I would quote from a recent conversation I had with a few of my closest friends.
One of them was commenting that he has managed to convert two people to Liverpool but laments that he has lead no one as yet to Jesus.
Why is converting people to Liverpool 70% as good as bringing people to Christ?
*grin*
Because - before you can even comprehend God and His relationship with you... you need to realise one important thing...
YOU NEVER WALK ALONE! This post celebrates Liverpool's victory over Chelsea and Portsmouth and signifies the writer still prays feverishly for further Red Victories!
I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." I have the Holy Spirit's power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.
I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.
And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.
There has been talk recently in the press and openly amongst many of my friends that the best thing Chinese based parties can do is to pull out of the national government and gives its support to the opposition to effect a transition of power that will be a "Second Independence".
While talking to a friend last week (or rather a week and a half ago), I was told that the MCA is a servant party and has always been a servant party since the beginning of the relationship between UMNO and MCA. It was said that this is reflected in the 'servant' ministries allocated to the MCA - ministries of transport, health, human resources, women & family planning - even local government. Nothing important like Defense, Finance or International Trade, always reserved for UMNO. This has been echoed by other friends and family.
I feel the need to set the record straight. The initial MCA-UMNO relationship is not that of servant-master but of equal partners. I want to share a vital piece of the puzzle - that the birth of our nation was almost a stillbirth - one that was prevented because the Malays of UMNO and the Chinese of MCA later with the Indians of MIC came together to fight for independence.
Back then, prior to independence and the existence of the MCA-UMNO Alliance, the major parties of the MCA, UMNO and the IMP (Independence of Malaya Party, a multi-racial party) each pushes its own agenda, often in conflict with one another. UMNO has its motto, Hidup Melayu! (Long Live the Malays!) much to the discomfort of the Chinese in Malaysia.
The first test of achieving self-governance leading to independence was in Kuala Lumpur. In 1952, Kuala Lumpur held its Municipal Elections. There were 12 seats that was contested and the vote was expected to be fragmented between UMNO, MCA and the IMP with no one party able to govern with a solid majority. This is because at that time, Kuala Lumpur is a Chinese majority area. UMNO, the largest Malay party at the time, decided to field 6 candidates and the MCA in response, urged it to field a multi-racial slate. Negotiations and contacts between the two parties gave birth to a MCA-UMNO alliance, as equal partners. As a result, the combined MCA-UMNO Alliance gained 9 out of the 12 seats. An MCA member was given the honour to being the Alliance leader in the council. UMNO, under Tunku changed its motto to Merdeka! (Independence!).
This Alliance (together with the MIC which joined later in 1952), using the formula formed under the Municipal Elections, went on to win election after election, culminating in winning 51 out of 52 seats in the 1st National Elections in 1955 - forming a strong united government that could demand and gained independence in 1957, a mere 2 years after the national elections and a mere 5 years after the formation of the Alliance.
The first cabinet post-independence is as follows:-
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra -- Prime Minister, Defence, Foreign Affairs Tun Abdul Razak Hussein -- Deputy Prime Minister, Defence (1958) Abdul Aziz Ishak -- Agriculture and Cooperative Tun Dr Ismail Datuk Abdul Rahman -- Trade and Security Tun Henry Lee Hau Shik -- Finance Tun Omar Yoke Lin Ong -- Labour and Social Welfare Tun V.T. Sambanthan -- Health Tan Sri Haji Sardon Jubir -- Works, Posts and Telecoms Datuk Suleiman Datuk Abdul Rahman -- Natural Resources and Local Government Abdul Rahman Talib -- Transport (1958) Tun Leong Yew Koh -- Justice (1960) Tan Sri Mohamad Khir Johari -- Education (1958) Tun Tan Siew Sin -- Trade and Industry (1958), Finance (1960)
This composition reflect a relationship of equal partners not of master and servant! MCA was awarded the important ministries of Finance, Trade & Industry amongst others. How come the MCA today is so different? so diffident?
Why is it today supremacists can scream Hidup Melayu! a slogan that has been discarded before independence? Why is it that the Chinese can be called 'squatters' when we are equal partners in the formation of this country? Essential in the first baby steps that lead to independence? It is my opinion that if MCA did not work with UMNO, there will be no independence in 1957 and we would be under the British yoke even until the 1980s (Brunei gained independence in 1984).
We are equal partners. We are friends, co-workers and neighbours - Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban and many others. We are a multi-racial society. Don't worry about the concept of a 'Second Independence' - Bring Back Our Independence!
Well, it has been a hectic week - of running around (like a headless chicken, I might add...) for work as well as... more work, albeit of a different kind.
It is today, of all days that I have realised a role that I have been constantly called to play, be it at work, at home, with friends and on special projects.
That is the role of a centrist - and I am using the word liberally. Not so much so as a centrist in politics (although I believe my views merit me a slightly right of the center position) But rather a centrist in the sense of the person steering the center course.
I think that has made me almost like a moderator in many issues between many of my contemporaries, ranging from between my parents, my friends or between business partners. It is not a role that I relish, as I feel constantly caught in between... *sigh*
But I hope God gives me strength... if this is the role I have to play...
Datuk Dr Ma’amor Osman made an interesting statement today in the newspapers - of which I think merits an appearence in my thoughts...
"The detentions are proof that the Government does not remain silent in matters involving racial sensitivities and the Federal Constitution.
“Matters such as these should be viewed seriously because, if ignored, they could incite hatred in the people, especially the Malays, because their special position has often been disputed by certain quarters,” he claimed.
So my dear Datuk, I would say that in view of the greatness of this government in doing so, might we suggest that we arrest the racist nutjob of Penang? Because...
"The suspension of just 3 years by UMNO is proof that the Government remains silent in matters involving racial sensitivities and the Federal Constitution.
Matter such as the one in Penang should be viewed seriously because, if ignored, they could incite hatred in the people, especially Malaysians, because their democratic position has often been disputed by certain quarters."
Stop having different standards my dear friends, apply the law on equal measure as stipulated in Article 8, Clause (1) of the Federal Constitution or don't apply such a law at all.
Article 8 (1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.
A match that will surely enter the annals of the neverending Liverpool - Manchester United rivalry.
Let's just say I am very happy and contented and put it at that... A victory at Anfield, our 1st in ages vs Man Utd. Caught snippets of the match, the Tevez goal at 3 minutes, Brown's own goal thereafter and a terrific 2nd half.
"Is that professional? He (Koh) is the state BN chief and he severed ties with Umno, how can he perform (his duty) like that? Who is acting emotionally now?"
Professionalism? Ask this monkey below if what he did was ultra professional?
I was initially very angry at the comments of a certain idiot from Flaghill in Penang...
Then I realised - there is no point being angry.
If a person pees on the pavement in front of your home - you have every right to be angry! But if a dog pees on the same pavement - you don't get angry - its just a dog, probably a mongrel, a paria imported from the south pacific islands...
So - that is the spirit! He is just a paria pendatang dog...
Above all powers, above all kings Above all nature and all created things Above all wisdom and all the ways of man You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms, above all thrones Above all wonders the world has ever known Above all wealth and treasures of the earth There's no way to measure what you're worth
Crucified Laid behind a stone You lived to die Rejected and alone Like a rose Trampled on the ground You took the fall And thought of me Above all
Above all powers, above all kings Above all nature and all created things Above all wisdom and all the ways of man You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms, above all thrones Above all wonders the world has ever known Above all wealth and treasures of the earth There's no way to measure what you're worth
Crucified Laid behind a stone You lived to die Rejected and alone Like a rose Trampled on the ground You took the fall And thought of me Above all
Crucified Laid behind a stone You lived to die Rejected and alone Like a rose Trampled on the ground You took the fall And thought of me Above all
Like a rose Trampled on the ground You took the fall And thought of me Above all
“It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Essayist
It has indeed been a fast paced and hectic weekend - one of my old old friends is getting hitched and there are many old old friends from way back in town to celebrate this joyous occasion. Many of us apart for many years, dwelling in various cities on different continents and timezones. So for two days, we relived old times.
It was amazing how we fell back onto the old camaderie - old jokes, dirty jokes, insults, gossip & texas hold'em poker. It is also amazing to see the changes we have since days past - weddings, engagements... new babies. And most of all - the sweet sound of laughter that continue to echo in my ears.
“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” Elisabeth Foley
One other thing is the amount of comfort we get from one another as we share confidences in our current lives. I just feel grateful that after all these years, the bonds of our friendships has developed into one that we can speak freely to one another of the current issues in our lives, seek opinions from one another, sharing our worries, troubles and hopes of the future. It may be because we see each other so rarely, that we are so far removed from each other's life, that allow us to share our lives without consequence... without fear... in other words...
In total freedom.
And God, for that I am grateful... truly grateful.
“Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” Albert Camus, French Author
I have been pondering for the past one week regarding this 100th post on the blog. I wanted to post up something meaningful - not one of the 5 posting possibilities that hovered in my head at various times over the week past...
Each and every one of them a rant, each and every one of them a complaint... Each and every one of them something that I need to get out of my system.
It is then I yearned for the past - a past where I have used this blog more to ponder and to pray. It seemed that my language then was more prose-like - more refined so to speak.
Every word of certain posts seemed to have been deliberately placed next their punctuation. Every 'i' dotted with love and every 't' crossed with a purpose. It is then I realised that that 'lost world' is something I have held close to my heart all this while.
Then I remembered my interest and a certain morbid fascination I had in a horrible movie I watched at my friend's place - a movie entitled 'Chicken Rice War'. Set in contemporary Singapore with a Romeo & Juliet-esque storyline - it nevertheless set me off into a weird feeling over the past few days.
I noticed that I went back to my Shakespeare, my Ruyard Kipling and my Arthur Conan Doyle. I picked up my well thumbed tome of Richard Adams and my creased treasure of RM Ballantyne. Things I have read in ages past... and wondered what...
...have I lost?
My language today is of commerce, in marketing plans and proposals... short emails and shorter smses. My words are no longer chosen for their beauty and poignancy but for their simplicity and directness. It seemed that I have lost something I have held dear...
the simple beauty of a well written turn of phrase... an adjective laden sentence dripping with prose... a paragraph filled with great expectations of what is yet to come...
So I end this post - my 100th prose with a prologue that all seems familiar with - not to set any scene of the future, but a beginning nontheless. A beginning of which I hope I can bring forth more words from the past and some from the present or the future. Not all mine own words - but others that has brought enjoyment to my eyes...
Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Do with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which, but their children's end, nought could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Forewarned about talking to weird people on the street - I mumbled "Don't know Chinese" "Ohh.... Gurls u wan? Good good gurls! Top Top Qwalitee - local ones"
I walked away... Repeat this three times in the span of 5 minutes... *sigh*
Today was an eventful morning - when we were rushing from the airport hotel to the airport to catch the flight to Shanghai.
This is the reason why I think that considering China a great country is a bit premature. Take for example our incident in the morning.
Arriving early for check-in and after lining up for 20minutes, we were served by this woman at the check-in counter. She directed us to another counter for check-in. This is when I sense the falling sandbag.
There was this lady who duly informed me in her half-baked engrish that the ticket is not valid as we did not reconfirm with them. RECONFIRM? Why? This is an issued e-ticket that clearly state that it is CONFIRMED & RESERVED. The paper happen to mention it 3 times!
So WTF? Arguing about 10 minutes later, the rather un-apologetic woman was hereby demanded by us to see their supervisor. 10 minutes later - still no word. Here we are stranded at the airport without a flight to make it to a meeting in 4 hours (the flight takes 2 hours) with the next flight departing way too late to get us there in in (it departs 2 hours later. 2+2 = 4 hours plus travelling time is way too late)
So i went further on the offensive - and finally after a 30minute ordeal, we finally got on the plane. But by then it was less than 20 minutes for the flight and the baggage is close. So we rushed across to the oversized baggage counter to get it in - quite a long distance - making it on the minute that service is closed for the flight. Then with 10 minutes remaining - it was the mad rush thru security and to a gate verily 500+ meters away!
So in the end we made it - but I carry away a distinct feeling that one of the premier airlines i.e. China Southern nearly shanghai-ed us - either by sheer incompetence or stupidity...
It appears that the much vaunted China - does have its incompetent side... and have a long long long way to catch up. Even with Malaysia...
It has been a hectic week of work work work and sick sick sick. *sigh* *grin*
Well, it is official - I have not really slept for the past 48 hours - except 3 hours of cough wrecked sleep on Saturday night and a turbulence filled 2.5 hours on the cramped seat of an airplane.
So right now I find myself unable to go to sleep - even in a quiet hotel room in off Guangzhou. My mind is just racing around, from matters at work, matters with colleagues, leftover matters from that especially time consuming last minute causing me not to be able to sleep project, matters of what the hell I am supposed to do for the next four days as I proceed to Shanghai for meetings and more meetings.
Traveling used to be fun - and it still is. The 1st look of an approaching city from the air, the tarmac of an airport I have never before ventured, the lines at immigration and customs silently praying I have not done or brought anything wrong. I love it all... However, I am starting to develop some disenchantment with traveling so much - especially for work.
I sometimes wish just to lie on my bed, book in hand with my mind in some faraway place - be it Midkemia, Arrakis, Middle Earth or Treasure Island. But I digress - probably due to my sleep deprived state.
For those who want to be in the know on my going-ons in life, I just have lunch and is currently waiting for a talk in the evening. Tonight we will be staying at the airport hotel ready to be whisked away to Shanghai 1st thing in the morning...
Oh Canton, Canton... I hardly know you... But for the whispers of your character... from the elevated highway
Oh Canton, oh Canton People now call you... Guangzhou, jewel of the Pearl River... as I depart from you by the jetway
