The Golden Compass

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

I urge you folks out there to read the link above. It’s coming out December 6 in our local cinemas.

Enough said.

Of bruises and justice

I grimace everytime I sit on a chair. ugh. The pain. What do you get when you add a pair of too-long jeans, high heels, a steep flight of stairs and some distractions and thoughts lurking in your head? Two BIG bluey grey bruises. One on the bum and the other the back of my right thigh. They’re not small, I can assure you, but big enough to cause me to be reminded of my pain nerve fibers everytime I sit, when I try getting up and when I walk. From the size of them things, looks like they’re here to stay for quite a while. Sigh.

Anyhoo, on to another topic, I have a rather delayed response to the rally which happened in KL on Saturday. I first heard about a protest in KL on Saturday, but little did I realize as I read more and more about it today, how large a turnout it was. I never thought Malaysians could be this passionate for justice.

To read about it more and view some photos of the event, go here.

I’ve never really had much interest in politics nor read much about it, but if you ask me it was for quite a justified cause that day – a clean, uncorrupted election. Actually an election SHOULD be clean and uncorrupted, and that should be asked for every single time. To be honest, judging from the photos I see from that day, it did not look like a dangerous gathering which required teargas and water cannons at all. If you ask me, it looked like pictures that could’ve been taken from one of your friendly marathon runs in PJ. Were there crimes commited? Were people injured? Were there houses and cars destroyed? Not that I know of. It seemed like a peaceful march by the people in a plea to their king to ensure a clean election takes place (which I’d like to emphasize, should not be a request, but a requirement of an election). As I reflect back upon the demonstrations which happened in Indonesia, Baghdad, etc etc, I recall seeing fire, guns, bombs, broken glass, rowdy crowd,etc, but that was not what I saw from the photos (unless of course, the photos only took a part of what was really happening out there).

It was pretty astounding to see so many people actually cared and did something to show they did and the numbers should alert our king, our government and the people that this is of priority and this is what democracy is all about. A fair vote on who gets to lead, then again, I don’t know all the small prints to what democracy really is, but from my knowledge back from primary school days, it was as simple as that. It was a people based decision. Whoever really receives majority of the votes, gets to take charge, like how we’d elect our class monitors in our younger years. I remember those days. We’d kick the candidates out of the class, then we vote and teacher counts the vote and announces the winner. Why do things become more complicated when we grow older, who knows.

I think the king can and should be approached for justice. It is after all, his country…well, technically, he is the head of the country and as a neutral leader, all the more he is at the best position to ensure all justice is carried out in all affairs of his own country. He was crowned to lead and represent his people. So often at times, we’ve treated our king like a show piece, perhaps it is time that he, as King, be given his chance to exercise the power and authority he was bestowed with. No harm in that. Giving the king a proposal does not necessarily mean he has to act and follow it, like how a child comes to his father to request for candy, does not necessarily mean his father will buy him candy, but it is the act that counts. This means enough to the people to walk that many kilometers to the king’s residence to hear their plea and if it means so much to the people, it should mean so much to the king, who is the leader of his people.

On a much lighter note, Christmas is coming in 42 days. Here’s a reminder to get your shopping planned out and set to go.

Another year older, another year closer to You

It’s 2 hours into my birthday. Yes, I’m announcing it…but I believe I’m not the first to have told you about it. Some machine probably generated a reminder telling you in advance "it’s Lydia’s birthday coming up". So me announcing today’s my birthday should not be a surprise to you. lol.

…..

I remember writing a blog entry some years back, just before turning 21 about how I felt finally entering adulthood and all that aspirations and dreams yadayadayada.. Just read through it again. For your amusement, here’s an excerpt from it.

"….Birthdays come, birthdays go, after all, it’s just another date on the calendar. Really, nothing much to it. I guess tomorrow will just be a reminder to me that I am growing up, and it’s finally time to take up more responsibilities, to leave behind my childish immaturity and well, simply act my age. lol. No more excuses that I’m too young – that can’t work anymore. …

….all I ask are your prayers – that from tomorrow, I will be a better person, one that seeks after God’s own heart, a filial daughter, a caring and compassionate medical student, a genuine friend, a great listener, a mentor to the younger ones…

Here’s to me, Happy 21st Birthday. "

Looking back over these 2 years, so much have changed. Do I think I have grown? Probably not. I’ve still got the immaturity in me, still not acting my age. But still, a lot has happened since then. Major things which will probably alter the course of my life, huge events which made me aware of what’s more important in life, in the middle of my last semester (finally!) in medical school.

To be honest, I really don’t know exactly what I intended to say. lol. Just felt like writing up something to commemorate my birth-day (and partially I can’t sleep). Today, 2 years after I wrote those words above, I still aspire for the same things – to be a better person, one that seeks after God’s own heart and living life I have for His glory, a filial and obedient daughter, a caring and compassionate doctor, a genuine friend, an attentive listener, an example and mentor to those younger than I. Today’s already here, and will soon be gone in 21 hours..birthday will soon be over, then what? Then another year, and another year and another year, and with each year, I’m moving closer to the end. I’m growing closer to Home. But while I’m here, while today’s still now, how do I make it count? How can I fully maximise my life for the benefit of others and not just me? Honestly, I do not know practically how yet, but I know I can only live a day at a time. With each day that passes, it’s scratched off my life span, leaves me with fewer days to make an impact, fewer days to touch the lives of others. Time is running out.

Lydia, Happy 23rd Birthday!