Each of these writings came about for its own reasons, collectively they are musings linked by my fascination with fate, choice, chance, faith, forgiveness, forgetting, freedom of expression, appeasement through prayers, adherence to rituals, trolling for miracles, pursuit of happiness... (Amy Tan - The Other Side of Faith)
Many people will find TNB's ad this year so true in their families, especially when you have cross-generations gathering.
In my household, even when the dishes are already nicely served, it is quite a challenge at times to distract my nieces and nephew (i.e. those born in/after the 90s) from whatever activities they are indulging in - online games, videos, social media, so on so forth. Hmm... maybe I should ask mum to do what the grandma did in the advert.
Kia did a tri-series of ad, see if you can catch the humour AND the moral of each story.
There are a couple of other ads as well, but the following short story caught my attention while I was researching for this entry. Good one.
Whether you return home (as in your parents' home if you are not staying with them) daily or once a year, do know that you really do not need to wait for the right time. For this I am grateful to my family, that I can just go home any time; that I don't even need to give them a call beforehand to make an appointment. I know there are people around me who have misunderstanding with their parents or siblings; and because of the grievances and hurt they have avoided going home, even during festive times like these when reunion is the main theme. I wish that they will be healed from the bitterness, blood is always thicker than water; and that their families will be reunited once more.
May you have a new year filled with love and joy, have a 马(mar)velous year!
About a year ago, I have blogged about the CNY ads that were aired locally. In fact I made two blog posts about it.
To continue the 'tradition', let's look at what we have for this year of the Horse.
First up and my fave, 'Young Hearts' brought to us by Petronas.
Personally this ad reminded me that there is always a child within us. I always complain tell people (consciously or otherwise) that how my mother (she is 73 this year, bless her!) is becoming more and more like a child; so much so it seems like I have switched roles with her, I sound more like her mother these days.
At the same time this ad as heart warming as it is, brought a tinge of sadness to my heart as I wonder whether I will ever have that someone to grow old (and young again) with; or whether I will be alone to the last of my days. *deep breaths* No thinking about negative stuffs, live each day to the fullest and be happy the best I could.
Ok, next up - the Lion's Club did a different take on CNY advert last year - this year they are back with the sequel to 'The Promise'.
It's a sad ending but a good reminder of how some of our parents are abandoned and not cared for. This brought to mind the recent development that a filial piety law was to be passed in the country to protect aged parents. It is a shame if you ask me that a law needs to be passed for a virtue that was supposed to be part of our heritage; a trait that was supposedly built-in within us.
Coincidentally I have just finished reading the book by Amy Chua - The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. In one part, the author highlighted the contrast of the Western and Chinese cultures. Some of the Western parents would hold the thought that their children are not 'obligated' to care for them when they are old, the children's obligation is only to the next generation and it goes on like that. On the contrary, the Chinese (or most Asian) culture had it that just as the parents have worked hard to care for and nurture the child, the child 'owes' it to their parents to take care for them the same way. Personally, I am skewed towards the Chinese behaviour (if you can call it that) but I do not feel it is because I owe it to them; rather it is 'just because'. Just because they are my parents, I will care for them. No why, no questioning of whether they have done anything to merit my love and attention for them, just 'just because'.
(Hmm... this post was supposed to be about the CNY ads for the year... let's get back on track)
I think somehow, good touching CNY ads can't run far from linking in with family ties and filial piety, here's the one from Eu Yan Sang.
And this one from Naga DDB is funny, 2014 is not a good year so it is to be replaced by 2013A ... aiyo, like that also can ah?! LOL
Stay tuned for the second part of this in the next post (which hopefully I will complete before the 15 days of celebration end next Friday, today is the 9th day in case you lost count).
马年亨通，万马奔腾, wishing all a happy and prosperous new year.
31st August - the day Federation of Malaya declared her independence from the then British colonial rule in the year of 1957. (Later on 16th September 1963, Malaysia was formed by Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.)
Despite all, in spite all, I am proud to be a Malaysian. Saya anak bangsa Malaysia :)
We were taught to sing the national anthem since young - and each time now, I sing it again, I could feel tears well up - because of the Malaysian pride.
Negaraku
Tanah tumpahnya darahku
Rakyat hidup, bersatu dan maju
Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita selamat bertakhta
(My translation below)
My country
My native land
The people live in unity and progress
God grants blessings and mercy
Our King rules in sovereignty
Video of the national anthem - performed with a nice twist; video made 2 years ago, hence the 54th year credit message at the end.
As it says for our theme this year - Malaysiaku Berdaulat, Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku (My Sovereign Malaysia, My Native Land).
What is so amusing about a butter knife? I caught you - I know that question written across your head. Wait, this is not your ordinary household butter knife.
Check this out!
Attached to the butter tub! So user friendly, especially if you are thinking of a picnic, an outing - very travel friendly, right?
Just detach it as you peel open the butter tub.
Use the transformed cover to spread the butter on your bread, crackers...so on.
Done! Nice, eh?
Different colours for different flavours. Too bad we don't have it here, otherwise I will be their #1 fan.
Found a similar idea on a yogurt cup. Gotta love this, though I am a bit skeptical on this one - I wonder what happens if I accidentally hurt myself with the edge of the spoon? But I guess it is not sharp & made of pretty soft material.
From designers: Yeongkeun Jeong (butter knife) & Cho Hye-seung (yogurt spoon)
Attempting new series for the year - will be posting about (A)musing, (A)wesome, (A)mazing...finds that I come across.
Starting on the list is this water-powered clock.
Just how can water power a timekeeping device?
This clock runs off a simple galvanic cell battery, which entails the emersion of a cathode or positive metal such as copper, and an anode or negative metal such as zinc in electrolyte solution. Sounds too scientifically nerdy?
Welcome to the world of horology! A horologist's goal is to find something that changes at a predictable, consistent manner with a steady rate. So what we have here is WATER. Think about the plumbing at home. Weren't you kept awake by that dripping faucet? Weren't you able to gauge how long it takes to fill up the toilet tank or your bath tub for that matter? There you have it, water.
All you need in order to power the eco-friendly water-powered clock above is a little water, and a splash of natural lemon juice.
Artists can colour the sky red colour because they know it's blue. Those of us who aren't artists must colour things the way they really are or people might think we're stupid. Jules Feiffer
Over the long weekend - I decided to take a day off from church & spent a good day at discovering a new place for coffee & browsing through an art market. Wonderful day, well spent.
First stop - Typica Cafe 豆原 @Shaw Parade, my first time here. It's a quaint little place - with just 4 tables and two long benches.
At the table I sat at - a vase with roses...
The menu - they are famed for the siphon coffee & ice drip coffee. I finally decided to try something different - Ice Coffee with Chocolate Milk & Mint and Black Sesame Cheese Cake. Nice! :)
Cute!
My table looks like a school desk.
After my brunch - I went to the Kaka Creative Art Market, which is held on every first Sunday (that's why gotta skip church, ooppss!). They have a different theme every month - February is the month of L❤VE.
Love this stall which had all these cute piggies, hedgehogs and sheep made with clay.
Market on ground floor, view from 2nd floor.
Lots of pretty & creative handmade stuffs here, which of course we can shop online for, but nothing beats seeing & touching the goods for real. Wonderful, wonderful. Wish I could do this more often.
After-thought: I wish I could be like some of these vendors. Made me think - what am I good at? So good at, that I just wanna share with people... and hopefully make some money out of it. I wish...
Auspicious day to start work? Well... be it so or not, still gotta work ...
Picture of my cubicle at work...lots of fishes in the 'aquarium' >)))>
Here's to a happier work year ahead - more wisdom, better EQ, less stress; more favour from superiors, peers, staffs; brighter prospects & of course more $$$$$ :)) yay!
Photography is an art. Just like an artpiece, each photo reflects the photographer's view of the subject, the photographer's state of mind, the photographer's point of view, the photographer's emotions at the time when the shot was framed and the shutter button pressed.
Recently I was taking some photos at a friend's wedding. Yeah, that was the task that I blogged about in the last two entries.
So, what inspires this third entry? I was having a casual chat with one of my friends. He commented that somehow the photos I took evoked a feeling of sadness. He was actually the first person who thinks that way. Other friends who have seen the same set of photos have commented otherwise. Hmmm, how interesting.
It makes me think and hence, the conclusion I get is per the first para. But it doesn't stop there. To every person who sees the photo, they will in turn form their own interpretation of what they see, think and feel or their perception of what story the photographer is trying to tell.
Yes, that's the grade that I am giving myself. It was a hectic Sunday - left home by 9.30am, and by the time I reached home it was already 11pm. Overall I had fun, a very good learning experience.
At certain points, I felt intimidated by my lack of skills, experience and gear, hence the previous entry. My confidence had already been shoved down the drains due to somebody's comments earlier in the week. Yet time and again I remind myself - "Photography is more than just your skills, your gear or even your creativity. It's about your heart." Every click of the camera, every push of the shutter button - let it come from your heart. Maybe some would feel that I am just making excuses but excuse me, can you deny that each photo tells a story, each picture a thousand tales?
So, over the weekend, I felt I have learned so much more than I anticipated. It's not about acquiring new skills - it's about discovering what I am good at and what I suck at. And with that knowledge, looking forward to continuosly improve myself. One step at a time, at my own pace.
coz I just couldn't imagine life without my dearest friends.
But I guess I'd be even more horrified if I don't get my hands on those free passes for the Premiere Screening to watch Final Destination - Rest in Pieces, courtesy of Warner Brothers Pictures and Fox Malaysia.
As for my friends, when I get those tix, you are definitely coming with me and have a holla-ri-ific time together!
