Congrats, Sha!

Just got back from Sha's Malay wedding lunch reception at her house. Going back to history, we were classmates throughout primary schooldays since Std 1. At one point of time, somewhere around Std 4, I started hanging out with her and these 2 other Malay girls. Eventually we became very close friends. I even skipped recess to 'puasa' with her during the fasting period. ;)

After we left school, our friendship somehow drifted apart. Only once in a blue moon would I pick up the phone, call her and catch up with each other's lives. Until few weeks ago, she asked for my home address, to send me an invitation card to her wedding.

So there I was this afternoon, witnessing her biggest day in her life. Frankly speaking, I felt slightly awkward there. I was probably the only Chinese around and I knew no one there. But as soon as I saw Sha, and I saw her smile, I felt honoured. The person I embraced with was my very close buddy. Someone I knew for 19 years now but have not met for almost 13 years. Someone who's now stepping into the married stage in life. For that, I felt truly honoured. Honoured to be still remembered and to still play a part in her life. I will never forget that moment.

To my dear Sha, semoga bahagia selalu. *Hugz*

That Kind Word "Maybe"

My parents never had much money, but they enriched us by their use of that wonderful word "maybe".

Much of the time it was a hope word. When we'd plead, "Can I have a new bike?", "Are we going to the circus?", Dad would have to ponder. "Maybe", he would say, not wanting to make a promise he couldn't keep.

"Maybe" was also their word for dreaming. "Maybe next summer we can take a trip to the ocean". "Maybe someday we can buy a little farm with a brook".

But the thing I remember best is that "maybe" was a word for making allowances for others. Whenever one of us would make a snap judgement, we would hear it. "Just look at the poor lady loading all the groceries in the car while her husband sits there. Why doesn't he help her?" "Maybe he's been sick", Dad sympathized. "Maybe he's had a heart attack". Or "Doesn't that woman look awful. Her slip's showing and she's got a big run in her stocking". Mother : "Maybe her strap broke and she doesn't have a safety pin. Maybe she doesn't know about the run".

All this came back to me one awful day when my brakes failed in city traffic. Terrified, I couldn't even pause at lights except to go bucking into neutral. "You fool! Why don't you learn to drive?", a passing motorist bawled.

In my instant hurt and outrage I wanted to bellow back, "You're rude, you're mean! Can't you see I'm in trouble?". I didn't -- It wouldn't have done any good. But that's not what stopped my tirade. It was simply the healing word "maybe". Maybe the man was already tired and mad and hurting. Maybe he's just been fired, or his mate is leaving him. Maybe nobody ever taught him to control his temper.Maybe he can't help it!

Still praying desperately, I finally made it to a filling station and safely home -- Too grateful to blame anybody, and so relieved I found myself praying for that man.

Dear Lord, don't let me be so quick to judge people. We all have burdens and reasons others can't see. No matter what the provocation, help each of us to remember that kind word "maybe".

~~ By Marjorie Holmes, shared by Joe Gatuslao ~~

Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough

I don't wanna lose you, I don't wanna use you
Just to have somebody by my side
And I don't wanna hate you, I don't wanna take you
But I don't wanna be the one to cry
That don't really matter to anyone, anymore
But like a fool I keep losing my place
And I keep seeing you walk through that door

But there's a danger in loving somebody too much
And it's sad when you know it's your heart you can't trust
There's a reason why people don't stay where they are
Baby sometimes love just ain't enough

Now I could never change you, I don't wanna blame you
Baby you don't have to take the fall
Yes I may have hurt you, but I did not desert you
Maybe I just want to have it all
It makes a sound like thunder, it makes me feel like rain
And like a fool who will never see the truth
I keep thinking's something's gonna change

But there's a danger in loving somebody too much
And it's sad when you know it's your heart you can't trust
There's a reason why people don't stay where they are
Baby sometimes love just ain't enough

And there's no way home, when it's late at night and you're all alone
Are there things that you wanted to say
Do you feel me beside you in your bed
There beside you where I used to lay

And there's a danger in loving somebody too much
And it's sad when you know it's your heart they can't touch
There's a reason why people don't stay who they are
Cause baby sometimes love just ain't enough
Baby sometimes love just ain't enough.

~~ Patty Smith & Don Henley - Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough ~~

Are We Really Human In The First Place

My deepest sympathy and condolences to the US civilian, Nick Berg's family on the latest tragic incident. If you haven't been following on what's been going on in Iraq after Saddam Hussein's capture, let me just summarize it for you.

Recently, the papers all around the world had been publishing photos of the Iraqi prisoners being abused and sexually humiliated by the US/UK armies in Abu Ghraib prison. Yesterday, the Iraqis retaliated by holding a US civilian as hostage, and offered to exchange him for the prisoners. However they were refused. The Iraqis beheaded the civilian and filmed the whole process.

Will these never end? Are they going to keep on threatening each other, spill innocent blood all over until one party gives in? The video was totally gruesome!! The Iraqis just tied the guy and held him against the floor, and another Iraqi just slit his head off and holding only the head after the whole thign!! I was nearly at the edge of puking out nasi lemak I took for lunch!! It's worse than slaughtering a cow!! I'm not siding any parties but this is just too much!!

Who are we to have the right to be God, to kill people, to take away their lives?? Innocent people, in fact, thousands of innocent people were sacrificed during the war. Isn't this enough?? I don't care who's wrong, who's right, but come on lar, this is really too much!!

You, the coalition forces, you have your man already. Can't you just go back to your bloody own countries and leave Iraq alone?? Who are you to haev the right to start the war? Do you think that once you've got Saddam, everything's gonna be peaceful and quiet? Bullshit!

And you, the Iraqis, where in your Quran did it say that you can kill humans?? And you don't have the right to honour God after acting this sin!!

All of you, you are disgracing Christianity and Islam and all other religions in the world! You know what, you both parties, every single one of you are worse than animals! I hope that you will all go to hell!!

Thank You, My 'Bridge'

Just when I'm down in the dumps, I pressed PLAY on my CD player. This song came up, and I felt alright again..

When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all
I'm on your side, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you

I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on silvergirl, sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.

~~ Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water ~~