A Father's Love

A Son asked his father, "Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?" The father who, despite having a heart condition, says "Yes". They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons. The father always saying "Yes" to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his fater, "Dad, let's join the Ironman together." To which, his father said "Yes". For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island. Father and son went on to complete the race together!

In life, we are like the paralysed son, unable to do anything if it were not for God the Father. Yes we CAN, through Him who strengthens us. Believe it.

Quote of the Day

Think about it.

Racism

Barack Obama has just been elected President. The White House will admit its 1st black President. A nation previously notorious for centuries of slavery and racial conflict finally voted for change. I read the news with amusement and admiration for the US voters.

I can't help but to compare the US with my hometown, Malaysia. I know many might think that the two countries are on opposite sides of the globe (literally and figuratively) and that there's nothing to compare. Alas, Malaysia is more alike the US than most people think.

For a start, Malaysia, like US got independence from the British, though a few hundred years later, and without bloodshed. Malaysia is also a multiracial country, with its own history of racial conflict and racism. US has elected a black President. When will Malaysia accept a non-UMNO PM? A few hundred years later perhaps, when UMNO finally condemns Malaysia to a point of no return (might not be very far now, mind you).

I'd also like to commend the US Presidential election campaign. Instead of buying votes and fixing roads and drains every four years, Presidential candidates debate about current issues affecting the people and their plans to overcome financial and social woes. For the record, BN candidates have been known to shun debates, claiming it to be a waste of time.

The reason they flee from debates is totally understandable. Having seen some videos of our ministers answering questions whether in forums or in parliament, it would have been even more humiliating had they debated in public. These are the very people the Malaysian electorate have voted into parliament to DEBATE.

All these facts have only proven one thing: we are very far away from a truly mature election process and even more so from a truly 'malaysian' Malaysia.

An adaptation from the movie V for Vandetta, to remember the 5th of November

Missing 'Mojo'

After 10 weeks or so in my not so new environment, I realised that my life is very different compared to how it was back in my hometown, Malacca. For starters, I now share a room with somebody (no complains, though). 

No doubt, I expected university life to be very different, but I somehow ended up lost and went with the crowd. As the first semester finally draws to a close, I realise how mundane and unmeaningful a typical university student's life is. Attend lectures and tutorials, complete assignments, meet datelines, sit for exam, end. For the record, I had a very different lifestyle back home.

The reason why I enjoyed my Form 6 days was definitely not studies. It was because of my involvement in church activities. I had a purpose, a direction - to serve. To serve God in whatever I do. That was my priority back then. Serving God does not benefit Him, but ourselves. I learned a whole lot about organization as well as made a whole bunch of crazy friends along the way.

Over here, it's a whole new world. I no longer serve in a youth ministry - that takes away a huge part of who I am, since I gave my all to serving Him and my involvement in government-required activities were minimal. I guess that's why I got lost in the first place.

I used to have a good balance in life back home; physically (eat well, excercise well, sleep well), intellectually (studies, obviously), socially (friends who are like siblings), emotionally (proper channelling of stress, leisure, FUN), and spiritually (serve God). When I came over, a huge portion of social and spiritual disappeared. I never really bothered what had been lost, but just went along with the crowd, which was a whole lot of intellectual. That's when life becomes pre-programmed and mundane. 

Surely, everybody's perspective on balance is different, but I'd stick with this model, which means that I'll have to find a way to put the talents He's given me to good use - serving others!

Teachers

This clip really got me thinking - how teachers aren't supposed to just teach a subject, but to also bring out the best in his students. As Prof. Randy Pausch puts it, dream enablers. How often do we come across teachers who really care about their students and try their best to see them succeed, not just academically but also socially, emotionally and spiritually? You're truly blessed if you've met one. I know I am.

Just a thought: With a teachers workload nowadays, I don't blame them for not being able to care. In fact, I'm amazed they can remember so many names. Too many students, too few teachers. The Malaysian education system is seriously flawed in many ways, but I'd say its greatest flaw is that it fails to recognise non-academic talent. So what if some people can't remember all seven food classes? So what if some people screw up all the dates in Islamic history? All that matters is maturity of thought and creativity, the ability to think outside the box. Honestly, there are people who excel academically but still lack these basic skills. And we wonder why graduates aren't able to find employment. The system has got to go.