Wednesday 27 June 2012

Do We Really Care?

"Treat the earth well. We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children." This is a famous ancient Kenya proverb that is used in different part of the world to create awareness that each and every single individual living on earth is responsible to take care of the earth, cultivate it and ensure the entire environment is taken care of.

First woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova spent a total of 2.95 days in space and orbited the Earth 48 times in June 1963, giving Tereshkova more time in space than all of the American Mercury astronauts combined. She quoted the followings.

"Once you've been in space, you appreciate how small and fragile the Earth is."

"Again the pressure pushes me in the chair, shuts my eyes. I notice the dark red tongues of the flame outside the windows. I'm trying to memorize, fix all the feelings, the peculiarities of this descending, to tell those, who will be conquering space after me."

"Anyone who has spent any time in space will love it for the rest of their lives. I achieved my childhood dream of the sky."

Fast forward to 2012, despite the human race has achieved tremendous development in science, medicine, technology and economy, we are struggling to build a sustainable environment and to tackle the progressively trying and complicated environmental issues.  There are so many natural disasters being reported in various parts of the world in the recent years, such as volcanic eruptions, earth quakes and tsunamis that have taken millions of lives and left many homeless. These caused tremendous climate change, combined with human-induced alterations of the natural world, these effects are currently causing global warming.

Lately, the sky is enveloped by thick layer of haze throughout Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore as a result of forest burning in the neighbouring country, the air quality of some areas in Selangor are even declared to be at dangerous level and many are advised to stay indoor to avoid health hazards. To make the situation worse, some ignorant and irresponsible people are still doing open burning to clear the rubbish at their own convenient.

The temperature has also increased and the heat is unbearable, this leads to more usage of air-conditioners at lower temperature. As a result more chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are released into the air and further deplete the ozone layer that serves to prevent the ultraviolet light (UV light) from entering the earth's atmosphere. This might lead to a series of undesired consequences such as increases in skin cancer, cataracts, damage to plants, and reduction of plankton populations in the ocean. Do we really want to live in this vicious cycle? No! Thanks to the advancement of technology, now we could opt to buy eco-friendly or green air-conditioners (where manufacturers phase out ozone-depleting refrigerants in their air-conditioners to meet new government regulations) from the stores.

The list of environmental issues could go on and on, have we ever thought how could we best contribute as individuals to preserve our environment? To name a few, let's begin with recycling our waste. First, we could segregate our domestic waste into a two groups, recyclable and non-recyclable. We could then put the recyclable waste such as papers, plastics, aluminiums and glasses into the dedicated bin respectively.

Second, we could reduce the domestic waste by producing garbage enzymes that could be used as cleaning agents later. Instead of throwing away the orange rinds, pineapple skins, lemon rinds or vegetable leafs and stems (basically anything organic), let's learn the process in fermenting these waste. Three months later, we could use the enzymes in cleaning the floor, cutlery, kitchenware, or even removing the stains in the toilet bowl and washing basin. You will be amazed about the outcome! We could also reduce the use of air-conditioners, if we couldn't at least we could increase the temperature to 24 degree Celsius and above instead of lowering the temperature to 16 degree Celsius. We could also set timer to a few hours instead of switching on the air-conditioners through the night till morning.

Third, we could reuse the items found at home for different purposes. Before throwing away those items, let's think how they could be reused. To name a few, we could reuse carrier bags as bin bags around the house and nice paper bags could be reused as wrapping paper while twist ties can be used to secure loose items together, such as computer wires. We could use envelopes by sticking labels over the address or scrap paper to make notes on. By cleaning glass jars and small pots, we could use them as small containers to store odds and ends. Pringles containers are just nice to hold spaghetti as the height could fit spaghetti completely.

Interestingly some items could be reused to create decorative lamp. We could use one-liter plastic bottle and plastic spoons to create a hanging lamp. The plastic bottle could be cut at the bottom so that a bulb could be inserted from the bottom. The plastic spoons could be cut so that only the spoons could be reused while the sticks could be sent to the recycle bin. Use superglue to paste the spoons around the plastic bottle row by row until the end of the opening. There it is the decorative lamp hanging from the ceiling. Creative?

Besides doing all these ourselves, we could encourage others to do the same and to create awareness in our circle to respect and to treat the environment right. Let the change starts from within so that it will create an impact outside to affect our environment in a positive manner. Let's show that we really care!

Thursday 21 June 2012

Isn't She Phenomenal?

Selina was born deaf and mute. She was having chicken pox when she was four-month old in her mother's womb. At the age of four, she was still unable to speak and her family doctor confirmed that she was deaf and mute after a visit to his clinic.

Selina's mother was a hair dresser, she quit her job to take care of her and learned sign language to communicate with her. She accompanied her from her primary school to secondary school to assist her in her education. Selina was not only deaf and mute, she was also a slow learner and she needed to put extra-ordinary effort than her peers in her study. She was not doing well when she was in her primary and secondary school. However that did not stop her from pursuing her dream in graphic design.

She never stopped believing in her greater self as her mom never stopped giving up on her and believing in her. Despite feeling unfortunate from time to time, Selina kept encouraging herself that she must not be defeated by her own weakness. The support given by her parents had also kept her moving on, her dad would fetch her every Friday without fail regardless of rain or shine from her University to her hometown in his motorbike which was approximately a two-hour ride through and fro.

She studied in Lim Kok Wing University, a university with excellent quality in providing high standard education and only accept students who passed the exam with flying colours. Studying in the university was also very costly for her. Based on her result, Selina was quite unlikely to be accepted by the university. However for some reason, she was offered a full scholarship to study a Diploma in Graphic Design and later another scholarship to further her Degree in Graphic Design. She worked extremely hard in producing her art works with excellent quality and many times she was scolded in a harsh manner by her strict foreign lecturer. There were times her art works were thrown outside the classroom by her lecturer. However she never gave up, she picked up her art works and determined to work even harder in producing art works that met the expectation of her lecturer. She never succumbed to her destiny and she was grateful for having such a strict lecturer as she knew it was for her own good.

All her hard work was finally paid off, she was the winner for two highest awards - Excellent Graphic Design Award and the Best Lim Kok Wing Student Award. She graduated in both Diploma and later Degree with flying colours. Her disabilities in speech and hearing did not stop her from achieving her dream but served as driving force to propel herself in a field that she was passionate about.

However, life was not a bed of roses for her. Later she received a bad news that her dad was killed in a road accident. Her world was shattered and she could not accept that her dad was dead. It was a painful experience losing one's loved one, only those with the same experience could understand the agony she had to go through. She did not let this incident defeated her, instead she was resilient and determined to accomplish whatever her dad did not accomplish when he was still alive. She knew her dad would be glad and at ease if she could move on with life and gave her mom her best support.

She is now working in a company that she was having internship before she graduated. Despite there are a lot of obstacles in producing art works which are relevant and meet her boss's expectation, she never fails to challenge herself. She always greets her peers and boss with a bright smile and she is constantly in high spirit. As a result her peers and boss like her very much and always give her the best support whenever she needs it.

She is a phenomenal young lady, isn't she? I am really moved by her story. Are you?

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Five-year-old's Quotes

On global warming: "Teacher said our earth is having fever, we cannot switch on fan and air-conditioner." (but she is still switching on air-conditioner and fan all the times! When I remind her, she will give me her innocent look or she will argue that it's extremely hot)

On making batik: "Aunt Mary helped me to put the melted candle on my drawing so that when I put colours on it the colours could not run out." (I could hear her innocence over the phone)

On differentiating the address of grannies: "Yeye is daddy's daddy, Nainai is daddy's mummy; Gonggong is mommy's daddy, Popo is mommy's mommy." (I was amazed by her serious expression)

On acknowledging she understood her mom: "If I want to get angry, I cannot play with Didi (her younger brother); If I want to play with Didi, I cannot get angry."

On acknowledging her cooperation to do chore: "Ok ok..." and immediately she carries out the chore. (that acknowledgment is short but very sweet!)

These are the five quotes that top my list, looking forward for more quotes to come from her ; )

Friday 15 June 2012

Arts, an Expression of Life

Years ago I went to an arts exhibition featuring a few young local artists. The arts being showcased were contemporary arts and they were unconventional like what I usually saw in the exhibition hall.

I remember something I saw, an artist adopted "heart series" as his theme and produced a series of arts related to heart. What was more interesting was sugar was the main ingredient besides the colours used in the arts pieces. It was very interesting as the series included "sweet heart", "perfect heart", "dark heart", "broken heart", "bleeding heart" etc. I could really feel my emotion changed according to the painting I saw right in front of me. "Sweet heart" and "perfect heart" brought up the "feeling good" emotion in me while the others brought up the negative feeling from within.

As I proceeded to watch the exhibits on the second floor, slowly my heart became heavy and gloomy after I saw a few pieces of sculptures. I really disliked what I saw in front of me and strange enough I suddenly felt angry and suffocated. I could no longer stay there, my thought at that time was I wanted to get out from there immediately and I left.

Later I reflected on why I reacted in such a strange way as I have been to many arts exhibitions but I never felt that way before. I realized that I was being judgmental and my non-acceptance on something I did not approve. It was the condition that I had preset before I walked into the hall which meant my mind was pre-conditioned to what I thought what arts should be. When I looked back I could only laugh at my narrow-mindedness and my attachment to perfection.

Last year I went to an International Arts Expo, I told myself I was going to learn from the previous experience not be judgmental and be open minded to what I was about to see. I cleared my mind and I wanted to appreciate what I see. After all arts is an expression of life of its creator and it is being expressed out as a piece of arts.

I remember I enjoyed watching the art pieces presented in front of me and I could even imagine the story behind some of the paintings and sculptures I saw. When come to the painting or sculpture I disliked, I just acknowledge that I did not like the painting or the sculpture and I just walked away without bringing out the negative emotion anymore.

Everyone has the freedom and right to express oneself, I choose to respect his/her greater self regardless of the kind of arts he/she produces. Arts is a crystallization of his/her life experience and I am not in any position to judge.

Sunday 10 June 2012

Sweet? Not so sweet!

As a girl I used to like fairy tales in particular Cinderella and Snow White and the happily ever after with their princes charming. These female characters were always projected as pure, innocent, weak and they were bullied all the times.

After I watched "Mirror Mirror" and "Snow White and the Huntsman", I sort of change my mind how all the female characters in the fairy tales should be, indeed they should change according to time. It makes more sense this way... *evil grin*

No more weak Cinderella who always got bullied by the step mother and step sisters! No more innocent and pure Snow White who always waited for her prince charming to save her life from dangers plotted by the evil Queen! In fact it is interesting to see the "Mulan" character in them.

I like the Snow White version in "Mirror Mirror" better, she really 'learned' from her fairy tale past where she trusted others easily and as a result she was harmed mercilessly numerous times. More interestingly in the movie, she receives training from the dwarfs about the art of fighting and master the art in such an unbelievable short time especially where she was raised in the castle without any tough physical training. It's interesting to see her fighting all the awful looking creatures in the jungle and the soldiers sent by the Queen to take her life.

At the end of the movie, I am even more entertained by her smartness cutting a piece of the apple to 'share' with the witch (the Queen's exemplification) who gives her the apple and her sharp and merciless expression looking in the eyes of the witch. This totally defeats the evil Queen who claims this is a story of herself not Snow White. It's so satisfying to watch this movie!

Whereas in the "Snow White and the Huntsman" I like her fighting spirit in the name of justice for her late father and her people who live in fear and darkness since the evil and powerful Queen grabs the throne. You should watch her passionate call to her people to be with her in the war against the Queen after she becomes alive as a result of her true love kiss (by the Huntsman) and the subsequent scene of her leading her troops to the castle and defeating the Queen with her own hand. Another interesting version of Snow White.

Well time changes, Snow White changes and I have also changed! "another evil grin*

Tuesday 5 June 2012

An Expedition to Mount Kinabalu

After months of intensive bone cracking training
Enduring muscles pain and physical exhaustion
'd' day has finally come

Checking in to Pine Resort in Kundasang
Enjoying the cool weather at the foot of Mount Kinabalu
Connecting my life with the serene nature

Pine trees are everywhere, my thought goes to Alpine countries
Complemented by the signature fern trees
Synonymous to the highland area

Waking up in the morning is so refreshing
Standing tall right in front of me is the gigantic Mount Kinabalu
The view painted from the wooden door of my chalet is simply breathtaking

Seizing the moment without any hesitation
As if the amazing view of the mountain would be stolen if I did not act fast
I press the shutter instantly to capture the unforgettable, magnificent view

Our expedition begins with tracking up using the long Mesilau trail
Having the luxury of time, I slowly track up while enjoy the scenery along the trail
Reaching Laban Rata after 8 long hours as stopping and pressing the shutter is simply irresistible

Temperature drops drastically to minus in the middle of the night
Hiking with only a headlight and the guiding rope, I gasp for air from time to time
Resisting the extremely cold air and fighting for the scarce oxygen

From time to time I stop for a short break and lie on my back
Gazing up at the stars in the night sky, expressing my wildest wish to them
My life fuses with the great cosmos and time freezes for a moment

I wish to stay on there forever and I must witness the legendary, beautiful sunrise
Pressing forward one step after another in total exhaustion
I tell myself it is one step closer and I cannot give up at that moment

The magical moment happens when you least expect it
I witness the first ray of sunlight from South Peak right in front of me
The amazing reflection of the peak is vividly and beautifully reflected onto the clouds

The sunlight shines on South Peak breaking the cold darkness of the night
The red and orange colours reflect on the peak cause it to shine in gold
The clouds are also painted with light orange and yellow above the toned blue layers

20 minutes later I reach the highest peak of Mount Kinabalu - Low's Peak (4095m)
Standing on top of the 'world' I am totally exhausted and fulfilled
"Mount Kinabalu, I am here" I shout my lung out!

I see clouds surrounding me, like infinite numbers of white cottons
Arranged in different tiers expanding outward
I feel as if I were in the heaven

What a memorable highland experience!

Monday 4 June 2012

Refugee Camp

Walking up the tired looking staircase
My heart is very heavy and gloomy
Thinking about the internal strife of that country
I empathize the innocent precious children
With uncertain future laying ahead of them

The youngest age 5 or 6 and the eldest age 12 or 13
The 5 to 8-year old children in my group look petite than the usual size
Due to the lack of nutrients and poor health
I could smell the bacteria and virus flying in the air
In the stuffy room with poor air ventilation

They learn to play games, to spell, to draw and to colour
Some of them will fight for the stationery or games
Then forget about the fight minutes later and become friends again
Just like the childhood that I had been through
They are innocent and pure just like white papers

There are some caretakers of the same nationality
Working behind the scene to care about the children
Trying hard to cook nutritious meal within their limited resource
Taking care and maintaining the place for the children to use
Their selfless efforts are respect worthy

There are also teachers who volunteer to teach for free
Despite their busy schedule running their own families
They are the expatriate wives who follow their husbands to Kuala Lumpur
They try their best applying their expertise
Teaching the children various subjects to prepare them for their future education elsewhere

Their spirits are truly noble and applaudable
They care for the children with love, kindness and patience
As some of these children come from broken families at very young age
And some parents had lost their lives when they tried to escape from their country
What they need most is empathy and to feel secure and being cared for

My prayer go to these children and their family
Hoping that they will be blessed with good health and security
And the situation in their country could take a positive change
May these precious children have the strength and undefeated spirit
To live on courageously and to soar high for a better future

Take care, children!
Bravo, children!