He said we lost our sciences because we lost our history.

After today's show, I'm thinking I should really read up on Bodhidharma (also known as Damo in Zen Buddhism text).

I'm still wondering - how did we lose so much of our Asian identity and heritage? We were enslaved by our Colonial masters then, and we are still enslaved, being constantly bombarded by westernisation (you cannot mistake westernisation for modernisation)...

Sadly I only recognise very few names among the many - Rabindranath Tagore, Du Fu, Li Bai, Thiruvalluvar, Bhagat Singh, Mangal Pandey, and Merong Mahawangsa. Knowing that I've Indian, Javanese, and Baweanese ancestry but categorised as a "Malay" makes me all the more thirsty to know deeper about my own identity.

Oh, and I'm still wondering - why does the term "Asian" bring forth the image of a Chinese/Japanese person for most people on the other side of the world? Just saying.

Turn on. Tune in. Drop out.

"Courage is contagious and together we are strong. It's time to open our eyes to whatever corrupt institutions we may be inadvertently supporting with our time, money or energy - and DROP OUT of them... Then let the world know you did and why - giving others courage to do the same."

Garret John LoPorto

On This Day, March 16...

Rachel Aliene Corrie. Remember that name?

Bless her beautiful soul, may she rest in peace

She was an activist for Palestinian cause. She was a true believer in human rights and nonviolence, unswerved in the face of danger.

On this day, 16th March 2003, she prevented an Israeli bulldozer from razing Palestinian homes by acting as a human shield. A nonviolent act received one of brutality in return - she was crushed to death by the bulldozer.

I've just read the e-mails she sent to her family (link: Rachel's War - series of e-mails to her family) and I feel sad. The horrendous incident took place in 2003, nearly a decade ago. She was murdered years ago. But her e-mails are filled with thoughts that seem to be alive. Filled with firm belief, courage, and sincere, unyielding love. She's gone, but still alive in many others. How beautiful is that?

May the Most Merciful keep her, and may she rest in peace. We will not forget Rachel Corrie. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un, we belong to God and to Him we return to.


"...I'm witnessing this chronic, insidious genocide and I'm really scared, and questioning my fundamental belief in the goodness of human nature. This has to stop. I think it is a good idea for us all to drop everything and devote our lives to making this stop. I don't think it's an extremist thing to do anymore."  
February 27, 2003, in an e-mail to her mother

http://desertpeace.wordpress.com/2010/03/14/justice-for-rachel-corrie/

I need a hug.

Today was nasty. I feel like crawling into my hermit shell.

Look on the bright side. Whatever happened today gave me the complete affirmation to move on. Yay. I want to be like this guy :

I've finally booked tickets for Swar Tarang. :-)

I'm going to spend the rest of the night with a book in my hand and a pillow on my back. Before I log off, let me just say that tonight, I feel like hugging the world. Love, me.

Alhamdulillah. The dream of working/volunteering overseas is not impossible.

Today I had a meeting with a friend's lecturer (networking - Mira, you have to find ease in it). I find that the meet was a blessing. I now have someone to contact once I'm all set and ready to work/volunteer overseas. I'm hoping to visit a school in Aceh, Indonesia, some time soon. The school was set up right after the 2004 tsunami, to provide aid to children. I heard it's well-established now with the finest educators. I would love to visit it someday, God willing.

There's this genius named Bartholomäus Traubeck whose brain oozes liquid gold. I came across an article in Matador Network about Traubeck's mind-blowing idea to make music out of tree rings. TREE RINGS. He invented a device that can digitally process the tree rings into sounds, producing something extraordinary. Each individual tree has a unique set of rings... each tree has a song of its own. How brilliant is that?


YEARS, by Bartholomäus Traubeck


YEARS from Bartholomäus Traubeck on Vimeo.

Time check: 0129hrs

I'm currently on the process of transition. I'm all cluttered but I'm slowly seeing things with clarity. Right now I'm amazed at the choices I have, and I'm amazed at myself for being fearful. Why do I fear taking a step forward? Why fear? It is the only thing that is stopping me from trying, from living. What do I want? What do I need?

Past few days have given me a sense of how blessed I am. I have good company. I have beautiful, brilliant people in my life. I have a lot to thank for.

Reminder to Self

Where God guides, God provides.

Term 1 is ending pretty soon. We have been focusing on two of Eric Carle's books, Mister Seahorse and The Very Hungry Caterpillar for the past nine weeks. Pretty amazing. I now have two giant pieces of awesome art done by the class:

Finger painting: Do you know the different creatures that live under the sea?

Focus on Eric Carle's tissue art: we did our own tissue art!

29th, LEAP.

Time check: 0050hrs

I thought I could follow through with my decision... but life, as it is, took an unexpected turn. Conditions now seem to not provide a second option. There is only one option, and it is to leap out and move forward.

The past two nights have been immense. Met up with ex-colleagues and friends, and shared how the road has been for me. 29th was what I needed, alhamdulillah - I am now seeing things in a different light. With all that sharing, I am now incubating my thoughts and pulling myself together to develop an action plan before I take that leap. Forward.