The truth hurts... Really?

I think it's often said that the truth hurts, especially when revealing a truth to someone which is socially/publicly perceived as negative, ie ugly, fat, pimple-ish, etc.

Part of the problem is public perception and social standard, and of course this refers to one's physical appearance. This short thought is limited in its application, for it certainly can't be applied to truth revealing mediocrity, for mediocrity should rightly be perceived as negative. Having said that, mediocrity refers to a non-committal attitude to excel to one's best effort. For even some have put in all effort and resources, but yet fall short of "results" which generally perceive as the litmus to the hard work behind it.

200 pounds beauty, a Korean show, certainly reveal how much lies and deception create a broken and unmeaningful life, although it was thought that the utility would outweigh the consequences of living a life of deception.

2 climaxes, I would say. firstly the climax of achieving the goal of living a life of deception - getting what was desired that was perceived not attainable when living a life of truth. This followed by the consequences of deception - breaking ties with what was most meaningful, genuine relationship.

the 2nd climax is reconciliation with truth. Bringing all lies to 'limelight' and admitting to her shortcomings. Not only she inspired her fans to be confident in their own identity and the concept of "God is the only one who can do everything; We humans do what we're capable of." she also healed her broken relationship with her dad, friend and dog.

Sometimes we wonder "why must people take diet pills? why should they do plastic surgery and hurt themselves? why do people commit suicide (relationship issues)?" But all the more we should ask ourselves "How have we portrayed ourselves to the extent that it makes others feel worse than they already acknowledge?" Although out of weakness, a victim of self-abuse to attain public expectation resorts to such drastic decisions should not bear the burden of absolute blame on himself/herself. We must remember that this pressure received was formed by a collective agreement that he/she is not 'one of us'.

This reminds me of Varsity Christian Fellowship (VCF) Freshmen Orientation Camp (FOC) 2009. The speaker rightly impressed in our hearts and minds the concept of a Shalomic Kingdom - one that empowers and enables one another. The public perception above is bad enough to people who fall in that 'negative' category, rubbing salt into an open wound would just be plain sadistic.

This Shalomic Kingdom does not mean that we ought to lie to fat and ugly people. No, lying would just make things worst. Rather, in as much as we know that they acknowledge that they are so, we accept them as people created in the image of God and formed by God, just as much we receive people who are more 'positively' perceived. For if we do not treat everyone equally, are we reflecting the Truth of Christ dying for ALL?

Beyond receiving people such as these, we inspire, influence the public to reshape their worldview, to reevaluate their attitude towards them, we empower these people who are prone to self-pity and low self-confidence to rise up just as others who were more advantages because they fit well into this 'public perception' mold.

How is 1Malaysia diff. from Malaysian Malaysia?

U'd probably be asking... what on earth is Malaysian Malaysia? Precisely, it's never heard of. unless u study ur history more in depth. Malaysian Malaysia was mooted by Lee Kuan Yew, the then party leader of People's Action Party, when they contested in the General Elections in Malaya when Singapore merged.

Guess what?

PAP won the bangsar seat against MCA. the rest is history.

So, the million dollar question is, how does Najib's slogan differ from LKY's slogan? Problem is, if it doesn't differ, then Najib is definitely changing the direction of UMNO, and the members shudn't be happy at all.

If there's a diff. What?

Personally, I don't see any difference at all. When we're called Malaysians, then are we not one? Only when we start differentiating chinese from malays from indians from ibans from etc. etc. then we have many! But if we're 1Malaysia, is it not also Malaysian Malaysia?

Then maybe one might say "no, no, no, no, no. 1 Malaysia still protects the interest of the Malays." Wait, doesn't that reasoning translates to 1Malay? or 2Malaysia?

Although, I would admit in the past I am in agreement to recognize the Malays to have special position because they do not abuse that recognition to the point of racism and racial polarisation. In today's context, to give anyone party special treatment tantamounts to racism.

I would love to recognize them as one of the original people, but not in expense of the recognition of chinese and indians and all other malaysians, whose citizenship is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution, it will never make us immigrants.

I suspect, that Najib's new slogan was made in lieu that majority of the new generation is ignorant to that historical fact. So far, not many of my circle of friends know about "Malaysian Malaysia", besides the Singaporeans. Well, what is this ignorance that benefits Najib? I'm not too sure yet. Maybe I'm wrong about the whole ignorance thing.

A random thought

So about 1000 thoughts are processed a second...and this was what came out

"If ignorance is bliss, then it isn't that blissful after all. Because it was a blissful thing not to be ignorant that ignorance is bliss."

Is that a catch-22? C=

What if you have a clone who could save your life?

The Island. Directed by Michael Bay.

It's an awesome show. I remember Yale interviewer was asking me if I had watched this show after I told him I wish to go into stem cell research and cloning stuff. Too bad, I hadn't watch it that time. But now I have, and now I know why he asked.

So, basically, scientists managed to clone humans, a full clone, inclusive of soul and spirit, the intention? To harvest their organs for the 'rubber stamp' which is dying of whatever disease, or an advanced botox treatment.

However, scientists were not able to create humans without any soul and spirit without producing defective organs, in other words, the clones must be fully human, in order for them to save their 'rubber stamp' or owners.

How do they keep these cloned humans from knowing the truth? brainwash them from day 1.

However, one clone, the 'echo' batch had some irregularities, and the main character, lincoln, obtained some past memories that his owner had. It baffled the scientists (it is possible, perhaps the cells which was harvested from the owner somehow contained some information on neuron networks in the brain which formed in the clone.). Anyway, he became curious about everything and sought the truth, and he found it. Sounds familiar? Yeah, but i kinda forgot from where of the Good Book. what more, it set him free. Now THAT is 100% identical.

Ok. just go watch the movie and u'll know the rest of the story.

So, the company was running with their clients thinking that their clones are in a vegetative state. of course, it was false. So, since the clients were ignorant, are they wrong in purposely 'creating' life only to kill for their organs? Or is this reponsibility solely lie on the company? I think the clients made a conscious decision that they weren't creating life, but it's just like making insulin out of bacteria for the good of mankind, making organs to keep them alive. However, for the company to continue with the business despite knowing that it was wrong (hence deception and secrecy), they gained the money but ironically lose their souls (remember, they ARE creating souls).

Another thing is about 'truth'. What is truth and how can one determine what is truth? Must it be all empirical (experience) or can truth be founded on faith, which is not necessarily empirical? Although in this movie, it is like an individual in an atheistic society who found god, by traveling OUT of that society or confinement, and SAW the truth before his eyes. (the story can be likened to Plato's Cave). However, today, the debate of whether God exists is a never-ending one (well, not exactly for individual sense, it ends when the individual dies). For we all know that God today is not observable in this dimension, but the next dimension. So, how is one to escape to the next dimension? death. Well, it ends there, he can't really come back reporting, unless he was raised from the dead.

However, we know in historical records, God did come to earth, perhaps not once, but many times - he came in a Person, or Jesus Christ. Although we do not today have the privilege to see Jesus personally, it really doesn't make a diff. Look, even in those days, the Jews were in unbelief, except a few. The pagan worshipers were also not convinced, until at that final moment (the Roman guard). Even so, those who had close encounter with Jesus during his lifetime and after his death, were still ignorant. One might reason that 'why should we believe in Jesus if we don't see him?' would be struck speechless that it doesn't make a diff whether or not one sees Jesus in person. What is important after knowing that Jesus exist is to know WHO Jesus is. How? go read HIStory. After knowing all these, your response would determine who you are. Christian or not, the choice is in your hands. And for that, we each regard as truth, as though we had traveled beyond our world and discovered God, would you share that truth with others to set them free as it set YOU free?

Anyway, go watch that show.

Fiddle on the Roof Top

"TRADITION!!!" "Change is happening!" "See the world!"

are the central themes of "Fiddle on the Roof Top." The show revolves around this particular Jewish village somewhere near Russia. Probably the exiles found the village. I didn't watch the beginning, but I know it also revolves around a dad, mom and 5 daughters. Generally, since they are living with Gentiles and learned Gen-Y Jews, the village was being bombarded by change, and they refused to change.. often chanting "Tradition!!!"

So, as tradition speaks, a daughter will be matched with another boy, and the boy is obliged to request the girl's dad for her hand. Generally, the matchmaker gives the 1st level of approval, then the dad (or more like mom, since mom coerces dad to approve it, because she's convinced by the matchmaker).

So, there's this old butcher whose wife died... and he wishes to marry someone. The matchmaker matched him with the eldest daughter. Meanwhile, the eldest daughter is in love with the Rabbi's only son, but the Rabbi was a real chicken and did not asked the dad while he had the chance. So, dad went to see him (well, it was a whole big joke, he thought the butcher wants his milk cow). and anw, gave approval.

Then both the daughter and Rabbi came begging...and the dad reasoned with God, and saw the happiness of his daughter through her eyes...and approved.... oops! "OH NO! What am I gonna tell the Butcher?!"

But the biggest problem is his wife.

And he made up a dream where the butcher's wife came back to life and threaten to haunt their eldest daughter if the marriage with the butcher ever takes place. So the wife was convinced. Smart guy.

Then the 2nd daughter fell in love with a learned Jew. this couple was 1 level more outrageous than the 1st. They disregard the Dad's approval, and just asked for his blessings - "We're not here to ask your permission, whether u approve or not, we're getting married. we just want your blessing." then the dad funnily reasoned with God "anw, whom did Adam and Eve got their permission from?" and the dad responded "I give both my approval and blessings" happy.

Then the 3rd daughter fell in love with a Gentile and wanted 2 marry him. This time dad said "I can bend against my tradition, but bending it too far, i'll break!" so no. and the daughter ran away and married a Gentile who was Roman Catholic. And dad disowned her saying "She's dead"

Anw, the dad eventually accepted her, at the end of the movie.

While all these were happening, he lamented a lot of life's difficulties he was going through - poverty, eviction by some unknown government, etc. so, the movie had many themes, but rich in lessons.

So, the moral of the story is: "CHANGE HAPPENS!" nonetheless, traditions are important. It reflects how man deal with change. It depends how much one could bend against tradition. For the dad, marrying the Gentile was the snapping point, and thus the strict "NO" and disowning of his daughter, but which came in forgiveness, not so much to say he gave in to agree with this particular change, but to keep the family together.

You see, in as much as one as adamant to resist against change, one culture could remain static in all aspects, but one thing changed, or was added on - the need to resist change. So, you got like 101 things in your culture, and now is 102. So it has changed.

So, how do you face change? Do you prepare to accept change or do you let change break you? Either way, you're gonna change, the former, would lead to a smoother life, while the latter, a bumpier ride.

Go watch it.

(A sneak peek.)

All about advertisement

McDonalds Malaysia is truly ingenious with their marketing strategy with their attempt to make a strong presence on Facebook.

Indeed, social networking sites are lately targeted by companies to sell their products across both the older and younger generation, especially facebook. If you haven't notice, with the help of high internet penetration and user-friendly platforms, even the wiser folks like my dad who just retired uses facebook.

So, in any case, McDs is giving out iPhones to the best campaigner of their recent McValue LUNCH deals. Hope I get it ^^!


p.s. you can show your support by leaving a "honk!" comment on my wall post on FB.

Jo! I found our favourite episode of Whose Line!

Those were the Caltex days...haha!