Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Of Qing Ming and Filial Piety.

I got this strange reaction from a fellow MMUian when I told him about Qing Ming (All Souls Day). No doubt, he wasn't a Malaysian and knows nil about this festival observed by Buddhist people all over the world. (Maybe Bahai, Taoism and other religions too). It wasn't the most pleasant reaction I might say, as labeling something someone does from a religious point of view as "silly" is just plain rude. (Apart from hurting one another physically, emotionally and spiritually)

Nevertheless, I did my part and played my role in the family, (being forced) waking up as early as 7.30am on a SUNDAY to have some dimsum breakfast outside and we're off; my dad and I, to our ancestor's grave in Jelutong, Melaka, the largest cemetery in Malacca, if not Malaysia.





All along my journey from the roadside to the heart of the cemetery, (yes, we're in the middle) I noticed how there were many MANY people there, setting off fireworks, firecrackers, praying notwithstanding, but I never fail to realise this one thing. There were hardly any people of my age, nor to say younger, which is.. a little crest-falling to know that this age old tradition is slowly losing observance by the younger generation.

Call me old fashion, but things like these are reminders of what we are. Just that past week, we were in a Buddhist temple, praying to my paternal grandmother whose ashes were laid there to rest. In the midst of the hallway, three children were running around. Now you might think that children ALWAYS run around. What's new with that? The point being, these children in the pure naivety, is running around carefree in a site honouring the people long gone. A stark contrast of the gloomy atmosphere that envelopes many. (not THAT gloomy, but still..) It was a scene so pure and innocent, I would say, that brought me to think for a moment.

Then, the children were stopped by their mother, telling them not to run around less in case they knock something over. I reasoned with myself though, to let the children continue having fun, as this is what everything is all about. Having fun, no matter how solemn the situation is. This is how they are going to remember something, or an event so important in the annals of Chinese culture; honouring the dead. The only deterrent that supported the predicament I saw in Jelutong was the younger generations don't find any meaning in doing it anymore, or simply to say, they are not attracted to this kind of thing anymore. I always visit my ancestors without fail, simply because, our ancestors, dead or alive, are the only people who can bring our relatives far and apart all back together. Without them, I don't think I could be as close with my uncles, aunts or cousins. The only few times I get to see our family gathering, truly something amazing, considering how a dead person could bring together a large family in a SINGLE DAY.

All in all, I'm just going to remind you people out there, Qing Ming is really something that we should observe, continue and respect, be it for a cultural purpose or simply out of pure filial piety, it's the only thing LEFT that we could do for someone who is no longer here.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Untitled.

Have this very weird dream today.. It's about me and a bunch of friend sealing a creature up within the old walls of Malacca, hiding it from the authorities. Running around like fugitives. Coordinating.. It's like we're a bunch of secret society agents. And I clearly remember who the members are. Haha.
Malacca looks so different in my dream. There are new structures and weird buildings. Overall, I'll give it a 5/5 weird dream as I never knew deep within me I have such Naruto-ish fantasy! XDDD

OMG.. I am going nuts.

It's a boring boring day.

It's has been quite a moody day today. Been raining since afternoon, and it's still raining now. According to sources on the interweb, I should be dying of radioactivity soon. Yay me~

Anyway, nothing interesting has been up lately apart from me trying to look for people to sms to but my smses were never/seldom replied, assuming people are just too busy with their life to bother about me. Bleh!

Went to my uni's Open Day today, and well.. Some people, albeit being a senior, still behaves like a prick. Don't understand why does he insist on denying something that CAN'T be denied. Just gotta let that pass I guess, since it has nothing to do with me anyway.

I just need a cup of coffee, methinks.. Feeling so down and out today, unforeseen lethargy.. Haiz.

Friday, March 18, 2011

算了吧。。

为什么我还会这样的? 真的不明白。 可是。。应该。。没事吧? 都当他做朋友了,不觉得还会有问题吧?
一个月。。 一个月了。。 有时候会很想跟他聊一聊, 可是都不懂有什么好聊了。 哈哈。。 我好笨。 真的好笨。 人家都已经有个新的了, 我还要去看他来干嘛? 做回朋友? 希望我们还能吧。。

最精,我对一个人有好感, 可是。。 我都一次的告诉自己不要在发梦了。 都觉得自己没有资格去追求人家。。 说已, 大卫, 算了吧。

Sunday, March 13, 2011

EFE : Export Furniture Exhibition. An eye opening experience.

Okay, this might come bit late, but yeah, two weeks ago, I was at EFE aka Export Furniture Exhibition. It was quite an eye-opening experience, seeing new designs of not only furniture, but booths and stages as well. It was a really grand expo held in Serdang's biggest exhibition hall.

http://www.efe.net.my/

That be the official website. Being held from 3rd to the 7th, I was privileged enough to accompany my father to the gallery that was being conducted at the latest all-new venue at Malaysian Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS), Asia's largest and most comprehensive showground and exposition facility.

If you noticed, as a member of the public, you are not quite allowed to enter until the 7th of March, but being accompanied by my father, I managed to get the slip, registering myself as a "Student trainee" in my dad's branch. :D

What captured me most is not only the sheer size of the exhibition ground, nor the number of companies pushing their sales. It was the unique and ubiquitous way the booths were designed. Simplicity that awes, grandness that silences, creativeness that captivates. Imagine all that in a single expo. You wouldn't have guessed that you were in Malaysia if you magically teleport yourself in there unsuspectingly.



The creativeness of this booth struck me at first as it was typically outstanding amongst the lesser booths beside. Using mere plasters, they managed to create such eloquent look to their booth within only a single month of preparation. Oh, and the best part was the insides.




Warm and all welcoming, the ambiance was just lovely and perfect. I felt quite at home with the lush carpet beneath my feet and the warm lights hovering over my head. And best of all, there was a kitchen/bar in the exhibition booth itself. Certainly the only of its kind to serve pretty little Hors d'oeuvres and mini cupcakes, along with drinks and many other refreshments. Mind you, I couldn't give you much photo evidence due to the fact that you aren't suppose to take any photo in the gallery itself. (Yes, I'm committing a crime. But as long as I don't reproduce their furniture design, I'm all fine and dandy.)





And then, black always seem to win me over ANYTIME. I was very much attracted to this one booth too that has quite a unique concept to its design. Spotted with a window-like design that allows the visitors to get and inside-view of their product, it has the bragging feel to it. It simply makes you stare inside, like you're looking into someone else's window and eventually, a set full of furniture.





And then, there's always the weird and wonderful. Simple, yet astonishingly supple and defined. Truly an eye opening experience. One that I would look forward to visiting again. And I've saved the best piece as the last too. For you Mac junkies out there, have a bite at this.



Cheerio! Till the next interesting article then. Thanks for reading.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The Hatchet Wounds Deeply, But How Willing Are We To Heal?

It's not everyday you get a racist remark. And when you get it, two things strike you. One, the reaction. Two, the clever comeback. At least, that's how it is for me. To ration things out and ease the tension, or give them a smack in the mental conscious till they go black out. Often times, we come across conditions that allows us to use both options to make a sly and clever reaction to get the most out of everything.

Take situation A per se. I was selling some goods at the recent PC Fair. I approached this woman (who happens to be a Muslim Malay) to promote my goods. Surely, as customer, they are my "boss" and I should rain every compliment I could onto them. She was carrying her baby with, and right beside her was her old mother, wrinkles upon her face, reflecting every single experience and intelligence I can pick off her. I always have the utmost respect for the demure elderly, particularly this old lady and you shall see why. As usual, I threw every single information about my product at the young lady with the baby. She gave me her attention at least, so I thought, "Here's my chance to pitch a sale." Then, she gave indications that her HUSBAND is the real "boss" so, while we waited for the guy to come, I kept them company, complimenting her beautiful baby with big eyes. I said her baby have lovely big eyes. She snorted, saying "Of course my baby have beautiful eyes, unlike Chinese." That pricked me a little. See, I'm a pure Chinese but not your typical Chinese with small eyes. Hence I gave her a shot back, claiming that not all Chinese have small eyes, and took myself as an example. (And I swear my eyes was bigger than hers, and better cause I have double eyelids. =P) The instant she heard this, out came another racist statement.

"You, mata sepet la!" ("You, you have squinted eyes!")

Surely that made me a little angered, as you see, I've been known in my settlement as "The kid with big eyes" or "大眼仔" and what not, the racist sediment utter by her. Call me petty but I think it's stupid and ignorant of her to just shoot her mouth off without even using her brain to compare and realise that my EYES are bigger than hers in the first place. I think she kinda forgot that every stall in the PC Fair, regardless of what we're selling, is managed by Chinese people. (Malaysian economy is largely dominated and fueled by Malaysian Chinese people) And I let that slipped pass me.

BUT, there was a halt, as her elderly mother, the demure old lady, tapped me on my arm and said,

"Tak ada la. Ah boy ini hensem, mata besar cantik, orang pun sopan.." ("Not really. This young boy is handsome, with big beautiful eyes, and full of manners..")

I don't know about you, but I really felt like I could float with those comments. Haha!
The old lady smiled so sweetly and asked again,

"Ah boy, orang Cina? Cina tulen?" ("Are you Chinese? As in pure Chinese?")

"Ya mak cik. Cina tulen." ("Yes madam. Pure Chinese.")

I replied with full of confidence about my ancestors' background. She gave me a nod and smiled again, then proceeded to look at the products around. The young lady was already entertaining her baby who is starting to wail like a siren while waiting for her husband to approach.

At least, I knew, this old lady, despite her wrinkles and her age, was the wiser and the politer one compared to the post-independence generations whose brain has been muddled and politically brainwashed by idiots who only cared about their own well-being at the expense of his people.

And so I ask, the hatchet wounds deeply, but how willing are we to heal? Do we stay the same and let the pain linger on until it's infected by maggots and start to rot? Or do we apply medicines, cleanse and heal the wound and start all new again?
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...