Taking it Whole

I am not a choosy person. I am not particular about food or company. I am not choosy either about clothes, shoes, hair etc. as long as they are not mismatched. And when it comes to belief in God, I am absolutely convinced that you MAY NOT EVER choose and pick what you want to believe. You don't get to choose, you need to take everything whole. I do sometimes have different views than of the Catholic church's on certain matters. But I feel that I need to reconcile my own views to the catholic church stand. One matter that is utterly important is abortion. Before I was converted, I believed that the decision to abort an unborn child should be solely the woman's. It is her body, her life and therefore her decision and hers alone to make.

Generally, I do understand totally the need to protect life, both born and unborn. Therefore, the stance taken by Pro-Life is prohibition of:

• Abortion
• Euthanasia and assisted suicide
• The death penalty
• War, with very few exceptions

At the same time, I also understand the position of Pro-Choice which affirms that all of the following must remain legal:

• Celibacy and abstinence
• Contraception use
• Emergency contraception use
• Abortion, for the first two trimesters of pregnancy
• Childbirth.

 (source: http://civilliberty.about.com/od/abortion/tp/Pro-Life-vs-Pro-Choice.htm)

I stand by Pro-Life, not only because I need to take Catholicism 'whole' and I am complied to take the same stand as the Catholic Church, but it really makes a lot of sense to me. What ever gave us the right to take away life from someone, born or unborn? Particularly on the issue of abortion,yes, a unborn child in a woman's womb is imposing on the woman's body but it is also a life that God has allowed to be formed. By aborting, you are killing the unborn child without even giving it a chance to live life. Is that fair to this child? These are solely my own opinion and interpretation only as a lay catholic.
 
Pregnancy is a consequence of sex, so be responsible for your actions. Even in the unfortunate incidents of pregnancies because of rapes, although I totally abhor the rape act and symphatise with the rape victims but the unborn children are also victims, killing them is unjustified. For unwed mothers or mothers who are incapable of taking up the responsibilities of raising children for any reasons, there is avenue of adoptions.
 
I cannot deny that religion has played the main role in my stand on the matter but all the readings I have done have convinced me even more that the position of the Church on this is correct. You may be interested to hear what a Catholic father has to say about this:
 

My Emotional Rant on Our Country, Our Home

Life is pretty unpredictable, that is probably an understatement. It is supposed to be that way, right? If everything is routine, it would be pretty boring. So this week, the nation was hit by a sex video scandal shocker that turned out to be a fruad. I say it's fruad because no way it can be true, you think DSAI is a fool? But honestly, I am immuned by now, anything and everything can happen in Malaysian politics.
I am not a specialist, so I am going to put down in my layman reasonings. As I already said, DSAI is no fool, he won't be screwing hookers during this time when he is already in trial and the Sarawak State election is around the corner. Not to mention, the general election pretty soon too. DSAI may not be a saint but I am sure he is not a compulsive bi-sexual maniac.

I first learnt about who DSAI was when I was in primary school. He was the Education Ministry then. He was the reason my classmates laughed at me. I spelt his name Anuar instead of Anwar in a test paper. Even to this day, I don't find anything funny in that, I didn't care who was who in the government then, so not knowing the correct spelling of his name is not a big deal! Plus I was only in primary school :(. I was pretty upset about it. Evidently, I still am upset since I still can recall the matter! (Geez, do I need some therapy to let it go?)

Later, in UM, during our induction for 1st year, he came to give a speech. I recalled then he was a fantastic orator. I didn't really get what was the gist of the speech but I was impressed and enjoyed his speech. Also later, when I was more mature, I didn't really like him because I heard that he was a haughty minister. But when he was brought down ruthlessly like a common criminal, I begin to change my preception of him. Mainly because the things that he was accused of didn't make sense to me at all. Even if he was really a homosexual, he didn't deserve to be dragged down with no nicety, afterall, he was the DPM. That's when I think things went downhill for Malaysia. Since then bad things and badder things start to happen to our beloved country.

DSAI could have put his tail between his legs, take the wealth offered to him and leave the country. But he stayed, he was imprisoned, then released from prison and still he stayed. That's when I became convinced, he is here because he really cares and wants to make this country better. He may not be spotless clean and sinless but he is way way way better then most of people who are in power just to suck the fat out of the country for themselves. Ask yourselves, does he really need to take all this shit thrown at him, continously? But why is he taking it? I believe he has made it his life's purpose to save Malaysia from the clutches of evil. Needless to say, he is very important as the chance of change in Malaysia. This is proven by the dirty and desperate tactics against him.

I am not trying convert anyone's political views. Basically, just ask yourselves these questions. Can we trust the justice system to be just? Can we trust the police to be professional? Do you honestly believe the MACC as they spew crap? Do parents have confidence in our children education in the country? Are we teaching kids to be future racist? Do you honestly think Malaysia is doing great or getting worse?

Why do I care? I am just pendatang Cina. Just go migrate somewhere. But the truth is, I know no home but Malaysia. I do not have any interest to 'find' my ancestors in China, I don't read or write Mandarin. Instead I speak good Malay. I like and respect good people, regardless of their races. I am proud of Malaysia when we get into the international news for the right reasons. Sorry for getting kind of emotional but I, and the rest like me, love this country as much as any other Malaysians. We are Malaysians, no one is more Malaysian then the other.

I want to steal this starter line from Martin Luther King Jr., "I have a dream...". My dream is a Malaysia with no racism, no discrimination, no corruption, no more crap. When the time comes, please choose the correct people you think can help Malaysia regain her dignity. Real reforms need time, things may get worse before it gets better. But most definitely, we cannot let our country get worse and worse by the years.

Adam on American Idol Season 10

American Idol is back with 2 new judges. I am very fond of Steven Tyler, although I may not agree with him on his comments all the time (I kind of think he is too mellow when giving his comments) but for style and presence, he is the best thing to watch on the show. I was never really a JLo fan but she is really nice too. And Randy, is well, same old same old. He is probably the one judge whose comments  I take seriously. But I think the new line of judges does make the show better, with a breath of fresh air.

This year the contestants are all great singers. Great singers, not great performers, yet. But everyone of them making to the final 24 was all good, in their own way. So, to me, it's hard to say who is better, it's really based on personal preference. Like the country folks will certainly go for Scotty and the R&B fans will choose Jacob. Every year the talents get better and better. So far, this guy is catching my notice, Paul! He is so quirky and different.

But, no one has yet to beat the best idol product of all, ADAM LAMBERT! Before Adam, I thought that Daughtry was the best product but now he comes in second. Adam was back to perform for AI last week. I missed it when it aired on TV but I checked the video online and all the feelings that made me love him in the first place came back again. Watching and listening to him, made me had goosebumps, again. He is so cool and good-looking. His voice is amazing, amazing when I was in his concert in KL. He is just simply amazing. Great voclas, good looks, good personality, good heart, great performer, all rolled into one - Adam! Here he is, watch him perform on AI Season 10:

Calamities in Japan

On Friday, one of my colleagues told me that he had received news from friends that there had been a tsunami in Japan. I was busy at that time, so I did not put much thought to it. I remembered thinking it was probably just a small tsunami. But as more news got out, the earth quake and tsunami in Japan turned out to be a magnitude of 9! The extent of damages and lives lost has been painful to watch. The pictures of houses and cars swept away by the sea water were very devastating. I read that entire towns and villages have been wiped out. Thousands of people are dead and maybe ten thousand more are missing. This calamity is of a gigantic proportion. Being in Malaysia which is free from earth quakes, I really cannot imagine the ordeal the Japanese people are facing right now.

Even when rescue works are still underway to save those who are trapped and find those who are missing at the coastal areas affected by the tsunami, the nuclear power plant problems came about to add more salt to the wound. The reactors were exploding due to the damaged cooling system caused by the earthquake and undying efforts are being made to stop other reactors from exploding and leaking radioactive radiation to the surrounding areas. People around the world are starting to panic. People in Malaysia are questioning the plans to build nuclear power plants in the country. I rightfully think that this matter must be thoroughly thought through and studied. Unless totally necessary, it should be avoided. Put loads of money into researching for alternative fuel and power sources. Make people less dependent on electricity. Change lifestyles, make more energy efficient equipment. Anything and everything to avoid dabbing in nuclear technology. Even a 1st world country like Japan can be affected by such unexpected incidents, I am really far from convinced that we are equipped to handle it in this country, not even in 10 to 20 years’ time.

It doesn't rain but it pours for Japan. Such sad turn of events in Japan, a definitive technologically advance country. It goes to show no amount of technology can beat mother earth's ferocity. But the Japanese are strong-willed people and quoting from the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia in the report in The Star, “Japan is really a country of natural calamities. But we have overcome past calamities and we have to overcome this one.” The people in Japan are calm in the face of such grim disasters, much to the admiration of all nations. They are truly a great nation. I pray for the mercy of God on the people affected in Japan. God, please save the souls and give strength to the people to overcome all the hardships that will follow. Amen.

Bye-bye Facebook and Hello Lent

 

Lent season is just a day away as tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. This year, I will try to do more abstinence apart from fasting and abstinence from meat. I was thinking to myself, what is the thing that I am spending a lot of time on daily. And then it became very obvious, Facebook! It is official, I am going to abstain from Facebook for the whole 40 days of Lent, excluding Sundays. So my Facebook buddies, you will see very little of me for the next 46 or so days. It is definitely not going to be easy but I am fairly confident I am able to do it. So Bye-bye Facebook and Hello Lent! 

Lent is a period for quiet reflection and contemplation. And qouting from a nice Catholic blog, "Lenten resolutions are something different though: it’s to humble yourself for God. Lent’s resolutions should be designed to make you holier; they should be about doing something for no purpose other than to improve your relationship with God."

For the time I would be spending facebooking, I will spend reading the Bible, praying alone and praying together as a family and thanking God for all the blessings. I can also throw in things like cleaning the house, guiding my kids in their school work, spending quality time with the hubby and kids, continue on my project runways, etc.. Oh boy, there's lots of things that I should be doing! But most importantly, spend time reflecting on my principles and direction in life and how to grow in my faith. I know these are big words and big stuff but I am always aware that I need to do such reflections from time to time. How successful you are in life is not measured by the amount of money you make or spend, how many degrees you've gotten and how many 'friends' you have. More importantly, how people see you as and how you treat the people around you and strangers in need. Respect each other, respect mother nature and do not judge or discriminate people on any basis. If you have all that, you have grasped the real meaning of life, regardless of religion. I am trying to on somedays, and forgets on other days. So I need Almighty God's guidance, all the time...

God bless you all and I hope you will have a fruitful Lent.

 

iPad 2 and Penang brighten my week

I came across several things that interest me this week. Firstly, iPad2 is coming out! So our plan to get an iPad is going to be KIVed for awhile. Might as well wait for the new one which is faster and lighter at the same price. I am quite happy with my iPhone4, so many apps and almost flawless touchscreen technology. From what I know and seen, iPad is just like a bigger iPhone, so I am pretty confident it will be a fine piece of device too. So a couple more months to wait for the 2nd generation iPad to come to our market. See Steve Job launching it below.


Next, the not-so-great matters. The RCI is ongoing on TBH. I follow it closely through Malaysian Insider tweeter. So far, it has been really discouraging to read. Looks like all the gonvernment experts are aligning their reasonings to basically wash the MACC and police off any responsibility on the matter. Unbelievable. Then thare is the DSAI's trial which is again depressing. Depressing because the reality in this country is that common sense and fairness seems non existence in some people. The more I read and follow on these matters, the more sad I feel.

But life is not all bleak. I read Patrick Teoh's blog and he was singing praises about Penang. How clean and how happy people there seems to be. He even called it a different country! With all the negative things we hear from the mainstream media, it's nice to get an alternative view about how the state is doing. Being in Selangor, I think that the state is doing ok, at least we are enjoying free water for awhile now. There should be more improvements to come and I do hope they get a chance to prove it beyond the next election. And maybe we can all 'migrate' to Penang then, only problem is that it is already pretty congested there.