As I watch the media here in Australia and try to compare it to the ones in Malaysia, I usually achieve a clear distinction on two outstanding things. One is the degree to which Malaysian media stoop to constantly provide entertainment, entertainment, entertainment 24-7. Two, and the thing that interests me the most at the moment, is the direct openness of the Australian media that sometimes can be confronting.
I know that I’ve only been living here for two years and that is not long by any standards. But I think I have learnt the obscene power that media possess over the people who consume them. Here, the media, especially the current affair shows, blow up stories like “teenage running from home at 14 to have babies”, “woman wants to have 11 babies” and “grandmother forced to sell home because of mortgage crisis”. My very first reaction when I saw these news here was, SO WHAT? I think these things happen in Malaysia too but they are not on tv. So why the big fuss? But when I go on to think about it, I came to a realisation that behind the so-called strong values that Malaysians possess, we are actually so afraid of admitting our faults and mistakes or acknowledging the real condition of the society. So I can understand now why Edisi Siasat used to get a lot of “word-bashing” for their intake on current affairs and that’s not even 25% of the things said here. No wonder I used to think that Malaysia has no problems and that’s because we were never told so until things really get out of hands like when suddenly people start dumping babies in bins at large numbers, then it becomes newsworthy. If it’s just one or two in a month, it sort of appears that it’s the best for all to just keep it mum.
Still talking on values, I can assure that Aussies laugh the hardest at themselves, thus the success of shows like Kath & Kim, Summer Heights High and The Chaser’s War On Everything which are all a satirical view on the Australian perceived values of “mateship” and “fair-dinkum”. These shows make the people wonder about their values and drive them to question the way they live they life. Sure it’s entertainment but it’s embedding a whole lot more than it appears on the surface. On the other hand, I am almost certain Malaysians (including me) wouldn’t have the ability to constantly poke fun at ourselves and laugh at the not-so-ambiguous reflection on oneself thus we instead have the success of shows like Trek Selebriti, Melodi and Akademi Fantasia which are all a paradoxical representation of the Malaysian perceived values of righteousness and modesty. These shows drive people to become engrossed in something that are not theirs and make them drift in constant mindless entertainment. We become obsessed with everything beautiful and wonderful to shift the attention from the chronic issues of the society. In better words, we were never taught to think for ourselves.
What we see on Malaysian television are not us, the majority of people. So, I can only agree why new shows like “Kami” on 8TV should be a hit, it might be partly because a cute guy named Eizani (sigh!) and partly because it, indeed, attempts to represent a large part of the community and have subjects that really matter. So are Gol & Gincu, Datin Diaries (even if it’s a bit over the top yet it is largely a fair representation) and Realiti. We need more shows like the one initiated by The Hoppers and Ahli Muzik where Malaysian is the focus. We need more reliable documentaries like Majalah 3 which tells the story of Malaysia or to Malaysians. Yes, we need entertainment but we certainly do not need 15 reality tv shows a year. I’m sure the argument would be that “Well, we only air what the people wants to see”=consumer-provider relationship. But if you keep wondering why most people tune in to other optional international shows on the cable network, I think it should be self-explanatory by now.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Guess Who's Coming To Town?
OMARION! hehehe.. Yes, he is. So are Marques Houston (best known for Wonderful) and Avant.. They're going to be performing in Sydney Entertainment Centre on the 7th of November for the Get Served Dance Competition. Noice! How?? How?? Tempted nak pi ni... hehe
For tickets and more information, go to http://www.getservedtour.com/
In the meantime, The Black Eyed Peas are currently in town on a soft-drink promotional tour. They will be playing at an exclusive gig for some competition winners and the soft drink company. Be sure to bring those cameras handy in case you catch them cruising about in the coast..
Alicia Keys is also rumoured to come down in a short promotional tour. She will probably play in a small, intimate and exclusive gig organised by Sony-BMG as well as some special television promotions. I think it's safe to say Sunrise is one and I WILL wake up at 4 and catch the bus to Martin Place just to cheer her on. Well, I can pretend that I came all the way from Malaysia just to catch her, probably that would guarantee me a sure sight of her :p
For tickets and more information, go to http://www.getservedtour.com/
In the meantime, The Black Eyed Peas are currently in town on a soft-drink promotional tour. They will be playing at an exclusive gig for some competition winners and the soft drink company. Be sure to bring those cameras handy in case you catch them cruising about in the coast..
Alicia Keys is also rumoured to come down in a short promotional tour. She will probably play in a small, intimate and exclusive gig organised by Sony-BMG as well as some special television promotions. I think it's safe to say Sunrise is one and I WILL wake up at 4 and catch the bus to Martin Place just to cheer her on. Well, I can pretend that I came all the way from Malaysia just to catch her, probably that would guarantee me a sure sight of her :p
I'm Feeling Minored
I just heard one of the best concerto in my life today. I personally think it's even better than Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major! Yes.. yes.. I'm exaggerating but I was completely consumed into the mellow romantic tunes of Schumann's Piano Concerto in A Minor Op. 54 this morning that I really got distracted from the books I was reading. Before this, I've only heard one composition from Schumann which one will agree is his magnum opus, Carnaval. It is hard to explain the way I felt when I heard that piece but it moved my heart with every single bar it leaped. Profound stuff, it was. Well, I'm not a classical music enthusiast nor am I a music buff. I simply think I might be in love with a dead composer :p
Monday, October 29, 2007
Happy Birthday!!!
This past week has been a celebration of birthdays in my circle of friends... It is usually during this time of the year that you will come to realise how much you know (or do not know) about your friends' interest or view on life. And it also gives you the ultimate headache! Okay, let me give you an idea of how it works...
N celebrated her birthday on 20th. She has a loooot of handbags, hijabs and skirts so these three things seemed pretty much like the good things to give. You begin scouring for the best options in town but then again, you began to wonder if she can remember the presents we give her. Will it appear all the same? hurrrmmm... maybe not a good idea..
then you go on to things she seemed to don't really have because you never see her using them often like beads or shoes or books... but then you realise that she doesn't really use them because she probably finds it hard to find something she really likes.. What makes you think you can actually give her something she really likes that she'll wear it? See... it's confusing... but i think we finally got her the right thingslaaaa kan?
But then, you have people like D who also seem to have a looooooot of stuff but she sort of has a particular liking for a thing she hasn't had in a while. It was pretty easy to choose between a few options that we thought she would like and it was explicitly translated in her expression when she received it. Well, I'm sure that expression was genuine.. if not, :(
Yet, I think what matters the most on birthdays is essentially the company you have. I hoped both of my dear, dear friends had a great time on their BDay with me because I can assure you that I actually did. It was a great delight watching the two of you just "chiiiiiilllllllll".. hahaha :p
N celebrated her birthday on 20th. She has a loooot of handbags, hijabs and skirts so these three things seemed pretty much like the good things to give. You begin scouring for the best options in town but then again, you began to wonder if she can remember the presents we give her. Will it appear all the same? hurrrmmm... maybe not a good idea..
then you go on to things she seemed to don't really have because you never see her using them often like beads or shoes or books... but then you realise that she doesn't really use them because she probably finds it hard to find something she really likes.. What makes you think you can actually give her something she really likes that she'll wear it? See... it's confusing... but i think we finally got her the right thingslaaaa kan?
But then, you have people like D who also seem to have a looooooot of stuff but she sort of has a particular liking for a thing she hasn't had in a while. It was pretty easy to choose between a few options that we thought she would like and it was explicitly translated in her expression when she received it. Well, I'm sure that expression was genuine.. if not, :(
Yet, I think what matters the most on birthdays is essentially the company you have. I hoped both of my dear, dear friends had a great time on their BDay with me because I can assure you that I actually did. It was a great delight watching the two of you just "chiiiiiilllllllll".. hahaha :p
I Love It!
It's getting pretty hot nowadays in Sydney... Good, I need to get ready for Malaysia again right? I'm counting the days to be back in MySpace! I'm looking forward to late nights at the mamak and back at sipping teh tareks instead of mochas or lattes, munching roti canais instead of vegie sandwhiches, hitting the scene instead of peeking through and watching my family laugh in front of the tv instead of just hearing them... I'm loving it!
But with that, there will also be the less-anticipated awkwardness of seeing two familiar faces later. Catching them both at the same time would be somewhat inevitable too and I can only cross my fingers that I will not trip over for feeling completely overwhelmed. Well, sometimes we just gotta do what we gotta do if we want to be balanced. I'm determined not to become something I used to hate and for that, it might mean some broken "promises". (Damn, I wonder why I want to be sooooo cryptic? As if it can be brokenlah plak kan??) Hurrrmmm.. Not so loving it.
In conclusion, I love what I have now and I will hopefully love what awaits me in the future (Insya Allah). Point taken?? well, at least please do consider it :p
But with that, there will also be the less-anticipated awkwardness of seeing two familiar faces later. Catching them both at the same time would be somewhat inevitable too and I can only cross my fingers that I will not trip over for feeling completely overwhelmed. Well, sometimes we just gotta do what we gotta do if we want to be balanced. I'm determined not to become something I used to hate and for that, it might mean some broken "promises". (Damn, I wonder why I want to be sooooo cryptic? As if it can be brokenlah plak kan??) Hurrrmmm.. Not so loving it.
In conclusion, I love what I have now and I will hopefully love what awaits me in the future (Insya Allah). Point taken?? well, at least please do consider it :p
Ideally...
Ideally, this world is made and built on the foundation of democracy. Yet the question I ask myself after years of being served the notion of such freedom and togetherness is that in this world where power, greed and poverty can all exist in the same place, is democracy relevant at all or is it just a mantelpiece placed on the shelf of ignorance turned into ultimate bureaucratic bliss?
In the end of the past century, we have seen the demise of communist and socialist blocks that should implicitly mark the rise of democracy to dominate our platter of thoughts but being a concept not well confined within a limitation, democracy has certainly not been translated in the same way by all the willingly participating nations of the world. Let me just give one of the most easiest example.
United Nation. The nurturing pot of democracy as it represents the voice of all 192 countries internationally-recognised or accepted into the federation and that would be a whopping 98% of the world's states. The 5 most highly regarded nations (some for the very wrong reasons), China, USA, UK, France and Russia are members of the Security Council. Each has a veto power to undo or reject or object a proposition painstakingly conjured up with courage by the other 187 nation in just a single blow. The result? Russia says "no" to objecting Iran's nuclear plan due to their oil collaborations, China says "no" to putting a stop on open arms deal in Sudan because of the business deals they have in between them and USA says "yes" with carrying on with the plan to invade whoever/wherever they like.
So has revolution after revolution of democracy where the people's voice gets the attention actually lead to a sense of nothingness and reclusiveness of the privileged? When only 2% of the world's nations get to play with the fate of other 98% of hopeful others, it seems pretty darn clear how some of the biggest advocate of democracy themselves befall their own sacred ideology and thus, becomes one of the most idiosyncratic notion of the modern world. Sort of like having ducks saying they can and will fly. Believe them, they do! It's just that you're a little bit unfortunate that you'll never see them do so while you are alive.
On that account, I will have to say that I think Malaysia has one of the saddest democractic nation built on a very sheepishly configured racial distribution. We can never deny the fact most of the parties in the ruling united party were (are) racially inspired and that if one of the major three parties were to leave, a majority will not be guaranteed. Having parties driven by racial interest and preservation rather than a shared vision and mission that is encapsulated by a certain ideology is definitely one of the downside of Malaysian political scenario. Well, some might argue that we have different values than Western society but we should have become matured enough to educate people in making the right choice by deciding what's best for their country economically, socially and politically and not racially. Unfortunately in Malaysia, we do not even have much of a choice. The result? A sense of mere acceptance because nobody else can afford to offer a better option and the ruling party doesn't even need to struggle to ensure that they will have to come up with explicit,workable plans for the nation.
I'm not saying that everything needs to change. I'm not ignoring to acknowledge that democracy and discussion did work to overcome a lot of problems. But when practiced to suit a particular interest, it often fails to represent what it aspires and what actually truly matters. The People.
for more on the issue, join the discussion on whydemocracy.net
In the end of the past century, we have seen the demise of communist and socialist blocks that should implicitly mark the rise of democracy to dominate our platter of thoughts but being a concept not well confined within a limitation, democracy has certainly not been translated in the same way by all the willingly participating nations of the world. Let me just give one of the most easiest example.
United Nation. The nurturing pot of democracy as it represents the voice of all 192 countries internationally-recognised or accepted into the federation and that would be a whopping 98% of the world's states. The 5 most highly regarded nations (some for the very wrong reasons), China, USA, UK, France and Russia are members of the Security Council. Each has a veto power to undo or reject or object a proposition painstakingly conjured up with courage by the other 187 nation in just a single blow. The result? Russia says "no" to objecting Iran's nuclear plan due to their oil collaborations, China says "no" to putting a stop on open arms deal in Sudan because of the business deals they have in between them and USA says "yes" with carrying on with the plan to invade whoever/wherever they like.
So has revolution after revolution of democracy where the people's voice gets the attention actually lead to a sense of nothingness and reclusiveness of the privileged? When only 2% of the world's nations get to play with the fate of other 98% of hopeful others, it seems pretty darn clear how some of the biggest advocate of democracy themselves befall their own sacred ideology and thus, becomes one of the most idiosyncratic notion of the modern world. Sort of like having ducks saying they can and will fly. Believe them, they do! It's just that you're a little bit unfortunate that you'll never see them do so while you are alive.
On that account, I will have to say that I think Malaysia has one of the saddest democractic nation built on a very sheepishly configured racial distribution. We can never deny the fact most of the parties in the ruling united party were (are) racially inspired and that if one of the major three parties were to leave, a majority will not be guaranteed. Having parties driven by racial interest and preservation rather than a shared vision and mission that is encapsulated by a certain ideology is definitely one of the downside of Malaysian political scenario. Well, some might argue that we have different values than Western society but we should have become matured enough to educate people in making the right choice by deciding what's best for their country economically, socially and politically and not racially. Unfortunately in Malaysia, we do not even have much of a choice. The result? A sense of mere acceptance because nobody else can afford to offer a better option and the ruling party doesn't even need to struggle to ensure that they will have to come up with explicit,workable plans for the nation.
I'm not saying that everything needs to change. I'm not ignoring to acknowledge that democracy and discussion did work to overcome a lot of problems. But when practiced to suit a particular interest, it often fails to represent what it aspires and what actually truly matters. The People.
for more on the issue, join the discussion on whydemocracy.net
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Raya Raya Sydney
I know it's kinda late to do this and I'm doing this at this very,very "apt" time too (i.e 1.40am when I have a test coming up later in the day.. but then, who gives a dang right?) but I just thought I might share my potpouri of feelings.
*It was quite hectic even though we have been making preparations for eid about a week earlier. Most of the basic stuff for the cooking seesion were ready two days earlier but we still worked until the eleventh hour before the guests came for the small celebration we had on 1 Syawal*
*I'm grateful that I have these great housemates celebrating with me... They are the reasons why I actually felt happier for eid this year (compared to last year, of course). Thank You, Thank You, Thank You...*
*The eid solat was done within the given circumstances. I'm proud that my close friend was given the chance to read the khutbah. The only thing missing was probably the cokmar, eyh?*
*I finally received my baju kurungs on Friday (12th October). Was very delighted to see that my mum and siblings chose something that really suits me. Was a little bit disappointed to learn that one of the baju kurungs is tooooooo huge (it's a ready-made M, no wonder). Wore 4 traditional clothings in two days. Felt a little bit of overdoing it :p*
One of Four
*Couldn't reach my mum on the phone until around 1pm on 1 Syawal and was almost reduced to tears. Finally got through and all my uncles/aunts were sharing the ending of "Kerana Cintaku Saerah" with me on the loudspeaker... Our family is such a cliche*
*Loved Unit 38's Snow White Biscuits and Blackcurrant Jelly, Unit 37+36's Dalca and Ayam Merah, Unit 107's Rendang, Iffah+Syal+Zye+Izzati's Lidah Jin and Kuah Lodeh, Syikin+Amrien's Mama Carey Biscuits and Cheese Cake/Biscuits*
*We played the firecrackers without any guilt because it's LEGAL here... For once, we were the ones making noise that our neighbours practically came around to peek at us. I bet they thought we were making some bombs and stuff.*
*Gave some food to our chosen neighbours (obviously not the boofheads next-doors). The cute European guy who lives opposite us seemed genuinely touched that we included him in our feast... Well, if you're nice, of course we undoubtedly will treat you so too*
*We had guests coming on two separate days despite having prepared to only receive them with a feast on the first day. All the same, we were more than happy to have them in our humble home with the little things we can cook up. Hope you guys had a great time like we did*
*My 5 closest Malaysian friends (with Nina and Shah missing in the equation) paid a visit to my mum on Wednesday, 17th October. Nabil, Asraf, Amin, Wan and Khairiyah were served biskut samprit that was supposedly saved for me when I come home later (I doubt Nabil can resist the temptations to gooble it up), drank sirap and watched jutawan fakir. Yeah, all my three favourite raya things... The six of us+mummy talked on the loudspeaker for just 15 minutes and already we were talking about when Acap or Amin will get married. The conversation ended when we realised that we have left the pan on the stove for toooooo long and it's on fire!*
Two Of Four
*It was quite hectic even though we have been making preparations for eid about a week earlier. Most of the basic stuff for the cooking seesion were ready two days earlier but we still worked until the eleventh hour before the guests came for the small celebration we had on 1 Syawal*
*I'm grateful that I have these great housemates celebrating with me... They are the reasons why I actually felt happier for eid this year (compared to last year, of course). Thank You, Thank You, Thank You...*
*The eid solat was done within the given circumstances. I'm proud that my close friend was given the chance to read the khutbah. The only thing missing was probably the cokmar, eyh?*
*I finally received my baju kurungs on Friday (12th October). Was very delighted to see that my mum and siblings chose something that really suits me. Was a little bit disappointed to learn that one of the baju kurungs is tooooooo huge (it's a ready-made M, no wonder). Wore 4 traditional clothings in two days. Felt a little bit of overdoing it :p*
One of Four
*Couldn't reach my mum on the phone until around 1pm on 1 Syawal and was almost reduced to tears. Finally got through and all my uncles/aunts were sharing the ending of "Kerana Cintaku Saerah" with me on the loudspeaker... Our family is such a cliche*
*Loved Unit 38's Snow White Biscuits and Blackcurrant Jelly, Unit 37+36's Dalca and Ayam Merah, Unit 107's Rendang, Iffah+Syal+Zye+Izzati's Lidah Jin and Kuah Lodeh, Syikin+Amrien's Mama Carey Biscuits and Cheese Cake/Biscuits*
*We played the firecrackers without any guilt because it's LEGAL here... For once, we were the ones making noise that our neighbours practically came around to peek at us. I bet they thought we were making some bombs and stuff.*
*Gave some food to our chosen neighbours (obviously not the boofheads next-doors). The cute European guy who lives opposite us seemed genuinely touched that we included him in our feast... Well, if you're nice, of course we undoubtedly will treat you so too*
*We had guests coming on two separate days despite having prepared to only receive them with a feast on the first day. All the same, we were more than happy to have them in our humble home with the little things we can cook up. Hope you guys had a great time like we did*
*My 5 closest Malaysian friends (with Nina and Shah missing in the equation) paid a visit to my mum on Wednesday, 17th October. Nabil, Asraf, Amin, Wan and Khairiyah were served biskut samprit that was supposedly saved for me when I come home later (I doubt Nabil can resist the temptations to gooble it up), drank sirap and watched jutawan fakir. Yeah, all my three favourite raya things... The six of us+mummy talked on the loudspeaker for just 15 minutes and already we were talking about when Acap or Amin will get married. The conversation ended when we realised that we have left the pan on the stove for toooooo long and it's on fire!*
Two Of Four
Notes of Mine
Note 1:
My dear, dear friend... Hearing that you're not well makes my heart leap a beat. I care for you so much that being apart from you makes me often wonder how you're doing all the time. Do whatever the doc says and let me know anything that bothers you. Nothing is too small or big when it comes to you... You should know that.
Note 2:
My dear acquaintance... I know we're no one to each other but I happen to worry for your health... Do get well soon and take good care of yourself...
My dear, dear friend... Hearing that you're not well makes my heart leap a beat. I care for you so much that being apart from you makes me often wonder how you're doing all the time. Do whatever the doc says and let me know anything that bothers you. Nothing is too small or big when it comes to you... You should know that.
Note 2:
My dear acquaintance... I know we're no one to each other but I happen to worry for your health... Do get well soon and take good care of yourself...
Friday, September 28, 2007
5 Years In Retrospective
If I ever looked back on my last 5 years living on this planet, sometimes I cringe with fear.. haha.. i've been throwing myself in compromising situation and got involved in some of the most stupidest stunts... some hurdles are best not attempted because you know it's not for the benefit for all human beings.
*It's been 5 years now since I last saw my arwah father... I miss him*
*My three teenage years local music flame (VE, Too Phat, RE) aren't even in the forms they used to be 5 years ago when they were either at their peak or rising stars... Too Phat is just Phat now (get it?), RE has changed ever since and I can't help but to respect (and wonder about) them for wanting to stay regardless of all the drama, VE??? the saddest of all.. let's just say we'll have to wait till this s**t gets official and I'll realise that all those time spent is "wasted"*
*Been in two terribly confusing relationships and break-ups. Well, considering that those were the only two I had, I think it's not fair to say that we can't trust our partners although some do run behind your back and do stuff you hope they don't. For once, I want (and need) to be the bad one*
* Jay Z has left and came back but only to make me curse him half-breathedly for continue singing about girls and ignoring what he used to do... and to think I've taken his words as truth*
* Climate change is felt tremendously in the last five years. Weathers get unpredictable and reach the ultimate extreme. Forests get burnt down (either man-made or naturally but obviously still man-initiated), the 26th December Tsunami took lives in numbers we never saw coming, the north pole has been melting in the fastest rate, La Nina, El Nino. Although a bit delayed, we are now coming to terms with the situation and facing the challenges*
*I've been in and out 4 different countries in these 5 years. Something I never thought possible once coming from the socio-economic background i belong to*
*The people I've discovered musically and spiritually have given me maturity far beyond my time 5 years back. I've came to appreciate there's art in everything, regardless of how they appear to me*
There's more in these five years than i can ever write but i've certainly found myself and who i want (and need) to be... Hopefully, in 5 years from now, i can smile looking back at today*
*It's been 5 years now since I last saw my arwah father... I miss him*
*My three teenage years local music flame (VE, Too Phat, RE) aren't even in the forms they used to be 5 years ago when they were either at their peak or rising stars... Too Phat is just Phat now (get it?), RE has changed ever since and I can't help but to respect (and wonder about) them for wanting to stay regardless of all the drama, VE??? the saddest of all.. let's just say we'll have to wait till this s**t gets official and I'll realise that all those time spent is "wasted"*
*Been in two terribly confusing relationships and break-ups. Well, considering that those were the only two I had, I think it's not fair to say that we can't trust our partners although some do run behind your back and do stuff you hope they don't. For once, I want (and need) to be the bad one*
* Jay Z has left and came back but only to make me curse him half-breathedly for continue singing about girls and ignoring what he used to do... and to think I've taken his words as truth*
* Climate change is felt tremendously in the last five years. Weathers get unpredictable and reach the ultimate extreme. Forests get burnt down (either man-made or naturally but obviously still man-initiated), the 26th December Tsunami took lives in numbers we never saw coming, the north pole has been melting in the fastest rate, La Nina, El Nino. Although a bit delayed, we are now coming to terms with the situation and facing the challenges*
*I've been in and out 4 different countries in these 5 years. Something I never thought possible once coming from the socio-economic background i belong to*
*The people I've discovered musically and spiritually have given me maturity far beyond my time 5 years back. I've came to appreciate there's art in everything, regardless of how they appear to me*
There's more in these five years than i can ever write but i've certainly found myself and who i want (and need) to be... Hopefully, in 5 years from now, i can smile looking back at today*
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Rebel With A Cause
It seems that whenever there is an international conference going on somewhere in this world (APEC, G-8 etc), the most dreaded (and anticipated) part of it is inevitably the protests, be it peaceful or forceful. But I often wonder the degree of their effectiveness. If it works and serves its purpose, why do we need so much of them and why does it occur over and over again? Is the way they are doing it that's causing all the wrong impressions on protesting?
Standing up and saying what you want in a dignified way ought to be the road to choose but I often hear that it's not the path that gets the attention. When you do things peacefully, you are taken as meek and not potent enough to fight your cause. Hurrmmm.. I don't think Gandhi was viewed as weak but instead, he was revolutionary when he fronted the British Empire and his fellow countrymen with a plea for everything to be done in peace. But then again, it's fair enough for someone to jump up right now and consume me with the fact that he was later shot by a fellow Brahmin for his "revolutionary" ways. History recalls that some of his counterparts who he must have slipped into believing had him gone for the very reason of him being too tolerant and not aggressive enough but it still didn't stop Pakistan from leaving India.
Although a few others were fairly successful like the Tienanmen Square protests (who can forget the image of one man standing against the army of tanks?) and Vietnam War protests, a lot other fails to open people's eyes about the real situation and causes. In a way, not many people want to be associated with violence and that route certainly creates some degree of detachment from the supposedly "fighting-for-the-people" organisations.
So does the cause permits you to choose any way possible to get your voice heard? I remember the biggest stunt pulled off by an organisation here is Sydney was painting "STOP WAR" on the Sydney Opera House's roof in blood red paint. They didn't get away with it easily as both of the men involved were fined with AUD200k each but in due time, they become known and their objective was achieved when people starting listening. Some might argue that they were only mere attention seekers and that they went overboard but does it matter much when in the end, they've achieved their purpose? Indirectly, it also raises the question of insufficient platforms for people to get their voice heard. I mean, of course a few bucket of paint would cost less than airing advertisements on primetime when people just flip channels to watch something more useful anyway. Plus, not everyone has the taxpayers money like the government ;p
In a slightly more subtle but no less "aggressive" manner, we have people posing nude for what they believe is a campaign for championing certain rights. For example, the ads for PETA campaigns. I mean, some of us don't even remember what the ads are for but we tend to remember who was nude (Christy Turlington, Alicia Silverstone etc). So does it work then or PETA is just another organisation that exploits human for animals? (God, the irony of it!). Wanting people to turn and look at you might be hard enough for some but when it becomes too easy, people do not remember you for reasons you want them to... I'm not saying that all of their campaigns are wrong but having nudity to promote an idea does seem a little vulgar although I understand that this value is very much influenced by my personal values and that the ad might work for some other target audience.
So is it just the perception of it or a certain amount of aggressiveness does really get things going? It's amazing how people want others to believe in their values and way of life so bad that they resort to some unthinkable measures.Well, it striked me because this idea doesn't resonate with the whole concept of humanity in the first place but humanity is a symbol of man wanting to be the same and equal. Do we all want to? One thing I know for sure, all these protesters have an aim to achieve and sometimes, it can mean pushing the envelope to see how far it goes.
Standing up and saying what you want in a dignified way ought to be the road to choose but I often hear that it's not the path that gets the attention. When you do things peacefully, you are taken as meek and not potent enough to fight your cause. Hurrmmm.. I don't think Gandhi was viewed as weak but instead, he was revolutionary when he fronted the British Empire and his fellow countrymen with a plea for everything to be done in peace. But then again, it's fair enough for someone to jump up right now and consume me with the fact that he was later shot by a fellow Brahmin for his "revolutionary" ways. History recalls that some of his counterparts who he must have slipped into believing had him gone for the very reason of him being too tolerant and not aggressive enough but it still didn't stop Pakistan from leaving India.
Although a few others were fairly successful like the Tienanmen Square protests (who can forget the image of one man standing against the army of tanks?) and Vietnam War protests, a lot other fails to open people's eyes about the real situation and causes. In a way, not many people want to be associated with violence and that route certainly creates some degree of detachment from the supposedly "fighting-for-the-people" organisations.
So does the cause permits you to choose any way possible to get your voice heard? I remember the biggest stunt pulled off by an organisation here is Sydney was painting "STOP WAR" on the Sydney Opera House's roof in blood red paint. They didn't get away with it easily as both of the men involved were fined with AUD200k each but in due time, they become known and their objective was achieved when people starting listening. Some might argue that they were only mere attention seekers and that they went overboard but does it matter much when in the end, they've achieved their purpose? Indirectly, it also raises the question of insufficient platforms for people to get their voice heard. I mean, of course a few bucket of paint would cost less than airing advertisements on primetime when people just flip channels to watch something more useful anyway. Plus, not everyone has the taxpayers money like the government ;p
In a slightly more subtle but no less "aggressive" manner, we have people posing nude for what they believe is a campaign for championing certain rights. For example, the ads for PETA campaigns. I mean, some of us don't even remember what the ads are for but we tend to remember who was nude (Christy Turlington, Alicia Silverstone etc). So does it work then or PETA is just another organisation that exploits human for animals? (God, the irony of it!). Wanting people to turn and look at you might be hard enough for some but when it becomes too easy, people do not remember you for reasons you want them to... I'm not saying that all of their campaigns are wrong but having nudity to promote an idea does seem a little vulgar although I understand that this value is very much influenced by my personal values and that the ad might work for some other target audience.
So is it just the perception of it or a certain amount of aggressiveness does really get things going? It's amazing how people want others to believe in their values and way of life so bad that they resort to some unthinkable measures.Well, it striked me because this idea doesn't resonate with the whole concept of humanity in the first place but humanity is a symbol of man wanting to be the same and equal. Do we all want to? One thing I know for sure, all these protesters have an aim to achieve and sometimes, it can mean pushing the envelope to see how far it goes.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Apakah Salah Beta?
Sometimes, people get on your nerves simply for being who they are.. I easily get annoyed when I open my e-mail and discovered that people decided to send me a whole bunch of forwarded stuff. Seriously, I think sometimes we are the nosiest bunch of people on planet earth...
I can't quite understand why people think I would be interested to know if fauziah latiff has a dog or malaysian artists like to hit clubs. Dude, seriously... get a life and do other beneficial stuff than going through these people's private webpages and downloading their pictures before spreading them around. If there is a sick person, it's you who have been compiling all of these information so that you appear noble... Yes, some of them can get pretty obnoxious but you might well know by now, these so called artistes are not the only ones doing all these things that disgust you so much.
If you really want to prove a point, make it by showing other things can prosper in Malaysia rather than the phenomenon of screaming for schlocky singers in the reality TV shows. In a society where we have more than enough traditions and culture to be proud of, don't make the so-called-immoral-behaviour of a selected few as the face of our nation because when you give it so much attention, it proves that it is so important and somewhat, acts as a pinnacle of the society. These people do what they do best on the screens, reels and screech for us so cut them some slack on what they do after that. Instead, try to make education and/or sports the benchmark of our success. Until we can do that, don't come running with those e-mail of your self-righteousness...
I can't quite understand why people think I would be interested to know if fauziah latiff has a dog or malaysian artists like to hit clubs. Dude, seriously... get a life and do other beneficial stuff than going through these people's private webpages and downloading their pictures before spreading them around. If there is a sick person, it's you who have been compiling all of these information so that you appear noble... Yes, some of them can get pretty obnoxious but you might well know by now, these so called artistes are not the only ones doing all these things that disgust you so much.
If you really want to prove a point, make it by showing other things can prosper in Malaysia rather than the phenomenon of screaming for schlocky singers in the reality TV shows. In a society where we have more than enough traditions and culture to be proud of, don't make the so-called-immoral-behaviour of a selected few as the face of our nation because when you give it so much attention, it proves that it is so important and somewhat, acts as a pinnacle of the society. These people do what they do best on the screens, reels and screech for us so cut them some slack on what they do after that. Instead, try to make education and/or sports the benchmark of our success. Until we can do that, don't come running with those e-mail of your self-righteousness...
Paranoia
I'm an avid fan of the chaser's... I don't necessarily think that they're really funny. Sometimes the joke can get on them when it appears that they're trying too hard. But their bravery to do the unthinkable gets me on the edge of my seat sometimes and those skits they do, my god.. let's just say that they are the ones most of the Australian politicians and celebrities do not look forward to meet someday... But they're the most watched series by white collars and blue collars in Australia. Says a lot doesn't it?
Well, the APEC security scare stunt was probably one of the best they have done but sadly, the clip is not available on youtube... so some of you might miss out on what these guys are really on about. So, I'll just describe it succinctly for you. Chas (who is always been asked to do the dirtiest jobs) got dressed up like an Afghan (or what they would call like a "terrorist")and got into a limousine to impostor the Canadian motorcade. Suprisingly, they got through 2 check points at the red zone that is completely off limts to any civilians.
In a security zone that has been locked down in a 3 metre height and 5km long fence, they managed to get as far as the most secured zone (ie the hotel where Bush was living in). The boys realised that they went too far and decided to pull out before entering more check points and possibly just granted access regardless of the lack of security passes. Ican just imagine the looks on the policemen faces when they saw a man dressed up like that stepping out of the car and greeting them. Well, so much for 150 million taken of the tax payers' money just to let anyone with a motorcade pass by...
The next day, the Sydney police commisioner came out with a statement saying, "Well, the chaser's might think they're funny but they're not"... well, they say jokes get unfunny when you're the butt of it.. hehehehehe. The chaser's made it into CNN and BBC making them the biggest comodity out of the APEC summit... I'm proud of them :)
just for a taste of what the chaser's are all about, i got a few clips of my personal favourites... enjoy
The APEC Security Scare
The News Report on The Chase
Well, the APEC security scare stunt was probably one of the best they have done but sadly, the clip is not available on youtube... so some of you might miss out on what these guys are really on about. So, I'll just describe it succinctly for you. Chas (who is always been asked to do the dirtiest jobs) got dressed up like an Afghan (or what they would call like a "terrorist")and got into a limousine to impostor the Canadian motorcade. Suprisingly, they got through 2 check points at the red zone that is completely off limts to any civilians.
In a security zone that has been locked down in a 3 metre height and 5km long fence, they managed to get as far as the most secured zone (ie the hotel where Bush was living in). The boys realised that they went too far and decided to pull out before entering more check points and possibly just granted access regardless of the lack of security passes. Ican just imagine the looks on the policemen faces when they saw a man dressed up like that stepping out of the car and greeting them. Well, so much for 150 million taken of the tax payers' money just to let anyone with a motorcade pass by...
The next day, the Sydney police commisioner came out with a statement saying, "Well, the chaser's might think they're funny but they're not"... well, they say jokes get unfunny when you're the butt of it.. hehehehehe. The chaser's made it into CNN and BBC making them the biggest comodity out of the APEC summit... I'm proud of them :)
just for a taste of what the chaser's are all about, i got a few clips of my personal favourites... enjoy
The APEC Security Scare
The News Report on The Chase
Inspirations
i have been losing the inspiration to write nowadays.. i wonder if it's due to the unavailability of Internet in my room for quite sometime.. or is it due to the inadequacy of being faraway from my mother.. or maybe the void i feel inside of me for not being able to see you who i have been thinking about terribly regardless of all those things that happened... or maybe for not talking to nina for 2 weeks... or feeling missed out in nabil's life.. or wishing there was more rain in the morning.. or reminiscing on the way i lived my life all this while...
but then again, shouldn't all those things give me some inspiration if not a whole lot of them? i often catch myself being surprised by my own thoughts... obviously i have been babbling the whole while... thank you for your concern and time, though :)
but then again, shouldn't all those things give me some inspiration if not a whole lot of them? i often catch myself being surprised by my own thoughts... obviously i have been babbling the whole while... thank you for your concern and time, though :)
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Ini Ke?
Saya berasa simpati dengan pakaian yang terpaksa dikenakan oleh setiap ketua negara yang menghadiri Persidangan APEC 2007 di Sydney.
Memandangkan Australia mungkin tidak mempunyai pakaian rasmi atau kebangsaan yang boleh dibanggakan, mereka mengambil keputusan untuk menjadikan pakaian yang dikenali sebagai "driza-bone coat" atau "outback raincoat" sebagai baju rasmi semasa sesi mengambil gambar pada hari kemuncak persidangan. Kalau anda sukar untuk melihat gambar yang kecil itu, bayangkan saja baju hujan berwarna kelabu dengan calitan warna-warna bernama eksotik seperti "eucalyptus green" pada kolar dan saya rasa anda boleh mendapat imej yang saya cuba katakan ini.
Teman-teman serumah memang sudah lama tertunggu-tunggu untuk melihat baju kebangsaan Australia kerana kami jelik mendengar komen pembaca-pembaca berita dan komentator yang menyatakan "Owh, pastinya pakaian rasmi kami tidak akan kelakar seperti baju China atau Vietnam"... Hurrrrrmmmm... nampaknya, Australia kalah besar kali ni. saya rasa bukan hanya kami yang bukan warga Australia sahaja yang rasa "baju rasmi" tu merupakan lawak terbaik yang Australia pernah lakukan pada tahap antarabangsa. Kiranya, inilah lawak antarabangsa dalam erti kata sebenar...
Tapi Perdana Menteri Canada (gambar di atas) berjaya pula tampil kacak dalam baju yang berjaya dalam misi untuk menenggelamkan hampir kesemua delegasi lain (ye, sultan hassan al-bolkiah juga tidak segak dalam kot ni). Saya rasa mungkin sebab dia mengenakan topi "koboi" yang berkesan dalam mengurangkan kejanggalan "outback jacket" itu.
Jadi, lain kali jangan gelakkan negara orang lain. Walaupun negara mereka mungkin tampil kurang "maju" berbanding negara anda, sekurang-kurangnya mereka tidak perlu pening kepala untuk memikirkan perkara yang tampak kecil tapi membawa impak besar ini.
batik... owh.. batik... nasib baik, kami ada batik :p
Name Dropping
There are people we know, people we know through people we already know, people we wish we knew, people who knows us from afar, people who needs to be known...
But it makes me wonder a lot when people drop famous names like they twirl around the "scene" being really important. Owh, he had a crush on me.. Owh, we used to date... Owh, he's my fling... Owh, this.. Owh, that.. Owh, my foot!
It doesn't matter what or who you date and know. it's who you are and how you appear to the world. To me, you sound ridiculously intwined in fantasies.
It's best I remind myself not to turn into this...
But it makes me wonder a lot when people drop famous names like they twirl around the "scene" being really important. Owh, he had a crush on me.. Owh, we used to date... Owh, he's my fling... Owh, this.. Owh, that.. Owh, my foot!
It doesn't matter what or who you date and know. it's who you are and how you appear to the world. To me, you sound ridiculously intwined in fantasies.
It's best I remind myself not to turn into this...
Saturday, September 01, 2007
A Self Reminder
Sometimes, it startles me when people say that I'm a nice, goody two shoes girl. It creates a grain of fear in me that someday, I might disappoint these people who think so although I may say that I did not force them to believe it in the first place.
I mean, how would you define nice? If it's loosely captured by not drinking, no heavy partying, no smoking, no drug abuse and the likes of apparent "bad" behaviour, then I'm probably a nice person. But if nice is realised by always being kind no matter the situation, never having a bad thought about someone, never talk bad behind someone's back or always prioritising everybody else before me, then I'll have to pass on the "Good Award."
I wish that I can always be the good daughter to my mother, the good sister to my siblings, the good friend who my friends need, the good student my teachers adore, the good teacher my students adore. Amin.
I mean, how would you define nice? If it's loosely captured by not drinking, no heavy partying, no smoking, no drug abuse and the likes of apparent "bad" behaviour, then I'm probably a nice person. But if nice is realised by always being kind no matter the situation, never having a bad thought about someone, never talk bad behind someone's back or always prioritising everybody else before me, then I'll have to pass on the "Good Award."
I wish that I can always be the good daughter to my mother, the good sister to my siblings, the good friend who my friends need, the good student my teachers adore, the good teacher my students adore. Amin.
Around The Pineapple Under The Sea
It's something like this...
*john and stevie sings me to sleep every night*
*time is only a concept heard before but never proven*
*toasts are never burnt*
*dogs are myths*
*lollypops are given out when you got to school*
*all the wayan brothers make me laugh until i cry*
*books are actually made to be read*
*we all fall in love with each other*
*everybody can swim any style they want to as long as they want to*
*as jay z is with beyonce, joe flizzow is with dayang (get it?)*
*everybody loves coffee*
*giraffes, koalas, pandas, iguanas and the fishes (tobi & vega) all play together in my backyard*
*no day is the bad hair day*
*cartoons are on 24 hours a day*
*soccer and rugby are played all day long*
*cars float at 60kmph*
*music makes the world spin around*
*john and stevie sings me to sleep every night*
*time is only a concept heard before but never proven*
*toasts are never burnt*
*dogs are myths*
*lollypops are given out when you got to school*
*all the wayan brothers make me laugh until i cry*
*books are actually made to be read*
*we all fall in love with each other*
*everybody can swim any style they want to as long as they want to*
*as jay z is with beyonce, joe flizzow is with dayang (get it?)*
*everybody loves coffee*
*giraffes, koalas, pandas, iguanas and the fishes (tobi & vega) all play together in my backyard*
*no day is the bad hair day*
*cartoons are on 24 hours a day*
*soccer and rugby are played all day long*
*cars float at 60kmph*
*music makes the world spin around*
food galore
Some people scream when they realise that assignments are due only two weeks from now. Some might even cry... But not us. We had a panic attack so we decided to make a dish that appears to be a cross between sushi and kimchi (asian sungguh!). This can serve up to 10 normal human beings or 6 of people like me.
What you need:
1) a bowl of cooked rice mixed with two teaspoons of sesame oil (teaspoon, durra. it's only teaspoons ;p)
2) an ommelete (2 eggs)
3) a medium sized carrot (sliced into thin semi-circles)
4) 10 seaweed strips
5) pickled radish (the yellow thing in the picture)
6) a medium sized canned tuna (any flavour that suits you)
The steps are like the picture sequence.. I can't be bothered to type while watching White Chicks, can I? haha...
*put a generous amount of rice on the rough side of seaweed*
*place the tuna on the neatly placed carrots.. we used curry tuna, sweet chili tuna, lemon and cracked pepper tuna but don'tlah put them altogether in one roll*
*after rolling them, you'll have to put some water on the edges of the seaweed so that they can stick to each other*
*patiently slice them into considerably cute sizes.. i love them cute.. hehe*
What you need:
1) a bowl of cooked rice mixed with two teaspoons of sesame oil (teaspoon, durra. it's only teaspoons ;p)
2) an ommelete (2 eggs)
3) a medium sized carrot (sliced into thin semi-circles)
4) 10 seaweed strips
5) pickled radish (the yellow thing in the picture)
6) a medium sized canned tuna (any flavour that suits you)
The steps are like the picture sequence.. I can't be bothered to type while watching White Chicks, can I? haha...
*put a generous amount of rice on the rough side of seaweed*
*place the tuna on the neatly placed carrots.. we used curry tuna, sweet chili tuna, lemon and cracked pepper tuna but don'tlah put them altogether in one roll*
*after rolling them, you'll have to put some water on the edges of the seaweed so that they can stick to each other*
*patiently slice them into considerably cute sizes.. i love them cute.. hehe*
Canned Fashion
Fashion might be an ever-changing affair for some. Trends come and leave like the clothes we change on our back everyday but just like those clothes, we repeat them with a different twist just for a slightly different look the next time. When we know (or think) people are not watching, we decide that on Friday, we can wear the exact same top and jeans we wore on Monday.. You know, because you think people are not watching...
That’s how the current fashion trends are too. While fashion gurus are saying boho is so 2004, the not-so-new line of foho clothings (who came up with such names?) seem to dominate the runways and sideways. And foho is actually sneakily simply boho with a little more glamour, you’ll just wear that boho mini frock with the embroidery details at the hems with a 3 inch heeled, knee length suede/leather boots instead of flat pumps or flippers and add some large gaga gold/silver accessories instead of beads. Wallah! boho to foho in uno momento.. They say it’s the clash of the decades, 70s meets 80s… I say it’s a case of ideas running dry and quick ways of finishing old stocks.
But of course, there’s an upside to it when you can quickly recycle anything you have the wardrobe without having to fear being called outdated or backwards in your fashion sense. I reckon you can pretty much get away with anything if you’re a fohemian. (my penaakulan mantik sorts out that boho comes from bohemian.. so foho must be a fohemian, right?). You’ll be just fine when you can actually explain how the clashes of the decades theory work…
Another thing is how the word “vintage” has been passed of as something that happens almost immediately. Vintage this, vintage that… Even a bag that has just been made yesterday is said to have a vintage value and that kind of defeats the whole purpose, doesn’t it? Vintage stuff are supposed to be collectable rares, not something you simply buy in a flea market and decide, “hey, that’s surely a vintage.” Well, not in my dictionary of cracked wisdom, at least. And please, please don’t let me get started on those unkindly revisiting puffy puffed sleeves. I mean, ever since Louis Vuitton had them for the Spring 2007 collection, everybody is going crazy over it when it’s actually translated into hideous for most of us.
Well, us being us would mean nothing if we just blindly follow these fashion critics and advocates, especially when most of them will say long maxi dresses are going to be IN next season when Eva Mendes, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Alba all happen to wear them on the same week but hey, hey, turn around another fortnight from when that article was written and you’ll have the same writers swearing by their mothers that next season is going to be the leg worshipping lovers land of super micro-minis. And consider yourself very lucky if we are not rendered with other opinions and options the coming weeks because most of the time, they'll be repaying all those freebies dropping by their glossy office doors while you split your head into half trying to figure out which is which.
So my humble opinion is that you need to check out those fashion tips but really, you need to dress like how you feel and how you want to be comfortable. Don’t just succumb to what other people suggest blindly because suggestions can be a mile long and for all you know, nothing suits you. You know you can just make up a name like all those designers do and pepper them into your statements… I mean, hello! They’re humans too. Hurrrmmm… I think I’ll just call mine no-hoe! Self-explanatory, eyh?
That’s how the current fashion trends are too. While fashion gurus are saying boho is so 2004, the not-so-new line of foho clothings (who came up with such names?) seem to dominate the runways and sideways. And foho is actually sneakily simply boho with a little more glamour, you’ll just wear that boho mini frock with the embroidery details at the hems with a 3 inch heeled, knee length suede/leather boots instead of flat pumps or flippers and add some large gaga gold/silver accessories instead of beads. Wallah! boho to foho in uno momento.. They say it’s the clash of the decades, 70s meets 80s… I say it’s a case of ideas running dry and quick ways of finishing old stocks.
But of course, there’s an upside to it when you can quickly recycle anything you have the wardrobe without having to fear being called outdated or backwards in your fashion sense. I reckon you can pretty much get away with anything if you’re a fohemian. (my penaakulan mantik sorts out that boho comes from bohemian.. so foho must be a fohemian, right?). You’ll be just fine when you can actually explain how the clashes of the decades theory work…
Another thing is how the word “vintage” has been passed of as something that happens almost immediately. Vintage this, vintage that… Even a bag that has just been made yesterday is said to have a vintage value and that kind of defeats the whole purpose, doesn’t it? Vintage stuff are supposed to be collectable rares, not something you simply buy in a flea market and decide, “hey, that’s surely a vintage.” Well, not in my dictionary of cracked wisdom, at least. And please, please don’t let me get started on those unkindly revisiting puffy puffed sleeves. I mean, ever since Louis Vuitton had them for the Spring 2007 collection, everybody is going crazy over it when it’s actually translated into hideous for most of us.
Well, us being us would mean nothing if we just blindly follow these fashion critics and advocates, especially when most of them will say long maxi dresses are going to be IN next season when Eva Mendes, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Alba all happen to wear them on the same week but hey, hey, turn around another fortnight from when that article was written and you’ll have the same writers swearing by their mothers that next season is going to be the leg worshipping lovers land of super micro-minis. And consider yourself very lucky if we are not rendered with other opinions and options the coming weeks because most of the time, they'll be repaying all those freebies dropping by their glossy office doors while you split your head into half trying to figure out which is which.
So my humble opinion is that you need to check out those fashion tips but really, you need to dress like how you feel and how you want to be comfortable. Don’t just succumb to what other people suggest blindly because suggestions can be a mile long and for all you know, nothing suits you. You know you can just make up a name like all those designers do and pepper them into your statements… I mean, hello! They’re humans too. Hurrrmmm… I think I’ll just call mine no-hoe! Self-explanatory, eyh?
The New Wonders!
I've been fascinated by the new 7 wonders of the world announced on 07.07.07, if I'm not mistaken. I'm thrilled because 4 of the ones I voted for made it to the list. Not bad eyh?
1) Great Wall of China- simply magnificient, tunggu saya tahun depan ;p (voted for)
2) Chichen Itza, Mexico- the gorgeous mayan temple but this is among my least favourite winner.
*image from http://www.creighton.edu/langlab/classes/spn202fs05/mexico2/chichenitza.jpg*
3) Christ Redeemer, Brazil- situated in Rio De Janeiro, it's more of a greeting and warm acceptance symbol than it is of a religious one.
4) Taj Mahal, India- if only everybody do fall in great love (voted for)
5) Machu Picchu, Peru- It's amazing how people of ancient civilisation could build a masterpiece in the middle of nowhere (somewhere near the Andes in the Amazon jungles) (voted for)
*image taken from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Peru_Machu_Picchu_Sunset.jpg/450px-Peru_Machu_Picchu_Sunset.jpg*
6)Petra, Jordan- my favourite winner, the red stone material and carved structure is of an entirely different level (voted for)
*image taken from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Khazneh.JPG/450px-Khazneh.JPG*
7) Colloseum, Italy-- it's an artful place made for a ruthless sport
The other three I voted for are:
1)Hagia Sophia, Turkey- for the very, very complicated history of the monument. It was first built as a church by the Byzantines before converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire in the 1500. It remains so until it was recently turned into a museum. Much disputes have been casted to claim the ownership of the building by several concerned parties and just by looking at it, I can see why.
*image taken from http://www.hartransom.org/Hart_Ransom/7_wonders/7wonders_lightfoot/images/Hagia%20Sophia1.jpg*
2)Stonehenge, UK- biaselah, things like this are worth being in the list.. haha
3)Pyramids of Giza, Egypt- self loving leaders, utmost worshipping of human being, sheer waste of revenues on symbolism... history tends to repeat itself in a vicious cycle and it's fun to see how long it would lead us on.
1) Great Wall of China- simply magnificient, tunggu saya tahun depan ;p (voted for)
2) Chichen Itza, Mexico- the gorgeous mayan temple but this is among my least favourite winner.
*image from http://www.creighton.edu/langlab/classes/spn202fs05/mexico2/chichenitza.jpg*
3) Christ Redeemer, Brazil- situated in Rio De Janeiro, it's more of a greeting and warm acceptance symbol than it is of a religious one.
4) Taj Mahal, India- if only everybody do fall in great love (voted for)
5) Machu Picchu, Peru- It's amazing how people of ancient civilisation could build a masterpiece in the middle of nowhere (somewhere near the Andes in the Amazon jungles) (voted for)
*image taken from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Peru_Machu_Picchu_Sunset.jpg/450px-Peru_Machu_Picchu_Sunset.jpg*
6)Petra, Jordan- my favourite winner, the red stone material and carved structure is of an entirely different level (voted for)
*image taken from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Khazneh.JPG/450px-Khazneh.JPG*
7) Colloseum, Italy-- it's an artful place made for a ruthless sport
The other three I voted for are:
1)Hagia Sophia, Turkey- for the very, very complicated history of the monument. It was first built as a church by the Byzantines before converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire in the 1500. It remains so until it was recently turned into a museum. Much disputes have been casted to claim the ownership of the building by several concerned parties and just by looking at it, I can see why.
*image taken from http://www.hartransom.org/Hart_Ransom/7_wonders/7wonders_lightfoot/images/Hagia%20Sophia1.jpg*
2)Stonehenge, UK- biaselah, things like this are worth being in the list.. haha
3)Pyramids of Giza, Egypt- self loving leaders, utmost worshipping of human being, sheer waste of revenues on symbolism... history tends to repeat itself in a vicious cycle and it's fun to see how long it would lead us on.
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