May

Inconsiderate acts of people

Dear Editor,
         
             In this modern day, trailing the glory of technology and advancement comes along the plight of regressing humanity values. It is utterly disappointing to witness the dire state of the current scarcity of basic mannerisms in the present society. Every day, hour and moment we see many inconsiderate acts of people that has already gripped the society so tightly that it has been received as a norm or just something ordinary in our lives. These inhumane practices do affect every one depending on their beliefs, judgements, their way of thinking and the principles they abide by. Even if one gets annoyed or unhappy with certain characteristics or actions of someone we encounter that are plain rude and uncivilised, we have learnt to forbear such people as it is nothing new. Usually when we are faced with people like this, instead of trying to persuade and rectify the problem, we would rather endure it and only go to the extent of complaining and grousing to ourselves or to friends behind the refuge of a shut door. Undoubtedly, no one is spared from his or her guilt in committing and even displaying certain inconsiderate and disgraceful habits in our daily walk.

             Based on studies about human behaviours and what incite them to act rashly, we can deduce that one of the main root of the problem lies to the fact that people are selfish and only think about themselves. Smoking where it is prohibited is one of the major concern that is happening too often today. Public places  which are air conditioned would become such an uncomfortable place to be at when some unmindful smokers start to puff poisonous smoke from their cigarette. Honestly, the smell of smoke that fills the entire premise is very revolting. Some bus drivers think not of their passengers as they blissfully smoke to their hearts content while passengers suffocate at the back. They would play ignorant to signs prohibiting smoking and continue on because most of the time other than pinching to close the nostrils and fanning away the choking smell, people do not have the guts to tell them off. The consequence of that, poor elderly and children are made passive smokers. Moreover, selfishness of one is shown when one jumps queue constantly refusing to wait in a long line like others as well as hogging for too long onto something others are also waiting for.

             Furthermore, some people do not excercise care and thought about public amenities. More often than not, good and new equipment in perfect condition at public places, for instance the park or children's playground and even the library could only be utilised for a short period of time before something would go loose or compartments would become worn and torn off due to rough handling. Doodling and scribbles about anything and everything on the table, on the walls, on the borrowed books is by no means considered art or graffiti when especially you are dirtying those things that are you did not pay for and also depriving others from utilising them. We should safe our creative hankering for the art papers and not the tables. Having the privilege to benefit from the facilities graciously given us, we have no rights to vandalise them but instead we have to uphold the duty of using them with great care as a reflection of our appreciation. Logically we would not want others to destroy our belongings that we share with them, so do unto others what we would want others to do to us.

             In addition, some inconsiderate acts of people are dangerous and could cause a lot of trouble. Laws are not meant to be broken. They are enforced for the reason of protection and ensuring that there is a proper system for everything. Today, we question the standards of passing and licensing motorists as we watch in horror all sorts of daring stunts and menacing driving on the road, until some opt not to drive themselves for fear for their lives. Speeding, breaking all speed limits, beating traffic lights, double parking are just a handful of offenses we have to put up with every day. Worse of all is fighting and provoking other drivers while on the road like exchanging shouts and protests and venting their anger in the form of honks or trying to outdo each other in a childish make-believe race. People would not want to get involve in such irrationality if it is non of our business, but it is and therefore, people are concerned. Innocent lives are put on the line because accidents can occur at any time at the rate these inconsiderate people are going. Driving on the road is like entering a battlefield and those who managed to evade any accidents are considered victorious.

          I have seen enough of these thoughtless and tactless acts and I have heard enough complains about other people having to tolerate and face these nuisance. Here I am writing my thoughts on this matter, the fatally growing problem rising from within the society, in hopes of creating awareness about the extremity of this issue so that measures of reformation can be taken starting by kicking out our bad habits and selfish ways and start considering the result of our actions on the people around us. Let us all work together in realising a better society to avoid degrading too low a standard.

                                                                                                                                  Hopeful Gen-Y


         

April week 4

Exam's round the corner once again and I am back fretting over it like how I always do. I can't ever get tired of the anxiety it brings not that I don't want to, trust me I really do wish that exams to me can seem part of every one's life. That's because along with exams comes that grueling time to work our brains, to make sure all the lessons in class really sink into our heads. Suppressing the knowledge and information in is one thing, mastering the technique of answering question papers of different forms of evaluation, for instance  structured questions and essay questions, every one differing according to subjects is another. Then, there's the time consuming, brain squeezing memory work where we try to know who's who and what's what for History and Biology at our fingertips. Sighh... But that's okay I guess, because as a student dreaming of a good career and bountiful income, this is a prerequisite for sure. As I constantly remind myself that, I hope to endure through all future exams with some comfort.

April week 3

During the recent Wednesday which was a public holiday, my family managed to squeeze in a one-day trip to Ipoh for yet again another food excursion! We left early in the morning to make sure we arrive just in time for breakfast in Kampar. (All our food stops are from a list of highly recommended and commendable stalls that my father diligently compiled from reading food blogs) Therefore I knew the food we'll be gorging the rest of the day will be assured of its good taste. For breakfast, we had the famous charcoal-fried noodles, Wan Tan noodles(the best among all the food we ordered), Curry Chee Cheong Fun and Kampar noodle soup. After satisfying our hunger, we then rushed on to Ipoh, another 45 minute-drive away as we didn't want to miss getting a taste of a crowd-pleasing bowl of curry mee. Sadly, the shop wasn't opened that day. Following that, we enjoyed a very subtle tasting and cooling Tau Foo Fa along with soya bean to liberate some heat on that hot hot day. My favourite stop however was at an old-fashioned, traditional Kopitiam in Ipoh Old Town(no big surprise there). They serve the most authentic and delicious Old Town White coffee that makes me time travel back to the time of my grandfathers'. The taste we get from the coffee has the right kick and richness of flavour, very different from the ones we get here.  As perfect complements to our Iced Coffee, we ordered Sotong Kangkung with generous flooding of the unique gravy as well as sate. That was definitely one sumptuous brunch! And our tummies were pleading that we give them a break! So, we did. We rested in my grandparent's place till late afternoon and managed to visit the much talked about Gaharu Tea Plantation (their gaharu ice-cream is to die for!) To mark the end of our food trail, we had dinner at a dim sum restaurant in Ipoh that didn't fail to live up to its name. I feel glad that we, Malaysians, have this culture of 'balik kampung' where the younger generations especially, can go back to their roots and experience the food the older generation ate and how was the eating culture like last time. These are indeed simple pleasures.

April week 2

Today was very enjoyable for me during my late lunch trip to the heart of KL. My father had decided to bring my family to a certain hawker stall selling their signature beef noodle soup in Jalan Tun H.S Lee after chancing upon an article that features a few recommended food stalls around Petaling Street that is guaranteed to entice our taste buds. So being adventurous foodies, we were exited to put our food-critique expertise to work either to acknowledge the tastefulness and good quality food that the stall has to offer or to prove otherwise. This time, the beef noodle soup that was served was top-notch and if say so myself, heavenly. The beef condiments ranging from the most tender beef slices, the best quality beef balls to perfectly cooked beef tripe and the most generous pieces of beef tendons I've ever eaten in any single bowl serving! Yummy!! What's beef noodle soup if the soup has nothing to shout about? Well this one has everything to shout about! It's slightly different from the Vietnamese version otherwise known as Pho Bo as in the soup is not clear and light but rather it is flavour-packed with the essence of beef distinctly highlighted and seen, as in beef "suspensions" are seen floating in the soup making it thick and murky as though beef was blended in the soup. But I reckon it is the result of hours and hours of boiling the beef stock  and that creates the ideal base for the beef noodle soup. If only I had pictures of it to show then you guys would have been salivating by now. One bowl of the more than satisfying beef noodle soup costs RM 7, expensive but totally worth the amazing taste and the good quality that they give.

April week 1

English VS Mandarin

It is quite a known fact that the English language is the universal language spoken whenever we communicate or deal with people from different places be it if the other party understands or not. Following English is French at the top of the list, for as long as it has been so. However it is undeniable that the stronghold of these languages are being threatened by the recent shift of prominence and influence to Mandarin, the native language of Chinese. This is largely due to the economic expansion of China in recent decades that is bringing about much focus on its people and culture as foreigners begin to invest more and cease opportunities from the developing nation. All eyes are on China as they say, where it has become the global economic hub, the place that promises good job prospects and where each international-based company should have a place in. In order that businessmen and anyone looking for more privileges in China to reap its benefits and to be assured of their place there, they know that they have to master the people's language, Mandarin. Inevitably, the drive to learn Mandarin has been spreading like wild fire around the globe where Europeans who no one ever thought would be learning Mandarin one day is doing just that and middle-schoolers there are being encouraged to take Mandarin classes. What an overturn of situation especially when English has always been the number one.
Now this is actually quite concerning to me as I have no background at all in Mandarin. I am always pressurized by my elders about how I am suppose to compete globally in the next 5 years without Mandarin proficiency. How am I going to handle the task of communicating and establishing good ties with people from that region in order to win their favour in business deals? It is more disconcerting for me when being of that race but not knowing the language, quite embarrassing. Well I cannot blame my past, not being enrolled into a Chinese vernacular school or not being made accustomed to speaking mandarin as a toddler, as the saying goes where there's will, there's a way. If I had wanted to learn it sincerely, by now I would have some basics maybe from self-study or tuition classes but I never pushed for it. So the blame is on me. Having said that, the issue of English vs Mandarin is not something we can control, we will just have to see in time and it is definitely not an issue worthy to be overplayed and disputed about. It's just a cultural observation and outlook that does not affect much.
As for my case having only English and Bahasa Malaysia in my resume, I know that I have to step up my command of these languages especially English. I am ashamed for my standard of English is quite disappointing where most of the time we intentionally speak in broken English or rather 'Manglish' at school and at home. Being the only universal language I know, I should be well versed and flawless in English so that my uncle would not have the chance to criticize my shallow grasp of the language. Honestly, what I know is only scratching the surface and therefore I should continue to improve and make progress so that there will less to be ashamed about.