Hike I

Posted on March 3, 2006 by Tricia

The recent petrol hike of RM0.30 per litre has been the cause of much dissatisfaction from members of the public. The reasons for unhappiness can be condensed into the following:

  • That the government announced the price increase barely 2 hours before it took effect, without leaving its citizens much chance to fill up their empty tanks for one final time. No grace period.
  • That this means simply, cutting a hole in the pockets of all. More monthly expenditure.
  • That the reasons given for the increase are not justifiable.

Point number One is demonstrative of a government that does not quite act in a merciful manner. However, because it would only have saved people one load of petrol-pumping, and around RM10+ at that, I feel this is a negligible point.

Point number Two is inevitable. For the government to increase the price of anything, its citizens suffer the consequences. If government imposes higher taxation rate on its people, citizens suffer. But there are economic reasons behind this, if justified. This is linked to the next point.

If point number Three is indeed correct, then it is right that the citizens are not happy with the increase in petrol prices. If, however, the reasons given for the increase in petrol price are valid and proven, then why should the people complain?

People ought to think about the reasons they are unhappy about a certain policy implementation. I will argue that if certain measures as taken by the authorities are justified, then there should be no reason to incessantly protest, argue and make noise.

But that is a big if.

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M! and M

Posted on March 3, 2006 by Tricia

Michelle & I have not caught up in ages and ages, but there was the occasional blog-visiting on both sides now and then. I visited Michelle’s site again recently and found she was involved in this new project: M! the Opera.

M! The Opera explores the dramatic struggle between those who have found fame and love, and those who are about to achieve them, all set in the sumptuous world of couture. It involves some of the big names of the Malaysian arts, including Jit Murad and Paula Malai Ali.

It’s appropriate that Michelle, who has been climbing up the musical ladder recently, is going to be part of an opera that emphasises the struggle to achieve fame and glory.

From singing and conducting church choirs back in our younger youth days, to singing for Christian choir The Canticle Singers, and now projecting her great vocal cords onto the larger Malaysian arts scene, this girl really has something wonderful going for her. Her voice is sweet, innocent and at the same time powerful and controlled. You go girl! We’re all really proud of you.

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Whistle while you Work

Posted on March 2, 2006 by Tricia

My growing list of useless talents includes being able to whistle and hum at the same time. I can also do this in parts. My voice takes on the main melody, and my whistling takes the descend part. Alternatively, voice takes alto and whistling takes melody. I’ve always been good at immediately singing/whistling/playing by ear, and so doing an impromptu four-part harmony with others is easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Not many people can whistle, and well, at that. In fact, there is an art to whistling. Which is why whenever I find a gem of a whistler, I mentally keep the person in mind. Because who knows, one day we might be able to form a whistling choir, like Lip Service of Brown University in the US of A. While individual whistlers exist, whistling choirs are still very much unheard of. I wonder whether it would even be appreciated in any circle.

One difficulty that would be faced: everytime someone makes a little joke, the entire performance would break down. Whistling requires much focus and concentration, and I suppose facial muscles would be highly toned by the time the choir rehearses and performs.

Imagine a four-part, SATB whistling choir of fifty (numbers are important here, since whistles aren’t as powerful as say, trombone. But you knew that) on stage, a capella or perhaps accompanied by a quiet plucking guitar or keyboard.

A friend and I recently whistled a whole series of pop songs together, in part. It sounded beautiful. I wonder how it would sound in an entire choir.

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Nancy of the Real-Estate

Posted on March 2, 2006 by Tricia

On the way back home on Sunday, we drove past the site of devastated Shah Alam. The rain came down in torrents the night before, and resulted in this:

IMG_12201.JPG

The sign reads: “LAND FOR RENTAL. CALL NANCY: 019-3363012.”

Poor Nancy!

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Patriotisme?

Posted on March 1, 2006 by Tricia

With the Buena Vista Social Club playing in the background, I observe three things as I drive to work every morning.

Cruising down the NKVE, I pass by a Petronas (Malaysia’s national petrol company) station. In front of the station stand two petrol attendants, not petrol-an-attending, but enthusiastically flailing and waving Malaysian flags in the air. They do so with all the vigour and might they can muster, almost as close to what the chequered flaggers do at the end of the F1 race. What is the strategy behind this? To lure Malaysians to pump at Petronas? To instill a sense of patriotism within Malaysian drivers while we are wearily driving to work? To match the glory of Malaysia to the green teardrop logo?

The second thing I see upon driving over the little hill of a highway, are the Twin Towers in the distance. One cannot but help appreciate its towering stature above its relatively puny buildings. I ask myself, what is the glow I feel in my heart when I see that magnificent structure? Is it merely a human appreciation of a work of art? Or do I subconsciously attach meaning to the fact that it (was at least once) the tallest tower in the world?

And then I drive on further towards Jalan Duta. Along the highway are camped 30-odd Indians sitting on the grass and pavement. They are parked outside the Indian High Commission because of the recent issue of how they were duped into thinking they’d have valid jobs with good money. But they are now left penniless and homeless. This is a reminder of the bigger immigration issue Malaysia currently faces. Who can tell accurately the number of illegal immigrants our country has, and worse, what has been done to deal with it? The influx of illegal foreigners in Malaysia results in a host of other problems, including increase in crime rates, usurping jobs from the local workforce and so on.

These three small observations, brought together, make me wonder about the bigger question of Patriotism.

According to Wikipedia, the word patriotism is used to describe emotions and attitudes, political views, symbolism, and specific acts, with respect to a political community – its territory, history, culture, values, and symbols. It usually implies some sort of self-sacrifice, putting oneself above one’s country. How many Malaysians would claim to be able to do this?

I certainly cannot.

Yet, why do I try to convince my peers to return to Malaysia? Why do I believe it’s a calling in any sense to stay on homeground to contribute to an economy that might not appreciate it? Why do I think it is important to continue drilling certain things till it hits home for the sake of society in Malaysia?

Perhaps because others “associate patriotism with the common good, with the aim of responding to conflicts in ways which ensure that everyone benefits. As such, patriotism has ethical connotations: it implies that the political community is in some way a moral standard or moral value in itself.”

Am I fooling myself into thinking that there is a way forward? Would I fly that flag the way the petrol kiosk-man does every morning? I cannot imagine myself doing that, but I do wish I could. I wish I could shout from the top of my voice with love for my nation.

When I was a kid I watched the movie Curly Sue. She had curly red hair and sang the American national anthem loud and clear while jumping on the bed. I wanted to be like her. I wanted to sing and shout for my country, except my country was not her country.

So am I patriotic or not? I’ll buy a flag first and let you know.

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Very Open University

Posted on March 1, 2006 by Tricia

“Minimum of 12 months working experience in related fields (company secretarial, accounting or general management) for Bumiputera and 18 months experience for Non Bumiputera; at least one year in the case of Bumiputeras; or, at least 2 years in the case of Non Bumiputeras”

How open is Open Universiti Malaysia? Lim Kit Siang blogs about the preposterous i) Bad English! and ii) Discriminatory entrance policies into the university’s Corporate Secretary Certificate course.

Stickler and purist as I am for grammar, punctuation and spelling, it is sadder still that non-Bumiputera are very much second rated. We all know this, but to have it in your face and blatantly so?

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Not the Jaded Path

Posted on March 1, 2006 by Tricia

Today marks the end of my second month working at the Centre for Public Policy Studies. It has been an incredible journey so far. Making my entrance into the organisation at a stage when important discussions were taking place, the immediate rush to churn out reports and write-ups, the lack of manpower that drilled me to get on my toes immediately and so on. I truly enjoy what I’m doing.

One of the reasons I joined something which seems so alien to some is because, like many other relatively young people, I still hold onto the concept of idealism. Despite being painfully aware of the situation our country is going through in terms of its management (or lack thereof), national governance (ditto) and so on, I hold strong to the need for those within my generation to stand up and take the call to work towards something. This something should not be something vague, not clouds up in the air but solid workable and feasible goals to be reached.

At the recent elections in 2004, the queues for voters ran spiralling long across the school corridors. I walked confidently to the room allocated for those in my age group category. I strolled breezily through the door with not a single soul in my path. What is this telling of? A generational apathy that is sweeping through our country.

Do I still believe that I, in my meagre work, albeit through networking with others, am able to change anything?

If I am able to actuate any semblance of paradigm shift, perhaps I would have gone a long way. But this is taking a long shot.

In my first month of work I met someone who told me that “it’s refreshing to see that idealism still exists!” The same person recently wondered aloud whether this idealism would last out. In fact, the bet is going on so far as to calculate the length of time before I eventually get jaded like all other fighters for a good cause.

The way I look at it is this: It is a given, an assumption, that we are truly faced with opposition all round to the good and the noble. This is a concept I have personally come up with from a long time ago. (Again, an unfortunate reason I am ashamed of but here it is: That every other Christian one meets at church ought to be assumed to be a Sunday-Christian and hypocritical in nature but when one chances upon a genuine follower one can then be pleased at this singular anomaly!)

Hence, my argument is that despite the knowledge of negativity constantly outweighing any optimistic prospects, does it make the cause any less worthy? No. Indeed it makes it even more crucial.

I do however acknowledge that there lies a yawning gap between intention and action. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. If no action is actuated, what then of my high flying ideals? Will they be washed away as any other’s? When will I really get jaded and just sit back, gather what I can around me, and earn my keep?

My answer lies in the very word Idealism. This speaks of an unachievable high. The sun high up in the skies, so to speak. And to imagine that anyone can ever reach those heights is plain foolishness. What we do is to follow the sunlight of the path that leads that direction, and see how far we can go. The extent to which we can walk the sunlit path is in itself a measure. The ideal is the end in mind. To move one step towards it is to claim success in some respect.

Will I give up my ideals even when things will never work out the way I dream they will?

I sincerely hope not. After all, where would we be if only cynics and skeptics remained in the world?

Posted in Reflections | 6 Comments

Evolution Vs. Creation

Posted on February 28, 2006 by Tricia

evolutionThe modernday Christian leaps out at arms whenever someone speaks remotely of the validity of the Theory of Evolution. Apparently, this goes in direct contradiction to the Creation as outlined in the book of Genesis. Scott Hume’s book “Collapse of Evolution” is such an example of Christians who vehemently cry out that evolution can never be accepted as an alternative theory. Facts and figures are produced to show for supposed inconsistencies in methodologies reached by scientists the world over.

I do admit that I do not know enough about the theory of Evolution in itself, to be able to argue a convincing case for or against it. But there has been such a wide spectrum of debate within the Christian circle as well. Can it be included into Christian theology? Or are they in direct opposition with the other? Are they mutually exclusive or can they be synergized?

“The Case for a Creator” by Lee Strobel argues his case as journalist and lawyer, for intelligent design. He uses science as a tool, an aid, to explain the possibility of micro-evolution. Interviewing experts from the worlds of physics, chemistry, microbiology, astronomy and archaeology, he builds a case for the simple fact that there must have been a designer behind it all. The world in its perfection and absolute accuracy could not have come about by chance.

Richard Dawkins, professor at Oxford University and evolutionary biologist, wrote a series of books, all in support of Darwinism and natural selection. He explains that “God is a delusion and religion is a virus.” In a nutshell, he says two things: 1) Evolution cannot be denied, and that 2) This means that religion is redundant.

Now, all this leaves me scratching my head. Because although I am a strong believer in God and His creation, I do not at the same time want to blindly follow something when evidence might show me otherwise. I do not want to exclude alternative possibilities, especially when Science might show me otherwise. 

However, and this is crucial: I also realise that “Scientism” has become a religion of its own. Sometimes scientists may also cross the line to prove that the evidence points towards a this and a that. This is equally an unobjective endeavour, which we want to avoid as far as possible.

This is why a series of essays from Berea College was so refreshing.

Robert Scheider argues that it is absolutely ridiculous for anyone, Christians included, to exclude the validity of Evolution. Too much evidence has been given, and the theory of evolution is at the very heart of all scientific research today, including medical and biochemical. His essay here in particular is very convincing. He differentiates Evolution as a materialistic philosophy (science + evidence) versus an evolutionary materialism (bringing science forward to explain something). Basically, that evolution is true.

More interestingly, that this is not in opposition with his personal belief in a Creator God. Essays here and here talk fully about the significance of evolution on the theology of God. Interestingly, he highlights the fact that many a theologian in the early years were very enthusiastic about the discovery of evolution, and that they never saw it as a contradiction in terms.

I personally have not come to any conclusion myself. But it is encouraging to know that there is more than one possibility. This has been my stand: that the Bible never sought to give a historical account of what happened, especially with regards to the HOW the world was formed, but it is an account of the state of humanity, with regards to the WHY the world is what it is. This begs another philosophical entry on God and humanity, but let’s leave that till later.

For now, can I watch National Geographic programmes on intelligent babboons that eat maize with their opposable thumbs and appreciate their humanlike movement? Yes.

Can I look at the nuisance of a monkey dancing around on my cartop at work and say there’s a possibility we might share similar genetic makeup? Perhaps.

This is a whole new world.

Posted in Reflections, Theology | 9 Comments

Memoria

Posted on February 28, 2006 by Tricia

The girls play the piano and dance to kids’ party music. They laugh and giggle in childish fashion. They fade away as rapidly as time descends.

I recently met a cousin whom I’ve not seen since I was 10 years old. Fourteen years have passed by quickly. It was by sheer coincidence that I bumped into her in a new church that I’ve been attending recently. Mei-Hsien leads the young adults’ cell group every Friday night, together with her husband Terry.

Her face is easily recognizable, and I would have been able to tell it was her even if we weren’t introduced. Over the weekend, it was strangely comforting to be able to see such a familiar face amidst the sea of strangers. I can’t quite explain it, but when perchance my eyes happened to breeze past her, something inside clicked – as if some distant memory from my childhood had awakened once again.

There must be something within us that constantly collects, collates, and computes everything we see and experience and observe… all the way from the very beginnings of childhood. Some we might not readily recognize as having seen before, but upon its reminder things fall in place. It is a mental image of our entire lifelong collection.

Then again, there have been extreme cases of memories being implanted into the human mind. Psychologists have conducted experiments whereby memories are falsely introduced to the person. When experimented in two different means, the memory induction of a written sort is more pronounced than of an imagery. This is because when you read a supposed personal diary extract, your mind immediately conjures up images of what really had taken place, inserting personal details like colours and clothes; as opposed to being shown a plain photograph with no room for imagination.

But this is no false memory, and I know it. It’s so good to have caught up with my long-lost cousin after so many years.

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Operation World

Posted on February 27, 2006 by Tricia

It is very easy to get sidetracked from global news when the political soup is so hot in Malaysia. But this doesn’t mean equal attention should not be given outside my homeground.

The landslide in Philippines was yet another reminder of the fragility of life.

The controversial bombing of a Shia shrine spoke loud and clear of the troubles Iraq is still going through.

The talk of a bird flu pandemic sends economic shock waves throughout the world.

All good and well to be aware of all these things happening, but it is equally imperative to understand the response one should have. As a friend ed just pointed out below, what does it mean to “judge fairly”? What is the Christian response to many of these tragedies? What is the correct way in which we are expected to react? Is there a standard viewpoint to be adopted? Or is it a fluid, vague and debateable issue?

Speaking from both a Christian and personal stand, I believe it is only right to continue to look outwards. To see beyond the insular thinking that most (Malaysians or Christians, you can insert here) practise. To use our eyes and ears and attach them onto what lies outside our very circles of conversation. To investigate beyond the circumference of our opinions, our lives, our country, our beliefs.

Operation: World.

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