It's just crazy. I don't normally believe in "feng shui" or something like this but I've driven for 8 years and it is only in this last 6 months or so that I've had accidents frequently. My previous car was a Daihatsu Charade, small zippy little red car which by the time it retired was about 20 years old. I drove it for 6 years and other than the normal first year newbie dents and mishaps, I only had 2 accidents in it. One was my fault and the other was someone banging into me.
Now, in my new car, Toyota Vios, dark silver and definitely larger than my old car, I've had three accidents where cars bang into me everytime. And all within the last six months or so. Is it the colour or the size or perhaps even the fact that my new car has a boot? Today's probably the worst as the lights got peeled off and the boot cover is totally smashed in. Sigh, I should have taken the MRT as I initially planned.
Anyway, I just thank God that no one was injured.
Wednesday 30 April 2008
Tuesday 29 April 2008
Complaining
I know that Singaporeans have very bad reputation of wanting excellent service when they go abroad. Part of the reason being that we try our best to give excellent service here in Singapore. However, not all Singaporeans give that kind of service.
Last night, I came back from work and decided to stop for a carwash. While the car is being washed, I stopped by this 7-11 store to get something for dinner as I didn't really have a proper dinner earlier. Wanted to get the mash potato but I couldn't find the container. So I approached the counter.
The lady behind the counter was serving another customer, so I waited. After he finished, she didn't even look at me, instead started to count the money in the cash register. After I prompted a few times, she then asked me what I wanted. Yet when I asked her for the container to the mash potato, she told me that it is all there at the mash potato machine. So I went back and searched. I went back again since I couldn't find it. This time, she told me that there's no more then since I can't find it. I can't believe that she couldn't be bothered to restock the containers...here is a customer willing to spend money and she just didn't want to make any effort to secure the easy money.
I was really cheezed off and walked out of the store without buying a single thing. If only she had shown a bit more effort by perhaps checking for extra containers, I would have gotten, not only the mash potato, but also other stuff for my dinner.
Last night, I came back from work and decided to stop for a carwash. While the car is being washed, I stopped by this 7-11 store to get something for dinner as I didn't really have a proper dinner earlier. Wanted to get the mash potato but I couldn't find the container. So I approached the counter.
The lady behind the counter was serving another customer, so I waited. After he finished, she didn't even look at me, instead started to count the money in the cash register. After I prompted a few times, she then asked me what I wanted. Yet when I asked her for the container to the mash potato, she told me that it is all there at the mash potato machine. So I went back and searched. I went back again since I couldn't find it. This time, she told me that there's no more then since I can't find it. I can't believe that she couldn't be bothered to restock the containers...here is a customer willing to spend money and she just didn't want to make any effort to secure the easy money.
I was really cheezed off and walked out of the store without buying a single thing. If only she had shown a bit more effort by perhaps checking for extra containers, I would have gotten, not only the mash potato, but also other stuff for my dinner.
Saturday 19 April 2008
Forbidden Kingdom...a brief review
Just returned from watching Forbidden Kingdom and while I wouldn't rave about it, I did enjoy it. I guess the fighting scenes made up for all of the shortcomings of the film.
Okay, let me nitpick a bit:
1. The first thing that jarred me was the "dual" language of English and Chinese...I would have preferred they pick either one. Since it is a mystical thing anyway, why not give Jason the gift of understanding Chinese. Because, I definitely don't think Lu Yan etc. would have been able to speak English.
2. The brothel scene...the dancers in those bra. I've watched a lot of Chinese movies and know quite a bit of Chinese culture; I doubt in ancient China, dancers would be in bra...too western/modern.
3. Another scene that had me wincing was the scene that seemed to be ripped right off Lord of the Rings. This was the scene when Golden Sparrow was telling them how the Jade Warlord sent his army to kill her parents.
And of course, the plot is just really cheesy. Okay, so what do I like about the movie?
1. The fighting scenes...cool stuff, especially when Jackie started with the drunken fist style. I remember the very first movie I watched with Jackie in it was the "Drunken Master" and how he was taught that style. And loved the scene when Jackie and Jet Li were fighting in the temple.
2. The dynamics between Jet Li and Jackie...those dialogues were good and they had good chemistry.
3. Loved the cinematography...the scenes of at the bamboo forest, Jason's training at the waterfall, the mountains scenery, sand dunes, etc.
4. The twist at the end...we didn't really see Hop's face in the beginning though I had a suspicion that it might have been Lu Yan. And true enough, yes, it was Jackie but aged.
Well, that's the brief review of the movie...if you do have some time to spare and love kungfu movies, do try to catch this one.
Peace.
Okay, let me nitpick a bit:
1. The first thing that jarred me was the "dual" language of English and Chinese...I would have preferred they pick either one. Since it is a mystical thing anyway, why not give Jason the gift of understanding Chinese. Because, I definitely don't think Lu Yan etc. would have been able to speak English.
2. The brothel scene...the dancers in those bra. I've watched a lot of Chinese movies and know quite a bit of Chinese culture; I doubt in ancient China, dancers would be in bra...too western/modern.
3. Another scene that had me wincing was the scene that seemed to be ripped right off Lord of the Rings. This was the scene when Golden Sparrow was telling them how the Jade Warlord sent his army to kill her parents.
And of course, the plot is just really cheesy. Okay, so what do I like about the movie?
1. The fighting scenes...cool stuff, especially when Jackie started with the drunken fist style. I remember the very first movie I watched with Jackie in it was the "Drunken Master" and how he was taught that style. And loved the scene when Jackie and Jet Li were fighting in the temple.
2. The dynamics between Jet Li and Jackie...those dialogues were good and they had good chemistry.
3. Loved the cinematography...the scenes of at the bamboo forest, Jason's training at the waterfall, the mountains scenery, sand dunes, etc.
4. The twist at the end...we didn't really see Hop's face in the beginning though I had a suspicion that it might have been Lu Yan. And true enough, yes, it was Jackie but aged.
Well, that's the brief review of the movie...if you do have some time to spare and love kungfu movies, do try to catch this one.
Peace.
Minority rights
Malaysian elections are over about a month or so back and it was really exciting. The results very much favoured the opposition parties due to several reasons, one of them being marginalization of the minorities in Malaysia. Part of the complaint is the perceived Islamization of the country and subsequent erosion of the minority rights.
That point got me thinking about what are the actual laws in Islam regarding non-Muslim minorities. A good article about this issue can be found here where it discussed about non-Muslim minority rights according to the Islamic Shari'ah. I'm going to try and read up some more when I can find the time...will update when I do.
That point got me thinking about what are the actual laws in Islam regarding non-Muslim minorities. A good article about this issue can be found here where it discussed about non-Muslim minority rights according to the Islamic Shari'ah. I'm going to try and read up some more when I can find the time...will update when I do.
Saturday 12 April 2008
Tarik Ramadhan's Public Lecture - Prophet Muhammad's Enduring Message to Humanity
I had the opportunity to listen to Professor Tarik Ramadhan's public lecture while he was in Singapore yeterday, entitled "Prophet Muhammad's Enduring Message to Humanity." As always, Professor Ramadhan captivated his audience. I've had several opportunities now to hear him talk and he had always impressed me. This time, it is no different as he touched on a topic that I think is important in the light of all the misconceptions that Muslims and non-Muslims alike have about the Prophet, peace be upon him(pbuh). In his talk, he touched on the aspects of the Prophet's life (pbuh) that everyone of faith (anyone who believe in a god) can learn from.
Definitely I will not be able to do him justice here but let me briefly touch on the salient points (to my mind and knowledge) of his lecture.
1. The concept of God as the Educator. The arabic word for God, "Rabb," has the same root word as tarbiyyah (which means education). This is clearly manifested in the Prophet's life (pbuh) even when he was still a small child. For example, during his youth, he wished to go to a wedding where there would be a party with alcohol and so forth. Instead, God made him tired and slept till morning.
2. The same example pointed to a way of educating ourselves and others...that we have to accept that to be attracted to something that is bad for us is natural, however, it is how we manage those urges...in the example, God controlled the urge of the Prophet (pbuh) by distracting him through sleep. Similarly, it is possible to divert that attraction to something more positive without the use of force.
3. Knowledge is important in Islam but we must remember that there are limits to our knowledge. We must not fall into the trap of worshipping knowledge instead of the Creator of Knowledge.
4. Knowledge and education should lead us to serve those who has little of both. The rights and respect given to the knowledgable comes only when they serve the society/community. For in the Prophet's example, that he was born poor and an orphan and then God educated him and gave him wealth (through his marriage with Khadijah) and strength (his youth as well as spiritually). Yet, he never forgot his humble beginnings and continued to serve his people till his death. Today, there are those of us who would rather forget where we come from and revel in our knowledge. We start becoming arrogant and forget the duty that we have to serve.
5. Love is important and a form of protection that God grants to us; given that life is fragile, you should always express your love for your loved ones. Out of this love, comes respect and affection. The Prophet (pbuh) used to refuse invitations that are not also extended to his wife. And when his children approach, he always rose to show them respect. I really liked Professor Ramadhan's example of the Prophet staying still while prostrating in prayer because his grandchildren climbed over him. It showed his affection and loved for them that it transcend even the important act of prayers. Today, we often stop the children from being near us when we pray because we are afraid of their distraction. We could definitely learn from the Prophet in this aspect.
6. Peace is not obtained only through justice but also forgiveness. Professor Ramadhan said that we must be self-disciplined and grant forgiveness to others. We must first seek to understand before we can be understood...he quoted the treaty of Hudaibiyyah where the Prophet understood and respected his enemy's point of view while they negotiating the treaty of peace. When they told him that they want the name of Allah struck off and similarly the phrase "Muhammad is His Messenger", he told his scribe to do so. When the scribe and the rest of his companions bulked, he did it himself. Thus the treaty were negotiated and peace reined for a number of years...years in which Islam flourished and grew in the Arabian peninsular. Similarly, later, when the Quraish broke the treaty, and the Muslims were victorious and marched into Mecca, the Prophet (pbuh) granted amnesty to all of the Quraish except a very few from which justice was to be served.
There were other points that the good professor raised up but I thought these salient points are enough to allow us some food for thought. Peace.
Definitely I will not be able to do him justice here but let me briefly touch on the salient points (to my mind and knowledge) of his lecture.
1. The concept of God as the Educator. The arabic word for God, "Rabb," has the same root word as tarbiyyah (which means education). This is clearly manifested in the Prophet's life (pbuh) even when he was still a small child. For example, during his youth, he wished to go to a wedding where there would be a party with alcohol and so forth. Instead, God made him tired and slept till morning.
2. The same example pointed to a way of educating ourselves and others...that we have to accept that to be attracted to something that is bad for us is natural, however, it is how we manage those urges...in the example, God controlled the urge of the Prophet (pbuh) by distracting him through sleep. Similarly, it is possible to divert that attraction to something more positive without the use of force.
3. Knowledge is important in Islam but we must remember that there are limits to our knowledge. We must not fall into the trap of worshipping knowledge instead of the Creator of Knowledge.
4. Knowledge and education should lead us to serve those who has little of both. The rights and respect given to the knowledgable comes only when they serve the society/community. For in the Prophet's example, that he was born poor and an orphan and then God educated him and gave him wealth (through his marriage with Khadijah) and strength (his youth as well as spiritually). Yet, he never forgot his humble beginnings and continued to serve his people till his death. Today, there are those of us who would rather forget where we come from and revel in our knowledge. We start becoming arrogant and forget the duty that we have to serve.
5. Love is important and a form of protection that God grants to us; given that life is fragile, you should always express your love for your loved ones. Out of this love, comes respect and affection. The Prophet (pbuh) used to refuse invitations that are not also extended to his wife. And when his children approach, he always rose to show them respect. I really liked Professor Ramadhan's example of the Prophet staying still while prostrating in prayer because his grandchildren climbed over him. It showed his affection and loved for them that it transcend even the important act of prayers. Today, we often stop the children from being near us when we pray because we are afraid of their distraction. We could definitely learn from the Prophet in this aspect.
6. Peace is not obtained only through justice but also forgiveness. Professor Ramadhan said that we must be self-disciplined and grant forgiveness to others. We must first seek to understand before we can be understood...he quoted the treaty of Hudaibiyyah where the Prophet understood and respected his enemy's point of view while they negotiating the treaty of peace. When they told him that they want the name of Allah struck off and similarly the phrase "Muhammad is His Messenger", he told his scribe to do so. When the scribe and the rest of his companions bulked, he did it himself. Thus the treaty were negotiated and peace reined for a number of years...years in which Islam flourished and grew in the Arabian peninsular. Similarly, later, when the Quraish broke the treaty, and the Muslims were victorious and marched into Mecca, the Prophet (pbuh) granted amnesty to all of the Quraish except a very few from which justice was to be served.
There were other points that the good professor raised up but I thought these salient points are enough to allow us some food for thought. Peace.
Monday 7 April 2008
What reaffirms your faith in Islam?
I got this link in one of my emails; a question asking "what reaffirms your faith in Islam."
http://community.beliefnet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13666
I like some of the answers where one of the posters quoted Ali r.a. as saying
Asked about Faith,Hadrat Ali said,"Faith is experience by the heart, avowel by the tongue, and action by the limbs"
and another poster said that for him/her, Islam was both emotionally and intellactually appealing.
But I guess it is personal...each one of us has to go through our own personal experiences. For me, personally, I think reaffirmation must be a constant thing. That is the very reason that when Muslims pray, they have to recite the shahadah (testimony) that they bear witness there is no other god but God(Allah), and that Muhammad is His messenger.
So what reaffirms the faith? Consciousness of GOD, of oneself, of the relationship between us and GOD. "Worship Allah as if you see Him, and while you see Him not, verily He sees you." Basically, if you can worship God as if He was right in front of you, it means to you He is real, not an abstract idea...which unfortunately I still have not been able to achieve. When a thing is real, then you react differently. It is like knowing your own parents as opposed to being an orphan and just hearing about them. Yes, in both cases, the parents existed but in the latter, there is a quality of "unreal" to it.
So this constant consciousness is difficult to achieve and sustain. God be praised, there was a few times when this consciousness struck me and I really can't describe the sense of awareness when that happens. The word 'awe' barely scratched the surface. But the rest of the time, it is a struggle. Yet, if it were easy, would such a journey be cherished?
It is this struggle that is a reaffirmation of the faith...when one gives up this struggle, then one gives up hope of getting close to God and faith withers. As long as the struggle continues, I truly believe that faith continues to blossom.
Peace, if any of these words are wrong, they reflect only my limitations.
http://community.beliefnet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13666
I like some of the answers where one of the posters quoted Ali r.a. as saying
Asked about Faith,Hadrat Ali said,"Faith is experience by the heart, avowel by the tongue, and action by the limbs"
and another poster said that for him/her, Islam was both emotionally and intellactually appealing.
But I guess it is personal...each one of us has to go through our own personal experiences. For me, personally, I think reaffirmation must be a constant thing. That is the very reason that when Muslims pray, they have to recite the shahadah (testimony) that they bear witness there is no other god but God(Allah), and that Muhammad is His messenger.
So what reaffirms the faith? Consciousness of GOD, of oneself, of the relationship between us and GOD. "Worship Allah as if you see Him, and while you see Him not, verily He sees you." Basically, if you can worship God as if He was right in front of you, it means to you He is real, not an abstract idea...which unfortunately I still have not been able to achieve. When a thing is real, then you react differently. It is like knowing your own parents as opposed to being an orphan and just hearing about them. Yes, in both cases, the parents existed but in the latter, there is a quality of "unreal" to it.
So this constant consciousness is difficult to achieve and sustain. God be praised, there was a few times when this consciousness struck me and I really can't describe the sense of awareness when that happens. The word 'awe' barely scratched the surface. But the rest of the time, it is a struggle. Yet, if it were easy, would such a journey be cherished?
It is this struggle that is a reaffirmation of the faith...when one gives up this struggle, then one gives up hope of getting close to God and faith withers. As long as the struggle continues, I truly believe that faith continues to blossom.
Peace, if any of these words are wrong, they reflect only my limitations.
Wednesday 2 April 2008
From Him we come, and Unto Him we return
Went to work yesterday morning and got a call from my colleague. One of our colleague's mother passed away early that morning. Since Muslims bury our dead on the same day they pass away, we decided to pay our condolences that morning.
When I was there, I found myself thinking of my late mother and my father. When my mother passed away, I felt calm, almost emotionless. I guess having four months to prepare myself and my conviction that God took her away so soon because He loves her really helped me to accept her passing. To be honest, perhaps being less close to my mother than my siblings made it easier too. I remember (after fifteen years, memories do fade) that I didn't really cry while my sister cried.
Then I thought about my father. How will I react when his time comes, i.e. if I don't go first, that is? I am very close to my father, especially after my mother's death. Will I be able to let him go as I did my mother? Will I cry or stay calm, accepting it as God's will, His test and perhaps His gift?
My mother's passing made way for my stepmother and my youngest brother. Without her passing, my father would not have married my stepmother and my brother would never have been born. Would I have wanted my mother to die? No, of course not. Would I have wanted to deny my brother his existence? Again, no. If I was given the choice between the two, which one would I have chosen? GOD's wisdom is such that there is always a reason, even though if it is hidden at the time, for an event to happen. Tragedy is not pure tragedy...triumph is not pure triumph. There is a fine balance, a beautiful wisdom that we seldom can grasp in every event in our lives. This wisdom may continue to be hidden forever or it will be revealed to us. I prayed that night of her passing that there be a silver lining...and I truly believe my stepmother and my brother are that silver lining.
Really by knowing this, I begin to appreciate that yes, I can plan and act according to the knowledge and understanding that is given to me, but I must then be able to accept if things do not go my way. This is because there are more that I don't know and are beyond my understanding...as someone say, "Ours is not the only power on Earth". God's Will supercede all else. His is the Wisdom to do what is best for us, even it does not seem that way...for after all, it is from Him we come, and Unto Him we return.
When I was there, I found myself thinking of my late mother and my father. When my mother passed away, I felt calm, almost emotionless. I guess having four months to prepare myself and my conviction that God took her away so soon because He loves her really helped me to accept her passing. To be honest, perhaps being less close to my mother than my siblings made it easier too. I remember (after fifteen years, memories do fade) that I didn't really cry while my sister cried.
Then I thought about my father. How will I react when his time comes, i.e. if I don't go first, that is? I am very close to my father, especially after my mother's death. Will I be able to let him go as I did my mother? Will I cry or stay calm, accepting it as God's will, His test and perhaps His gift?
My mother's passing made way for my stepmother and my youngest brother. Without her passing, my father would not have married my stepmother and my brother would never have been born. Would I have wanted my mother to die? No, of course not. Would I have wanted to deny my brother his existence? Again, no. If I was given the choice between the two, which one would I have chosen? GOD's wisdom is such that there is always a reason, even though if it is hidden at the time, for an event to happen. Tragedy is not pure tragedy...triumph is not pure triumph. There is a fine balance, a beautiful wisdom that we seldom can grasp in every event in our lives. This wisdom may continue to be hidden forever or it will be revealed to us. I prayed that night of her passing that there be a silver lining...and I truly believe my stepmother and my brother are that silver lining.
Really by knowing this, I begin to appreciate that yes, I can plan and act according to the knowledge and understanding that is given to me, but I must then be able to accept if things do not go my way. This is because there are more that I don't know and are beyond my understanding...as someone say, "Ours is not the only power on Earth". God's Will supercede all else. His is the Wisdom to do what is best for us, even it does not seem that way...for after all, it is from Him we come, and Unto Him we return.
Tuesday 1 April 2008
Visit to Chek Jawa
Went to Chek Jawa with my youngest brother and Uncle Allan's family on Sunday. Saw quite interesting things. Here are some. I will also upload the slideshow that my brother is working on later.
Spotted this crab...but I couldn't zoom any further.
The last coastal forest in Singapore.
Beautiful butterfly, but my camera didn't manage to capture its blue highlights.
Cotton Stainer Bugs
When I saw this scene, I felt as if I've seen it before...it looked like the scene out of one of my fantasy books.
the "hanging stick" is actually a baby mangrove plant clinging to its "mother".
Alex spotted these buds...interesting star shaped buds.
Uncle Allan and his son, Alex.
Trying to peel the attap chee.
the male flowers of the attap chee
May, Alex's wife, also tried her hands on peeling
Fiddler crab
Spotted this crab...but I couldn't zoom any further.
The last coastal forest in Singapore.
Beautiful butterfly, but my camera didn't manage to capture its blue highlights.
Cotton Stainer Bugs
When I saw this scene, I felt as if I've seen it before...it looked like the scene out of one of my fantasy books. 
the "hanging stick" is actually a baby mangrove plant clinging to its "mother".
Alex spotted these buds...interesting star shaped buds.
Uncle Allan and his son, Alex.
Trying to peel the attap chee.
the male flowers of the attap chee
May, Alex's wife, also tried her hands on peeling
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