progressed throughout the years indeed. From the creation of fire, to the creation of the wheel, to the discovery of electricity, to the stepping on the moon, to the creation of semiconductor chips. Yes, we have come a long way. And I'm sure, with man's natural inquisitiveness, we will likely continue to progress further.

But it looks like mankind's progression has also come with a price. If we look real close, we will see that we have regress on other things due to our quest for continued progress.

The Earth has suffered. Hurricanes abound. Oil is reducing. Polar ice caps are melting. Ozone layer is thinning.
We have suffered. Employees sitting next to each other communicate via instant messaging. What we have pride ourselves in the past on face-to-face communication has suffered in the onslaught of development. Now we even stay home instead of going out with friends. We look for partners through the computer instead of shaking hands with new people.
Life has been, in my opinion, not in the best of health. Cloning increases. Stem cells help in regeneration of organs. We are playing God indeed. A step forward but a step backward too. God is not our role to play lest we mess up the balance of things that we do not understand fully.
Artificial life. Robots. Man. Are they all one and the same? No? Yes? Why do we try so hard to create artificial life? Why do we have robots do our jobs for us? Are we becoming, once again, slave masters as of days of yore?

Are they all not the price we have paid for our progress? Are they all not somehow related? Do we even see the link? But despite all that, do we still want to continue with our march towards a 'better' life? Do we still step on ourselves to go higher?

Can it not work together? Can not progress be achieved without detriment and side effects to us? Guidelines and rules. We need to control what we do. We need to make sure whatever progress we plan on will not regress us in some other way. If it is unavoidable, at least keep regression to the minimal. Find ways to improve it. Perhaps to progress in other areas? No, I do not have a solution...

Having said all that, I myself am still not sure whether I am for or against progress. Where do we draw the line on when too much progress makes us regress? We need to find the line and draw on it. What do you think?

"Our degeneration, when it is traced back to its origin in our view of the world really consists in the fact that true optimism has vanished unperceived from our midst."
Albert Schweitzer (German medical Missionary, Theologian, Musician and Philosopher. 1952 Nobel Peace Prize, 1875-1965)

The Ugly Green Monster

2005-09-05T12:14:00.000+08:00

This monster is anything but green. In fact, I don't know who called it green in the first place. Is it ugly? Perhaps it is, not so much in its appearance, but more in the results it creates. Jealousy: it certainly creates ugly results.

Man has needs. Some see it as an advantage while others see it as a disadvantage. But the fact remains, we all want things. We all want a perfect relationship, one with smooth sailing. We want a perfect partner, someone who can be there when we need someone. We want, request, insist and demand.

But love is forgiving. It's okay if you can't give me what I want. I understand. I love you just the way you are.

But love is unforgiving. Why do you have to go out with your friends when you can go out with me? What can they give you that I can't? Why are you spending more time with your so-called friend than you are with me?

The ugly green monster drives us to the realm of unreasonableness, of insecurity - although in the minds of the 'victim', it is all just and proper. So who is right? Who has the right? Who is the victim of a jealousy row? Should you even be jealous? Do you know what really happened? Do you not trust your partner? You do, but...?

Jealousy is a path taken to satisfy one's self. It is in the absence or lack of trust. Or maybe it's that one moment when your partner does something that is not usually done when you are around. And worse still, it is hidden from you! We surmise, conjecture and imagine. And we conclude on the negative, simply because all facts point there! Because the green monster tells me so! Because I am not satisfied! Because... I... want... more...! Because I am not getting it, why are others getting it?

Jealousy is the path where no one should walk on. But we have been known for trodding on forbidden paths always. Jealousy solves nothing, but only worsens the condition. Jealousy gives no satisfaction but builds distrust. Jealousy brings us nowhere but to confrontation. Jealousy is... not worth it.

"Jealousy is nothing more than a fear of abandonment"

I Am God

2005-09-01T18:31:00.000+08:00

I am king. I am also a double-edged sword.

I save lives and I take lives. Hell, I even create life!

Weild me as you will, for I do not give any opinions. Based on me, YOU form your own opinions. I am happy just sitting here providing you with all that you need.

You suffer the consequences for misusing me! You suffer the consequences for misquoting me! You suffer the consequences for misinterpreting me!

Use me correctly and I am invaluable. Do spread me across the world like how Santa brings joy to everyone.

Discuss amongst yourselves and share all that you know with one another. There is no end to me! And there is always something new! More discussions foster more revelations. The end result enriches everyone. Have joy in that! Show me to your younger generation, so that they can grow up and know how to use me as well. Show them how to use me effectively and they will stand tall amongst themselves in years to come. They will take over your mantle and continue your never-ending search for a better life. Please, I implore you, I am here to serve you! Use me!

But use me not, for the wrong reasons. Use me not to conduct dark dealings. Use me not for something you will regret later on. For I will not tell you if you have taken a wrong step. For I cannot tell you so. For you make the ultimate choice on how to use me. For you are the one who is capable of thought while I am the one with naught but only words. In fact, I am just a collection of all your thoughts.

Please make sure I am correct, for showing the wrong side of me to others can be detrimental to the whole reason of my being. What IS indeed the reason of my being? I do not have a say in this. For that is decided by you. I can help you in many aspects. I can help you in progressing your country. I can help you in progressing science. You can also hoard me and then sell me bit by bit to whoever that needs me. You can also use me to further your ambitions in getting more money - and all related activities that comes with it.

Think twice, think twice.
There is no right or wrong with me. Only how I am used can we know of the end result.
And the end we do not need. For a new beginning I can give.
Think again and again.
Use me, to help you to better yourself.
Use me, to drive negative aspects of life away.
Use me, to bring joy to everyone.
Use me not, to further your own ambitions.
Use me not, to drive your friends away.
Use me not, to bring hardship and pain to people around you.
Use me, to decide how to use me.

Oh foolish humans, I, knowledge, am here to help you. Can you not use me to better yourselves instead of destroying yourselves?

"Power is the capacity to distort information."

Natural Progression

2005-08-25T18:30:00.000+08:00

The world is coming to an end! Do you believe it? I do. It is not a question of if anymore but when. Mother Nature is ailing. Are we doing enough to help?

The dawn breaking.
The cloudless blue sky.
The feel of the breeze.
The wave of the trees.
The clear vision after the rain.
The smell of freshly cut grass.
The round white moon.
The sun reflecting off dew.
The gentle lap of waves.
The rainbow after the rain.

The laying of turtle eggs.
The birth of a panda.
The complicated spider web.
The intuition of dogs.
The baby's hold on your little finger.

The rise in global temperature.
The melting of polar ice caps.
The thinning of the ozone layer.
The movement of seismic plates.
The floods.
The foul air.
The depletion of oil.
The felling of forests.
The chemicals in the rivers.
The mountain of rubbish.

Nature is a wonderful thing. It never ceases to amaze us. It frequently brings out a feeling of wonder and joy and you get a warm fuzzy feeling. It is a gift from the Earth. Perhaps it's a gift from some other person too. And best of all, it's free. No entrance fee required to experience the great art.

One can only wish the benefit will last always...

Unfortunately, in man's pursuit of... everything, one of the things that got waylaid is Mother Nature herself. We ourselves are tarnishing the canvas - faster than it can be repainted. In our efforts to better ourselves, to advance society, to make ourselves more comfortable, we have victimized nature. Ironically, the sum of the effects lead to worse living conditions for man.

Oil prices rise.
Animals become extinct.
More geographic calamity.
More human plagues.

It is indeed a delicate balance - nature and progress. Is there a right or wrong answer to this? Do we sacrifice nature in the name of progress? Do we limit our progress to save nature? Where do we draw the line? Despite our advancements, we have yet to find a way to preserve nature while we progress. Is it difficult to co-exist? How are we to adapt if the environment around us keeps changing? Why don't we put more effort into taking care of nature? After all, I'd still like to see the sun reflecting off dew in the coolness of the morning...

"If nature were not beautiful, it would not be worth knowing, and if nature were not worth knowing, life would not be worth living."
(Henri Poincare, French Mathematician, Physicist and Philosopher of science, 1854-1912)

Patch Adams

2005-08-22T15:43:00.000+08:00

Do clowns get sad? Is spreading joy and laughter a rewarding job? Do you like being the butt end of everyone's joke? View in that perspective, being a clown is a selfless act indeed.

Happiness makes us feel elated. Happiness is infectious. Happiness keeps us going. Happiness makes us human. And best of all, happiness is rewarding. You can say it has an immense ROI. That's because the initial investment is, well, none! Unless you take brain cells and muscle movements as an investment. Nevertheless, the returns greatly outweighs the investment.

Time and again, researches have shown that it is healthy to be happy. Laughter is indeed the best medicine. Isn't it true that carefree and happy people have less ailments?

With that in mind, why don't we share our happiness? Oft times, when something nice happens, we would liike to share the news. Who do we want to share the good news with? One special person quickly comes to mind. Share it! Don't hesitate! Spread the happiness!

It is inevitable that life presents us with both pleasure and pain. Our job is to spread the pleasure, and nod at the pain in acknowledgement. We only wish there is more to share...

What is happiness to you? How important is happiness in your life? Do you search for happiness? Can we create our own happiness? What role does happiness play in our lives? Is it as sustenance? Is it as a buffer? Is it a luxury? Or is it something we take for granted? I guess different people will place happiness on different importance levels.

How do you define happiness? What are the things that make you happy? Do blue skies make you happy? Does a raise make you happy? Does the chance of being able to share time with your loved one make you happy? I guess different people will have different definitions of happiness too.

I personally believe staying happy is one of the keys to staying ageless. Why don't you be happy today?

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."
(Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

48 Hours in a Day

2005-08-19T16:25:00.000+08:00

There is just not enough time in a day to do what needs to be done, is there? Indeed, time and tide waits for no man. Time has frequently been equated with a continuous flowing river. Jump in or be left behind. Stay where you are and you will remain stagnant. You risk things passing you by. You will miss out on many things.

Why do we need to measure our lives with time? Is it to keep us moving forward? Maybe we need time to put a proper resolution to a matter. Maybe time can tell us where we are. Maybe we need time to measure ourselves.

Often we lament that there are just not enough hours in a day to do all we want to do. We go to school and we have tons of homework that have to be handed in the next day. The 3,000 word assignment is due in 2 weeks time - together with assignments from two other subjects. The proposal is due in 2 days time and the client's company has 500 employees. The release date is 1 week away and there are just too many bugs to test out.

HOW??

Unfortunately, time is just another one of those finite resources. And unfortunately, it is US who make that resource finite. I wish time never runs out. And in a sense, it doesn't. It is only us who chooses to end it. Time only flows on and on and on...

So who is in control? Do we control time? Or do we conform to time's rules? We frequently try so hard to squeeze every second out of a day.

"Time is precious!", they say.

"Once you lose it, you can't gain it back!", some proclaim.

"Don't waste your time!", others chant to you.

And so we chase each and every second of the day. We try so hard to finish our tasks at the designated times. We rush and we run. We cut corners and pay others to save on time. Just so we can do even more things within the allocated timeframe.

Let's face it, we are very much a slave of time.

Do we really need 48 hours in a day? Maybe if we move to a bigger planet we'd get more hours in a day and we'd get more time to do more things and have time catch up on us again...

I Believe in You & Me

2005-08-15T16:18:00.000+08:00

Trust is both strong and fragile. It binds people together and it keeps people apart.

How often has it been that you have felt betrayed? More so by someone you have given your full trust? From someone you think will never do what you won't do to them? The lost of trust results in disappointment. Why? How could you do such a thing? I would never have done that to you!

What is trust? What does it mean when someone 'trusts you with their life'? How important is trust to you? Do we take trust for granted? Are there written codes of conduct to maintaining trust? How do you know when what you do next will break someone's trust?

Human nature is such that there are all types of people. Some people portray themselves as an open book. You get what you see. No hidden agenda. Straightforward, in-your-face, characters. Mostly, these types of people can be relied on to do certain things. No continuous prompting required.

Some people portray themselves as one thing but when it's time to act, they perform another action. What you get are layers of the onion. The surface is very much different from what is underneath. What you get is not necessary what you were expecting initially.

Even with people we trust fully, there are times when they inadvertently do something that causes us to lose trust in them. You happen to fancy this new guy in class. You tell your good friend. You both giggle about it. Next you know, the whole class knows about it!

You are not free today for dinner with your girlfriend. She is okay with it. You heave a sigh of relief and think how wonderful your girlfriend is. Work finishes and you end up at the mall. Who do you see but your girlfriend laughing loudly at a joke your best friend made.

The erosion of trust is like an avalanche. In one moment it is snuffed out. How can you tell your good friend anything anymore? How can your girlfriend convince you that it is okay if you are not free to have dinner with her? How to free yourself of all doubts? Losing trust from someone you care deeply about makes it doubly hard.

Just like losing trust is an avalanche, conversely, building up trust is like building up a mountain. You add on what was remaining from before. It takes time, patience and persistence. Many times it is a one-step-forward, two-steps-back exercise. Indeed, trust is precious to those who value it. And value it we all should.

I believe trust is difficult to build. I believe trust is easy to loose. But most of all, I believe trust is important to maintaining a good relationship. Don't you agree?

Flutterings of the Heart

2005-04-28T15:48:00.000+08:00

What is this four letter word that we label certain feelings that we get when we experience something... 'wonderful'? Some say it's a 'chemistry'. It's all pheromones. Perhaps it's that. But perhaps the skipping of a beat of the heart, the emotions and feeling you get when looking at a person, the willing to do anything to make that person happy and to see that person laugh, is more than just a play of the body but more of the mind... and perhaps the soul.

How do you know you have found that special someone? How do you know it's your soulmate? How sure are you that there isn't someone better out there?

My answer: Does it matter? I sure do not plan to search my whole life through for my 'soulmate' that is according to my definition. The grass, unfortunately, will ALWAYS be better on the other side. What I think we should search for instead, is someone who we can click with. Someone we can share things with. Someone we can do things with. Basically, just someone we are comfortable with. Is that love?

No, I don't think that alone symbolises love at all. Take the above and add in some real love ingredients: true distress that the other person is unhappy, tries desperately to make that person happy, makes funny faces, tries to joke, give the person a treat at their favourite place, cook even if you haven't really cooked before.

And then, there are the other things. You keep thinking of him throughout the day. You wonder what he is doing now. You see something at a shop and wonder if he will like it and then you smile at yourself imagining his response if you get it for him. You want to share something nice that happened to you today with her. You want to share something unhappy that happened to you today with her. You call her up just to listen to her voice.

And then there are yet other things. How both your hands seem to touch each other while walking and you get that 'high' feeling. How you both steal glances at each other. How you both just sit there on the bench and not speak but still feel comfortable. How you both say the same things at the same time. A true connection.

For those of you who have found love. Congratulations. You need not check the other side of the fence, just make sure you are comfortable this side of the fence. For those of you who haven't found someone yet, take heart. Love is truly flitting and evasive. Sometimes, the ones that are bang in your face may not be the one that makes us the most comfortable. In fact, sometimes it's the ones that are not in your face, the ones in the background, that surprises you in the end. You won't know you have loved someone until one fine day when you think of him and smile to yourself at how funny he is.

Love. Is it chemistry or a jumble of emotions or merely just feeling comfortable with that someone?

Dust to Dust

2005-04-15T15:54:00.000+08:00

Life is a wonderful gift. The by-product from the union of two people. Correction: I think the word by-product doesn't do it justice. Sounds so... matter-of-fact, so unimportant-like, so ho-hum. Maybe replace it with ultimate transcendence, pinnacle, summit, enlightenment, nirvana of two people. Such is the value we put on life. Can anything be ever more precious?

With that, we will understandably be distressed when life comes to an end. We have the feeling that it is too precious for it to end. We ask ourselves, why? Why should something so precious end just like that? With a whiff. A snap of the fingers. It’s just not… proper. But yet, that is how life is. We are given it and we are taken from it.

But perhaps we should dwell on the journey the life embarked on – from the first to the last breath. What was achieved? What was experienced? Whose life was touched? How did others benefited from the contributions made? How many laughters were shared? How many tears were shed?

That, I think, is more meaningful then dwelling on that one moment when that life leaves us. Weep and think of the what-ifs. Cry and consider on the what-could-have-beens. Sniffle and wonder at the if-onlys. But in the end, sigh and give a sad smile. It might take one day or it might take countless months. But a new day awaits us, sometime in the future. You will reach it. And when that day comes, you will wake up and sniff the grand morning air and smile to yourself. Think back and relive the memories, if need be. But also look forward, and chart your own life so that you stay in the memory of others.

RIP to all who has left us recently. From Superman to Clergyman. From the passing of someone read over the Internet to someone we have known for eons. From dust to dust.

"Life lives, life dies. Life laughs, life cries. Life gives up and life tries. But life looks different through everyone's eyes."

The Mind, Body & Soul

2005-04-08T10:47:00.000+08:00

Mind, body and soul. Can't live without one or the other. Is that true?

I'd think the mind is the most important thing for us all. After all, that's the organ that controls the body. What is the body without the mind? Just another automaton. The mind gives us the ability to decide - to make choices. Much like choosing the red or blue pill. To think. That is what separates us from others. Makes us unique. God created us different, you know.

But then, what is the mind, without a body to contain it? How will it carry out its actions?

"Think all you want, but no execution is the same as not thinking!", says the body.
Poor mind is whimpering in the corner...

The body is the means by which the mind achieves its goals. What the mind sets out to do, the body helps it. They are a team. Nope, I don't think one can live without the other in this aspect.

But the soul is a mystery. Do we really have a soul? Or is it just a simple word to define the complex way in how we arrive at our actions depending on different situations? Religiously speaking, we DO have a soul. It uses the body as a vessel while in this life. It migrates/ascends/transcends somewhere else when the body rots and decay. But to all of us, the soul is what truly defines us. It is the collection of experiences, values, education gathered through our life. The mind takes all these as input and does some computation to obtain the output. This is then carried out by the body.

That seems pretty clear cut. But what about the NS-5? Was it REALLY trying to survive or was it just processing some instructions based on the surrounding environment? Why does Data have this obsession to know what it is like to feel? What was David, the Mecha looking for? Is there a 'correct' answer to the whole Schiavo drama?

What do you think? Draw your conclusions. Maybe you can draw them to look pretty and have it colored too. Need some crayons?