Foto Friday

Shaving, for a good cause.

Though I do not see

how shaving can ease their pain.

To raise awareness, however, yes.

Foto Friday

The Bersih 2.0 committee urges Malaysians to wear something yellow on every Saturday to support its cause, until we have clean and fair elections.

For Malaysia.

Touch

Happiness.

Dare I claim,

back when we were companions.

Anger.

When you left,

as I rotted in the ground.

Now I know,

my pleasures displeased you.

I should have known.

But you loved me,

didn’t you?

Do not answer.

Quality time.

I craved

for us.

Compassionate words.

Flooding

our conversations.

Acts of service.

My pride gladly

in meeting your needs.

Giving items.

Tokens of thought

I learnt.

Physical touch.

Magic

opened up my heart.

Touch:

my language distorted, abused;

turned me sad and confused.

© Joel Yap

Fact about choices

Not to decide is to decide.

I don't want to think about it, means I want to not think about it.
You are not doing anything about it, means you do nothing about it.
I don't want to solve this, means I want to leave this unresolved.
You don't want progress, means you want no progress.

Mom was here

For the past two nights. She came to Singapore with me on Sunday and went back home this afternoon.

It was nice having her around as my nights were less lonely. Hehe!
And my room becomes bersih each time she comes. 'Killing two birds in one stone,' my teacher taught. I get company, and a cleaner place to live in.

Besides that, my wallet would become a little bit bersih too. Do not misunderstand, I do enjoy spending the extra-than-usual bit of money when she comes. Afterall it is supposed to be her 'break'. Take last night, we went to watch Transformers: Dark of the Moon in digital. I had a great time. The sound system was so good that even mom could tell. Hope she didn't freeze too badly though.

She left today. By bus, in the afternoon.
Sigh, gonna miss her.

A pinch of regret

FOR NOT ATTENDING the Bersih 2.0 Walk for Democracy in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon. Since mother would be very worried had I gone for it.

Doing my little part, I called for a simple prayer meeting. A few friends who were willing to wake up early, and I, gathered to pray. After breakfast I rushed home to follow the news regarding the rally. Stuck to Twitter, independent news portals as well as news from the mainstream media. Wonder how many re-tweets have I sent today. I felt almost like a part of the ralliers already. However I really wish I were physically present.

Walking hand in hand, without looking at skin colours of those walking alongside you. Gathering and marching in groups without being intimidated by the Police. For a good cause. To show the world we are serious about clean and fair elections. Fighting together for something right, that's what strengthened the bonds among our forefathers during the hard times Malaysia had gone through. This is a cause by which we can stand up for regardless of race. What more can I say, if given a choice I would never hesitate to be a part of such an occasion.

So what if I had gone? What do I have to offer? See the lawyers, they volunteered to provide legal services for free to demonstrators who were arrested. See the doctors, they volunteered in offering medical attention in case of any injuries and whatsoever. See the journalists who risk their lives to go to where the crowds and policemen were more dangerous, so that we may see and know what was going on.
I am just a student who called for a prayer gathering at the last minute. Nevertheless prayer is so important, but I still feel that my contributions were inadequate.

In conclusion I am just feeling a bit unhappy for not being able to take part in today's rally. This is a moment in history, in which one should feel ashamed if he or she could not care less about.

Called for prayer

Today a few good people of Kluang gathered at 7 o'clock in the morning. To pray for clean and fair elections in conjunction with the Bersih 2.0 rally in Kuala Lumpur this very afternoon.

We were just a bunch of people who cannot make it for the rally, but cannot sit still and do nothing as well. At least for me, my whole body just feels uncomfortable, at the knowledge that people are out there protesting and demanding for more democracy and fairness in elections; while I just sit back minding my own business. I must contribute. If this is a good cause, to bring about change to the nation, I must contribute. However little I have to offer.

To make things clear, this is not about which political party to support. Which is another story altogether. Bersih 2.0 seeks clean elections! Say in a soccer match, we're more concerned about the referee rather than which team wins. Just want everyone to play fair.

Currently following closely the news regarding today's Bersih 2.0 rally.
Praying for the nation, beyond just one rally. Change is not easy, change will face oppositions and antagonisms. Pray with me for justice to prevail.

Bersih 2.0

1. Clean the electoral roll
2. Reform postal ballot
3. Use of indelible ink
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
5. Free and fair access to media
6. Strengthen public institutions
7. Stop corruption
8. Stop dirty politics

Bersih is a coalition of NGOs who wish to demand that Malaysia's Election Committee do a better job. You may search for its details online because this is my simple explanation about Bersih. Basically they're sick of looking at the incompetence and biasness in how the Election Committee functioned. So they wanna rally and demand that democracy is practised in this country.

Bersih is not supposed to be politically skewed. It does not serve any political body. The Bersih people discuss their demands, plan for their rally and invite the public as well as political parties to join them in a walk to democracy. However the current rulling government might not like Bersih for they-know-what reasons. So they feel threatened. And they make things difficult for Bersih 2.0 to happen.

The last General Election was in 2008, looks like one will be happening soon. Anytime this year or next, perhaps? If the Bersih 2.0 movement brings about some change in how the coming General Election is run, and if elections are held with justice and fairness due to this change, if Bersih 2.0 is what it takes for such change, I wish to be a part of it. Of course, being Malaysian long enough I've learnt to be skeptical towards anything to do with good happening in Malaysia. However I still can choose to believe in miracles. Just like how I can choose whom I would like to rule over me when I am eligible to vote. By the way hoping that I, and many other people my age or younger, would not need to register in order to be eligible to vote upon turning 21. Really hoping I can make it for the rally in KL, trying to find ways to get to and get out of there. Just wanna start doing more than just praying silently and talking loudly.

I believe in the demands of Bersih 2.0 and my prayers are with and for them.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

Stupid

IS A WORD I ought to use less frequently. It may sound acceptable to you but it might not to another. Whenever I hang out with my mates we often call each other "bodoh" just for fun. I always thought it was alright as long as we meant no harm. The word stupid had no intentions of aggression whatsoever, its use was purely fellowship-functional.

Again, it may sound acceptable to you but it might not to another. I should have seen it coming. No two persons are the same. We are all created uniquely, each blessed with his or her own personality. We all differ in sensitivities toward various matters. I had been calling a friend stupid without knowing she was hurt.

Perhaps we should all think twice before calling each other names. Even though no offence is meant. Especially when no offence is meant.

Misfortunes

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:45b

This is definitely not the first time you hear someone asking "Why do bad things happen to good people?", this is definitely not the first time I am asking this too. And I bet everyone had, in some point of their lives, asked this question before, be it to others or to themselves.

Many times I just have to wonder why must this world be so unfair. To me. To my loved ones. To strangers whom I perceive to be faultless for their misfortunes. This is a fact- good people can end up in harsh circumstances which they do not deserve to be in.

Blame it on God. Blame your neighbour. Blame yourself. Blame it on luck!

People tend to find reasons to justify their situations. As for me, I have no idea how to explain why a loved one is in pain right now. Dear cousin, hold on and stay strong. Sorry I have no right to claim I understand what you might be going through, neither do I wish to pretend to; but I know it is surely difficult.
And we all know that God works for the good of those who love Him.

Be strong!