St. Annes Church BM's ceiling

The Final entry:2010

It has been one momentous year.

2010.

This year, has probably been one of the best years of my life so far. I have no regrets whatsoever and I will have no doubts that I will look upon 2010 over the years to come. This year, has been a great adventure for me and I am proud to look back on it and say, yes I have spent it well.

The very most important thing that I have learnt throughout this year is the love I have received. The love from the most two important people in my lives; mom and dad. Both of you have been here for me, making me a better man. I can't say much, but I love you both. I know, that I have been obnoxious and always rude against you all, but my love for you guys shall never waiver.

The other love I have learnt this year- are from friends. My friends no matter what I say or do, they are a few who are there for me. My friends from school especially, you guys have really been my support when the rest peckers and scowl at me. There are some of you, who no matter what still stuck by my side. Initially some of you were my enemies at first but as time goes by, as the months past we became close friends who I could rely on. And there are some of my friends, who made me knew love, love in the sense of affection; the whole year I fell in love, and even in the very last month there is you still here. You really make me see things more clearly besides the palpitation you gave me or the insomnia, you were frank with me and we got close.

My teachers, thank you, what and where would I be if weren't for you. All of my teachers, I can proudly say, I have no animosity towards any of you. Gurus you all have been.

The clock ticks to midnight. 2011 approaches. I look back at 2010, I look back at the decade and I can say, life well spent. Now all I have to do is look forward.

"Don't ask what the next year has in store for us, rather ask what can we do to make the next year for us"

Don't do it!

Do not be an idiot!

(to simply put it)

Don't go down that road again. Don't be a fool.

(sigh)

It is not fair for her (or him)

Get out before it is too late.

(Eyes wide)

Stop looking at her (or him)!

Just don't.

(Ok)

The Christ-mas

Christmas 2010.

Is it just me, or Christmas this year is not the same as the previous years before. As far as I am concerned the Birth of Christ which is actually Christmas itself has loss its essence. Even the commercial Christmas of Santa Claus, Lady Santas (or Santarinas) and towering trees, has loss its essence and feel to make it really into the feeling.

Why is it so?

Is it because Christmas has loss its way of people to make money?

Or is it because people has loss the essence of Christmas, e.g. caroling, gift exchanging and so forth?

Has Christmas become too solemn for most people?

Well, what ever Christmas may be; let us not forget that Christmas is no doubt the ultimate holiday for us to share and appreciate others. Also never forget that Christmas is the celebration of His' birthday.

They asked''

I was sitting next to 'them'.

They asked me, one question "Why are you so strict and fierce when we are at school, but here you are so different, kind, gentle".

I looked at them, and gave a shy smile, "Well, first we're not at school. And second I'm with you, how could I do what I do at school?"

They looked at me and gave a smile.

They asked'

They asked me, why are you so sad leaving school? You should be overjoyed.

The answer came with only a smile towards them.

But the real answer, I said to myself, I'm sad because I'm leaving a person I love.

9221 Bible Knowledge notes Acts Of the Apostles Paul's second MJ

This is regarding the 2nd Missionary Journey of St. Paul which takes place from Acts 15:36- 18:22.

Chapter 15

Paul and Barnabbas decided to check up on the towns they visited during the 1st Missionary Journey.

Barnabbas had took John Mark with him and went to Cyprus

Paul had taken Silas and went to Syria and Cilicia

Chapter 16

Paul went to Derbe and Lystra where he found Timothy

Timothy: Christian, Christian mother but Greek father, the believers in Iconium and Lystra spoke well of him.

They went through the towns strengthening their faiths.

Paul, Silas, Timothy and the rest traveled through Phyrgia and Galatia

The Holy Spirit did not allow them to travel to Asia

The Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go to Bithynia (East of Mysia)

So they went to Troas

Where at night Paul had a vision of a Macedonian standing and begging them to go to their help

After this, they got ready and went to Macedonia

On the Sabbath, they went to the riverside where they sat down and started to preach to the women gathered there.

There was Lydia from Thyatira who was a dealer in purple cloth, she had worshiped God and the Lord had opened her mind to listen to Paul's saying

She invited them to stay at her house after being baptised.

One day, they all went to a place of prayer.

There was a girl with an evil spirit which allowed her to predict the future.

She followed Paul and "Us" (whereby "us" refers to Timothy, Silas and Luke)

She kept on saying that these men are the servants of the Most High God and announce how if the people were to follow these men they will be saved.

Paul became upset and ordered the Spirit to come out of her.

Her owners became very angry because they had lost a source of income.

They had seized Paul and Silas, dragged them to the authorities at the Public Square.

They brought them before the Roman officials and accused them of teaching customs that were against the Law.

The officials stripped Paul and Silas.

Whipped them.

Had them thrown into jail.

A jailer had thrown them into the inner cell.

Their feet were fastened with heavy blocks of wood.

At midnight: Paul and Silas were singing hymns to God while the other prisoners were listening.

Then suddenly there was a violent earthquake.

The doors of the prison had opened and the chains fell off the prisoners.

The jailer woke up and took a sword to kill himself.

Paul shouted to not to do that.

The jailer called for some light and fell to Paul's and Silas' feet, he asked them what must he do to be saved.

They said he must believe in the Lord Jesus.

They preached the Word of God to the jailer's family and the jailer cleaned their wounds. The whole family got baptised.

Next morning, police officers sent by the Roman officials with the orders to release Paul and Silas.

Paul said to the officers that he wanted the Roman officials themselves to apologize to them for they are Roman officials.

They came and apologized.

They went back to Lydia's place.

Chapter 17

Paul and Silas traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica.

When they had arrived there they had went to the synagogues, and for 3 Sabbaths they held discussions and explained the Scriptures.

The Jews got jealous and they had gathered loafers. They formed a mob and created an uproar int the city. They attacked a man's home- Jason to find Paul and Silas but they had fail. Then they dragged the followers out of Jason's house and brought them to the authorities. The authorities made Jason and the other followers to pay a required amount and was set free.

At night the followers sent Paul and Silas to Berea

At Berea, the people were more open minded, listened to Paul's teaching and kept checking the Scriptures to see whether Paul's sayings were true.

The Jews from Thessalonica came and started a riot in Berea.

The believers had Paul sent to the coast and they sent him off to Athens. He left a message to Silas and Timothy that they should join him as soon as possible.

Silas and Timothy had stayed back.

When Paul arrived in Athens he was very upset over the city's worship of idols.

He had debated with Epicurean and Stoic teachers.

He went to the Aeropagus and gave a speech.

Some had made fun of him while there are some that listened.

Dysonias and Damaris converted.

Chapter 18

Paul left Athens and went to Corinth

He then met Aquila and Priscilla from Italy.

He met them because Emperor Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome.

Paul stayed and worked with them. He made a living by making tents.

Every Sabbath he went and held discussions in the synagogues.

Timothy and Silas had joined him now.

Paul preached and the Jews opposed him and said evil thing about him.

They went to a house of Titus Justus where his house was next to a synagogue and the leader was Crispus.

At night Paul had a vision where the Lord said to him to not be afraid, keep on speaking and do not give up. No one is able to harm him because the people were His'.

Paul stayed here for about a year and a half.

Gallio was now the new governor of Achaia.

The Jews brought Paul before him.

He dismissed them.

The Jews then took Sosthenes and beat him up.

Paul Stayed with the believers in Corinth for many months. Then he went to the port of Cenchrea where he had shaved his head for a vow.

He went to Ephesus where he left Aquila and Priscilla.

He then ventured to Ceaserea, on to Jerusalem where he greeted the Church

and Finally he went on to Syria in Antioch.

9221 Bible Knowledge notes GASt.L Part 1

If you are taking the 9221 Bible Knowledge for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia 2010. These 'guides' may be rather useful. These are not "spotted" questions but rather major topics that may come out after doing the analysis for a period of 16 years (from 1993 to 2009). We'll start off with the Gospel According to St. Luke.

Birth of Jesus announced (Lk 2:1-7)

• Emperor Augustus' reign*
• Ordered a census to be carried out
• Quirinius was the governor of Syria
• Everyone went to register themselves at their hometown
• Joseph went from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Birthplace of Kind David)*
• He went to register with Mary- who was promised in marriage to him*
• She was pregnant*
• It was time for her to give birth while they were in Bethlehem*
• She gave first to her first born son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger*
• There was no room for them to stay in the inn*

The Shepherds and Angels (Lk 2: 8- 20)

• Shepherds in their fields that night taking care of their flocks
• An angel appeared to them- They were afraid
• The angel said to them: Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your Saviour was born- Christ the Lord! And this will prove it to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
• Great army of heaven's angels appeared, singing praises to God
• "Glory to God in the Highest heaven, and peace to on earth to those whom he is pleased"
• When the angels went back, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem
• They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby in the manger
• The shepherds told them what the Angels had said
• Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them
• The shepherds went back singing praises to God for what they had seen and heard just as the angels has said.

The Temptations of Jesus (Lk 4:1- 13)

• Jesus returned from River Jordan full of the Holy Spirit
• Led by the Spirit into the dessert
• He was tempted by the Devil for 40 days.
• During that time he ate nothing, so after that he was very hungry when it was over
• The first temptation: The Devil tempted Jesus if He is God's son he can turn some stones into bread.
• Jesus' rebuttal: Human beings cannot live on Bread alone
• The second temptation: Took Him to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. He tempted Jesus that all these have been handed over to him an all the wealth and power will be Jesus' if He worshiped him (the Devil).
• Jesus said: Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him
• The third temptation: Taking Jesus to the highest point on the Jerusalem Temple. and said to him if Jesus is the son of God, he should throw himself down and God will order the angels of heaven to take good care of Jesus that not even is feet shall be hurt by the stones.
• Jesus answered: Do not put your God to the test
• after this the Devil finished tempting Jesus in every way, he left Him

Jesus Calls the First Disciples (Lk 5:1-11)

• Jesus was standing at the shore of Gennesaret
• The people pushed through to listen to the word of God
• He saw two boats and the fishermen were washing their nets
• Jesus got into Simon's boat and asked him to push off a little from the shore
• Jesus sat in the boat and started preaching
• When he was done, he said to Simon to push his boat further into deep water and with his partners let down their nets.
• Simon said that they had worked hard all night long and had caught nothing. But if He says so they will do it.
• They caught such a large number of fish
• The nets were about to break
• They motioned to their partners to help them
• They filled the boats with the fishes that now the boat was about to sink.
• Simon Peter saw what had happened and fell on his knees before Jesus
• He told Jesus to go away from him for he is a sinful man!
• Simon Peter and the others were amazed at the large number of fish that they had just caught
• The same happened to James and John the sons of Zebedee.
• Jesus said to Simon: Don't be afraid; from now on you will be catching people
• They left everything and followed Jesus.

Jesus heals a Man (Lk 5: 12 -16)

The first miracle as recorded by the Gospel of St. Luke*

• In a town
• A man suffering from a dreaded skin disease
• He threw himself down before Jesus
• "Sir, if you want to, you can make me clean!"
• Jesus touched him
• "Be clean!"
• Jesus then said to the man not to tell anyone about this but rather go the priest and let him examine you. Then to prove that you are cured offer up sacrifices as Moses has ordered.
• The news of Jesus spread fast
• More wildly people came to get healed from their disease and to listen to him.
• He went to lonely places to pray.

Jesus Raises a Widow's Son (Lk 7: 11-17)

• After healing the Roman Officer's Servant at Capernaum, Jesus went to a town called Nain
• He was accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd.
• As he arrived at the town's gate, a funeral was coming out.
• The dead man was a widow's son and a large crowd from the town followed her.
• When Jesus saw her, his heart was full of pity.
• He told her not to cry
• He walked over to the coffin and touched it.
• He said "Young man! Get up, I tell you!"
  
• The dead man sat up and began to talk.
• All the people were afraid and praised God.
• They said a great prophet has appeared among them and God has come to save them
• The news about Jesus went through all the country and surrounding territory.

It isn't over.

No, SPM is not over for me yet. My last paper will be on the 16th of December, Thursday. Probably the hardest subject for me: Bible Knowledge. Yes, I know, most people never heard of this subject, let alone know the existence of it. Many people would also not take it at all because this is one of the subjects where getting A+ is virtually impossible. But nevertheless, it is my 10th SPM subject.

Most Malaysian students age 17 has already completed their FINAL exam after 11 years of schooling. To them I say congratulations. To the few thousand left who has either 3, 2, or 1 more paper left; I say work hard, strive, this is it! If you didn't do THAT well with the others, take your time now and work for these\this last paper(s).

What else is there to say?

SPM was fun, truth be told I wasn't as worried or cold feet-ed, as I was for the UPSR and my PMR. Which is not important at all!

Talking about that, have you ever noticed how people make such a big fast over the other two minor government exam whereas the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia is the biggest and life-changing exam. Strange and ironic if you ask me.

Well, wish me luck people!

The Hopeless Fool in "an affection" Part 1

Part 1

Setting: School environment.

Setting: High school teenagers.

Setting: School hours.

I was sitting there all by myself watching the other students go by. On the table in front of me, were my books. I looked at the canteen clock, it was 10.15. I saw Jiyanathan and Aminul walking towards the canteen. "Hey guys", I said to them.

Jiyanathan looked at me, no he was staring at me. He turned behind, "Oh Jeremy! Just go and tell her, will you!? You are an idiot, man"

I was take aback. "What?" I asked cautiously.

"Oh come on, just get up and tell her. Half this school knows that you like her. She is cute, she is just the girl for you."

I couldn't. I couldn't tell her how I felt for her. By grace, she is too good for me! Every time she walks by, I smile at her, I imagine her by my side. She's my friend, but no more than that.

I slapped myself at the forehead. "No, I can't".

I sit back in the chair, seeing her walk back to her class.

The Past time, the now moment.

I stand by myself under the car park watching as the children in white shirts and green slacks running around the compound. I stand here with my arms crossed. I turn behind, I look at the canteen, I imagine those days of sitting at the long tables, lining up at the counter shouting;

"Mak cik, nasi seringgit, tambah ayam!"

It has been over so many years since I last set foot in this place. The last time I set foot here, was the day that I attained my final official government exam, Malaysia's O-level-cum-SPM. Since then I never returned here. When I entered the school grounds this morning, I was instantly shot aback, hardly anything changed. The old school 'terminal' was still the same. The broken mock cannon still aiming at the neighbouring school, the now painted gold 12-feet keris and the orange door that leads to the prefect's port.

I walk towards the canteen. As I enter, I feel hundred of pairs of eyes looking at me. Have they never seen a man before? I walked casually and took a seat at the last table. I sit there, I stare at the "Siti Faridah" signboard. The school canteen hardly changed; the sink is new, there are fans now, but the rest is still the same. I look at a group of boys, walking from class, in their hand holding tightly STPM Organic Chemistry, another was holding Mathematics T. Ah, Form 6, so brave of them to take it up.

I look at my watch. I lean back into the chair, I see a group of blue dressed students walking in my direction. The forward one's face was full of spirit and determination, he was tall and he looked like a leader, my eyes meet his eyes, I instantly give a nod. "Prefects", I whisper to myself. This brings back memories.

I here a voice from the back, "Dad!", she hugged me so tightly. I kiss her on her cheek.

"You are early, dad. Where's mom?"

"She went to see Cikgu Hanifah" I say as I brush her hair.

"Oh, well Dad suppose you have met, Jennifer, Nia Hui, Mariamanthi and of course Eugene".

"How can I forgot your friends?", I thrust my right forward towards Eugene, he held it tight and firm. I shook it, if you are going to date my daughter you sure must be a man, I said to myself.

I tell my daughter that I am early because her mom and I had some errands to do, so we came early. She went back with her friends.

I then walked towards the teachers room, I cross the principal's office, I remember the days when I forbid other students from walking here. I entered the staff room. It was the same. Only the teachers were different, none that taught me are here now. My eyes started to warm up.

It is now 12.30pm. The school hall was now open, I stand outside the hall with other men, all fathers, some are teachers. I see my beautiful wife in the hall, waiting anxiously to get this over with. As I stare at her, I remember that in this very school that I had met her, fell in love with her, and finally marry her. In this very school, that I had my first crush and my first heartbreak. My first political ambition and my first sovereign power. I had numerous enemies and had a handful of trustful friends.

I continue to talk with the other men, when suddenly I saw a brown file in front of my face.

"She got 5A+ and 3As, two B's!" my wife said.

"That was my results too, only thing I got an A+ for English only" I say it, followed with a smile.

I shake hands with the other four men I am with, and wave goodbye. We walked towards our car and get in it. "Where's is she? Isn't she coming with us?"

A soft strike hit my head, "Oh come on, didn't you know that she has this so called 'motivation' after this?"

I nod.

We drive towards the gate, I wave goodbye to the guard, as we pass the keris, the cannons, and the 'terminal'. We drove out passing the glorious words of "Sentiasa Maju".

SPM BK:Bible Knowledge

One of the rarest subject out there, it is on the brink of being demolished. Yet this is a beautiful subject. One of the very few subjects that touches the field of religion. No other religion except Islam's (and its sister subjects) have a SPM paper to be sited for.
One of the rarest subject out there, it is on the brink of being demolished. Yet this is a beautiful subject. One of the very few subjects that touches the field of religion. No other religion except Islam's (and its sister subjects) have a SPM paper to be sited for.

This Bible Knowledge has a syllabus like any ordinary SPM subject out there. It cover two books of the Bible's New Testament. Namely

• The Gospel according to St. Luke
• The Acts of the Apostles

The primary aim of this subject is to promote the fundamental knowledge of the Christian Church. This subject is not confined only to Christians but open to everyone. Sadly though, no other than Christians have taken it. Every year the number of candidates seem to be dropping! This is a catastrophe. Yes, this subject is rather hard, but it is easy if you understand and remember it well. Similar to Sejarah.

Talking about Sejarah, the paper is very similar to Sejarah Kertas II. Yup, very similar. Section A has 8 questions, context; and Section B essays, choose 4 out of 8. That's all!

(top) This is the Acts of The Apostles, the Catholic Version

(below) This version is the Christian's version, it is very highly detailed

Both have the same content. Yes, the Bible is such a thick book, so why only Luke's Gospel and The Acts?

Well, because these books provide the early ministry of Lord Jesus. It shows His teachings and his journey until his crucifixion. The Acts shows the expansion of the Early Church, from the journey of Peter and Paul. Both books resemble the infant days of the church, and the significance it has now on the world.

It is a wonderful subject, yes many tertiary education centers do not recognize this subject, and that is very sad. This is a wonderful subject and it should not be omitted from the list of SPM electives.

Say what? Gibberish.

Ok yeah, you didn't come, so?

It was clear that you stood me up.

How many dictionaries had you read?

Oh come on! You relax by studying more!

Why do you hate me? What did I ever do to you?

I hate you because, well I just hate you! You think you're smart, no you're pulun

Ok now that hurts

My parents are the BEST! Love them so!

Lord thanks!

Hey, you're fat!

Yeah I know.

Live on people!

This is My Malaysia

"What race are you?"

"Malaysian"

A blank face on their face.

What is wrong? Can't I say that I'm a Malaysian rather to say "I'm a Eurasian"? Well, it is better to say that I am a Malaysian. Yes, I believe in Malaysian Malaysia, Muhibbah, Malaysia for Peace and yes even the 1Malaysia concept. Nothing wrong, no animosity, no harm, right?

The harm only comes when we want it to happen.

Where do we live? In a plural society.

Who do we live with? With peoples of course; people of diversity.

What do we eat? Food...

Breath? Air...

I am proud to be a Malaysian, I am proud that we have a multitude of races. But I am not proud at all, and yes honestly speaking- if you can't take it, turn away; of the tension between us. The damn hard friction between the various races. The boiling hatred when we see others of different skin colours. Is this what we want? This hardened situation for many years to come?

We had the past wars, repeating it would be really stupid. Yeah, I'm frank. We cannot and should not afford to be fighting against each other, having such anger or fear against each other. No, I'm not naive, I just see a Malaysia where tension between races is only a minor problem. I don't persist that there would be a rough road but why not make the path as smooth as possible?

Is this what we want for our land?

Or I am just being to patriotic?

This is My Malaysia. I believe in unity, I believe in love, I believe that there will be tough times but I also believe that there will be solutions. I have nothing against anyone, it is just that the times now, the 'controlled' situation and the common mentality that makes that hard tension between all of us.

This is my country, and I see it as a world..a world like no other worlds out there.

Go ahead call me naive.

The Final word.

He sat there on the brown armchair, staring outside the 7-feet window. He stared at the towering skyscrapers, watching the blazing afternoonsun. He slowly stretched his right arm towards the coffee table on his right, he took his mug, sipped the coffee out of it, he put it back. As he lost his consciousness to the setting sun, his eyes slowly teared, he wiped it away. He gave a soft sigh, his eyelids were getting heavier, he mumbled something; it sounded like "Thank you". He closed his eyes.

***********************

"How was it?" asked Malim. "It was great, I can't believe they actually had it there" replied Robert. Both of them walked out of the bookstore. The mall was awfully crowded this weekend, it’s a long weekend, because Merdeka was on Tuesday, and Monday was being replaced. The floors of the mall, were crowded by teenagers clutching their iPods, lovers clinging to each other, families sticking to together and some elderly carefully counting every step as they walked.

Malim smiled broadly, he is just excited because he had attained his long awaited book about Hitler's hobbies. You see, Malim had a rare passion of war, especially WWII and the French revolutionary war. He walked with best mate, Robert, Robert then walked with Denise. The three of them scurried through the jam-packed lanes.

Parwin tapped his fingers on the table impatiently, he eyes scanned over the immense of people. His eyes caught Robert's, he instantly waved it high. "Where were you guys!?" cried Parwin, "I was sitting here for half-an hour already". "We were held up, sorry, anyway thanks for holding our sit, you said, you didn't want to join us." replied Malim.

Lady Antebellum's Need you now, played suddenly, Robert took out his phone and answered it. His face grew pale.

******************************************************************

Marie was hurrying through the hallways, she stumbled her way through nurse's office, dashed through the blood bank and now was walking with pace to Lab 12, the double-door lab stared at her face, she was getting closer to it, she banged it open.

"Ah, yes, Miss Taylor, I mean Mrs. Sherrod, finally you're here, now we can begin" said Dr. Burhannudin calmly. He told the students to take their sits, he walked over to Marie, whispered to her "They are all yours."

Marie Taylor-Sherrod was a microbiologist, the words Malayan University of Health and Science lingered largely over her head. "All right class, I see Dr. Din have already given you a short briefing on this med school and I suppose, about me too?". The class of 18 stared at her attentively, their faces all full of determination, all future doctors.

Marie continued her speech, she gave a basic introduction on microorganism, their relative discovery and their effect on humankind. She continues talking, while walking up and down the lab-cum-classroom, occasionally asking each students to introduced themselves.

As she was withdrawing out her Pilot Wyteboard Marker, she felt her Nokia vibrating in her pocket. "Excuse me, I've got to take this" she said to her class.

"Yeah, what's up?". These words left her mouth, then suddenly she gasped in shock.

Michael James Taylor, slowly walked his way down the stairs. It was 6.15, he was still in his pyjamas. He walked slowly, hunching a little, towards the kitchen, open the cabinet and took out the bottle of Necafe gold. He poured some of the powder in to his mug: World’s Greatest Grand Dad!. He simmered the coffee for awhile. He took it and laid it on the coffee table and his brown armchair facing the outside world.

The two-storey penthouse was occupied by 5 people. Three generations of the Taylors stayed in this modern 13-million dollar penthouse. Michael, opened the front door, and took the elevator down. The doors slide open, he stepped out it in his black rubber slippers, “Morning, uncle!” shouted Rajvish, the door man. Michael waved at him and walked over to him, resting his arm on the marble counter-top, Rajvish handed to Michael, the daily paper of the Times. Michael, and Rajvish started a conversation, and on this morning it was about last night’s riot in Bangkok over the news.

Marie came down from stairs, “Can’t this old man, ever use a coaster?” She walked into the kitchen, her eyes widened, her dad left the sugar bottle out from the rack. She grumbled to herself, she looked at her watch, 6.57. She was all ready dressed to meet her new batch of students at her med school. She made herself a cup of Nesvita, she walked over to the dining table, she switched on her MacBook, and put on her reading glasses. Tip, tap, tip, tap, her fingers went over the keyboard.

It is now 7, Robert came down, all dressed in a polo t-shirt, faded blue jeans, and a yellow-brown knapsack. Tucked out, he went straight to the kitchen, grabbed a readymade sandwiched from the fridge. He walked over to the living room, threw his bag on the couch and slumped in the opposite couch.

The front door opened, Michael came in, “Morning son. How are you today?” “I’m ok grandpa, you know right, I’m out today, I’ll go to the park with you next week, ok?”. Michael, sighed and softly said to Robert, that he understood.

He went, to the dining room, “Good morning princess”. “Dad, how many times, do I have to tell you to keep the sugar back in the rack? And what were you thinking last night, throwing away, those papers? I needed them, now I have to re-print them, and arrange them all over again with this file!”shouted Marie. Michael knew, that he annoyed his daughter, who asked her to put her papers on that pile of old newspapers?

The phone rang, the clock on the wall showed 7.35. Michael picked it up.

“Hey, dad! Please tell Marie that I won’t be coming home tomorrow, I’ll only come back on Wednesday, it seems the deal can’t be made because of the holidays. Hey, sorry that means I can’t take you out this Tuesday for the Merdeka show, huh, maybe next year?” said the voice on the other end.

Michael understood. His son-in-law was a good man, almost too good, he thought, always finding ways to fill their needs. Never home, always its work, oh well, the life of a chartered accountant. Michael then grabbed the copy of Discovery and his Times and went to his brown armchair.

Patricia opened the front door of the penthouse, she walked in. She looked at the clock on the wall, it was 1.26 pm. She was tired, she looked drained, she creeped in the house. She walked slowly in, “Patricia, is that you?” A voice of an elderly man said. “Yes grandpa, what do you want?” asked Patricia to Michael, she walked over to him. He looked wearily at her, and forced a smile. “You know what I’m tired, and I need to rest, I know what you said last night and I don’t need a lecture from you!” She stomped off to her room.

An hour later, she came out of the room, realizing what she said to her granddad was wrong, she walked over to him. She touched his hand, it was warm but the warmth was gone. She looked at him, his chest wasn’t moving, he was still. “Grandpa?” She taped his arm, gave it a little more jerk, no response. Tears rolled down her eyes, she jumped up from the footstool she was on, took out her phone, dialed her mom Marie, she almost broke down as she was speaking.

“Mom….mom, I th…thi….think grandpa is gone”

Robert stood there looking at the brown arm chair, it was now empty. Then something caught his eye, there was this hand written letter under the Times. He took it, he read it in his heart;

“I know, I haven’t been the best man I could in your lives. I am sorry for the things I have done, I know I am old-fashioned, but I want what is best for this family. I love you all. You all gave me the love I needed. I am sorry if I couldn’t return it. I thank you all.

To my lovely princess, to her knight and to my grandchildren”

Robert sat down on the floor, he started crying. Marie came to his side along with Patricia, the three of them sat together. Gregory Sherrod, too sat with them. This is a moment where the family was together.

Remember, always live for the moment and love everyone, because we will never know when the ones we love will be taken away from us. Appreciate our time, love each other, respect the ones who hate us, care for the ones who abandon us and always show gratitude to the ones who make our day.

20 August 2010

You celebrated your 60th Birthday with your form 5 classmates.

Here is another class essay.

Christopher was awkwardly quiet this time. Usually he was always making conversations about his law firm or about his misbehaving 4-year old son. Even Lily was silent. These kids creeped me. Usually Lily was always singing aloud or maybe even talking about how new ol fields were being found. I sat in the back seat, thinking to myself, I lead a good life, I am 60 tomorrow and I am smiling to myself, a life well spent.

We approached the Veranda Complex a majestic mansion, built over a hundred years ago by the British imperialists. My children were taking me out for lunch, we were to meet their mother, Amanda there. Strangely the gardens of the mansion were quiet, usually it was filled with people, all dressed formally, talking, gossiping and drinking tea. All the snobs. Ironically I was becoming one.

We got out of the car. My son, handed to me my cane, I took it from his archery-saw hand. I looked into his eyes, I saw the eyes of endurance and determination of a young man. I slowly got out of the car; falling off the stairs would not give good results! My daughter led me to the entrance. We walked into the refurnished mansion, there I was, Amanda. Hair white with strands of grey hair, thick half-inch glasses and still elegant just like the 37 years ago. “Bernard, why so down?”, “Where is everyone?”

“Come”.

She led me through the lobby, then we entered the dining hall. It was quiet. The four of us sat at the long table. I at the head. Then suddenly a string quartet came out on the stage and suddenly started playing. Christopher and Lily stood up. Then out of the blue, a group of similar aged people as me was flooding the entire eating hall. My eyes widened, “By good grace! Sharves, Aziz, Jia Sek , and is that Ruth?”

I was dumbfounded, these people were my classmates. We spent our last year in school together. I looked at Amanda:

“Did you do this?”

“Yes, this is for you honey,” she gave a peck on my cheek.

Vasukumar, came up to me, and shook my hand. He smiled, that crooked teeth of his, just as it was 43 years ago. He took the stage and did a toast;

“Friends, here we are together, all once again united, probably for the last time. I thank everyone of you for pulling this off party off. Bernard, we all are here, to celebrate your 60^th birthday to my dear friend, my brother, Happy Birthday!”

There was a loud applause, I found myself speechless. My eyes teared, there were all my friends, it was 2010 when we were in class, all together. This class was superbly special we had all kinds of people in that class, from all walks of life and all kinds of ethnics.

Flashbacks raced through my mind, I remembered, I used to hate that class. Then over the months, we bonded together, I remembered the times when Khairi brought his acoustic guitar during Mr. Shek Kim’s calculus class and also Mrs. Thomas’s physics class and always received a long lecture thereafter.

Suddenly,I was at the other end of the room, laughing my heart out, with my old buddies. The string quartet, still playing in the background, I could see Lily and her friends whose parents were my mates. I saw Amanda, in her white gown talking to my high-school crush- Ruth. I excused myself and went to sit at an empty table. The 64-people filled hall was drowned with laughter, jokes, tears, hugs and sweet reminiscence.

I was sipping my unsweetened lemonade, then all of a sudden I felt a sharp stab in my chest. My hand was clenching my chest. The world spun round, my sight now saw legs, then funny rainbow colours. Then blackness.

“Clear the way!” The E.R. doctor pushed his way through the halls of the hospital. Amanda grabbed Bernard’s hand, walking with pace with the wheeled stretcher, they barged the E.R. room, they performed CPR on the lifeless body, connected wires to it, switched on the CRO, after minutes, that felt like forever, Amanda spotted a little beep on the machine. “He’s safe ma’am, he’ll live” said the doctor.

My eyes were heavy, I forced it open, all around me were balloons. The morning sun shone warmly through the window.

“He is awake!”, the voice sounded like Christopher’s

The room was now packed with people. The doctor came in, “Stay clear, he just had a cardiac arrest, Mr. McGrace you are lucky to survive,”. So I had a heart attack, whoa. There’s a real gift!

“I am 60! Nice, here I am 60 years old in bed right after my first cardiac arrest”. I laid there restless, but strangely talking again with my old 5 Science 2 class. The day went on, we enjoyed ourselves, by my side the entire time my family.

So this is my 60^th birthday.

Vanity in Men (and Women)

Men say Women are vain.

Women say Men are vain.

I say both are correct.

Men, look at them always combing their hair, so concerned about their goatee, frequently adjusting their pants.

Women, look at them always puffing her lips, so focused on her dress, the worst about their figure.

The question is why, are men and women so vain? People are, who isn't vain? Everyone wants to look good, it's animal instinct, the men wants to attract the women, the women wants to strut her beauty. It is nature's work.

The next time you comb yourself in public, go the restroom to 'freshen' up, and to arrange that tie or scarf, think of it, that vanity is part in everyone's life.

Reason I am writing this: the guys in my class always adjusting their shirt, from their pants, there is this one guy who sharpens his sideburns to be sharper then a needle head. Then, there is this girl, who spent almost 1\2 hour, in the bathroom; combing hair.

Chemistry lives on!

We had to carry out an experiment today, to study the heat of displacement between Zinc and Copper II sulphate. So I entered my group and did the experiment as ordered by the teacher. The fact is, when you add Zinc powder to the Copper II Sulphate solution, a little heat will be produced, because Zinc is able to displace Copper form Copper II Sulphate solution, so the experiment was carried out, and we attained a change in temperature of 30C to 39C. A change of 9 Degrees Celcius. By the way, the molarity of the CuSO4 solution was 0.2mol and a volume of 25cm^2.

But what would happen if you were to increase the molarity to say, about 2.0mol and this time instead of using Zinc we use a more reactive metal, say Magnesium?

The results were astonishing!

First the whole reaction turned into a dark grey liquid, the bubbles started to boil up, then thick white smoke was coming out of the cup, and then as the smoke died down, you can see the solution slowly being boiled down to the base eating away the sides of the cup. It was too hot to even put our hands near the cup, what more to take its temperature.

We thought it was going to explode! Well, it did, what if we were to put Potassium? With a CuSO4 molarity of 2.5mol?

The more reason to love Chemistry!

Women make better leaders

Section B

My mother always said : "Without women, there will be no

men." I use to think deep about that, and then, one day, it

finally dawned on me. Women were the soul and

breadwinners of the family. The birth and fall of human

civilisation, and the cause of many great leaders to rule or to

crumble.

If you were to ask me whether women would make better

leaders, with a sigh I would have to say 'Yes'. Yes, women do

make better leaders. They do make better rulers, and they

definitely do better at managing things.

Call me a traitor because I am a man, but I have to admit that

women can lead better than men. History has proven that.

Women can shake the world. I will give you a few examples to

support my stand.

In Greek mythology, Zeus, the king of the gods, had one major

weakness. That was a lust for women. He exploited women,

had too many sexual encounters with them, and this led to his

ultimate downfall.

He was "greedy" for women, and was willing to change

himself into various animal forms, in order to attain the woman

of his intentions. Zeus even once changed himself into a fish

in order to obtain a nymph.

Zeus was so obsessed by women that he even fell for artificial

women - created by Hera, his long suffering wife. He was so

overcome with his lust for other women that he did not care

about the state of affairs of Olympus. This goes to show that

women can even bring down a god.

Next we take a look at the Emperor of Rome, Julius Caesar, the

dictator. He was a brilliant general and tactician. He too was

undone with his passion for the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra.

The Romans never accepted that Caesar stopped short at

conquering Egypt, but instead let Queen Cleopatra reign and

gave her the protection of Rome.

Caesar was murdered because of this "betrayal" of Rome, and

upon his assassination, the Roman Empire marched into

Egypt.

Another lustful man was King Henry VIII. He was not only

lustful but vicious as well, though he was know as the

Defender of the Church.

He had his wife Catherine of Arragon stripped of her titles and

confined to her rooms because he was so enamoured with

Anne Boleyn, and the church did not allow divorce.

King Henry VIII eventually broke away from the church, and his

lust for women was so out of controlled that he had his

knights and advisers murdered just so that he could have their

wives and sisters.

These are examples of women bringing about the downfall of

men.


Now I will name a few women who were better leaders than

men.

The first being Elizabeth I, the daughter of Henry VIII. Though

her father so wanted a son to carry on the dynasty, Elizabeth I

proved to be the greatest monarch England has ever had. It

was under her reign that England became the most powerful

country in the world.

The second was Indira Gandhi. The first and only female

Prime Minister of India, that brought it out of the dark ages.

She brought India from being a major importer of food, to be

become a major exporter of food. She also started the nuclear

program.

Thirdly, there was Margaret Thatcher - the Iron Lady of Great

Britain. She is the only woman to have been the Prime Minister

of the United Kingdom, and the leader of the Conservative

Party. These coups have never been repeated.

All these women had optimism and courage to change the

world for the better.

One might say, women are too emotional and soft hearted. Not

strong physically enough to carry heavy loads. But who do

we turn to when we need advice and comfort? Who do we

trust more? Who always has the willpower to be successful?

Who is the ever present cheerleader encouraging you on?

The answer: Your mother.

Yes, the woman who has been with you since the moment you

were born. The one who held your hand when you wanted to

walk. The one who was the first to help you up when you fell.

That woman is your mother.

Mothers lead gently, quietly. Always making us feel like it was

our idea, and never once taking credit for all the good that we

eventually accomplish.

Patience, wisdom, compassion, courage, humility, strength -

those are the traits of a leader, and most women have these

inborn.

Ask most influential people why they are a success, and they

will definitely tell you how their mothers guided them, and were

firm with their goals.

They will tell you how, even though in poverty, their mothers

would somehow work and find the money and pay for their

education. Some of these mothers have even got awards for

bringing up the children single-handedly and making

successes of their lives.

A woman is able to comfort you and give you strength. She

has the ability to calm you down, and give you encouragement

to try again when you are at your worse. She will make you

believe in yourself even when no one else believes in you. A

woman can touch a man's life.

There will always be the proverbial debate on a woman's

emotions being an obstruction to being a good leader. But

emotions sometimes make us more human, and we are able to

see things more subjectively rather then objectively.

Women are more optimistic than men and they are able to

withstand greater amounts of pressure and pain. As the

renown self-help guru, Dr Phil once put it, "men see with their

eyes, women see with their heart."

Yes history has it that men are more capable of ruling the

country, and have contributed more to mankind. However,

read the fine print, behind those men, have been women.

If women were to dictate with tyranny, there will do it much

worse than a man, and if a woman were to counsel a weeping

child, she would pour her heart and soul into it.

So, like I said, call me a traitor to my fellow brothers, but I still

stand firm that women do make better leaders, for too many

times have girls moved me more than any of my "brothers"

can.

A very big thank you to my mom, who helped to perfect the essay. This essay was my answer for my mid-term examination English paper.

Task night.

I sat there on the bench, alone watching lovers clenching their hands tightly as they strolled past me. I noticed that too many of them are having a good time, but how many actually will last. I spoke to myself and said that with the rate of people divorcing these days, I really think that these guys wouldn't last long at all. But who am I to judge?

I took a look at my watch- 9.34. I'm late. The second hand just keeps ticking. I now stared right infront of me, wandering to myself, whether is this the right thing to do. I waited long enough for them to bring it now that they have brought it, I'm lost, in a dilemma.

I got up. Stretched my right arm, tighten my jacket and strode off. As I slowly strolled along the cemented path in the park. I caught a glimpse of a black tall figure approaching. My mind focused. He came towards me, put out his left hand and said "Sir, it is all done." I smiled, and shook his hand, I used my left arm to grab an envelope in my jacket pocket, I gave it to him. He walked off, saying nothing more.

9.47, damn. Is it too late? Nevermind, I hurried my steps to the end of the path, looked to my right and left, then crossed the road. I entered the pathway, this time lighted with fluorescent lights and neon bulbs. I walked closely to the inner path and finally came to my destination and entered via the entrance of Roland's.

Roland's is a family eatery. You can here country music playing in the background, and the sound of chips being deep fried. I walked in, scanning my surrounding , and then took a seat for a table of 4.

"Whaddya' want honey?" The waitress asked me. I said just to hand me a cup of iced water. Then suddenly a man, dressed in a sport coat, with a thin mustache sat opposite me. "I waited for an hour. Where were you?" he said with his low aged voice. He handed me a file, read "Confidential".

I slowly carefully opened it. In there I saw what I needed, no wanted to see. My drink came. I asked him "Is this all?". He gave a nod. I scanned the numbers on the paper, looking at it, studying it. Then I gave my right hand, he shook it and got off.

That's it, as dreadful as I may feel, I finally have all the codes that I wanted. Every password to the every account in that university. All is now mine. Finally I can regain access to the university, after years of torment, this is now the time for payback.

I dropped 50 cents on the table and got up, I straighten my cap and headed to the exit. "Alan McCoy!?," I turned around, damn. This is not going to be good.

A Monstrosity of Paperbacks and Hardcovers.

Waking in the morning at 6 can be tiring if one is on a holiday break. After eating Tosai and Puri at an Indian stall along Queen's street is rather replenishing. Walking endlessly; up and down the streets of Chowrastar and it finally gave its very best to me. Walking in the stench filled complex of dead meat, listening to the shouts of busy butchers accompanied by the sound of their sharp blade going down on the raw stricken meat; I found a flight of stairs. I climbed it up, crossing a beggar sleeping, I walked up and found all the shops close, except for this little chinese man selling clothes. A sign caught my eye instantly: "Old and Secondhand Books". My heart raced immediately. I turned to look and to my surprise there was only one shop open. I walked towards it, the Mamak owner gave a wry smile. I found myself a little tipsy. The mammoth stacks of books drowned the entire place. I dropped my bag of corn, and popiah skin and immediately started to browse the books.

Sweat poring down my nose. Drops of it, fall to the 40-year old chemistry text book. Later I grabbed a book entitled "General Physics", I gave the mamak. Then I asked for some comics. He brought out a stack of them; my eyes teared for I have never seen such old elegant comics before. Browsing my hand through issues of Flash Gordon and War Machine made my heart melt.

The almost endless rows of book is really touching. The amou

nt of knowledge that little store held was like a used library. The smell, of aging books, and the colour of faded pages is exquisite. I am grateful for such an experience, because I love to look at books. Read them, and sometimes not able to understand them because of the complex language. That what makes the mind grow, grow with imagination and grow with intellectualism.

School's out!

That's it the first semester of school is over.

Only months left for the final battle.

For this semester is up,

many shall depart, and I shan't

see them again.

Holidays app-roach

plans?

Not done

plans?

All planned.

This dilemic feeling

all of

a

sudden.

What is it called?

Desperation,

Exaggeration,

Depression,

Stressed.

Dilemma again.

Overjoyed; ho-lidays

approaching.

Big grin from

cheek-to- cheek.

Bracing for the next ride.

Of politics and High School

Do you know how much politics in Malaysia influence the striving community of high school life?

No. Well, it does. No not only, where the adults (teachers) fight with each other to be the apple of the principal's eye but more major in the lives of the young ones, the students.

Politics in Malaysia is always hot. Every now and then there will be a scandal, then there will be some "jumping" around, then some chair throwing or even rioting. Politics is never clean, everyone has some skeletons in his\her closet. Envy, jealousy, hatred, rebels, loyalty, respect and honesty all run through the blood of every politicians.

So what does this have to do with school students?

Ok, let me tell you this, it has quite a number of things to do with it. The influence may be not that great, but everything has its starts. Of course, there is no banners, and great propagandic speeches, no promises of lowering taxes but there is the campaigns, the propaganda, the vicious ambition and the building of trusts.

School as we know it is a foundation to build the inner personality and constructing of self-balance; but when school children are exposed to the many situation where children have to take up responsibility and gain the power, there is where it starts. I am not saying being the president of a club or even the platoon commander is bad, but rather when people start getting envious and jealous, there politics is involved.

The most where politics dwell in the lives of the high-schoolers, is during one's journey to rise to the top. Let's set a placing. The prefect board of a school. I chose this example, because I think that this is a great setting, too many times I heard stories of major politics in school is when the prefects of school are involved.

What are school prefects?

School prefects are students who, where a different uniform from the rest. There are the teacher's ever-loyal students, obeying every given instruction without opposition, and willing to do anything that the teachers tell. They are without pay, but have full respect form the teachers, some of them are respected from the other students and there are some that are informants for the students. Usually prefects are the symbol of the school's strength, people overlook them and sometimes ignore or even despise the blue shirt students (only in Malaysian public schools).

The problem persists when in the prefect board. The happenings behind shut doors. Politics boil up in the hearts of everyone. The strive for power, and the changing of loyalty and the foundation of trusts. You see, everyone wants to be in power whether they can do it or not. Everyone wants to be in control, be the alpha. But not many have the ability to do so. The case remains whether the head boy can remain in power or not. He will remain in power until the teachers hold him to it, but whether the others like him is another matter.

Next is being in power, any kinda of power, either in charge of the canteen or disciplinary. One wants to be in power. When this happens, everyone races to be in the top. Campaigns will start, the propaganda of telling the teacher of that other guy, is no good, he is not able to do so, and so forth. The teacher will investigate and look into it, and then ask other's opinion, the teacher will gain other teacher's opinion, and then after weeks of researching, the result will be made. There will be one loser and one winner. The act of campaigns is over. One shall hold on to power and the other still the 'underneath' or the one gets to hold power and the other loses out. Either way, that is politics.

There is the resigning of power. The anger towards the superiors and the superiors against the inferiors. It is not easy holding to power, and at the same time gaining the hearts of many. Just like a politician in Parliament. There will be the people who supports him and there will be the people who wants to throw him off. Similarly, in school. Let's take again the Head Boy matter. He must be strict with the students and at the same time be their friends. That is the balance he must create. But what if he can't do that? What if, his power is too great, till he abuses it or misuses it? He can either be too strict or too friendly. If he is to strict the friends won't like him, there will mock him, disgrace his name, if he is too friendly, he will be envied by the other prefects because how can a man like him hold on to power, he himself has no discipline.

It will just be going on and on. So, finally there will be all kinds of feelings in all kinds of people. The strive for power and the hunt for leadership. All in all. There are a lot of similarities, with politics and high-school, or for my example, a school's prefect board. I am not pointing fingers but just highlighting on the people who play with the Constitution have a very great influence on those bound to academic books. Probably not many have taught of it, but hey it's real and happening now.