Bon Odori

Yay! I was in Bon Odori..

But, this time it is not in Penang, but in Shah Alam, Kompleks Sukan Negara.

It was on the same date with the one in Penang. Supposedly, I plan not to go, konon want to study.

After realising half a day is spent on nothing, might as well just have a look at the Bon Odori in Shah Alam.

p.s: if you don’t know, only Penang and Shah Alam has Bon Odori celebrarion in Malaysia

As soon as I step into the stadium, an imaginary table directing me to list the difference of Bon Odori celebration in Penang and in Shah Alam.

 

First of all, the people. Gosh! Penang have to really admit defeat. The people here I will say is 3 times more than what we have. I cant imagine if I am in a duty with so many people.

1% of the total people, unbelievable? Believe it =)

 -Kind of picnic while watching the performance-

Followed by, there have more appealing Japanese food, and I mean really Japanese food. You don’t see people selling apom malik or jagung rebus nearby. It was so much tasty and worth lining up to buy them. But, the price will perhaps burn a hole in your wallet.

 Japanese Ice Kacang (RM6)- Look nice but the taste was otherwise, maybe not suitable for me

Japanese food- cuttle fish, eel, sushi. This was all nice              (Don’t ask me their name in Japanese)

Then, seems like people in Penang very paiseh. I don’t see that many people dancing around the stage, pity those fellow dancers dancing alone up there! In Shah Alam, you see them hih-hah here and there and waving the fan high and low. I was part of them and the feeling was like reaching Japan already.

-Everyone was really high that night-

There is many more, like larger space to move around, they got other cultural dance, and super a lot Japanese people around etc.

 -Posing with the cultural performers-

Other than that, it’s the St. John being the crowd control. Seems like Red Crescent is discriminated anywhere so long got St John beside us –sigh-

I feel those who is a Bon Odori fan should see yourself the celebration in Shah Alam and do your evaluation.

 Group photo with a few sexy  pretty Japanese girls there

 From left: Japan Ambassador, Japanese Top model, Japanese, Japanese Most Wanted , and Japanese Prisoner of War

Bravo Bon Odori!!

Unit 25 (2)

The worst thing to do is to do nothing.

Recently, I was notified that our Unit has emerged the 1^st Runner up for the District Parade. Congratulation, Unit!

They have started their trainings back few months, sacrificing their academic time, classes, tuitions, personal time, families etc etc just for this recognition.

 After a long period of training, they reach their destination, but their journey for the next shall continues

Yet, I realise behind that success there are also many who are devastated with disappointment and unhappiness overwhelming them.

I only have 3 thoughts to explain why they feel the losing (to get 1^st place) that way:

Firstly, they actually didn’t put their best in trainings and competitions (sometimes, unforeseen circumstances is a reason too)  and think they can do better if given the chance again.

Secondly, because of a few people who have not committed and that little few rotten members had actually ruined the day, so they ‘beh syok’him.

Thirdly, due to unjust and illogical judgement. They felt that they deserved to achieve more but just being discriminated (again).

If it’s the first reason, what else can be said? Unless, there is one leader willing to step forward and rectify this mistake. If leaders are still lying behind the old laurels and neglecting their duties, we will just remain blaming ourselves after competitions.

              Vs      

A boss tell us what to do, a leader shows that it can be done

For the second reason, why should this kind of members are in at the first place? Because of insufficient well-trained members? Then we know who should be held responsible.

 How we expect to make our members committed, when the leaders are not committed in their commitment to make them one.

For the 3^rd reason, I remember how I have expressed our emotions during my time. We actually punished ourselves for not championing the day by running around the competition base. This is to show we are gentlemen and brave enough to admit our defeat BUT our defeat lies right there because we are not bringing IT back with us. At last, proven! Our troop that had lost to X school proclaim our fame and honour while X school was no where near (or perhaps, didn’t even show up

Let others judge as a loser. Since what matters most is how we perceive our own.

However, it is a fact that when Unit don’t achieve well, it is committees that are accountable and answerable to this. This is because they are those with proper control and authority, while members are just under their directive.

I always sound provocative to committees and sided towards members (that usually appreciate that).

But, I realise mostly (my members) today are now committees. I wonder you all still appreciate it or acting like your past committees who thinks that once committee, lupakan member.

I don’t mind being hated, but so long my principle stand, Unit will never rule or succeed with the members as the back spine and they are always everything to Unit.

 Hopefully, we shall rise again and excel in marching though its role and objective in Red Crescent is still questionable.

It will be within your prerogative to order them, mould them, and prepare them for the next battle. Their failure is not anything that will mean your success, but you share the disgrace too.

All in all, what I am saying here is just for those who did their best, be proud and lift your head up high.

You have not turn down anyone of us, as we are very proud with anything you have been doing to make Unit a better place.

Admitting mistake is just adding problem, correcting mistake is the solution to the problem.

Be proud, no regrets, and courage enough to change.

Unit, Strong and Faithful

Another illegal piece depicting about my old history called Unit. Perhaps, saying things from far is the only way I express my unconditional affection to Unit.

Usaha Takwa Mulia

 

Wahai universiti-ku,

Sesungguhnya masa berjalan pantas,

Kerana mu bergerak bersama nadian anak-anakmu.

 

Wahai universiti ku,

Ketiku ku baru mengenali mu,

Diri ku terasa kecil di sisi mu.

 

Kini,

Seiring dengan masa,

mu semakin dekat dengan sanubari ku.

 

Wahai universiti-ku,

mu sudah menjadi sebahagian ku

kerana keikhlasan ku hanya ku yang memahaminya

Walaupun ketika mu melaungkan

‘Destinasi cita-cita negara dan bangsaku’

Tidak diertikan destinasi bangsa ku.

Namun, ketika ku melaungkan

‘Janji ku pada pertiwi untuk menabur bakti’

ku tahu itulah janji ku pada mu di suatu masa ku berjaya

Kerana budi dan kasih mu berikan

ku tidak akan lupa daratan

 

ku doakan anak-anak mu

yang datang dengan harapan

sudahpun pulang dengan kejayaan

kami yang baru datang dengan keazaman

diberi dengan keyakinan dan tidak lupa akan

Usaha Taqwa Mulia.

 

Reaching an End for a new Beginning

Now, when I am counting my days, I realise all my remaining days count…

2 more days to go..Ooo dear!

I cannot believe that the so called longest holiday is going to end soon.

No regrets neither looking back, as I have done what I am supposed to do.

Friends and family, Issue Report, RC and music are all what I catch up for the past 1 month.

I did it.

I will miss the time again meeting friends, though I am tired answering the question “What are you doing now”, or “When you are flying” .

I will miss RC members, though realising more ‘X’ behind me.

I will miss celebrating my birthday together with family, maybe I won’t have that anymore for the next 5 years.. or even more than that.. I have felt that last year. Sorrow but learn to be stronger.

Behind all this, I find myself again, reflecting the past to see if I had deviated elsewhere and getting back to the right path.

Perhaps, creating Facebook at the last minute is also a strategic move, not to waste my time from the very beginning itself.

Now, what will be my goals for the next semester?

Leave it to me, it’s meant to be done more than to be said.

Celebration of Tao

Now, it’s the time to gather again!

People used to think Taoism is a religion (or actually a belief) that is filled mostly with magic, where you can see people flying, jumping, and hitting themselves with swords or needles.

For those who belief it, called that medium or ‘tang ki’ when God transcend into human form. For those not, maybe they assume it’s a kind of devil possession.

Anything you would like to perceive doesn’t matter.

However, what is interesting, Taoism has always been the instrument to hold my family together or even until to my extended family members.

Saying upon that, I am thankful to my grandfather as he is not only passing down a belief to his generation, but even setting a rice bowl for most of his generation today.

His setting up of a Taoim Centre, called 金真坛 has assured us a place to reflect upon his legacy, history, and his own story of Tao.

Last Sunday at 26^th June, the Centre celebrated the Heavenly Deity Zhang Tian Shi.

However, what that make the celebration significant was mostly all my relatives came together and meet up.

You can hear laughter and noises people catching up since we had a mass meeting since the last Chinese New Year.

But, it’s also sad and sorrow in me to realise there are some who had departed and leave forever, to not join us as years before.

However, this is the cycle of life. The newer and younger generations coming up and the current generation will be moving on.

I don’t know how long more I got this chance to celebrate this event again, as I am going to study further sooner.

However, let this continue to be a tradition and may the Tao remain eternal.

 

T.E.A.C.H.E.R.S.

After finished duty in St. Xavier’s Institution, I drop by Popular near KOMTAR, to get a new stamp album.

The duty was so boring. Luckily got some other VAD members there, so we chatted from 8.30am until 4.30pm =.=”.

While paying for the stamp album, my eyes were caught by a particular greyish-white hair gentleman hanging on his usual shoulder-sling bag.

He caught my attention as he seems to be familiar, somewhere seen him before.

I remembered.

He is Mr Cheng Hin, a very dedicated ex-teacher.

I wanted to greet him, but that ‘effective’ cashier just take so long to take my money.

When I went back, he disappeared already. So, I walked around to see if he is still somewhere around but he wasn’t, so I leave.

He was a teacher in Sungai Petani, Kedah last time teaching students English in the ‘pondok’ (means an isolated Malay school in the village) and he is once a Frees too.

So, after his retirement, nearly 50 years after he had leave school, he actually didn’t forget to return his part to the school.

Mr Ghafoor and wife, Madam Vivian, Mr Phang and Mr Cheng Hin (all Old Frees) organised a workshop on techniques to improve interview skills.

Most of us thought we are going to learn anything like body language, attire to wear, documenting and whatsoever related to interviews like other typical interviews workshop.

Mr Ghafoor, the man, is delivering his lecture while Mr Cheng Hin looking at.

However, what we expected and what was given are totally different.

Mr Ghafoor, a Human Resource and experienced interviewer to many organisations taught us on the right values and right mindset in preparing for any kinds of interview rather than solely scholarship interviews.

I still remembered his few lessons regarding to organisational development, job description, know-hows, preparing resume and do’s and don’ts in interviews.

Honestly, the 5 days course turns my life to see things in different perspective, exampling the outspoken Mr Ghafoor with his inspiring and motivating speeches.

There are lots to say about the course, but I shall remember mostly about what Mr Cheng Hin and Mr Phang had done.

Imagine, Mr Cheng Hin and Mr Phang are both in their 70s and 60s respectively, why are they bothered to held this course burdening themselves carrying the food, preparing the breakfast, lunch and tea throughout the course (if I had forgotten to say that it’s free also).

However, let’s put aside about the $$$, they don’t care it anyway.

They dress very simply and neatly, they spoke humbly treating us as their children and they seem to be working very happily.

On the last day, they thank us for attending and making their days meaningful for the last 5 days.

The right most in white t-shirt is Mr Cheng Hin while the left most in blue is Mr Phang with Mdm. Vivian (in pink tudung) and Mr Ghafoor (in yellow) beside

Mr Phang is the toughest man among them, but he dropped tears when he was giving his last words before the course reached its end.

I can’t control myself too, as I really felt how much their love and sacrifices they make for us.

They are just not teachers, but a loving and compassionate knowledge giver.

I know the knowledge we gain that day was not only on interview skills, but sharing and caring each other.

Some of the new great friends I know from the course

They have influenced my mind to pledge to be a better doctor and remember doctors are just not about curing, healing and treating patients physically but surely mean more than that.

I remembered a very motivating friend from INTEC, Xavier once said:

“Teaching is not a career, it’s a calling”.

He is inspired to teach Chemistry subject in future and surely a respectable Dr in Chemistry one day too.

Yes, I think that is true as how Mr Cheng Hin and Mr Phang had put the real definition of teaching profession into action.

This meeting with Mr Cheng Hin actually remind and retell me the story of these dedicated and loving teachers that will forever be devoted in shaping better students for better tomorrow.

I will always remember you all, teachers.