Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Cadbury recalls chocolates in Australia


NEWS JUST IN: British candy maker Cadbury recalled a brand of chocolates from stores in Australia after preliminary testing on the China-made sweets detected traces of melamine, the industrial chemical that has sickened tens of thousands of Chinese children.

Read more here


Monday, September 29, 2008

Rethinking Family & Children

While most people are concerned about the political situation, I think it is not important. Why, because countries and economies will bounce back. They usually do - some may take a longer time, or even a different route. For many of us, we all wish the route will be least violent one.   As parents with young children, we need to take steps back, reflect and plan our lives - taking our socio-, political and economic environment into perspective.

As parents it is not enough to give our children food on the table and learning to read and write. It is much more than that! It is preparing them for the future - a future we can only predict,unfortunately. To do this, we need to be able to nurture our children to think. To think different, to think out of the box. If we cannot to that we should at least strongly encourage our children to critically question as this is how the thinking process begins.

To create a thinking community, certain conditions must be present - one of them is freedom to question. This means that our children will not be imposed fear as it would prevent the flow of ideas and creativity. Another criteria is the tolerance to failure (much more than the need to be successful). 

One of the possible future prediction is that growth of what is called  the "creative economy" will drive change. The creative economy will be the "premium economy" while the current traditional production-based will be the "commodity".   Commodity because it's growth will be dependent on price, price of infrastructure, land and labour.  That's why factories production facilities are being built (and rebuilt) in countries that offer the lowest cost of operations.

Without going into an economic lecture, suffice to say that our country is not ready for the future.  We are living in the past (a failed past), freedom is lacking and the punitive actions of the laws such as the ISA, Sedition Act, etc is only helping people to be more afraid - when there is fear, there is no thinking. With no thinking, there will be no innovations and we will be stuck in the past. For this reason, I am oppose to such Acts. 

Of course, there is this thing called schools of which we have an education systems. Our schools are an extension of these factories lead be people who are far, far from innovative and forward looking. We cannot depend on schools, they were created a hundred years ago and theyhave not changed. This is another matter I have written on many times.  Okay, time to stop before this blog becoming a political blog. This post is about getting being concerned parents wanting the best for our children - in the future.  It's about connecting and reconnecting with our children,our community and society and actively seeking our children's true potential.

Where do we begin? Here are some of my thoughts.....



React, Respond or Anticipate?

Our kids are no longer babies protected under our wings. Our children are growing right in front of our eyes. Their universes are no longer within the limited radius of the crib or the baby car seat, or the walker. They are now more plugged into the a much bigger universe through the internet, television, friends and schools. In many cases our children seems to be more plugged-in than us. Their minds are being shaped as we speak. The sad things is that what's shaping their minds are not so much by parents. We parents need to compete with other more sources of influences.  

If we put together all the time we have available for our children (minus work, travelling, etc) versus their school, friends, internet, television and whatever else - parents time comes in somewhere in the bottom.  That's why some families do not have sattelite TV or internet in their homes.  The things that makes our lives better seems to be pulling use away from each other. Being parents today is not easy, more so in a complex urban environment.  Our lives are so different from the time of our parents.

So, how then do we manage of handle the situation? Do we react without thinking much, or to respond with some sensibility and patience? Or do we try to do something now and and anticipate the future? These are difficult questions, more difficult when each situation presents itself right before us.  Here is where we need to give a lot of focus and attention. Some of the work of FamilyPlace attempts to bring awareness. The awareness that being parents demands much more, we need to have a much broader perspective of things.

Simply put, we need to STOP and respond accordingly - STOP the need to keep up with the Jones, Ali's, Chong's or Samy's. Find your own lives values! We need to respond and anticipate.


Recognize the genius in our children

Many know that my family has embarked on the homeschooling for our children.  A couple of days ago someone remarked that we are "strongly encourage homeschooling". I said to this person, " Not true"!

We are strongly encouraging "diversity in learning". The one-size-fits-all schooling systems is not the way to go. Each child is different, we need to acknowledge them.

It is time to STOP judging our own children based on the criteria of others! Stop asking and comparing how many A's each child gets. Ask our children more of such questions:

"Are you happy?"

Ask ourselves:

"How our child is smart?"  (yes, this requires more work. It  is  easier to ask: how smart is our child?)


Find the time to connect and reconnect with our children. Seek for their true potential.  If Michael Phelps who was dignosed as having ADHD, can succeed, there is much hope for our children.  We need to find their strength and goodness.

Again, this effort requires hard work if you want to make the difference. When we make a difference to our lives and our children's. We are becoming a role model, a positive one. It is so much easier otherwise, not necessarily meaningful and effective.

The biggest challenge here in facing ourselves as parents. I know some parents find it really difficult even to hug their children, what more give them kisses. Some I know raise their voices and scold their children more often than talk with them. Guess what, the problem is with us parents - nothing wrong with our children. I know for a fact that these children long their parents affection, and sadly never get it. Parents over analyze this, go to therapist and healers to see what's wrong with their children but forget (or refuse) to find out if there is anything wrong with themselves. I really feel sorry for these children. 

So parents, you really need to go beyond yourselves! 


Seeing the bigger picture: Rethinking Needed!

I would really encourage all parents to look beyond to see the bigger picture. We need to rethink a lot of things and make meanful changes to our lives. We need to review and rethink about the environment our children are plugged into. At the same time reflect on how we ourselves are condition by our own parents and the environment at that time.

There is a saying in Chinese that goes "green comes from blue". This means a student can be better then his or her own teacher.  This as a reminder that there are much more to being parents than just giving the best to our children - we need to create the conditions and to allow them to excel in their own right. It is not just about passing examinations and surely not about scoring the most A's.  It is not just about making sure our kids get into universities and getting good jobs. It is looking beyond all that. 

I hope this posting will be a little catalyst in this rethinking process. I hope there will be lots of questioning and lots more dialogue among parents with the inclusion of our children.  

Some friends have asked us how do we ensure what we are doing is right. My standard answer is, "we are embracing and adapting change, our children will thus be able to better adapt to changes in the future. We are making this a way of life".

Above, all we cannot go wrong when we love our children and truly make the effort ourselves. We are not afraid to make changes as the only constants are our love for our children and change itself.

possibly more coming........



A Personal Vigil

Could not make it for the vigil on but had my own personal one! Put a candle next to Malaysia flag (yes, our flag is still flying!). 

FREE RPK! FREE ALL THE ISA DETAINEED AND ABOLISH THE ISA!





Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Parents say no to NS stint after son’s death

How heartless can these people be? I am sure this will be swept under the carpet, no investigation, (of course) no reports - after all he dies AFTER NS, so not their problems.This is despite the fact that there was complain of the food and "drinking water" being yellowish.

I sympathize with the Lim family. May they be well!

Read on and tell me what you think...

Parents say no to NS stint after son’s death

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Friday, September 19, 2008

Teresa now being released

Great News!!! That leaves 62 others. Let's continue to pray and send good thoughts. People with good thoughts will release people detained under ISA. More good thoughts will help abolish the ISA.

Join us this evening.... PUJA & MEDITATION FOR PEACE


Read first hand news: Teresa now being released

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Kickdefella - Kicked!

This time, its Syed Azidi Syed Aziz, better known as Sheih Kickdefella. I do not know him personally, but I read his blogs and respect him for coming out and speaking up. Remanded under the Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act - could it be because of his calling for people to fly the national flag upside down like this....


as sign of a country in distress. Or could it be his blockbusters "NOW SHOWING" movies, such as this....


Nevertheless, I pray you be well and be released and all charges be dropped. I join the vigil (virtually). To be there in person, Vigil Tonight! CCID, Bkt Perdana, 8.30pm ; Sedition vs. Malaysia’s True Patriots


Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Vigil at SS14


We were at the DAP's Service center in SS14 organized by Hannah Yeoh (Adun Subang Jaya). It's good and refreshing to see Malaysian of all races come together to hold vigil for Teresa Kok

The event was a nationwide campaign (Kempen Sokong, Simpati dan Solidariti) for Teresa Kok and for me to personally acknowledge that the ISA MUST be abolished!




While we celebrate 916....

As look forward to a "new" Malaysia, another innocent life is LOST. My heart goes out to the family of Lai Ying Xin, a 16-year old, full of promise and future. May she rest in peace!

On this special Malaysian day, let us remind ourselves that we need to much more to make our country a safe and conducive place for our children.

My prayer goes out to Lai and her family!

------------------------------------------

Kidnappers murder schoolgirl, torch body and demand ransom from family

JOHOR BARU, Sept 16 - A group of youths kidnapped a 16-year-old schoolgirl, murdered her and torched the body in Kulai Jaya last Friday.

The kidnappers then demanded a RM33,000 ransom from Lai Ying Xin's family to secure her "release"!

The family paid the ransom - unaware that the victim's body had been dumped in undergrowth in Taman Putri.

Police believe the teenager was murdered within 24 hours of being kidnapped in front of a supermarket where she was working part-time.

Johor police deputy chief Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said a police team arrested a 16-year-old school dropout and two men in a Perodua Kembara in Kulai at 6.15pm yesterday.

He said two-thirds of the ransom money was seized from the suspects. Tun Hisan said about an hour later, another 16-year-old suspect was nabbed to facilitate investigations.


Read on at The Malaysian Insider

Saturday, September 13, 2008

A Prayer for Peace



I am sadden by the arrests of RPK, Teresa Kok and Tan Hoon Cheng. I am upset and angry, the ISA is used without giving them a chance to defend themselves through the legal process. I pray they be safe and be promptly released.

I pray for the end of ISA

I pray for the end of the rule of a regime that is corrupt, selfish totally bankrupt of ideas. A regime who takes the people of Malaysia as stupid and backwards. A regime that has taken away the wealth of our country and set Malaysia back many years.

I pray for a new, peaceful and a bright future if not for anything - for our children!




The Malaysia for Our Children

A couple of weeks ago, a friend told me (rather swore) that very soon our dear Prime Minister for all Malaysians will launch a crack down and arrest citizens using the dreaded the ISA (Internal Security Act). I was not sure what to believe until the news today. Yes, at this point RPK, Teresa Kok and Sin Chew journalist, Tan Hoon Cheng were all detained. There may be more in the morning. Seems like 1987 all over again. Perhaps time it may be different, who knows? One thing for sure, these are challenging times for Malaysia.

Challenging it may be, depressing is another way to describe how blatant racism goes unabated, at times glorified. How do we explain to our children that people who makes racists remarks are allowed to continue doing that while others who report them are caught and jailed? This is going to be a painful lesson to unlearn. Painful as it is, we must unlearn them for the sake of our children.

It is very tempting to tell how bad the people are, especially those in the corridor of powers. It is easy at a time like this to vent anger and frustration. It is this anger that blinds and clouds our judgment. It is difficult not talk about about a person deemed as racist without associating this person to a particular race. In this situation, what will be the state of Malaysia our children inherit?

How do we reverse the discrimination that children seem to automatically inherit, just as we did? If we do not take care, children by the age of four, will be able to identify racial difference. Soon after, they are able to accurately identify the stereotypes associated with specific groups.

Let us put effort to release ourselves from the limitation of our own mindset and begin to truly celebrate differences. Our schools are not doing that enough, we need to do more at home with our friends, neighbors and especially within our own community. Let us work for peace and teach our children that anger does not solve the problems - we do not need to take to the streets all the time, there are other, more effective ways. I do not have all the answers, I have a lot of the questions. Let our children play and have fun with anyone and celebrate diversity. What we do now with our children will be the Malaysia they will inherit.


Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Who is running this country? - a response

A friend carefully pointed out to me that the title of my posting should be,

"Who is running AWAY from this Country?"

And was asked to check out this piece from Malaysianinsider.com, 41 BN MPs fly off to Taiwan amid uncertainty. Look at the picture of one of our MPs (below), does that look like a golf bag to you? If it is, does agriculture research include grass on the golf course?


Monday, September 08, 2008

Who is Running this Country?

I can't help but to express this. I see our whole country in a bloody mess! UMNO Divisional Leaders over-riding the President, DPM not in line with people's sentiment, MCA and other BN component parties seems lost. Racial cards are being played, inciting fear. Looks like our current and past generation will suffer if our leaders cannot get their act together.

By the way things are going, it seems our future generation will also be screwed! It took them years to settle simple things such as heavy school bags. Figuing out maths and science in English is another sad case. It seems as though it is more important to staisfy political alliances than to do something really important for students. Found these letters on Education Malaysia. Interesting how political leaders send their children to privellaged schools abroad or to private schools locally.

We need change, and need it fast! Can Sept 16 happen? Will it be strong enough to make a difference?

Will these people run the country like they are suppose to? I certainty hope so!

RandomThoughts

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Position vacant: Statesman

Position vacant: Statesman

Spotted this on Malaysianinsider.com this morning. I blogged about seeking a statesman/stateswomen but without fail. The sad this is that while this position remains open, our economic situation remains on a possible downward trend, our education systems continues to mess-up our education system. All our leaders seems to be interested to do is to protect their plot. Can we move forward?

Thursday, September 04, 2008

My Merdeka Weekend



I had a busy Merdeka weekend as my kids were involved in the last leg of the ASUM/MILO/SportsExcel Junior Swimming competition. Yes, life is very much different since my two girls got into competitive swimming. Getting out of the house at 6.30am on Saturday and Sunday, and driving all the way to Cheras is not an easy task. The closest I got to the celebration and parade was when the planes and helicopters flew overhead with the state flags. Yes, that was it! That was (the official) Merdeka celebrations for me.

With political uncertainty and frustration from being called a "squatter" in the country I am born, grew up and have a valid citizenship, has slightly definitely dampen the spirit of the celebrations. I kept wondering what's happening to our country and our leaders? Merdeka celebrations is slowly becoming a bore - same parades over the past 50 years to demonstrate and display patriotism is becoming a jaded affair, the celebrations is moving into purely, an event - devoid of spirit.

While the celebrations has become somewhat stagnant, it is heartening to know that Merdeka spirit itself is still strong - at least at the swimming stadium. In the same swim meet, people of all races came together for the purpose of winning, or at least better their times. There was no distinction as to their race or religion. We were all swimmers, Malaysian swimmers, with their officials, parents and supporters. We did not need to be conscious about the differences, we were colour blind. In another children activity held recent, parents all gathered to watch the stage performances of their children. Again, they were not bothered about race, religion or whatever our political leaders ask us to. We were just there. We were there for our children, through our children we could see through the differences and concentrated on similiarities. One thing, I have learnt is that as long as we think of the future of our children, there is much hope.

Perhaps the most important lesson on Merdeka comes from vour children, they naturally learn to appreciate anyone. We the adults are the ones, who teach them to divide and to tolerate one another. It'stime we stop this charade. Learn to appreciate one another as our kids have done.

HAPPY MERDEKA! Everyone.

Random Thoughts