Sunday, 30 May 2010

Abuse is not about tolerance


While you SCREAM at your woman, there's a man wishing he could talk softly in her ears. While you HUMILIATE, OFFEND and INSULT her, there's a man flirting with her and reminding her how wonderful she is. While you HURT your woman, there's a man wishing he could make love to her. While you make your woman CRY, there's a man stealing smiles from her.

I was going through FB when I saw this status message updated at one of my friend's page. It sounds so saddening for me to feel for my peers.

Domestic violence is a form of violation of one's rights. It is legally defined as,
Any abusive, violent, coercive, forceful, or threatening act or word inflicted by one member of a family or household on another can constitute domestic violence.

Why are we being victimised ?
Why does gender inequality exist?
Why is our vanity being criticised?
Why must we be bullied for our soft sides?
Are we always taken for granted, for our motherly nature ?


If only...
every man can appreciate how woman exist alongside with man, our role in this world would be more justified. We do not need to struggle so hard just to prove our point.

If only...
every child is given priority over their innocence. They would not have to struggle to survive another day.

If only..
everybody care more for their mental health, social interactions, genetic influences, marital problems, family planning and etc. Children and woman would not have to wonder why must they repeatedly suffer blows to their head, broken ribs, swollen eyes, scalded arms, fractured skulls, cigarette burnt skins and unwanted pregnancy.

We planted our faith in people that we trusted most all our lives, and being disappointed by it, is the last thing we had hoped for. Unfortunately, we have to wake up from the worst of all calamities. We might be scarred for life, but we are tired of being fearful, bullied and underestimated all the time. We have to realize our values and existence in this life. We are not born to take blows or being humiliated of our innocence.

And I know, it takes up a lot of courage and determination to say,

'Enough is enough!'

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

I beheaded a turtle!

It is really cool to share a special day for a special reason.


Brother-in-law had a cake specially designed to mimic a turtle [but turned out to be tortoise instead] to mark my day, inconjunction with World Turtle Day! My cake was sooo cool that it can't stop people from tables nearby to have their eyes fixated at the sight of my cake!
GLORY TO THE TURTLE!!!

23 May has never been so special for me. More reasons to celebrate. More knowledge to share. More messages to deliver.

Now, everyone has got a reason to remember my day ;)

Tuesday, 25 May 2010

A kitkat, is all that he needs

I gave my kitkat to him. He beamed at the sight of the kitkat I held in my hand. He turned to look at his father for approval, Daddy smiled and nodded. Then he gently accepted the small piece of chocolate, and kept it together with his packed inflight lunch box.

The grateful look is all I got. But it is more than what I needed. I did not even expect anything when I decided to gave him the chocolate. I was already overwhelmed by his happy gestures. Nothing can replace these feeling of satisfaction.


He is indeed a kid so special.


His brother is special in his own way as well. Both are so good-mannered, their presence in the public is easily camouflaged. Though they are taller than their parents, but, they belittled themselves and humbly ask for favours like young kids. Their parents are very down-to-earth malay folks. So friendly, I couldn't help exchanging friendly glances with them.


Their sons meant so much to them, that every single decision is made with caution and care. The endless affections shown by both parents, are so genuine and over-pouring, that even I felt it so close to my heart. Thanks to this harmonious family of four, my week had became a greater one.

All it takes was just a kitkat.


Sunday, 23 May 2010

Springing faith

I know the plans I have for you,
declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
~Jeremiah 29:11


Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared.
~Buddha


The will to trust again.

Saturday, 22 May 2010

Life at quarter of a century

Is 24hours a day enough to reflect every second passed?


Time surpasses all our expectations.
Time have us all deciding, regreting and vow never to repeat the same mistake.
Time lead us to fall, learn, fall harder and learn more.
Time make us grow, flourish and retired with grace.
Time heal all wounds, bless all souls, give hope to the faithless.
Time's own limitations have us in awe admiration.

Little do we realized, it's already quarter of a century.
The path, as they said would be long. But I doubt, how far can you see?

Being able to brave every step ahead with simplicity, is the greatest gift to living. There's nothing better than being blessed with all clear senses and being able to guide others. Humans are selfish, unable to reflect on their own self but rather, have high tendency to point their fingers. To me, nothing left to complain, but more to be advanced and to improve more. Also, with so limited time left, little that I can do, wishing there's more time to contribute to others. The best feeling, is when you lift up another's burden.

Treasure life, treasure the moments.
For we will never walk this way again.


I will continue capturing each meaningful moment...



Let's celebrate this route call life.
HAPPY QUARTER-CENTURY!!

Friday, 21 May 2010

Female in the male league

Very few can guess what I do when I go to work.

Specifically, nobody can believe what I did when I work.



My recent work took place at various mangrove locations in Borneo.
  • Planning fieldwork.
  • Exploring virgin mangroves.
  • Assisting sampling.
  • Purchasing equipments.
  • Implementing ideas.
  • Learned about land surveying.
  • Snapping pictures.
  • Middle person.
  • Communicate with officers, staffs and labourers.
  • Representing the university.
  • Entertaining officials.
  • Showing foreigner around.
  • Filtering cigarette smokes.
  • Paying for meals.

I have a team of man collaborating with the fieldwork. Most of the time, their expectation will underestimate me. Or they just have the tendency to neglect my presence. But I do not mind because I do have the mindset that both sexes are equal. Or at least, shown to be so. Those man eventually respected my contribution and how I take my stand.

That makes my work revolving around MAN all the time. Possibly because few woman are as interested as I am in doing what I do.

I found that I can do personal assistant, secretary, clerk, manager, interpreter, translator, surveyor, photographer, research assistant, food decision-maker, labourer, map reader, slide manager, peacemaker, financial planner, accountant, marketing officer, IT, 2nd-hand smoker and babysitter - ALL AT ONCE.

I am basically drained out with what I have.

Twinc




the aftermath twin sharing bed

eye sores for jazz





I miss my Kuching.


Mere coincidence?

Saturday, 15 May 2010

Stretching my wings again

It's time to fly AGAIN...............

The kid in me


I heart being a kid.







I heart my taste.


I heart how I am.





I heart 25.


Friday, 14 May 2010

Finned Whale Shark Left to Die

Man's Greed & Shark's Ill Fate

Man & Shark from alexhofford on Vimeo.

Love Tale Rewinded


Well, just a repitition from my FB note. Would like to share it, prior to my previous post :-


Life is too precious for too many wrongs,
for we only walk this way, once.


whether you are Single - In a relationship - Attached - Separated - Engaged - Married - Divorced - Widowed... this article is a good read.

A good daily reminder for all.



MARRIAGE

from an unknown source
.


When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you.

She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes. Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking.

I want a divorce.. I raised the topic calmly. She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why? I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man!

That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Dew. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly.

Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage. This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into our bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning.. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request. I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions.. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully..

My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mummy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time.. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me.

On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.

Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day. But her much lighter weight made me sad.

On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy.

I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind...I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore. She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead.. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.

At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.

That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead...

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage! If you don't share this, nothing will happen to you. If you do, you just might save a marriage. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.



Thank you unknown author. You helped enlightened another's mind.

Forgiveness is choosing to love.
It is the first skill of self-giving love.

[Mohandas K. Gandhi]


When two is better than one


It's a roaring year for knots getting tied this year. I vividly recall grandma mumbling something about not being auspicious to get married this year. But, it seems just the opposite for our modern society these days. Soooooooooo many of my friends, family, relatives and colleagues signing off their bachelor/bachelorette life in 2010.

I wonder, if they are really sure they have found the right one. Or they just do it out of loyalty? courtesy? Or taking another plunge into the next stage of their lives?

Like I said, each step is a giant leap.. saviour it.

Anyways, I do wish them happiness, compassion and lots of love 'til they breathe their last. Love itself, work wonders to make miracles happen. For those who waded through, would be blessed and praised.

Well Grandma, your prediction is museum now.


Thursday, 13 May 2010

My first four seasons

End of Summer...

Autumn...


Winter...
Spring...

It's Summer, again...

I once stated in my FB :

I'm made for summer... shaped for autumn... built for winter... refining in spring!

And I still think, I shine best at Summer.

How time flies...

Saturday, 8 May 2010

Alzheimer at mid 20s?

I keep forgetting things these few months. Is it me or is it something else?

TzeWei told me to get calamine lotion for the hundreth time and, as usual, I forgot all about it although it is so crucial to me at the moment. Like everything else, I tried so hard to remember, but the recent memory keeps relapsing.

So, is it me or is it something else?

An urchin's revenge


I swear that the urchin chased me.
And I succumbed to it's attack.
It's my fault that he has to sacrifice his spines.
Into my calf.

Dive hazards occur naturally for each dives. Accident happens when we are less alert and concentration reels beyond 100%.

DIVE ALERT!


Urchins. There's a sea of them in HK waters. Well, I bumped into them in all my research sites. Maybe they coincide with my niche of study. Their proliferation are highly prompted by nutrient enriched waters. I would say, transboundary water circulation from neighbouring areas eg Pearl River Delta, China.

These polluted waters travelled all the way from southeast China and spans their strength across Hong Kong towards the Pacific Ocean. Extensive travelling they have got there.

During one of my dives, I accidentally-carelessly-innocently-unwantingly-regretfully dropped a piece of my weight onto an urchin!! And crushed, the urchin became. I felt really bad and embaressed by the careless mistake I did. All I can do was just stare, because I can 'tput the crushed urchin back into one...

A few days ago, I was again diving in a massive urchin bombshell at Lamma. The water was good with visibility 1m or less. We were lucky because there was a little sunshine. =)

Lamma actually gave me a good look about Hong Kong. There's so much to see and to discover in these turbulent waters. I've never thought that I would find biodiverse array of soft corals, frogfishes, porcupines, goats, unicorns, nudibranchs, variety of anemones, xmas trees, etc in such an environment. But like I said, HK has got hidden treasures at hidden places.

I was so occupied admiring a puffer fish shielded under a rock that I did not notice an urchin moved its way towards my back. As I turned around to check out on other divers, and with one finning, my calf ended up with 13 urchin's pricks......... It was a forceful blow as I was kicking my way to turn around. Just imagine urchin penetrating 5mm....

I swear, the urchin was not there when I waded through the rocks....

................................................
And the urchins lived to tell their tales.

Monday, 3 May 2010

My Tata

It's been four years..

And I miss you still.Forgive me for not being able to repay your kindness, your endless love and to provide for you.

Always in my mind, and true to my heart.

Heart at war

Thanks Melly, for you have offered me a wisdom that I'd remember for the rest of my life. I know this post came in wayyyyy too late for your liking. But, I still channel the gratitude to you. ;)
Those who matters, does not hurt you.
Those who hurt you, do not matter.


Papa and Mama, you raised me well.

I will continue my battle and I shall win this war.

Sunday, 2 May 2010

My JUKEBOX

I'm not a good singer. I don't sing well. I practically kill all birds and burst all drums. That's how bad I can roar. [Can you imagine KTV with Teng??] And I don't play instruments. I am a hopeless musician.

But,
I like music. Sometimes, I hum. Sometimes, I sing. [I will have mercy on your ears]. Recently, I'm music overdosed. I've been fed with an endless supply of great songs from Tze Wei. One of the many who loves music like the beat of their heart. He makes me appreciate music much more.

Be it pop, new age, rock, gospel, blues, acoustic, R&B... I have my selective 'likes' in every genre. It's funny how rojak my selections are. Well, as long as the songs soothes my style, I'm all good with it. No comments.

Music does wonders to our daily lives. Some lyricist are really good - alongside with composers who produce great tunes. I prefer songs with meaningful lyrics [which we find more often in oldies]. I find these songs are good motivators in our daily lives. So much so, they reflect the reality in life.

Now, I have a whole new juke to roll on everyday. Amusing enough, I can never grow tired playing it repeatedly, maybe not yet. *mean mean mean*

Tze Wei, thanks for the songs. I learned to appreciate songs from different genre. And finally, I know 'my' kind of songs.


Saturday, 1 May 2010

Forgive without forgetting

In the first place, Who can start forgiving ?

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
[Mohandas Gandhi]

Why do we need to forget ?
Forgive all who have offended you, not for them, but for yourself.
[Harriet Nelson]

Then, Why can't we forget ?

I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note - torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one.
[Henry Ward Beecher]


By forgiving, we move on. One step at a time. Each step better than before.
This is what we call, living...