28 March 2008

CARPE DIEM!!!

First let me apologise for the lack of updates lately. Just got back from vacation... ;) And since then, I was kinda, well, let just put it as lazy, to write new entry in this blog...

I guess the time for a fresh article has come! =)

I watched 'Dead Poets Society' last Monday. The main reason why I watched it is simply because Robin Williams stars in it. I just LOVE him! Well, that's a side issue that I might want to discuss later on. ;)

In this movie, one phrase that almost all the main characters keep saying and repeating is carpe diem, a Latin word meaning 'seize the day'.


So... There's this particular scene that intrigues me the most. I think of all scenes, this one has left a deep impact on me.

In this scene, a group of students was asked to gather by Mr. Keating (Williams) outside the classroom; one of his many unorthodox ways of teaching. He then asked 3 of his students to walk around. First, all of them walked at a different pace. One of them was slow and another was fast. You know what I mean. Then somehow, they managed to harmonise their pace and steps. Keating said this exercise is "..to illlustrate the point of conformity. The difficulty of maintaining your beliefs in faith of others."

And then he said, "We all have a great need for acceptance. But you must trust your beliefs are unique, your own. Even others might think they are odd, or unpopular..." He then instructed all the students to stroll around, with their own style of pace. Let it fast, or slow, or silly, or whatever. It didn't really matter...

Robert Frost humbly proclaims,

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."


Get my point...? Dare to be different! And seize the day!

"Aku suka singkong, kau suka keju..."

-gabbana-

p/s: Do watch the movie. Highly recommended!

9 March 2008

Paul Potts: The REAL Ugly Duckling

Amazing! Touches my heart everytime I watch it... Simply magnificent. Enjoy...!



-gabbana-

8th March. What Do You Say? (part V): The results!

Just like I predicted.... Exactly like I predicted! Haha.. I guess there is nothing much to be proud of that, as everyone probably could have guessed the same. ^ ^


Barisan Nasional, under the command of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been given the green light to form the federal government, as they have won the 12th General Election by simple majority. Interestingly however, they failed to retain the 2/3 majority and this election has been perceived as the worst ever for BN. Many ministers and the deputies conceded defeat, notably Sammy Vellu, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Koh Tsu Koon and M.Kayveas. Abdullah was speechless when asked to comment on the shocking defeat of BN, and only managed to utter "We've lost, we've lost." Even for himself, his victory in Kepala Batas was reduced to 11,000 majority, from 18,000 of the last election.


For the opposition, this may be the sweetest victory they have ever accomplished. 4 new states, namely Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor have joined Kelantan to be governed by them. Lim Guan Eng and Khalid Ibrahim have already been named to lead Penang and Selangor respectively. 'Hot' opposition candidates such as Nurul Izzah and her mom, Datin Wan Azizah, Azmin Ali and many more have further strengthened the stronghold of the opposition in both states and parliament. Anwar Ibrahim, the de-facto leader of Parti Keadilan Rakyat described the results of the 12th General Election as "The New Dawn of Malaysia."


More updates and comments will be published later.


p/s: Couldn't be happier, for a greater Malaysia, tanah tumpah darahku.

-gabbana-

8 March 2008

8th March. What Do You Say? (part IV): The Judgment Day

By the time I write this, the polling session has already finished back in Malaysia. 10.92 million registered voters will decide the country's fate for the next 4 years. 214 parliamentary and 501 state seats are at stake. This is the 12th General Election since Malaysia achieved its independent status.



I sincerely hope Malaysians will not disapoint me in showing their true maturity and wisdom... Lets us all pray the best will unveil and of course, may the BEST men win! =)

-gabbana-

7 March 2008

Haru Biru!

ISRAEL - Moses may have been high when he came down from Mount Sinai bearing Ten Commandments, researchers have claimed. The team, from Jerusalem's Hebrew University, said two plants in the Sinai desert are hallucinogenic. Similar psychoactive plants in South America are known to produce 'profound religious and spiritual feelings,' researchers said.

-Metro, Wednesday 5th March

Hahaha... I find this as hilarious...! Really! They even made fun of their prophet...?? What they are saying is essentially Moses made up the Commandments...? Geez...

There are things in this world which you cannot simply use your logic mind to think of it. Science is not everything. Your mind has limit, which once you cross it, you'll start to question all sort of things. And this is dangerous, not just to yourself but others as well.

In Islam, the Muslims fundamentally believe that prophet Musa (Moses) a'laihi salam was indeed sent by the Lord of A'lamin to his people to convey one clear and only message; there in NO god worthy worshiped but Allahu Ta'ala.

In the al-Quran, Allah says in Surah an-Nahl 16:36,

"And verily, We have sent among every ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): Worship Allah (alone) and avoid Taaghut (all false deities)..."

So it comes to a big surprise to me, knowing that Moses' own people are accusing him of fraud... Shameful eh?

-gabbana-

p/s: I watched the 10 Commandments (1956's film) when I was a small kid. I enjoyed it so much!


6 March 2008

8th March. What Do You Say? (part III): SPR - Sungguh Palsu Rasanya...

Batal guna dakwat tepat – Najib

KUALA TERENGGANU 5 Mac – Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata, tindakan Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) membatalkan penggunaan dakwat kekal pada kuku dalam pilihan raya umum 8 Mac ini adalah satu langkah yang tepat berikutan kemungkinan berlaku unsur sabotaj untuk menimbulkan kekecohan pada hari mengundi.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri memberitahu, ada pihak boleh mempengaruhi sesetengah pengundi untuk menggunakan dakwat yang sama pada kuku jari sehingga menyebabkan mereka tidak layak mengundi.

‘‘Kalau tidak layak mengundi, kita telah menafikan hak mereka di bawah Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan akan timbul banyak kekecohan dan ketegangan pada hari mengundi.

‘‘Jadi tindakan SPR ini merupakan satu langkah yang amat tepat,” kata Najib selepas menghadiri majlis peneroka bersama pemimpin dan pelancaran Hotel Felda Residence di sini hari ini.

Pengerusi SPR, Tan Sri Ab. Rashid Ab. Rahman ketika mengumumkan keputusan pembatalan penggunaan dakwat kekal itu semalam mendedahkan terdapat pihak tertentu dari Malaysia telah membeli dakwat itu dari luar negara dan merancang untuk mencalitkannya pada kuku pengundi di luar bandar bagi menimbulkan syak wasangka mengenai status mereka.

Menurut Najib, ada kemungkinan unsur sabotaj berlaku pada pilihan raya dan ia perlu dielakkan melalui langkah yang diambil oleh SPR itu.

Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, beliau menasihatkan golongan yang tidak mahu keluar mengundi supaya menunaikan tanggungjawab mereka bagi memastikan kelangsungan proses demokrasi di negara ini.

Beliau bagaimanapun berpuas hati dengan rekod peratusan pengundi yang keluar mengundi di Malaysia pada pilihan raya sebelum ini iaitu antara yang tertinggi di dunia.

Najib membandingkan jumlah pengundi di Amerika Syarikat (AS) yang kurang daripada 50 peratus keluar mengundi pada pemilihan Presiden dengan pilihan raya di Malaysia yang umumnya mencatatkan peratusan keluar mengundi sehingga 75 peratus.

Malah, menurut beliau, di sesetengah tempat di Malaysia peratusan yang keluar mengundi melebihi 80 peratus.

- Utusan Online

I say...

I wonder what else the government have in mind. Just 4 days, FOUR freakin' days before the election. Hah! We are moving towards the Vision 2020 and we claim to be one of the most developing countries in the Asian region. Yet, our Election Commission can't even resolve on such a trivial matter. I feel deeply ashamed with my country's credibility in dealing with one of the most important aspects of a democratic country. So called democracy eh?

Couldn't really careless....

-gabbana-


a thin line

in face of conflicting decisions, there certainly is a very thin line between the two options.
and it is in this ability to clearly demarcate the line that great practice of the faith is produced.

imagine, trying to delve into an alien world, where all that you know is the medium of interaction. all that you thought you signed up for was a mere scant dalliance with some people. fair enough you thought. but you finally realise that you are there just to figure out that joining this world is a different process altogether. that while you come prepared with your 'clothes of faith', you are made to decide whether you will always be able to wear it in this world. whether or not you will have to act like the rest? whether you will act as if the clothes had not been there in the first place.
uncertain times, indeed.
it sways both ways.
one day you see a better light, you see peers from this new world with a complete clothe.
and you thought, well what a surprise: i will do the same.
the other day, while being around peers from this new world, you don't see anything.
and you decided, well these people are not doing anything: well let's act like them.

so life treats you with a lot of challenges. and at times, you err knowingly. and true, the bitter taste left is quite profound.
and it makes you wonder at times of solitude, the whole reason of venturing into this new world.

it is baffling, this world, strange to the heart so nurtured with certainty and decided paths.

you come defined in every sense. and you forget parts of your definition.
and then you see this new world reconciling and even recognising the elements which helped define those particular parts of you.
you feel ashamed. embarrassed.
and you get confused.

in the know and you still err?

and you
thought
to yourself

may be the knowledge is not sufficient?
could it be too superficial?

and you then embark on a journey of revisitation of your definition. so that you may, by His graces, embrace your definition, after having come to terms with your definition.
after having unpacked and dismantled, and then repackaging in a neater manner with a more sound basis.

and you pray the two words will be a big banner for your definition (or rather re-definition) of your soul: embrace and pride.

and do we really think, after having accepted it, we will not be tested?

5 March 2008

8th March. What Do You Say? (part II) : PoliTIKUS yang PolitikWANG

Malangnya, hampir di mana-mana di dunia ini, ahli politik yang rakus dan tamak haloba akan kuasa dan kedudukan lebih gemar menggunakan cara kotor, tetapi mudah untuk memancing undi. Situasi ini tidah berlaku di negara-negara dunia ketiga sahaja, malah juga menjadi isu di negara-negara maju.

Tidak lama sebelum ini, hampir seluruh media utama Britain memberikan liputan perdana terhadap isu politikwang ini, apabila didapati seorang mogul empayar perniagaan menyalurkan sejumlah wang 'derma' kepada parti Buruh pimpinan Gordon Brown, melalui tangan-tangan rahsia.

Selagi manusia menjadikan material sebagai idola dan tujuan hidup, maka selagi itulah politikus-politikus ini akan terus mengekalkan kuasa mereka. Selagi mana pengundi Malaysia melihat pilihan raya kali ini sebagai lombong emas untuk mengumpul kekayaan, selagi itulah kerajaan yang korup akan terus memerintah....

Jadilah pengundi yang kudus lagi telus!



-gabbana-

Daging Masak Hitam

3 posts in a day....? I must be really bored huh...??

Just can't stand dolce's scrumptious roti canai, to be honest... ;p So just wanna share with whoever have so much of free time reading this entry (ahah!) and nothing else to do, the turun temurun recipe (my allahyarhamah granmama to my mama and to me...! ^ ^) that i personally rate as one of my signature dishes! (cant help to blow my own trumpet here!)

Bahan-bahan
Daging (dihiris)
Kicap manis (Cap Kipas Udang...?)
2/3 Ulas Bawang besar
20 biji Cili Kering
Asam Jawa
Gula n Garam secukup rasa

Cara-cara
1) Rebus daging. Kalau rebus daging guna, say 4 cups of water, rebus sampai tinggal satu cawan je. DO NOT throw away the air rebusan!
2) Goreng daging yang dah direbus sampai garing.
3) Blend bawang and cili kering. 20 are a lot actually, for those yang tak tahan pedas! So agak-agak la...
4) Tumis bawang dan cili yang telah dikisar sehingga naik bau (wangi).
5) Masukkan air lebihan rebusan tadi. Masukkan kicap manis secawan.
6) Masukkan daging yang telah digoreng tadi.
7) Tunggu seketika, sebelum masukkan air perahan asam jawa.
8) And the rest, as any other recipes, pandai-pandailah repair secukup rasa. Tambah gula sikit ke, garam ke, more asam jawa ke...
9) Masaklah sehingga pekat.

Tips: Honestly, there is no specific or special way of doing this, or any other dishes for that matter, but to use your own wit and experience. In other words, agak-agak je la... Ahah!

Ready to eat! Sedap dimakan dengan pulut kuning, nasi mahupun roti! *drool*

I have to warn you though... It takes a hell lot of energy and time to prepare this! But trust me, it is worth cooking! Simply DELICIOUS!

Disclaimer: I won't be responsible for any casualties or fatalities as a result of failing to cook this dish properly. Please consult me should any difficulties arise. hihi~

p/s: I'll put up the picture the next time i cook it. Which is, er, a very long time from now..............? ;p

-gabbana-

Do we want a LEADER, or a DREAMER...?

Have a look, and give your honest view... Enjoy! ^ ^



-gabbana-

8th March. What do you say? (part I)

Yeah, has been thinking of writing on election as well.... Kinda busy lately. VERY busy.

8th March 2008 will be yet another 'fiesta', i would say. A staged performance. A planned theatrical satire. Or a satirical theater? Whichever you prefer. Honestly, i don't think the opposition can win. Nope. And i am sure BN will continue its so called supremacy in our beloved country. Like duh rite?? You don't need a political analyst to tell that to your face.

However, i am kinda optimistic that the opposition will give a tough fight this time. Probably tougher than 1999's election. That BN will win, but with smaller majority. Unless, they 'choose' to win with a land slight. We'll see...

Probably dolce has a different view? Will write more extensively later...



-gabbana-

4 March 2008

distorted self perception

been yearning to write 'bout the elections.
there is a major misconception of trust and self-identification of the position held by the government.
but yeah, not in that particular intellectual mood tonite.
will get down to it when Lady Muse caresses me.

3 March 2008

oh man its roti canai

man was i thankful to God i was finally inspired to make a proper roti canai yesterday.
this is the real thing i have been dreaming to make and eat for like ages.
yeah yeah. peeps will go: 'so wo'? you can get it at MSD' but yeah mate, aint the same.
the little thingy from msd is so overrated. it's small. it's not fluffy. and the last thing i want is two pieces for GBPy , which translates into MYR 7y.
and above all, it was flying..yeah that damn roti was flying...i did it...
here is a picture of it...wey roti telur some more you know...

d

Related Posts with Thumbnails
"Sesungguhnya Allah membeli dari orang-orang mukmin, baik diri mahupun harta mereka dengan memberikan syurga kepada mereka. Mereka berperang di jalan Allah; sehingga mereka membunuh atau terbunuh...

Maka bergembiralah dengan jual beli yang telah kamu lakukan itu, dan demikian itulah kemenangan yang Agung."

-At Taubah, 9:111

  © Blogger template 'Ultimatum' by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP