where have all the real men gone?

No, really. Without even the slightest bit of cynicism, where are they? No, I've not turned gay, but as a guy, who is looking for guy friends who can help walk in the many journeys of life, I can't find many (if at all any)!

I hang out with a group of guys. We DO stuff. We play boardgames. Mamak. Movies. Idle chat about certain things. But where have all the good men, who would lend a hand in the heart department. Or the dream department. Built each other up, hear each other out.

Where?

I'm not asking anyone to be soppy, or touchy feel-y (a definite NO!), but at least for Pete's sake, or in this case, for our sake, can we do something more building.

What happened the to the band of brothers? Not leaving anyone behind? Striving and marching together? Pulling each other from the mud pit, or watching each others backs?

Where?

Calling all real men out there. Your guy friend needs you. Really. Not just for a game of footie or cup of coffee.

I do hope that I can find a group of guy friends, who can form a strong sense of camaraderie.

COME ON GUYS!

what!?

CNN really got this wrong, and comes to prove that sometimes, reporters do not get it right with news!

Go read this article about HINDRAF in Malaysia!

For those who don't know why HINDRAF had their rally: it was because they were demanding the Queen to set up a committee into inquiring and perhaps compensating every Indian that was brought over from India to Malaysia as laborers. As much as US 1 million per person is hoped to be given as compensation. Local news on this matter can be found here.

discrimination?

This happened last week, but didn't get round to blogging it. So I shall, right now. It isn't so much as a rant, but thought I'd just label it as one. My sister said this is discrimination, and it most probably is. So here's the story:

Last week, I went to look for my mum and sister in Carrefour, Mid Valley, as they had gone in first. I was carrying my brown bag with me, as I had just come from somewhere else, when at the door, I was stopped! And for what reason? If you can guess.

Coming.

Coming.


Wait for it.

They wanted to tie my bag. Yes. With one of those plastic ties. I thought it was really absurd. Before any of you can come up with wise comments, the next guy after me who was carrying a waist pouch was also stopped. The same was done.

Now let me explain why I say discrimination.

The guy after me? His pouch was so small, he could prob sneak in a choc bar with some sweets at most. Even if my bag was much bigger, it's totally ridiculous to put a plastic tie on my bag.
My sister and my mum who were carrying bigger bags than mine, were not tied up. Many other women's bags too.

So why mine and the other guys? Cause we looked young, and we were of male gender?

Ridonkeylous. If Jusco doesn't practice this, nor does Cold Storage, or Giant Supermarket, WHY oh WHY does CARREFOUR have to have this extra security measure?

ANYHOW. Here's a picture.

It best describes my frustration (?).


If u can see the plastic tie between the zip and the big metal bit which holds the strap.

a long way to go

This country that is.

As long as the mentality does not change, the country cannot change. I have to admit, there are a few things this country is doing right in changing the minds of the people.

Or at least I think so.

Honestly, sometimes, I think people who are above a certain age are a lost cause, as they really stick to what they believe in, and as for the young? I don't know, I think their mind are consumed by other things of this world. Ie: blog, internet, MSN...

Disagree? I bet most of you would.

Each day as I face different situations, I ask myself, how in the world is this country ever going to change. After learning today, that I'm not getting my first paycheck anytime soon, by the current company that employs me, I was furious, but yet slightly just too tired to pursue and push. My pay for 1.5 months? I'll only see it next month, and better yet, probably the end of next month. After the rude encounter with a personnel in the finance dept., and still no pay, it's really hard to make further commentary.

As for the young, well, don't get me started. That is for another day.

This country that is trying to push forward and be a developed nation, is not at it's best. I have to say, we have come a long way since 50 years ago, but we still have a long way to go.

Question of the day would be: what am I doing to change things?

disappointment

Yes.

Disappointment. Don't worry, it's not so much of a rant than it is a way of both expressing myself and at the same time, evaluating things.

Sometimes, things just don't work the way we want them too, we get disappointed, and if it's long enough we get jaded. So, is disappointment a good thing or a bad thing? It really can deter some people from doing the right thing. I guess I'm learning even more, that things truly can't go the way we want it to MORE frequently than I think it would.

So am I disappointed? Yes. I am. Am I discouraged? In more than one way, yes.

However, just remember what pastor had to say yesterday about being an overcomer, I'll have to just overcome it. After all, good comes to all who love Him and does His work right?

Time to get back onto the saddle, and start moving forward. No pity party here. Slight frustration, but it does not equate nor justify my avoiding the fact of things and pushing forward.

All I can say is, I fully put my trust in the One that gave me purpose and life.

the countdown

Tick tock tick tock. The days quickly slip away from my grip, as I try to prepare myself for the upcoming USMLE step 2. The harder I hold on to my day, the faster it escapes through my fingers. I can see why they call it the sands of time. Each day, I have to come to endure and face the fact that my exam is just around the corner, and I'm nowhere near to being prepared.

Panic ensues, as if the sky were soon to fall on my head, as I feel like running helter skelter as the rabbit who thought the world was coming to an end.

5 more days 5 more days! Most people would be glad that their exams would soon be over, but I really wish for more days. More time to read and be totally confident before going in.

It's in times like this I cry out the Lord and ask, "Are you SERIOUS about wanting me to do this?"

Joshua 1: 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

My trust will be in God, who knows what He is doing. As opposed to me.

the bank people vs bank customer

Honestly, I'm trying to cut down the rants and what not, but every time I have a lousy experience or dissatisfying time some place, I feel the need to blog it.

Today, was no less another, really painful, time wasting, turn-red-in-the-face, temperature rising, rage overpowering encounter, when I tried to go to the bank to open a new account.
Let me lay out my 2.5 hours trying to open an account, as simple as possible.

First, I was told that because my identity card's address was of Melaka and NOT Selangor, I must open an account in Melaka, or bring a bill with my name on it (and of course the address must be in Selangor). So, I went back to the apartment, to do just so, and returned to the bank.
TIME WASTED: about 50 minutes.

I finally get to fill in the form and my application gets processed. ONLY to my dismay, that because I wrote on the form that I was a graduate (I wanted to put Dr for once and not Mr, but wasn't the wisest of ideas) and was working in IMU (which basically made me open the account to begin with for payment purposes), they wanted the full address of the 'company'. To this, I have to thank Li Shun for helping me out by getting the address.
TIME WASTED: another 20 minutes or so

FINALLY, the card is ready, everything is in order, and I had to John Hancock about a dozen times, and the guy says to me, you have to go change the PIN of your ATM (ABM for those in Canada) card, then make a deposit, to which, I was certain he initially said MYR 150. At this point, I thought to myself, "Fortunately, I brought MYR 200 with me", and was happy that I was ready for at least one part of my banking experience. Just as he handed me my new card, he said, "Okay, so go change your PIN, and then go to the deposit machine, and put in MYR 250".
!!!!!!!!
MYR 200 was not acceptable to them. I asked. Guess what I had to do?
TIME WASTED: another 15 minutes.


Please do tell me, WHY OH WHY can't the services in Malaysia be a little more efficient and user/customer friendly?
The rate I'm going, I can actually write my own book of Lamentations. I'm serious.

malaysian brands? pls don't promote it...

You know, I really wanted to curb this rant habit, but out of sheer frustration, I had to write it here. If I have the time later, I'm going to write to the newspapers.

Before I go on, if you can imagine me shouting this (because I am):

WHAT THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE............

Crap. I spent the last hour going out to get myself a stand fan, only to realize when I came home, that a part of the fan is missing. How on earth did the fan pass its quality control? I really really want to be someone who can say he's honestly proud of his country, but sometimes, being let down by simple small things like this, can really change one's mind. I thought I'd buy a locally made fan, because, heck it's cheaper than the rest, and I thought it's quality would be comparable, if not it would as least last me long enough before going to machine heaven (the dump).
But NOOooooo, they HAD to prove me wrong. Now I have to spend another hour going back to the shopping center, lugging a heavy box, just to exchange this for a fan that I should have in my room by NOW.

There goes 3 hours of my life today (plus the 3 minutes I'm spending on this blog entry). Thanks a lot Malaysian brand. *with a hint of sarcasm (or a lot)*

Frigfrigfrigfrigfrigfrig.....

edit: Okay. Just to be more specific. Don't buy Pensonic....