Bookie

Posted on March 31, 2006 by Tricia

I'm a list person. Everything I do has to involve a list of things to do, people to contact, emails to send out. Have always made book lists for myself to monitor the themes of what I'm reading and whether I'm covering sufficient ground. I vary in cycles, and the following are the books I'm reading or going to read. 

1. Why I am Not a Christian, by Bertrand Russell

2. The End of Faith, by Sam Harris

3. The Blind Watchmaker, by Richard Dawkins

4. Can Man Live Without God? by Ravi Zacharias 

What the first three books have in common is an argument largely refuting the need for, and the truth of faith-based religions. These refer to Judeo-Christian religions. They vary in approach – either taking a more philosophical stance, scientific argument or plain reason and logic. The last book is written by a famous Christian apologetics author (apologetics means a defense of the Christian faith). While previous reading projects involved a further deepening of understanding into certain areas, here I am expanding into new ground. 

I will write occasional reviews after each book (and possibly other titles to come). 

Posted in Philosophy, Religion, Theology | 3 Comments

Ninth Plan

Posted on March 31, 2006 by Tricia

In 15 hours, the 9th Malaysia Plan is going to be announced in Parliament.

Is it going to be any different from its predecessors? Will it live up to calls for a meritocratic, non-racially biased society? How will it address economic competitiveness in the region and globally? 

Or a stalemate? Or the rust and rot, mould that grows from the insides unseen? Comes at a critical time. What will the people say?

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

That’s just pants

Posted on March 31, 2006 by Tricia

In Malaysia, pants means 'long pants'

In the UK, pants means 'underwear'. (They use the term trousers for long pants).

Imagine the horror, to my consternation, on my British friends' faces when on a particularly sunny and scorching Summer day, I said the following:

"It's been so hot lately, I haven't worn pants in a long, long time!"

Posted in Personal | 2 Comments

Desti-Nation

Posted on March 27, 2006 by Tricia

The number of diabetics in Malaysia might grow to 22% by year 2020,
reports today said. So, we will have a developed and advanced nation of
fat and sweet-blooded people. We'll therefore have the facilities of a
great healthcare system, necessary to cater to our lazy ways. We'll
have hi-tech computers for people to sit in front of, their knowledge
of technology growing as rapidly as their thighs and buttocks.

I'm not excluded from the generation of those who hardly exercises, and
that's not a good thing. Destination: healthy nation! Desti-nation.

And more interesting is how sports and exercise unite peoples together. I watched from the pits at the Elite kart track today and realised that this is the only way to get races integrated.
Children laughing, chatting and playing together between races. Parents
(albeit forcibly) interacting congenially with the other for the sake
of a common hobby.

What is lacking is the media space. And sponsorship from the
government. Measly attendance at national-level
events. Preferential treatment for grants and scholarships, the odds
working even against potential national champions, who would make us
proud. There's all this gold-class standard strutting around us and poor strategies to harness that talent.

Having said that, here's a round of applause for our representatives in Melbourne, who've given us 7 golds, 12 silvers and 10 bronzes so far!

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Back into the Groove

Posted on March 27, 2006 by Tricia

More than a year ago, I gave my very rough-cut CD (done from my
computer with just me and my guitar) to someone who might look into
developing it. I went to England, came back and had it completely
buried 'aneath my many other thoughts. 

Today, I'm told that
he's cutting an album with several other musicians and there's a
possibility one (or two, depending on how they can play around with the
arrangements) song will be used! Have to ask more about what is
involved.

All is not lost! I should be getting back into the groove…  Here's inspiration for more song-writing to come!

Posted in Music | 1 Comment

Man in the 21st C

Posted on March 23, 2006 by Tricia

Man is born as Muslim, lives in society of Muslims.

Man decides to become a Christian.

Man is persecuted because it is illegal to convert out of Islam.

Man is considered an infidel.

Man will be sentenced to death.

Posted in Religion | 1 Comment

Human Rights & Liberalism

Posted on March 23, 2006 by Tricia

I’ve been, together with 100 other participants all the world round, selected to be part of an online seminar organised by Friedrich Naumann Foundation! The 25 winners of the 100 will be chosen to go to Germany for an international seminar. The title of the seminar is “Human Rights & Liberalism”.

How it works: For 6 weeks in a row, there’ll be online forums on a range of topics pertaining to Human Rights. We’re all expected to contribute to the forum, presenting our views and opinions.

We’ll be judged on our contributions, and a project proposal we put up, with regards to our home country. Ideas, anyone? 🙂

Deutschland, da komme ich!

Posted in The Cause | Leave a comment

I like Rojak

Posted on March 22, 2006 by Tricia

I had a whale of a time visiting my uncle in Vancouver last October. A great break between graduation and coming back to the grindstone of work.

What I remember most about the place: Racial diversity.

Filling the streets are groups of friends of all races hanging out together. Couples black and white, hand in hand, swinging their little coffee-coloured-skin children with beautiful curls. It’s a sight to behold, a rainbow of sorts within a bustling city.

Malaysia has always prided itself on being a cultural melting pot, with the many different races co-existing ‘in harmony’. An American visitor recently pointed out to me: “I’m amazed by how you guys live and interact with each other!”

I wonder if she’s right, though. The term tolerance in itself reflects the need to tolerate the other’s culture and overall being.

Merdeka Centre recently conducted a survey on racial views of Malaysians. I wish they’d backed it up with reasonable methodology (the reporting is vague), but it says that:

the majority of 1,113 people polled agreed most ethnic Malays are lazy, Chinese are greedy and Indians are untrustworthy.

Our mindsets are stuck. Immediately we think of the boundaries that set us far, far apart from the other. Immediately we focus on defining cultural traits.

The differences should make, not break society. Enhance, not agitate.

The different flavours that various ingredients contribute to a Malaysian local dish, Rojak, give it a delectable taste. With a mixture of vegetables and sauces, Rojak is sometimes used to describe a person of mixed descent… and sometimes, condescendingly.

Guess what? I like Rojak.

Posted in Reflections | 2 Comments

Privacy…

Posted on March 22, 2006 by Tricia

The unaudited accounts of local councils are not open to public scrutiny as these are confidential.Malaysian Association of Local Authorities said local councils are like any other government agency or private organisation whose books are not open to inspection by the public.

Residents are questioning this rationale especially in light of the council having spent RM5 million on its football team last year.

The council claims that RM4 million came from sponsorships and the remaining RM1 million from its sports fund.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

I made you up inside my head

Posted on March 21, 2006 by Tricia

“I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;
I lift my lids and all is born again.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

The stars go waltzing out in blue and red,
And arbitrary blackness gallops in:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I dreamed that you bewitched me into bed
And sung me moon-struck, kissed me quite insane.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

God topples from the sky, hell’s fires fade:
Exit seraphim and Satan’s men:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I fancied you’d return the way you said,
But I grow old and I forget your name.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

I should have loved a thunderbird instead;
At least when spring comes they roar back again.
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)”

Sylvia Plath

Posted in Literature | Leave a comment