Something that Beats the Subway

It all started when I was in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia for a short trip a few months back. I wanted to know more about the locals and how they lived. You know, like explore the city a little. So I strolled down the streets looking for something interesting to check out.

The road ended and I found myself at a river bank. There was this "house" floating by the river. I went in, curious to find out whats going on there. That "floating house" was actually a boathouse!

The boathouse

That boathouse helps transport the locals to the other side of the river. And you know what? It only costs Rm 2 per way. I snapped up the opportunity immediately. My friend was there with me so I guess it was alright to go.

The whole trip was really relaxing. It was around 6 to 7 in the evening and the sun was starting to set. The whole river was illuminated in orange. The wind whips against your face as the boat strides across the waters.

Interesting thing about the boat was the engine. It was wide open! You could see all the part moving together like an orchestra, but in this case a very noisy one.

The engine looked like it could drop off any moment

I personally like watching the lives of people. I could sit somewhere and observe people all day (NO.....I'm not stalking them....). The locals who were in the boat were not of the well to do sorts. It seems that they depended on the boat for their daily transportation.

People who depended on this boat

Women getting back to their families after work

You learn alot about the locals by riding in their public transport

15 minutes later, I reached the other side of the banks. It was like one small little island with a community of people living there. Everything was really authentic and I felt like a National Geographic journalist.

The "other side"

There were two kids fishing for shrimps and I had a good time talking to them. They go "shrimping" during the holidays and their free time. Life seemed so carefree for them. No worries unlike people from the busy city. Sometimes I wish I had that. They amazed me by how they appreciated the simplest things in life, no matter how cliché that sounds like.

Enjoying life and just having a good time

Their refreshing cordial drinks

On the way back to the boathouse, the sun was almost gone. I snapped a few more pictures and told myself that I shall never forget this day. The day I ventured into the unknown and found something extraordinary.

Beautiful sunset from the boat

When children go wild

Remember when you were young? Our parents would threaten to call the police if we don't behave. Well, this time the police really came.

I found out about this from another blogger(http://www.aussiecynic.com/). A 5 year old kid, was handcuffed by police officers at her kindergarten. What nonsense is that??

If you watched the video, the teacher who was interviewed claimed that she tried many "tactics" to calm her down before calling in the cops. Apparently she was concerned for the safety of the teachers (wow....a child....danger to teachers??) , other children, and the child herself.

Children are prone to tantrums once in a while but handcuffing her is just plain swashbuggling nonsense. What, is it some sort of "political" move now? Is the teacher trying to make an example of her to other students?ssssssss

"Hei kids.....remember what happened to "Little X". You want me to call the cops in here again? So you better behave...."

Imagine the scenario with the police officers

" *radio contact* Erm....we have a situation at XXXXX Kindergarden. We have a kid tantrum. I repeat, we have a kid tantrum. Send in the heavy artillery. Call Bob, he's done this before. We need all the help we can get..."

Come on! Get real here. The teacher should have tried giving her a candy bar or something. (Owh....I bet you never thought of that did you)

This bring up memories of my kindergarden years. It was fun and nice and enjoyable but most of all there was a sense of safety. The teachers were no doubt strict and I cried many a times from scoldings but that was just it. Those are the sort of punishments a child should get, not getting handcuffed.

Plus, if you watched the video you would notice that the child was sitting down quietly in a chair. But NO.....the police had to get all "law enforcement" and handcuff her.

Personally here I think that the blame lies between the teacher and the cops. The teacher should have been more efficient in controlling the kid. Make her stand at a corner or even isolate her in a room so she wont hurt anyone while they call her parents.

The cops were just plain dumb. The child was just sitting there and they just went over and slapped those cuffs onto her hands. One thing for sure, that child would never throw a tantrum again.

America finally votes themself a rocker

Yes! After they virtually rejected all the previous idol rockers they have finally got themselves a rocker. Cook should thank Daughtry for his success. Voters probably saw way more potential for Cook in the industry given how well Daughtry did.

I can't say I'm one of those people screaming happily that he has won but congratulations anyway David Cook! I thought he would have a good chance in winning initially but after Archuleta's performance on Tuesday I seriously thought Cook would be done for.

He not only won but he won BIG. He won by a margin of 12 million votes. My dad texted me the results while I was at school. Honestly I was really shocked taking in the account of all the idol taboos (he finished the show, etc) and I really thought that his performance was like the winning performances that all the other previous idols have given.

We can't say that its another Ruben/Aiken moment because I know Cook will do well. I just thought of it this way. If Archuleta won, Cook still has his little niché in the industry. But when Cook won, I know that Archuleta was doomed for HasBeen-ville. He needed that win to propel him into the industry considering his style is not very current.

I would be waiting, I'm sure many people will be waiting to see how the both of them. Cook will do well but its little Archie that I'm worried about. Shy little guy in the show business. Not sure how long he would last.

The Big Mac Chant

Okay, I was up at Nuffnang recently and found out that they were having this neat little contest. All you have to do is make a video of you doing the chant and stand a chance to win Rm 10, 000.

Honestly I am always skeptical about these kind of competitions because normally the chance of winning is so slim and no one knows how fair the judging could be. But heck! I guess it better to try than not try anyway.

So, here is my humble little video =)



So you can head over here to vote for my video! The link is

http://www.nuffnang.com.my/bigmacchant

Myanmar Blocks Foreign Aid (WTF?!!)

*This post IS based on anger and not on sheer perspective

Another disaster strikes again. Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar on May 3rd. That time I was sitting in my room studying thinking that nothing could have been worst than that. I did not know that at that moment people were dying in masses some other place.

*People die all the time but this is different....

Great thing is that people all around the world are responding really quick. I guess they got some practice from the previous rounds from the Tsunami and Katrina. Its a relief isn't it that there's always someone to do the heroes job while we're living here comfortably.




These pictures really tell lots about whats happening there. Those people ain't well to do and the little that they had was blown away. But hei! You must be wondering whats up with the profanity in my title. (I knows its in short form but everyone gotta start somewhere right)

Yeah. They, as in the Myanmar government are blocking foreign aids. Apparently, they claim that the situation is still under control. The death toll have soared way above the initial 20,000 mark and this does not count those who are still missing and sick. In addition, they have more that 1 million homeless people!

I don't get it. They should be thankful that the whole world is giving them so much attention like a sick baby. Whats so difficult on letting the professionals in??(they are also blocking professional foreign aid like the UN, etc.)

I can imagine this going in their leader's heads.....

"Hmmm......let me think. 22, 000 people have already died and counting......I'm not sure. Eh! I think we have like 1 million homeless people who are sick and need medical attention right. Owhhh!!!! What?!! The whole world wants to help us? We have foreign aid at our footsteps? I'm still not sure. Things still looks pretty fine for me here. I think its not necessary. So what if a few houses got blown away....."

You know that ain't half of it yet. You know what pisses me off? Yes! They did something even more terrible than devoiding their people of foreign aid. Check this out.

Now this really deserves one really really big.....

WTF
(you know this is the biggest it can get...lolz)






Wait....here is one for them

The country's army stole, STOLE food that was sent in by foreign aids. You know that chocolate bar ain't for you....MISTER! Its meant for all those hungry people who just got run over by Cyclone Nargis. It was ordered by the government to be diverted or warehoused.

Here's a quote from that article
"The government said there were no outbreaks of disease or starvation among the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the cyclone."

WOW. Do I have to show that poster one more time?? Have you people been sleeping all these while or what. This situation is so screwed up. Those people have gone through so much suffering. Now they have to go through another phase where their government is stopping help from coming in.

On the other hand. Kudos to China for their relief efforts. Their response have been really quick. I was reading the Star just now and there were just so many gory photos of them getting down and dirty in helping their people. I hope Myanmar will resolve that issue as fast as possible.

Idol Mania!

I know, I know. I find myself guilty of following this series every week despite the fact that my mid terms is just a week away. Perhaps its just a part of me that love the music or the other side of me to see the cruelty of the show. Come on! They make you sing when you live. Its like...

"Now before you go. Sing for us one last time.........Remind America why they did not vote for you"

This year's competition sadly have not been very interesting. Everything have been pretty predictable so far except for that hiccup with David Hernandez and Amanda Overmeyer. She's unique-lah! And she's got the whole X-Men "Rogue" look going on.

Who am I rooting for? I am rooting for the guy that has probably captured the hearts of many tweens already. He's got my "vote" because he's got soul! Its amazing to see a white boy come up every week and blow everyone away with as much soul as Aretha Franklin.



Another person I am rooting for is Syesha Mercado. Another soul train here blowing full stream ahead. I think she is bound to overtake David Cook's station wagon of rock and roll. Her rendition of "Change is gonna come" this week was stellar!


But I still think she is not comparable to Archuleta. He's got the whole "I'm-gonna-win-American-Idol" thing going on. Here's the list:
- Above average looks
- Phenomenal singing ability/Sings like a black dude
- Shy and innocent look
- Has that nerdy kind of laugh that girls and middle aged women loves
- Has the family's strong support
- He's from the headquarters of the Latter Day Christians so their HUGE congregation will most likely campaign for him

Hopefully this year someone deserving will win. I thought Jordin was good but Melinda was way better. Still it could just be the biased Stanley who favours all the soul singers =)

Teacher's Day 2008 at Sri KDU

Teacher’s Day. A day set aside for us all to celebrate our beloved teachers, lavishing them with love. My school had it last Friday. One week before the exams, such good timing! But what the heck, anything for our teachers right =)

The day started off with the telematch which was prepared by the Prefectorial Board. We had the teachers embarrassing themselves one the field with games including water balloons (I was ecstatic when I saw the water balloons!!!) and nasi lemak (?!!).

"Menatang minyak yang penuh"

Race against time

Teachers getting all tangled up

Nasi lemak-the most balanced of Malaysian food

Banana anyone?

Teacher getting stressed up =)

This game was interesting. They have to find their coloured team mates from all over the field.

I was disappointed that not many balloons burst

There was one particular incident which I found pretty interesting. The teachers had this challenge where they have to cross the field by stepping on newspapers only. Each team had five. Well one team got pretty smart and used ten, taking the other team’s newspapers without actually knowing themselves.

Blue team: Faster! Faster! Step on the paper!

Red team : Where’s our newspaper? Where isit? Prefects!!! We got no newspaper.

Prefect : Huh? Owh….ei…we got prepared what. Each one have five.

Blue team: Keep going! We are like halfway there!

Red team : OI!!!! They took our newspaper!!! RESTART!!! Not fair! Not fair!

Prefect : Wait ah…its ok we’ll just get you new ones.

Red team : Hei! Not fair. They start first because they got the newspaper first!!! NOT FAIR!!! Ask them to come back here lah!!! (waves hand around angrily)

Red team : (Runs halfway across the field) Ei! Blue team stop!!! Restart again!!! NOT FAIR!!! NOT FAIR!!! (Other blue team members started sulking)

This was me throughout the whole thing

They both had to start over again, this time with both sides having equal sides of newspaper. It was interesting for me to be able to see the different side of teachers (dark huh…). They are human after all. I was busy taking shots and laughing to myself watching that scenario. Memories…… =)

This was the event!

Basically that was it. Just telematches an other games. The thing is that I noticed that the Teacher’s Day celebration in my current school (private) lacks spirit. I could recall celebrating it in my previous school(government) and it was such a “happening” event. Its actually an event which people look forward to. But here in my current school the mood is more like “Oh…its Teacher’s Day tomorrow? I think I’m gonna stay home and study”.

Teacher’s Day is like Christmas for all teachers! But I think the Grinch visited my school. Their tables were empty except for the occasional cupcake and chocolates. Perhaps this shows how much the kids in my school appreciate their teachers.

I don’t mean to be materialistic here but these kids are actually kids that have money! In fact, they have lots of it. Compare this to kids in government school. Not to mean that they are poor but most people don’t get the luxury of a 3 to 4 figure allowance. It wouldn’t hurt go give a card or write something nice.

Hmm……but on the other hand could this be a problem caused by the teachers? I just feel that teachers here lack the personal connection with students(Don’t emo now okay if you are one of my teachers). I don’t know. They say it takes two to tango so there must be something in between that is lacking.

Personally I would give anything to experience Teacher’s Day back at government school once more. Its nice to see the teacher’s faces beam up like the sun when they receive something. I personally dread spending money for presents so I opt for cards. Its so much cheaper (I think I spent Rm1/card) AND much more sincere…..I guess.