Mother's day

May 13 is mother's day. When I was young, I don't recall we celebrate. Then I remembered it started by giving cards and flowers 15 years ago. Now, most hotels, restaurants even shopping malls take this opportunity to sell you something on mother's day. The more the better and may signify how much you love our mothers. If you don't buy them, some mothers may became upsets. Welcome to the world of consumerism. For me mothers day is everyday and every small task we do counts.

A message from a friend with cancer ...

I met Pak A in his late 30s while I was working in Jakarta. That was 2 years ago, when I need to perform a review and conduct an education for the entire department in Jakarta. Pak A at that time was newly moved into the company. He was previously working for a small company and were offered to join our company. Throughout my work there, I worked closely with Pak A. We worked like a small team, but we knew what we need to do. We knew our place and delivery. I found he is very smart in what he is doing and he knows exactly what to deliver. Then last year, after one year with the company, I met him again, however I was in a different role. I found he found a new girl friend in the company and seems to be doing well. We greeted and catched up on our life. However, early this year, a bad incident happened to him. He was diagnosed with nose cancer. While I was in Jakarta this year, I tried to meet up with him. However, he lives very far away from the city. In order to get there, I need to catch a train and follow by a taxi. However, after certain hours, there is no train service. I wasn't sure how to get back after that. I rang him up and explained to him I failed to go to his place, however, we chatted and I was wondering his chance of recovering. He sounded normal, but a picture of him on my colleague's handphone shown him weak, fragile with a big burnt marked on his neck. The sight of it make me feel sorry for him. I ended the call telling him to call me if he needs to talk again. That was February. Today, I tried to ping my colleague and wonder how he is doing. Apparently he has to go through chemotherapy again as the cancer is spreading. A colleague in Jakarta today delivered a message from Pak A. He told everyone to forgive him if he has done anything inappropriate. He seek for forgiveness from us. I feel saddened by the message. However, there is nothing I can do at this point. According to my course, human has 3 level of desperation. First sign, is when we do not have enough food or shelter, we hunt for them. Second, if we do not have air or water to drink. However, at this moment, I feel we fall under the third category, we seek for miracle, only god could help us and Pak A. For I wish he will overcome this soon.

Parental love

I was waiting for a friend outside a supermarket. While waiting, I saw an Indian mother minding her probably 2 years old child. I was looking for a seat and I stood near her hoping there were available seat. As I drew closer to her, I eventually saw her baby girl. She has an eye that could hardly open, a face that looked abnormal, and when she speaks, it's more of a noise than a basic speech. She's thin and fragile. I think she is a challenged kids and does not look normal. Her mother looked at her, giving her a weak smile. Later, the father joined them, and they torn some bread out of a loaf, and fed her. Her father looked like just finished his day from work. She was smiling when fed, and the father hug her. What amazed me was, how much the parents persevere. If I am in the situation, I would be stress and may even ask why my children was created this way. I do not know what sort of stress the parents have gone through, but what I know they loved their baby girl very much, even with her disability. Some may not know how they do it, but parental love, it cannot be replaced or can be understood until you are the parents of the children.

Relationships and best interest

A colleague told me she went for a holiday with her family. They stayed in a hotel where she is a Platinum card holder where it allows you to use their lounge. However, the rule of the lounge is a member can bring only one person with her. However, she has 6 of them. When the lounge manager refused to let her in, she counted her days with the hotel, and how much she gave the business to them. Eventually, the manager let the whole family in, to me this is because the hotel understand the importance of the "relationship". Today, a partner could not deliver some important information to her. That was due to some business complications. We were told we follow the book, if they don't give, we penalised them. The partner tried very hard to explain the situation, but when you don't have evidence, we follow the book. Now that's what I see as my own best interest, and where is the relationship? When human is put in a situation, often, they only look after their interest. Relationship? what relationship?

I saw 'The Cha Boh' aka The Lady

I have been contemplating for 3 days whether I should watch 'The Cha Boh'. One of the reason was because a lot of critics didn't like it. They felt the story was boring. However, I thought to myself, I must show some support to the Burmese, and at the same time to my fellow Malaysian Michelle Yeoh. Finally, yesterday I convinced myself to watch it. Was it good?? Well, it was good. The pace was not really boring, however, I think they tried to follow Aung Yang Suu Kyi (ASSK) struggles religiously. My only complaint was towards the end, I lost the momentum, after knowing she was house arrested, then released, then house arrested, then relaxed again. I can only go so much for that suspense. However, that was the historical facts, it's really not the film makers' fault. Michelle Yeoh and all the casts were wonderful. I was moved by a few scenes. I felt choked in my throat and I actually feel saddened by what the Burmese has to face in their life. They want to breakfree for unfairness, yet, their destiny can never be changed. ASSK was urged to represent them, a voice, a symbol for their fight. I was particularly inspired, by 2 pivotal scenes. First, when she addressed to the Burmese for the first time. You can feel everyone sees hope in ASSK. It was such a moving scene. Second, was the Nobel price giving. She would like to listen to her family's voice, and she could only cluthed on the battery operated radio. After the speech, Bach's 'Air' was played, and she played her piano alone (with a maid) in the dark on the same song. It was a triumphant and tears of joy. I am sure everyone has their own expectations, however, The Lady hasn't failed me. I give it a 4 stars out of 5!

I want that ... juice!

I was waiting for my food at the McDonald's counter in Sydney. Then came a Chinese man in his 50s pointed to the cashier with his receipts. He said, 'Potatoes, potatoes', then followed by his finger showing he is dipping. Then he showed the cashier his receipts indicated he bought 2 french fries earlier. However, the cashier still not too sure what he wants. He then went on with the same action, this time, he said, 'Juice, juice, potatoes juice'. Then I finally realized he meant ketchup or tomato sauce. The girl gave him a few packets then he walked away. I think what amazed me was how hard for me to apply for the residency here. Without any basic English there is no hope to move in at all. However, there are still people who still can make it. Probably the procedures I have to go through makes me think it was tough. And probably money can also buy you a place, or happiness.

Titanic 100th anniversary

On April 19, 2012 is the 100th anniversary for Titanic. There are events held in some places to commemorate the event. At the same time, James Cameron re-released 'Titanic' and this time in 3D.

I decided to watch the movie last night though I have seen it several times in the cinema or DVD. I was more curious was it as good as it was claimed that the 3D version was even better. After sitting for over 3 hours in a cinema, I have to say the movie was still as exciting. The 3D version was really amazing especially the shot under the sea. Besides, the scene where the passengers were trying to flee from the ship to a smaller boats was very real. You felt as if you were there witnessing the chaos in front of you.

Besides I also noticed, there were some younger generations viewers in the cinema who obviously watching for the first time. I heard some sobbing over the unfortunate pair of lover in the movie. Titanic once again has captured the heart and attention of the moviegoers. If you are a 3D movie fan, don't miss it. It's so much better than most of the 3D movies which I have seen lately.