Time Capsule: Faith of the Heart

Habit

Found this interesting poem from a book I am currently reading. Would like to share it with you:

Habit

I am your constant companion.

I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden.

I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.

I am completely at your command.

Half the things you do, you might as well turn over to me,

and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.

I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me.

Show me exactly how you want something done,

and after a few lessons I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of all great men

and, alas, of all great failures.

Those who are great, I have made great.

Those of you who are failures, I have made them failures.

I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine.

plus the intelligence of a man.

You may run me for profit, or run me for ruin.

It makes no difference to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me.

and I will put the world at your feet.

Be easy with me, and I will destroy you.

Who am I?

I am HABIT!

Mud Warriors

I have been fascinated by paintball ever since I saw in on TV when I was a kid. So when I was invited by a fellow colleague of mine, Izuan, to participate in a friendly match with another department that cost only 35 bucks, I jumped at the opportunity. KL folks if you are reading, it only costs RM 350 for 2000 bullets. Anyway, I woke up at 8 am today, cause one of our colleague ordered us to report in at 9 am sharp. But when I reached paintball HQ there was barely 5 ppl there. Worst still, it started to rain. We had to wait for the rain to stop, the best thing to do at the time was to put on our raincoats and scout out the terrain and strategies. The best thing I like most of this field is that there is a trench in the middle of the field. Early on, we decided to use the trench, as it was well protected from surface fire and would provide us the safest route to the bunker to capture the flag or to flank the enemy. The trench  picture below is a bit outdated, I didn't get a chance to take any photos from within the field. Just imagine the sandbags on the edge of the trench replaced with railings. When the rain finally stopped we were up against the Axis team that had 9 men. We had 8 men, 2 had gone AWOL (absent without leave). But we weren't really worried, cause we had some veteran guys with us. Most of us had participated in the paintball teambuilding activity at the

Penang

War

Museum

. And did I tell ya, we had a secret weapon? Thats our phones and headsets.We relayed enemy position to each other using them. Henry Chu provided me with a cheap solution for a neck guard, he used a towel to wrap round his neck. Having been shot on the side of the neck, and feeling the pain that it caused I quickly followed suit. The handsome guy holding the phone beside him is Kenny. The guy wearing the shoe is Mazlan, one of the veterans and top scorers in the game. The guy standing next to me is Lukman, we worked closely in previous projects making flexes.  Anyway, the 1st game started with Izuan, Lukman and I, making the trench runs. Izuan went ahead first while Lukman and I stayed back. Then we dashed for the trench as well. That went easier than predicted. We peeked our heads up along the trench but it was very hard to spot any enemies. Plus, our mask was starting to fog. Then we received intel that  the enemy was advancing into our territory and we were suffering major losses. So we decided to make a run for the flag. By the time we reached the end of the trench, our mask was totally fogged up. I had to put my finger into the gap between my mask and face to wipe the screen clean. Then seeing no one, I made a dash for the flagged at the foot of the main bunker. I barely, noticed the sentry guarding at the front  of the bunker, when I made the dash for the flag. But the sentry was too late to stop me. I had the flag in hand and waved it proudly. Poor Lukman, in my mad dash, I had forgotten about my partner.  In the second round we decided to stay in a defensive position for 5 minutes before going down the trenches. Originally, I was supposed to join the trench team but when I saw Henry got shot, I decided to cover our flank  by moving into our left. I made a dash for it, and it was close call, a paint just graze passed my body. I even felt it, i thought I was hit, but inspection of my jacket showed no splash marks. I knew where the enemy that shot Henry was, so i pinned him down with fire. When I knew he was not going to move, I moved in closer to him, hiding behind closer bunkers. The thing that he did wrong was that he didn't change the spot that he came out and shoot at. I had already shot a few rounds at the spot where he usually came out to shoot so I knew that the next time he pop his head out, he would have my mark. And it came true, when he popped his head out, i sent one ball out. It hit the top of a plank and caused splash damaged all over his mask. I was happy that I got him cause I wasted a quite a few shots at his expense. Next, I scouted around for another target and found him to be on the other side of the trench. He had a high bunker made of planks that had a slot in the center to spot target and bogey #2 was standing. That was a mistake, cause even though the hard skin of the paint ball would not penetrate the netting, the paint still will and if you have paint on you, it still counts as a kill. So I tried to shoot at the slot. But bogey #2 was a bit smarter and started moving around. I still got him. Moving on to the next bunker, I found that I was out of bullets and was out of the match. The good news was that Mazlan managed to get the flag for this round. Having won two rounds in a role, we were a bit sympathetic for the other team, and so of the defenders in our team didn't really get any action so we decided to change strategy and go all out on the offense. This time we decided to have 4 persons in the trench. Just to spice things up again. So, Izuan, Mazlan, Lukman and me were supposed to take up position in the trench. Unfortunately, Lukman and me had to cover the left flank so that didn't really gave us the chance to man the trench, but it was also fun non the less. Lukman took point and manag ed to take up position at the bunker nearest to the opposing side. I was on my way to cover him when he was shot. Apparent, there was a slot in the tyres that made up the bunker and the bogeys managed to get a shot or two through those holes. Scouting behind my bunker, I knew where the bogey was. So I ran to the same bunker as lukman's, release two or three shots at one bogey that was exposed. It scored. I went down into bunker sliding on the mud and water. Lying on the mud, I managed to get another one through the slots but that was the end of my bullets, I just hid there. I didn't even attempted to hide when the third bogey shot through the slot. It was a head shot. Well, we managed to get the flag in this round also, but the

marshalls

had changed the rule and we were supposed to bring the enemy flag back to our own base. Poor Kenny, who captured the flag was shot by the enemy. Eventually, the other team captured our flag. I had lots of fun in this field. If only my gang in KL would visit.

Baby Turtles

Somehow, Baby Mutant Ninja Turtles, doesn't sound right for the title of today's post. On Saturday, a few of us, the hiking gang, hiked for an hour to reach Pantai Kerachut. It is located at the north western peak of our small little island. We never expected to get a surprise when we reach our destination, to us it was just another regular workout.

We were just resting at the beach table when the ranger told us about the baby turtles kept at the nearby hatchery. This was indeed a rare opportunity as turtles lay their eggs at certain seasons in a year. We were at first a bit hesitant to touch or hold the little ones, but after enquiring whether they would bite, we proceeded to pet them. Apparently, they were hatched a day before and the rangers kept them until they could release them at a save time to increase their odds of survival.

That time turned out to be 7.30 pm that very day. So we stayed on till 7.30 pm. A crowd was already gathering when the baby turtles was taken out from their hatchery. Everyone had a photo session before they were released. Away they crawled towards the tsunami like waves. I can't help but wonder how many of them are left now.

Sill-fur

After much deliberation, I have decide to leak some interesting details about my life. Guard it with your life dear blog readers, for this is a priviledge I entrust only to my most loyal of my blog reading followers. Here it is:

My cat's name is Silver.

My maid calls her Sill-fur, cause she can't really pronounce it in English and so how in its translated into her native Indonesian. Well it could be worse. It could have been Silver-to or Silver-maru, if I had one of those sexy Japanese maids.

Anyway back to Silver. Silver is a most amazing puss. Adorable, but not as adorable as puss-in-boots in Shrek 2. She has the ability to jump from fridges, when chasing lizards(her favourite french cusine). She is very very very photogenic (after a few hundre shots). Has the special ability to understand the human mood and language, she was pissed off at my mom and maid, after the maid scolded her being naughty. Barely spoke a word in half a day. Plus the special special ability to make us beg, ie she jumps out of our window onto our roof where we will have to beg to coax her to come back into the house.

Anyway, my bro took some photo of her. Take your time to enjoy my beautiful pest pet. And ladies, if you have this irresistible urge to pat my cat, you are always welcome to come over and pat her, the owner is adorable too you know. :-P

I made it up all the way

I have been debating with myself whether I should be creating this blog, for some time already. Some ppl might find it as bragging. But anyway, the heck with it. Its not even asia's highest peak. But heck I am sure glad I made it up there.

I made it up to the peak of Mount Kinabalu and what an experience it was. I beheld magnificient hills and mountains, and I am humbled by them. I saw how insignificant I am and how great God is. How great thou art!

At the top, and smiling like an idiot. You would think Gary would slim down a bit after all that effort, but NOOOO...

Boy, this guy is huge! (Not my head, I meant the Nepenthes, aka Monkey's Cup) To be specific its called Nepenthes Rajah.

Would like to thank Wei Yi and Joan, and my other team members, ie, Dad and Mom for making this happen.

You can find some interesting facts from wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Kinabalu

Perseus

Hmm... I believe I started loving Greek Mythology when I first watched Clashed of the Titans, the 1981 movie that starred Harry Hamlin. I can still remember the stop motion film. I may look crappy now, but when it first premiered on TV, it was like watching the Matrix. Hopefully the remake of the show which is coming out in 2008, twenty years after original, will be as good as its predecessor. The following article is taken from encyclopedia mythica and is written by James Hunter.

"Perseus

Perseus was the son of Zeus and Danae. Danae's father, King Acrisius, set Danae and her son adrift on the sea because of a prophecy that Perseus would kill him. The two were taken in by Polydectes, the king of Seriphus. Polydectes later conceived a passion for Danae, but was unable to force his attentions on her because Perseus had grown into a redoubtable protector. To get rid of Perseus, Polydectes sent him on a quest to bring back the head of the Gorgon Medusa, a snake-haired maiden who turned all who saw her into stone.

Perseus accomplished his quest with the help of Hermes and Athena. He went first to the Gorgons' sisters, the Graeae, who had only one eye and one tooth which they shared among themselves. Perseus took the eye and the tooth, and agreed to give them back only if the Graeae helped him in his quest. They helped him acquire a pair of winged sandals, a wallet or satchel, and the cap of Hades; the sandals enabled him to fly, the satchel was to carry the Gorgon's head, and the cap conferred invisibility on its wearer. Wearing the cap, he approached Medusa, looking only at her reflection in his shield, and cut off her head.

As he flew back over Africa on his way home, he encountered Atlas; in the course of a struggle, he used the Gorgon's head to turn Atlas to stone (thereby forming the Atlas Mountains). He also dripped blood from the head onto the sands of the African desert, giving birth to the deadly vipers of that region. Later in the journey he saw the maiden Andromeda chained naked to a rock by the sea as a sacrifice to a sea monster. He fell in love with her and bargained with her father, Cepheus, for her hand in marriage if he killed the monster. He succeeded in slaying the beast, but at the wedding feast Phineus, a jilted suitor of Andromeda, angrily demanded the bride. In the battle which followed, Perseus used Medusa's head to turn Phineus and his followers into stone.

When he returned to Seriphus, he found that Polydectes was still persecuting Danae. He used the Gorgon's head once again, and turned Polydectes to stone. He then gave the sandals, satchel and cap to Hermes; he gave the Gorgon's head to Athene, who emblazoned it upon the aegis which protected her in battle. Finally he returned to Acrisius' kingdom, where he fulfilled the prophecy by accidentally killed the king while throwing the discus.”

I would like to add a further note on how the prophecy of Perseus killing his grandfather came true. After Perseus and Andromeda’s wedding, they went back to Argos, as Perseus wanted to make up with his grand father. Acrisius, the grandfather remembering the prophecy too well, was frightened that he fled to a place called Larissa. When Perseus heard where his grandfather was heading, he followed him there, hoping to see him. While at Larissa, Perseus, who was strong as well as brave, entered an athletic contest. Perseus entered the discus throwing competition and the discus that he threw caught a wind and hit an old fellow on the head. And you guessed it, the old fellow was his grandfather. Who would have guessed. What a paradox this was, for if he had not fled, Perseus would not have accidentally killed his grandfather. Sad wasn’t it.

Norse Mythology Part 2

This is what was written about Odin at Encylopedia Mythica, a website that records a lot of myths. This article is written by Micha F. Lindemans. Never thought Odin had other sons other than Balder and Thor.

The chief divinity of the Norse pantheon, the foremost of the Aesir. Odin is a son of Bor and Bestla. He is called Alfadir, Allfather, for he is indeed father of the gods. With Frigg he is the father of Balder, Hod, and Hermod. He fathered Thor on the goddess Jord; and the giantess Grid became the mother of Vidar.  

Odin is a god of war and death, but also the god of poetry and wisdom. He hung for nine days, pierced by his own spear, on the world tree. Here he learned nine powerful songs, and eighteen runes. Odin can make the dead speak to question the wisest amongst them. His hall in Asgard is Valaskjalf ("shelf of the slain") where his throne Hlidskjalf is located. From this throne he observes all that happens in the nine worlds. The tidings are brought to him by his two raven Huginn and Muninn. He also resides in Valhalla, where the slain warriors are taken.

Odin's attributes are the spear Gungnir, which never misses its target, the ring Draupnir, from which every ninth night eight new rings appear, and his eight-footed steed Sleipnir. He is accompanied by the wolves Freki and Geri, to whom he gives his food for he himself consumes nothing but wine. Odin has only one eye, which blazes like the sun. His other eye he traded for a drink from the Well of Wisdom, and gained immense knowledge. On the day of the final battle, Odin will be killed by the wolf Fenrir.

He is also called Othinn, Wodan and Wotan. Some of the aliases he uses to travel icognito among mortals are Vak and Valtam. Wednesday is named after him (Wodan).

For a detailed read pls go to the following website:

http://www.pantheon.org/articles/o/odin.html

http://www.crystalinks.com/norsegods.html

Norse Mythology Part 1

After reading about Norse Myths, I still think I like Greek Myths more. Some how Greek Myths seems to be more exciting. Guess thats why there is more Hollywood movie of greeks than norsemens.

But anyway, this is the basics to Norse Mythology:

Gods in the Norse Mythology are classed into two groups: the Aesirs who has the image of humans (or wise versa) and the Vanirs, which included Valkyries, elves and other mysthic creatures.

Odin is the leader of all Norse Gods. He was the God of War, poetry and the creator of man. Odin was a wise man, but his knowledge and wisdom had a price. He had to travel to the underworld and drink from the fountain of knowledge that was hidden among the roots of the giant ash tree, called Yggdrasil. Before he could drink from the fountain he had to give one of his eyes to the demon, Mimir, that was guarding the fountain. Odin had no choice, in order to be the leader of Gods, he had to be wise. That is why Odin is usually shown wearing a helmet that covers half of his face. He is said to be a tall, powerful man with a long beard, accompanied by two crows and two wolves.

Odin had two sons: Thor and Balder.

Balder was said to be a handsome, wise and kind God. But he was destined to die young at the hands of the God of evil and mischief, Loki.

Thor on the other hand was tall, strong and fearless. He had a deep, booming voice. In fact that is why is he is the God of thunder and ligthning, because his voice is exactly like that of thunder. The part I like most about Thor is that he has this cool enormous hammer, called Mjolnir. If thrown by Thor, Mjolnir would hit its target and return to Thor's hand.

In the begining of time, Odin and his sons and the other Aesirs (Norse Gods) fought a great battle against the giants of the underworld. The giants were led by the mighty Ymir. At the end of the battle, Odin and the Aesirs were victorious. Odin used the body of the slain Ymir to form the earth, his blood to form the sea, his bones the moutains, his hair the trees, his skull the sky and his brain the clouds. And thus the dwarfs were also formed at this time from the body of Ymir.

If you haven't noticed it by know, a lot of creatures spoken above appears in the Lord of the Rings, dwarfs and elves to name a few. Thats because the author, Token, was a lecturer of Norse Mythology.    

Why Do Women Do This Kinda Stuff

Why do you Venusian Women do this kinda stuff. Play with us Martian Men's feeling. Do you know that it hurts more when we are given a hope and that hope is dashed away from us than getting no hope at all. Why can't you gals just reject us up front when you sense that we are try to pursue you and we are not your type. Does being able to control us, get your every wish done when we are trying to tackle you somehow make you feel better. And after doing all your bidding when we do get too close for comfort, you abandon and reject us. Do you know this is unfair and selfish. What kinda deal is this. When we get rejected, it doesn't hurt us that we invested so much time, so much wealth into trying to develop the courtship, it really really hurts when we think of all the hope and heart that was invested into you.

So please for the sake of all us lonely, single Martian Men out there, please:

1. When you reject us be clear that you are rejecting us. Don't give us ambiguous reasons like "My brother doesn't allow me to go to the cinema at night" or "I dun think this is a right time for me to have a relationship" or after a date sending us an SMS saying "Alls wells ends well". Being men, we take everything literally. In the first example we might see some hope in the reply, we might think "So, dating at night should be fine". And in example 2, we might think: "So when are you ready for a relationship, one week, one month, two month or three". Example 3, "So, the date went well ah?" Sigh, just saylah: " You are not my type", "You not suitable for me", "You ugly" or have some fun, try something creative like "Reject!" or faint or puke or "Get freaking outta here!" Something that will send us a clear message will do. We, men, will know that this creature does not want to be hunted and we will more on to other easier prey. Or else we will just try to tackle you until you get a restraining order.This will result in lost of friendships. Be clear when rejecting. Thanks.

2. Dun give false signals. This one is simple. Example, went taking a photograph pulling our hands around your waist. Or leaning your head on our shoulders in the cinema or rest you hand on our shoulder (eventhough you meant that as a friend, how the hack would we know). Men perceive contact as signs of attractions. Another example, after we complain that we, men have pressuring and tough jobs, dun freaking hell try to console us by saying something like "if you keep your job, I will move up to your place (Penang)." Or "If you get me a laptop, I will be your marry you". Trust me, even though what you Venusians have said is impossible to come true, you know it and we know it, we have been single for so long, we will scrutinize every word that was said and if there is a hope in that sentence, dang woman we will find it. So to summarize, dun give false signals, it give false hopes, thats bad.

3. Now is better than latter. Old Chinese men say, "chang dong bu ru duan tong". Translation: Its better to hurt him now than to hurt him latter. If you, Venusian women sense that a not suitable candidate is after you try to use this trick. A chick I was after used this and I think its quite effective, though if she is reading this, I sure wish you could have used it earlier lah. Cut short your SMSes, emails to suitors and find every reason possible to cut short his phone call. Even better don't reply. Yeah, it doesn't take an IQ of 130 to figure that out. So remember, reject the not worthy suitor ASAP. Dun procastinate. At least, if you do it soon and do it in the right way, he will still be your friend as he won't feel the hurt so much. Thanks.

On behalf of all Single Martian Men, I thank you for reading this message. We hope to see an improved courtship performance by Venusian Women in the near future. See ya!

China Food

My flight back to Malaysia was postponed. I was reassigned from Suzhou to Shen Zhen. Anyway, on the weekends after Sunday Mass, I went next door to shop for some grub for weekdays ahead. Here are some of the things we might not be accustomed to seeing in our supermarkets.

No 3. Oysters the size of your palm and as long as your arm.

 

No 2. Duck bills and duck tongue.

And No.1 on the top 3 list of strange and wacky food is, ta da, Mr alligator.