You can read the online version here
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
An offer hard to resist, June 21
Rotation 82
RMAF Butterworth, Malaysia
Two roads diverged in a wood, and
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
— Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
RMAF Butterworth, Malaysia
Two roads diverged in a wood, and
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
— Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
Taking a lesson from Frost, do I dare to take risks, leaping into the unknown? Or should I just stay in my comfort zone, leading a rather routine (and quite mundane) but secure and comfortable life?
Alexandra Wong’s piece on being hypocritical over one’s principles and beliefs (An offer hard to resist, Weekender June 21) couldn’t come at a better time. I preach to others about the importance of fulfilling one’s life and dreams, while at the same time, I’m in a rut.
I admire Alexandra’s courage in pursuing her passion and being in charge of her life. While Malaysian writers can’t really become millionaires, I suppose for some, like Alexandra, it’s the “fantastic ride” that matters the most. And I really want to belong to that group of people.
Nazreen, Mersing
You can view the online version here
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Standing United, The Star, March 29 2008
I read Alexandra Wong’s article, Standing united (Weekender, March 29), where she narrated her childhood experience living in a multi racial neighbourhood.
You can view the online version here
I grew up in a similar environment although I belong to a different generation. I grew up in a kampung in Klang, sandwiched between Chinese and Indian neighbours. Boys and girls in those days played and studied together regardless of colour or religion. I was able to speak Tamil and Hokkien.
I had a good network of friends and business associates from different races. But it is sad that after 50 years of independence, we are regressing whereas unity in diversity should be our strength.
The country needs more young people like her.
Datuk Kalsom Abd Rahman
I enjoyed reading Alexandra’s article about unity and small town values. Even though I enjoy many of the conveniences of modern living, I miss the friendliness and sincerity of the orang kampung.
Most Asian countries have a long history of racial and religious tolerance with a few unfortunate exceptions. In Malaysia, we are lucky enough to remember a time of true harmony between people of different faiths and ethnicities.
She is Chinese but she has non-Chinese friends, watches Tamil movies and knew about chicken varuval even before she heard of Monk Jumps Over the Wall. I am not Chinese and only know a few words of Mandarin, but I love dim sum, watch TV dramas from Taiwan and Hong Kong and my CD collection is full of names like Wang Xin Ling and FIR.
Even among the older generation, people talk about how much better off race relations were in their time. Why didn’t things remain that way? If you ask me, the hunger for modernity as well as race-based politics have driven us apart.
Going back from the time of the ancient Malay kingdoms right up until the beginning of the 20th century, most of our people lived in villages. After we started modernising and more people moved to big cities, they lost touch with their roots.
As more of us got used to the way things had become, we just accepted it. I’m not optimistic but I do think there’s hope. Anyway, it should be known that there are many like her who can remember a better time and wish our country had taken a different path. Maybe it’s not too late after all.
Jin
You can view the online version here
Monday, February 11, 2008
The Wongs watch Sivaji, The Star, 27 Dec 2007
Original article
I enjoyed reading your Sivaji experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching it- watched it twice actually.
What I enjoy so much about Tamil movie going experience is actually what you have captured.
The merry of being with family, the background cheers, claps, whistles (all in controlled and not rowdy manner).
I was in Adelaide not long ago.
Got a chance to watch Ghajini (If you have not seen it-I will highly recommend it-fantastic Surya & Asin combo-another boxoffice).
Thinking that moving going experience will be subdued here-I was prepared for a quiet & tame affair.
But what I saw was totally opposite.
The theatre was full-with Indians-wonder where they all came from-because you don't see that many Indians in the streets of Adelaide
As the movie started, the youthful group in the front row started to dance; the whole theatre was a riot of cheers & claps & whistles.
The whole experience was great & more vibrant from one I felt in any Malaysian cinema.
At interval-there was 15 min break.
Every one left the hall.
Outside you could buy hot tea, coffee, Indian snacks-vadai etc and even cold beer.
The movie resumed after the break and the excitement never went down.
And I was told the actual experience in Tamil Nadu is far greater with fire crackers outside the cinema, prayers, coconuts being broken, huge gigantic cut outs of super stars.
Dr Sekar Shanmugam
...
Dear Ms. Wong
When I read your article on Saturday morning, I was beaming with smile from ear to ear, from the first word till the last. It is very heart warming to know and realise chinese and malays do watch indian movies. What you did, as to boldly venture into TGV to watch Sivaji, The Boss was an act that showed a truly Malaysian culture. Kudos to you and your family.
With kind regards, Alison Banu
...
I read with amusement your article on the 'Wong watch Sivaji' and it was definitely an amusing read in an otherwise 'quite boring' Saturday Star paper.
Nothing like some good humour to keep me up on my toes on a very demanding day ahead!
Keep it up and it's good to note that there are still people who value family outings!
Morpheus
...
I came across your article in The Star days ago. I realized that I am not the only chinese guy in the cinema for a Hindi movie, namely the Sivaji...
I did my watching in Ipoh Parade out of plain curiosity. The movie claimed to be of the highest budget and gross in indian movie history and I
wish to know how and where they spent the money on. The other reason to encourage such an odd choice is so that I stay awake for the night and I will be drowsy and
easily fall asleep the next day when I got onto a ten over hours flight.
The ticket cashier for that night was an indian girl of mid twenties. I can still remember her expression when I made my choice for the movie. Her first reaction was: Hey are you sure you are watching this?
I replied spontaneously: Is there any reason why I shoulden be watching this? The indians watch HwangFeiHong and Jackie Chan too. I jokingly added: This is Malaysia, the goverment is always promoting muhibah and now I am practicing it. Upon hearing that, the malay colleague next to her giggles and she told me she was proud of me watching movies of her race. Both of them burst into laughter when I walked away and that confirmed me as the very few chinese who have watched Sivaji. After the first few minutes of screening, I was dismayed learning that I need to live through long hours without any subtitles. I was all alone, trying hard to guess myself through the movie. The stages are flashy, beautiful girls compliment the scenes; the music is everything opposite of the chinese's. I came to realize that the majority of the budget was spent on the psychedelic dreams of Sivaji.
It was a pure experience, both of the exotic visual art and the hardship of trying to understand someone's language that is illiterate to you. It also broke my perceptions of the reoccuring props and scenes usually seen in Hindi movies: the snake pit, the hide and seekin the bushes whenever a song is played, heroe being tied with the the dynamites on his body and just in time to do the rescue in the very moment. On other hand, I do notice that some elements were passed down.
At least the smash and knocking sound effects of the fighting scene still remain to this generation.
Kersing, Ipoh
...
Dear Alexandra,
I just read yr column in Star today. U r really Malaysian in depth! If only all Malaysians could do the same and watch movies of diffirent hues and languages. I for one watch many language type movies even though my mother tongue is Tamil. May the gods follow u always in all that u do.
Raajan Ahnantha
I enjoyed reading your Sivaji experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching it- watched it twice actually.
What I enjoy so much about Tamil movie going experience is actually what you have captured.
The merry of being with family, the background cheers, claps, whistles (all in controlled and not rowdy manner).
I was in Adelaide not long ago.
Got a chance to watch Ghajini (If you have not seen it-I will highly recommend it-fantastic Surya & Asin combo-another boxoffice).
Thinking that moving going experience will be subdued here-I was prepared for a quiet & tame affair.
But what I saw was totally opposite.
The theatre was full-with Indians-wonder where they all came from-because you don't see that many Indians in the streets of Adelaide
As the movie started, the youthful group in the front row started to dance; the whole theatre was a riot of cheers & claps & whistles.
The whole experience was great & more vibrant from one I felt in any Malaysian cinema.
At interval-there was 15 min break.
Every one left the hall.
Outside you could buy hot tea, coffee, Indian snacks-vadai etc and even cold beer.
The movie resumed after the break and the excitement never went down.
And I was told the actual experience in Tamil Nadu is far greater with fire crackers outside the cinema, prayers, coconuts being broken, huge gigantic cut outs of super stars.
Dr Sekar Shanmugam
...
Dear Ms. Wong
When I read your article on Saturday morning, I was beaming with smile from ear to ear, from the first word till the last. It is very heart warming to know and realise chinese and malays do watch indian movies. What you did, as to boldly venture into TGV to watch Sivaji, The Boss was an act that showed a truly Malaysian culture. Kudos to you and your family.
With kind regards, Alison Banu
...
I read with amusement your article on the 'Wong watch Sivaji' and it was definitely an amusing read in an otherwise 'quite boring' Saturday Star paper.
Nothing like some good humour to keep me up on my toes on a very demanding day ahead!
Keep it up and it's good to note that there are still people who value family outings!
Morpheus
...
I came across your article in The Star days ago. I realized that I am not the only chinese guy in the cinema for a Hindi movie, namely the Sivaji...
I did my watching in Ipoh Parade out of plain curiosity. The movie claimed to be of the highest budget and gross in indian movie history and I
wish to know how and where they spent the money on. The other reason to encourage such an odd choice is so that I stay awake for the night and I will be drowsy and
easily fall asleep the next day when I got onto a ten over hours flight.
The ticket cashier for that night was an indian girl of mid twenties. I can still remember her expression when I made my choice for the movie. Her first reaction was: Hey are you sure you are watching this?
I replied spontaneously: Is there any reason why I shoulden be watching this? The indians watch HwangFeiHong and Jackie Chan too. I jokingly added: This is Malaysia, the goverment is always promoting muhibah and now I am practicing it. Upon hearing that, the malay colleague next to her giggles and she told me she was proud of me watching movies of her race. Both of them burst into laughter when I walked away and that confirmed me as the very few chinese who have watched Sivaji. After the first few minutes of screening, I was dismayed learning that I need to live through long hours without any subtitles. I was all alone, trying hard to guess myself through the movie. The stages are flashy, beautiful girls compliment the scenes; the music is everything opposite of the chinese's. I came to realize that the majority of the budget was spent on the psychedelic dreams of Sivaji.
It was a pure experience, both of the exotic visual art and the hardship of trying to understand someone's language that is illiterate to you. It also broke my perceptions of the reoccuring props and scenes usually seen in Hindi movies: the snake pit, the hide and seekin the bushes whenever a song is played, heroe being tied with the the dynamites on his body and just in time to do the rescue in the very moment. On other hand, I do notice that some elements were passed down.
At least the smash and knocking sound effects of the fighting scene still remain to this generation.
Kersing, Ipoh
...
Dear Alexandra,
I just read yr column in Star today. U r really Malaysian in depth! If only all Malaysians could do the same and watch movies of diffirent hues and languages. I for one watch many language type movies even though my mother tongue is Tamil. May the gods follow u always in all that u do.
Raajan Ahnantha
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Quaint little hamlet, 29 September 2007
Original article
Never thought Karai would be featured in the papers.
I had the privilege to be acquainted with Karai when I was involved in the design of the new railway bridge across Sg Perak between 1999 and 2001.
There are these little gems of small quaint towns here and there, where every one knows each other and the pace of life not hurried. In my profession as a civil/bridge engineer, I am lucky to have experienced some of them.
I worry that these towns will not retain their character for another generation or two. We have a trend of urbanisation and the replacement population of these small, out of the way towns continue to be attracted to the bigger cities.
I envy that you can easily establish a base in Karai should you wish to. I can't - my family's roots are in Pudu and Sentul.
KY Ho
...
This is Evelyn here at her 50's.
It was amazing to come across such article all about Karai.
I was born there and it was my nest until when I was at the age of 19. Upon completion of my Form 5 studies, I decided to leave Karai, my hometown for some ventures.
There are probably 4 rubber stalls in Karai, two of the stall son was my primary school classmate. One of them has the surname of Goh and the other is Ng.
Feel wonderful to read the article and ancited to drop you a word of appreciation.
You have a good day.
Evelyn
Never thought Karai would be featured in the papers.
I had the privilege to be acquainted with Karai when I was involved in the design of the new railway bridge across Sg Perak between 1999 and 2001.
There are these little gems of small quaint towns here and there, where every one knows each other and the pace of life not hurried. In my profession as a civil/bridge engineer, I am lucky to have experienced some of them.
I worry that these towns will not retain their character for another generation or two. We have a trend of urbanisation and the replacement population of these small, out of the way towns continue to be attracted to the bigger cities.
I envy that you can easily establish a base in Karai should you wish to. I can't - my family's roots are in Pudu and Sentul.
KY Ho
...
This is Evelyn here at her 50's.
It was amazing to come across such article all about Karai.
I was born there and it was my nest until when I was at the age of 19. Upon completion of my Form 5 studies, I decided to leave Karai, my hometown for some ventures.
There are probably 4 rubber stalls in Karai, two of the stall son was my primary school classmate. One of them has the surname of Goh and the other is Ng.
Feel wonderful to read the article and ancited to drop you a word of appreciation.
You have a good day.
Evelyn
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
What boys want, The Star, 23 June 2007
Original article
Laura Ingalls struck me as the quintessential good girl with very high moral standards. Guys who might be available for a relationship would be put off by the thought that they would never be able to meet her expectations. Guys who just want some fun might think it would take too much effort. It's nothing to do with her looks.
I'm no male Carrie Bradshaw, but speaking from my own experience, if you want to change perceptions :
Perhaps your high moral standards come across in your views about many social issues or situations. Suggest lowering your standards in conversations by espousing some contrarian views like it's acceptable sometimes for married men to have mistresses.
But avoid telling dirty jokes. I've never met a woman who told them well. Then she comes across as lacking class or desperate. Perhaps ok only when both of you are extremely drunk. But it's fine to laugh at his dirty jokes. Be all feminine and say things like "terrible lah you"
But what really gets men is if you touch them, especially when you're not familiar enough to justify it. Find some excuse. Eg admire his shirt and feel the material by stroking his arm. Adjust the fit. If he's lean and trim, admire his abs and feel them out. (But not his buns…could be harrassment). When standing together, hang on to his arm to adjust your heels. (Helps if you're tipsy). Of course you must do it when crossing the road. When he tells his naughty jokes slap him on his shoulder or arm, going "terrible lah you". This is not about being dumb. This is about being playful.
Cheers, Big
...
The article 'What boys want' explored a problem and looked at it in a woman's perspective. I think that the male Carrie Bradshaw has a point, but his advice need not neccesarily be limited to women. Mary Jane mode to a woman is the same as the 'boring but secure' guy that has become the stereotype. Both genders have people with that type of character; more cautious and less wild. For some reason, the average human does not find that trait very attractive when looking for a mate.
I think an example will best illustrate my point, and since Mary Jane was brought up, I'll go with Peter Parker. Take a hypothetical situation. Peter Parker is single and available, and all the girls around him are independent career women who are looking for a companion instead of someone who can take care of them. Assuming we keep his spider powers out of this, what are his chances of success? He is a nerdy physics student, the typical nice guy. Pitting character against character, Harry Osbourne would easily look like the more attractive option (leaving his money out of the eqation.) According to conventional wisdom, the unpredicatability of the character holds some kind of appeal.
Different people have different expectation when looking for a mate. Some are looking for a fun companion, others look for stability. The reserved introverts appeal to the stability seekers while the loud extroverts appeal to the fun lovers. Very few go to either of the extreme ends of the scale, and your article highlighted one side. The guy you interviewed is obviously one that like his girls wild and uninhibited. His character is likely to be pretty wild as well. If thats the type that is the type of guy you are looking for, then taking his advice might not be that bad an idea. I personally think that his advice is rubbish, but I acknowledge the fact that there are guys out there who think like him. The advice is situational, and I think that the best person to ask if you should follow the advice or not is yourself.
I realize that I make broad sweeping statements, and that my claims are easily contradicted by many real life examples, but I write based on what I have read, understood and observed.
Lee Siew Weng, Melaka
...
Interesting article today.
I didn't realized what's Mary Jane ... till you mentioned 'lay a hand on me & I'll slap you" look... :)
It's funny but I knew a guy last year & he told me that "statement". Hmm, I realized that I am protecting myself unconsciously with my independence...
Hoh Li Chong
...
Read your article, well why wait or why bother about Men's opinion?
You ladies need not fall into any classification, just go with the flow.......
Best way to find the RIGHT man.....
1) Go for a one week holiday with him, stay in the same room
2) Watch how he treat other people or animals, that's the way he'll treat
you one day.
3) Test him for consistency & honesty
A considerate & honest dude is worth sleeping with.........
Rgds, Jeffrey Cheah
...
Conforming to a stereotype that is attractive to the larger part of the
male population may increase your chances of finding Mr Right, but it
also means wading through a swamp of Mr Wrongs. If you're prepared for
that kind of pain, well... .
There's not much work involved in spotting outer beauty. A man who's
looking for Ms Right usually relies on more than just looks - or
inappropriate pick-up lines. The only trouble is that he's really hard
to pick out from the crowd.
Like Peter Parker.
Don't worry too much about the analogy. If you manage to trip
somebody's Spider-sense just by being yourself, your search may be
over.
Alan Wong, Wilayah Persekutuan
Laura Ingalls struck me as the quintessential good girl with very high moral standards. Guys who might be available for a relationship would be put off by the thought that they would never be able to meet her expectations. Guys who just want some fun might think it would take too much effort. It's nothing to do with her looks.
I'm no male Carrie Bradshaw, but speaking from my own experience, if you want to change perceptions :
Perhaps your high moral standards come across in your views about many social issues or situations. Suggest lowering your standards in conversations by espousing some contrarian views like it's acceptable sometimes for married men to have mistresses.
But avoid telling dirty jokes. I've never met a woman who told them well. Then she comes across as lacking class or desperate. Perhaps ok only when both of you are extremely drunk. But it's fine to laugh at his dirty jokes. Be all feminine and say things like "terrible lah you"
But what really gets men is if you touch them, especially when you're not familiar enough to justify it. Find some excuse. Eg admire his shirt and feel the material by stroking his arm. Adjust the fit. If he's lean and trim, admire his abs and feel them out. (But not his buns…could be harrassment). When standing together, hang on to his arm to adjust your heels. (Helps if you're tipsy). Of course you must do it when crossing the road. When he tells his naughty jokes slap him on his shoulder or arm, going "terrible lah you". This is not about being dumb. This is about being playful.
Cheers, Big
...
The article 'What boys want' explored a problem and looked at it in a woman's perspective. I think that the male Carrie Bradshaw has a point, but his advice need not neccesarily be limited to women. Mary Jane mode to a woman is the same as the 'boring but secure' guy that has become the stereotype. Both genders have people with that type of character; more cautious and less wild. For some reason, the average human does not find that trait very attractive when looking for a mate.
I think an example will best illustrate my point, and since Mary Jane was brought up, I'll go with Peter Parker. Take a hypothetical situation. Peter Parker is single and available, and all the girls around him are independent career women who are looking for a companion instead of someone who can take care of them. Assuming we keep his spider powers out of this, what are his chances of success? He is a nerdy physics student, the typical nice guy. Pitting character against character, Harry Osbourne would easily look like the more attractive option (leaving his money out of the eqation.) According to conventional wisdom, the unpredicatability of the character holds some kind of appeal.
Different people have different expectation when looking for a mate. Some are looking for a fun companion, others look for stability. The reserved introverts appeal to the stability seekers while the loud extroverts appeal to the fun lovers. Very few go to either of the extreme ends of the scale, and your article highlighted one side. The guy you interviewed is obviously one that like his girls wild and uninhibited. His character is likely to be pretty wild as well. If thats the type that is the type of guy you are looking for, then taking his advice might not be that bad an idea. I personally think that his advice is rubbish, but I acknowledge the fact that there are guys out there who think like him. The advice is situational, and I think that the best person to ask if you should follow the advice or not is yourself.
I realize that I make broad sweeping statements, and that my claims are easily contradicted by many real life examples, but I write based on what I have read, understood and observed.
Lee Siew Weng, Melaka
...
Interesting article today.
I didn't realized what's Mary Jane ... till you mentioned 'lay a hand on me & I'll slap you" look... :)
It's funny but I knew a guy last year & he told me that "statement". Hmm, I realized that I am protecting myself unconsciously with my independence...
Hoh Li Chong
...
Read your article, well why wait or why bother about Men's opinion?
You ladies need not fall into any classification, just go with the flow.......
Best way to find the RIGHT man.....
1) Go for a one week holiday with him, stay in the same room
2) Watch how he treat other people or animals, that's the way he'll treat
you one day.
3) Test him for consistency & honesty
A considerate & honest dude is worth sleeping with.........
Rgds, Jeffrey Cheah
...
Conforming to a stereotype that is attractive to the larger part of the
male population may increase your chances of finding Mr Right, but it
also means wading through a swamp of Mr Wrongs. If you're prepared for
that kind of pain, well... .
There's not much work involved in spotting outer beauty. A man who's
looking for Ms Right usually relies on more than just looks - or
inappropriate pick-up lines. The only trouble is that he's really hard
to pick out from the crowd.
Like Peter Parker.
Don't worry too much about the analogy. If you manage to trip
somebody's Spider-sense just by being yourself, your search may be
over.
Alan Wong, Wilayah Persekutuan
The Road to SP, The Star, 5 May 2007
Original article
I am from SP and from my understanding the reason the town initially spelled Patani was cause it was previously under Siam before British intervention and spelled Patani same to the present southern Thai Pattani. Old malay spelling or farmer was also patani and over time, the spelling changed to the modern spelling of Petani.
Delren Douglas, Wilayah Persekutuan
I am from SP and from my understanding the reason the town initially spelled Patani was cause it was previously under Siam before British intervention and spelled Patani same to the present southern Thai Pattani. Old malay spelling or farmer was also patani and over time, the spelling changed to the modern spelling of Petani.
Delren Douglas, Wilayah Persekutuan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
