Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Hurt

You don't get it. No one will ever be able to get it.

How to make connection in this surreal space. After letting this space exist .. it does not make sense. The disconnect.

I was broken a long time ago.

I'm still at the shop.

He took it away. He kicked it out of me.

He called me disrespectful. He called me rude.

He says I didn't listen to his words.

And he killed me.

His apologies are meant to heal - but it doesn't.

Ten years now.

I say.

Ten years.

Monday, August 03, 2009

Life is just awesome..

Raw, unhinged.. and completely free..

Laughing uncontrollaby, tears in my eyes..

Orange flip-flops and a couple of broken twigs..

That is what I call bliss..

Sunday, June 07, 2009

No right..

Sometimes it DOES hit close to home.

When you often brush off the harsh realities, thinking it could never encroach in your space, it does.

Just like many others, we are angry. And we do want to get things right.

Read on, from The Star Online. This happened to a friend's father, and should not have happened in the first place.

Friday June 5, 2009

Road bully in his 30s assaults 72-year-old man

PETALING JAYA: A drive home from the bank turned violent for a 72-year-old retiree who fell victim to a road bully in Damansara Damai.

M. Edwards, the father of one of The Star’s journalists, suffered injuries to his head and body after he was punched several times in the 10am incident yesterday.He received outpatient treatment at the Sungai Buloh Hospital.

Edwards (pic) said he had just finished paying some bills at a bank and was driving home with his daughter when a van cut into his lane.

“I sounded my horn at the driver because he had swerved in suddenly without using the indicator,” he added.

“The man then started driving slowly and kept swerving to prevent me from overtaking.”

This continued for a while and then the van suddenly stopped and the driver got down.

Edwards said he then stopped his car and got out to see what was the problem, adding that another man seated in the van did not get out.

The driver, who looked to be in his 30s, walked straight to Edwards and, without saying a word, started punching him.

“I tried to fight back, but he was huge. He punched me in the face, head and body several times before getting back into the van and fleeing,” Edwards said.

He added that as the bully drove off he challenged him (Edwards) to report the attack to the police.

Edwards lodged a police report at a nearby police station.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed confirmed the incident and said police were investigating.

I echo Rocky’s Bru call.

Find the bully..

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Life's loss

I sit here and listen to the background noise of news bulletins featuring the prominent visit by U.S president Barack Obama in the Middle East. The importance given to this news piece is obvious. He IS the man of the moment - drawing the typical response of media organisations.

Stop for a minute - another piece of heavy news is being featured - the mysterious disappearance of Air France AF 447 enroute to Paris from Rio de Janeiro. And while important - slightly less time spent giving thoughts and prayers to the lives lost in the tragedy and to those loved ones in grief.

Truly, which piece of news is more important?

I come to a point closer to home. During a midnight trip to the doctor's during a semi-emergency, bless the souls that came to my aid, we encountered this.

A group of youngsters came by to the clinic close to 1am - seeking help for their unconscious friend. The clinic turned them away.

Shocking?

The conversation that followed raised more than just eyebrows.

"What happened to the guy who was unconscious?" asked several concerned and conscious patients.

Nurse relayed then the group could not carry the unconscious person out of the car and therefore could not bring the person into the clinic.

Nurse continued to relay that the clinic did not have resuscitation machines to help the unconscious person.

(gasp)

Questions asked - why don't the clinic nurses and doctor go outside the building to give the potential patient the much needed aid.

This was the response - the doctor was not allowed to go out of the clinic - for fear he may be "kidnapped" (verbatim).

(gasps .... shudder)

At this point - the group of youngsters had already left - presumably to a hospital whom I prayed and hoped have medical staff with hearts and conscience to save a life.

Nurse continued to relay that should the unconscious pass away in the clinic - there are costs involved and the clinic would not be able to afford these "costs".

At this point - audience was left speechless.

Costs versus saving a life.

I prayed for the victims of AF 447 and for that man who was refused basic care.

I hope you did too.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Yoga retreat of sorts..



One can always dream to be agent of change. This self-potrait taken during birdwatching at Gunung Raya.

It was an amazing experience to see hornbills, nesting... and I was told that's nothing ... there are more breathtaking sights.. 21 hornbills roosting on a tree...

Woah..



Then it was yoga .. by the beach.. with sights like this..


Double woah...




Thank you to friends from Langkawi Yoga and friends from my nature tours..

It was more than a retreat to recharge.. it was an opportunity to share, laugh and bond ...and to learn the many things that life has to offer..

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Energy that binds us..



She waits for her master, while she sips a drink of water.. She hovered around us during a yoga session in Langkawi not too long ago.





After speaking to a few yoga practitioners on the island, they tell me it was normal for cats to gather around practising yoga students. "They are attracted to the energy," says one. "No, it's the soft spongy mat that cats love to scratch on.." argues another.

Ginger (pictured above), slept through the entire meditation and quiet time, in a position that left us wondering if she was still breathing. So.. I believe it IS the energy that brings them close. And particularly when we sit in the quiet.. listening to nothing but our breath.. and clearing the head, you feel the furry tail brush up against you.. as you breathe.. and relax..

Whether it is the waves of our quiet breathing... or the comfort of our mats.. They are a gem to have around...




Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Contemplation..

The soft lights hit my hands

As I sit and contemplate..

Staring to everything but nothing

I wonder why the mind stays alert..


The mind plays tug of war..

Sings the broken record of my heart..

Fixing..balancing from afar..

Struggling to untie the knots that mar..


Though, of late.. clarity speaks..

Love unfolds in mysterious ways..

Leave behind its binds and pleats..

Lets me embrace its whole fray..

Friday, April 03, 2009

This is what I miss...




























All this in our backyard - why should we ever take it for granted...

Absolutely beautiful.. just outside Toscani's in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah..


*Photo credit: Veena Rusli

Monday, March 30, 2009

Meet Joe Black

Love is a passion, obsession, someone you can't live without. If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with?

I say fall head over heels. Find someone you love like crazy and who'll love you back in the same way back.

And how do you find him? Forget your head and listen to your heart.

Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back. Because the truth is, there is no sense living your life without is.

To make the journey and not fall deeply in love - well, you haven't lived a life at all.

You have to try. Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived...

Stay open. Who knows?

Lightning could strike.

Friday, March 13, 2009

On days away from death and destruction...


I read... ... still deal with my fear of heights.. attempt to build upper body strength..

And most important of all.. reflect..






























*Photo credits: YPL, TM

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Wake up little Susie..

The other day I had a wake up call. Well not literally a wake up call, because it happened at one in the morning. But nevertheless..

It was a bittersweet one that can either laugh or.. reflect and take in the lessons that was shared.

I'm an egoistic one. For sure. I hardly get told off because I argue my way out of situations. And I refuse to listen, especially when it is the cold hard truth that is good for me.

But listen I did that night. And it rang it my head as clear as a church bell tolling on a Sunday morning. Literally.

And I did not argue my way out of it. I realise the whining and complaining I have been doing for far too long now sounds pathetic even my ears.

I have no right to feel sorry for myself. And neither do I have the right to demand.

And I can stop hoping now. And see what is real for me.

And on that note - I give you......darn, I can't upload the song.. email me and I'll send it you..


I love you man - thank you, I have not stopped laughing since..

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Strip away the noise..

Nothing more than a local issue, someone said to me yesterday. No need to care so much, it doesn't affect us, said another.
The issue, I am referring to is the political confusion taking place in Perak, a state located along the coast of Peninsular Malaysia. I live some two hours south of this state and yet I feel the frustration. And while I do not represent the majority, I can safely say there are many other Malaysians who share my sentiments.
The "assemblymen" elected last year - assumed roles and change allegiances ever too quickly.
Details I shall spare the reader.
As a fellow citizen who believed in change (well, not always for the better), there was at least a tiny chance of justice playing up in the country - Perak offering the platform.

Sadly, no.

The principles of gentleman politics not practiced and the strength in staying true to one's stands - obviously not demonstrated - at the expense of our intelligence. Some say it is part and parcel of a democracy process which is maturing. I don't believe in abandoning principles for a richer coalition mature.

The fact that these powers that be, believe us to be docile, silent followers has to be proven wrong. Being ridiculed by politically correct manifestos and unfulfilled promises - when does it all end. March 8's tsunami-style polls results obviously did not possess the power that the dollar, sorry, the ringgit has.
What will?

Thai-style demonstrations - to compound to the depressed economic situation?
Or none - we sit in our comfortable shells and tune into cable (or free TV) for distractions.

You tell me.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

One evening..


When spirits were down and thoughts were muddy.. the motley crew gathered for food, feast and fun.
(blurry effects intended..)






Digging into their feast, exchanging of thoughts,
feelings, emotions and plain gibberish..
(note that others decide to dig into, only, their
slice of pizza)





As the evening turned into night, monkeying around is requirement. (note the key player in Quattro's Winter Bar)










All in all, the smiling faces have it..













*Photo credit: Tim Mendoza
*Gibberish and laughter - Claudia, Tricia and Allan