Of Peace and Tolerance (26/04/09)

A year on, and new conflicts are still emerging regularly. The most recent being the flotilla attack. Shall write about that soon.


 Today (about a month ago) during my Islamic studies class, we were discussing about jihad. We discussed the relevance of suicide bombing, and "honour killing" by the extremists that has killed many innocent people. Not only that, they also give Islam a bad name and image. Naturally, the discussion then gradually progress to the current situation in Palestine. Where people there are fighting for their survival.

The problem with Palestine is, they want to fight for their rights but they themselves can't solve their differences between each other. People from around the world are willing to help them. Especially their fellow Muslim countries. A lot of aids are sent to them subsequent to the war. The core problem, from my point of view, is Hamas and Fatah's incredible amount of self-pride. These two parties can't even get along with each other and none of them are willing to tolerate; let alone work together. The word Islam itself literally means PEACE. Now, my question is this, why can't Hamas and Fatah, two parties of the same religion and ethnicity, tolerate each other? It is not impossible as it has been done before, even more impressively, by a small country of people with different races who originated from different countries, with different cultures and religions. A country called Malaysia, which I am proud to say, my home. If such diverse group of people can work together here in Malaysia (even though I do admit that we do have our occasional hiccups), why can't they do the same thing there? We had even more differences than Hamas and Fatah has with each other. We had learn to tolerate with each other, and we had managed to achieve independence without going to war. Instead, choosing to hold a peaceful talk with our coloniser.



Why is it so difficult for Hamas and Fatah to TOLERATE? A simple act of humbleness and tolerance should make matters much easier. It's frustrating to think that they can't even help themselves. If they don't, then it would make it much harder for others to help them. Until they resolve their differences, it is very difficult to settle on a two-state solution, let alone claim back their land from Israel.

Opah =)

On the 20th March 2010, I had the biggest scare of my life. My Opah (grandmother) had a heart attack. I was dumbstruck & worried sick, and spent everyday in the hospital with my sister & cousin while she was warded. Today, marks a meaningful & significant day; as after almost 3 months since the incident, she celebrates her 75th birthday. =)))

Taken while still at the hospital - Opah's three nurses aka Missy haha

I Dreamed A Dream (15/4/09)

One of the best auditions ever! Its amazing how far she has come since that day. and I got my wish.I was part of the Glee flashmob in the Gardens in April 2010. KL is officially COOL. =)

Just watched the most mind-blowing video! Was watching another video when I saw the Susan Boyle video. I was curious why the video is a hit so I clicked on it. The video definitely sends out the message to NOT judge a book by its cover! She came on stage, Simon was rolling his eyes and everyone was being cynical towards her, but all of them were blown away when she started singing! WOW! The reaction and complete turn-around of perception on her was incredible! and this, in turn, touched people's heart as they are filled with guilt for laughing at her a moment earlier, for judging her by her appearance, for sneering at her when she dared to dream big to be like Elaine Paige, for writing her off even before she started singing. To me, the time kind of stopped when I heard her sing. Amazing how people can surprise you...It's from the show Britain's Got Talent. So, take a look at it, you wont regret it!! Susan Boyle ladies and gentlemen! GO CHECK IT OUT! the blue coloured words are the link! So don't tell me you can't find it on youtube! I can't post it up here because the "embed" feature has been disabled due to a request (im guessing by the show's management or something).
I think what the video signifies the most is that it's never to late to achieve your dreams. So don't give up and keep on chasing your dream people!! This reminds me a lot of Randy Pausch's wise belief on the importance of having a dream.

Here's another cool video. Now, why can't Malaysia have cool stuff like that?? I want to join!






p/s: new template...don't think I'll change it anytime soon because I like the colour :D and Andrew Llyod Webber is a musical genius! Love his songs!

Today In History (01/03/09)

At an aunt's wedding. Might have edited some mushy parts. But I regard this as one of the best advice given to me so far =) Since then, I've decided what I want to do.

So! I don't normally blog about weddings but, Aunty Yana's wedding was just simple but very sweet and memorable.

Had a short conversation with Uncle Wiz afterwards. He asked me "hows school?" and then he looked a bit confused and realised that I've finished school (the power of looking younger than you really are) haha. So he asked a bit about college and my plans (a lot of people have been asking me the same question today when I was at my school's sports day). But I think he was the first one to point it out straight in my face, "make sure you do something you like". I think that's a pretty darn good advise! haha..SO, shall take more time to think on it. Still have about a year to think.

Music (09/02/09)

Grammy Awards 2009

Music has been part of my life since I was small. Until today, I dare say the thing I enjoy doing the most is performing. I can say right here right now, Im not a very good actress (i can mimick people very well tho haha)..BUT...whenever it comes to anything musical, I find myself easily expressing myself.

Grammy Awards was awesome!! Performances were awesomeee...especially stevie wonder +JB and radiohead!! So glad I watched it. Now I feel very musical and all pumped up and excited by it hahaha...here are the some of the performances for u guys to enjoy the musical experience!! haha

Radiohead

Awesome right?? :D

A Reflection (4/01/09)

A post triggered by the (then)current Israeli 3 week-attack on Gaza. 

I just came back from watching "The Day the Earth Stood Still". I don't usually write about movies at all but, here's my interpretation of the movie.




To me, it reflects the current situation of the world. It shows how the "big guns" of the world refuses to listen to anyone else. Exactly the thing that America and Israel are doing. Israel are acting as if they are ABOVE THE LAW just because they have USA as their ally. They had ignored UN's and the rest of the world's call to ceasefire. Is this their way of plotting their revenge towards Hitler?? A re-enactment of the holocaust?? It wasn't even a Muslim who did that to them. USA too had apparently turned a blind eye towards the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Instead of intervening (which I'm sure they can), they support Israel's ruthless attacks.

Well, in the movie, the aliens came to rescue planet Earth by planning to wipe out the human population, and the human race was helpless against it. It reminds us that THERE IS a greater power in the world. One that no one can fight against. The movie also demonstrates how the human race is selfish. How they damaged the world and only at the brink of a disaster that they realised their mistake and try to change. I think it's a good movie as it reminds us that no matter how big you think you are, there is always something that is bigger than us and beyond our control. I just hope that people (mainly Israelis and whoever's in a war) will quickly realise that war is NOT a way to settle things.

Without Hope, You Are Nothing (16/12/08)

I just want to share this. its a video of the song I mentioned earlier with quotes related to dreams.

http://ferrarazam.blogspot.com/2008/12/without-hope-u-are-nothing.html

Once Upon a Time...

New blog, fresh start.

OK, didn't manage to finish any new articles today but I will be posting my "work" that I feel significant and important enough to be re-told from my old blog =) Starting with my very first post - a rather highly "animated" me talking about F1 & Obama's Presidential Electial Win. (As you can see, my style of writing has evolved ever since this day ;))

5/11/08 : I had had a very contradicting week. My week started off badly..i was totally dejected when Massa lost the driver's championship by a SINGLE BLOODY CORNER!!! urrrghhhh! i still have a grudge against TIMO GLOCK who's german. GERMANY man...my favourite driver, Schumi's home town!!!!!
i still think lewis got it by LUCK. he cracked under pressure, ran wide and was VERY lucky to get back up one more place after timo glock "CONVENIENTLY" slowed down! urgghhh..whatever it is..Massa, i still believe in u. There is always next season and we've seen him grown tremendously throughout this season! I was so frust with lewis' win, i couldnt get myself to look or read anything tht has anything to do with hamilton. Dear Massa, im looking forward to next year's season where u will surely be even more stronger!

I had decided to wear only black or red throughout the week to show me 'mourning' over Massa's lost. Even my friends who dont even know about f1 know about the last race because i told the the story about a gazillion time hahaha

THEN, when i was still frust and sad over the title lost, i found out that Senator BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA has won the U.S Presidential Election!!!! Hearing tht news, i wanted to shout n jump with joy!! BUT, i was at Asia Cafe, not gonna embarass myself there
Aneez called her friend in NY to confirm the news and after the confirmation, i actually hugged her weii because i was so happy hahaha and we talked about Obama for quite a while during lunch. And we were basically telling the whole world about the result. Pretending to ask for the U.S presidential result haha..and the guy behind us was just smiling and in the end he actually said, "so are u happy that Obama won?" we, of course, said YESSSSSSSSs and he just smiled wider and actually clapped his hands while crossing the road. I think he's a lecturer at INTI haha. and during econs, we shouted the result to MR Gobi haha..Aneez actually high 5-ed Mr Gobi for THREE times..which is a bit too much hahahhaa...2 is tolerable aneez, but 3 is just too much hehe.

p/s: i wonder what randy pausch would say today if he's still here

http://ferrarazam.blogspot.com/2008/11/obamas-man.html

A Missed Opportunity

About 6 months ago, I stumbled upon the volunteering page of the 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup. The application was still open. I stared at it, considered it, and moved on... Wrong move.

The opportunity was literally presented in front of me, and I just let it pass without so much as a second thought. I will now regret that decision forever. Especially knowing the fact that I will be free for the next coming months (still am). Somehow, I forgot that this year's world cup with be THAT much special simply because it is held in South Africa. I forgot that it will be held in a nation called home to some really great people like Nelson Mandela & Desmond Tutu. For all I know, I could have been there, actually meeting these great people and experiencing the rich African culture I've always loved. It is a lesson I should have learnt years ago to never let an opportunity slipped through your fingers. This one will be that much bitter to swallow because of the uniqueness of this particular event. But to those who are there, either volunteering,organising or in the audience, I cannot stress any much more for them to treasure every minute of the South Africa 2010 World Cup as I am sure there it would be quite some time until the world will see such a unique event come along again. =)

The great man, Nelson Mandela

Desmond Tutu during his kick-off concert speech, " It's unbelievable. I'm dreaming, man... Wake me up. What a lovely dream... We are the world."

I will definitely root for Bafana Bafana during the inaugural game and throughout the 2010 World Cup. I mean, how can you NOT? Just look at these two great people!