Inaugural Visit

I made my first attempt to visit the Bukit Jalil sports center to watch the BWF Series Malaysia Open 2011 Semi Finals match yesterday. Due to the invitation from my friend, Kenny and along with few of his friends, off we went. Of course I were pretty excited, even during the day before as I was anticipating an exhilarating grueling match between Chong Wei and Lin Dan but ended up Lin Dan conceded a walkover to his team-mate, Chen Long. Pure disappointment!

My first view of the place was not much of a surprise – typical Malaysian sports complex designs. When I got nearer I witnessed several stalls selling food and stuffs, as well as displays of Proton vehicles along the corridor. Maybe I sound a little “kampung” but it was my foremost visit, certainly feeling fresh to the surrounding. Then the entrance into the stadium saw strings of stalls selling badminton stuffs like Yonex shirts, shoes and stuff. Oh, I even bumped into a friend of mine, Ivan, working and promoting Yonex goods.

We managed to book a pretty strategic location and later on, the superb Malaysian badminton fans, the group of supporters who are often seen to support Malaysian players with their Malaysian flag clothing, were seated just right next to us. Their cheers along with their kompang beatings were torturing my ears but it was the source of enjoyment for the entire stadium.

The first few matches were rather boring – the women being dominated by Chinese. The Danish mixed doubles player, Fischer was injured halfway during his match against China hence decided to put it off. The match between Taufik and Simon was also entertaining with Taufik proving to be the better senior, more superior in both the skills and experience. Later on the Danish men’s doubles pair threw two of their racquets to the spectators. Of course I wasn’t the lucky one – too bad! L Even the match between Chong Wei and Chen Long did not create much sparks. Probably because Chen Long was way too inexperienced, Chong Wei got hold of the game from the first to the last point, killing his opponent in just 39 minutes. But I’d give my utter salutation to Chong Wei for his terrific playing skills – watching him right in front of my eyes were simply awesome!

Although I was looking forward to more exciting matches with players like Markis Kido, Lee Yong Dae, Lin Dan, Fu Hai Feng and Koo Kien Keat, I was quite satisfied and enjoyed myself to the fullest – definitely worth my 25 bucks. If there are any upcoming tournaments and I had the chance to watch live, I wouldn’t hesitate to spare my time and money! J

But one of the greatest issues that I’ve come to observe is the amalgamated spirit of all Malaysians, waiting patiently for the emergence of Chong Wei. They were so enthralled into supporting him, especially the supporting team. Regardless of the races, color skin or languages you speak, everyone was united to cheer for the sole Malaysian.

In the course of my visit, I managed to made several new friends such as Elizabeth and Jared.

[Elizabeth & I]

[Kenny, Wei Kong, Ming Zhong and me]

[Wei Kong, Korean women doubles player (unknown of her name), me and Jared]

Homosexuality

Homosexuality is indeed a controversial issue. I did not grow up learning all these stuffs, not until I came to realize about the existence of lesbian, so close to my sight – in my high school SMK Convent, Klang. Well, I heard and was told about girls fancying girls and later on, was exposed to knowing that guys could fall in love with guys too!

Back then I was really naive, that’s for true. But until now, I cannot convince myself into accepting the fact that not only opposites attract, those of same elements could attract too! Nevertheless, I couldn’t and never will come to figure out how this work. For me, it is a sure thing that only one man and one woman make an item, not among themselves.

[Homosexuality gains acceptance in the Western but never in Asian regions]

Probably because America is a nation that worships absolute democracy, hence the permission for their people to indulge in homosexuality – one particular example is the marriage of Elton John and his partner, David Furnish. This is not going to happen in our country, or perhaps any other Asian countries.

But what I realized is that more and more people are seeking solace from similar gender. Why? I could highlight several primary reasons. One of the biggest being people claim that same sexes understand them better, without the argument and misunderstandings between two opposing genders. Men and women can never seem compromise through understanding because the interference of chemistry signals is too strong.

Some of them who were originally straight made such a turnover because they had awful past experiences with the opposite gender. Perhaps due to trauma, the fear and self-loving, these people deviated themselves to similar sexual category to avoid more hurting.

Of course there are many other reasons for such happenings, given that the world is becoming odder and weirder with humans attempting stuffs that go against the norm. But whatever it is, I favor the respect for religion and my parents – better alone than being homosexuals.

Of God & Skepticism

I was born and raised in an environment that acknowledges the existence of God – my family practices Buddhism (more on Taoism). But for me, I wouldn’t say I’m an aficionado to my religion for I am, too, like many living souls, skeptical about the existence of God. Surely, none of us has ever seen, touched, smelt, or tasted God. Just because my parents told me the statues that I pray to existed in real long ago before I came in existence, I have no rights to question the authenticity of their words. In fact, I doubt they have evidential support for what they said. Very likely, they are just inheriting what they heard from their folks to me, just like many of you, no?

[Taoism]

I have no guts to go against God, if that’s what you’re thinking.

Inasmuch as I am cynical when it comes to God, my inner instinct is sure that there is something powerful somewhere unseen which is probably watching over us day by day, perhaps controlling the twist and turn in the world.

[God is as invisible as thin air]

But I would dare critic if somebody claims that there are several different Gods. From my point of view, no religion has the authority to judge when it comes to who is the genuine God – everybody lives under the same human theory – we come, we play, and we leave. We are born via the same channel, we inhale the same oxygen, flow the same blood and of course, decompose the same way.

I don’t deny the freedom to practice different faiths, going along your traditions, beliefs and customs but what’s the point of arguing over who makes the true God? I believe every religion teaches similar fundamental values – the act of kindness, morality, and etc. And isn’t that what you should spread and utilize in your daily lives?

For whatever reason, I believe we humans should be united for we are uniquely created to be living on Earth. For whatever reason, I don’t see the need to incessantly pointing out our differences disregard to what extent skin colors, languages, food, beliefs and religions make us differ. Of course there are variations when it comes to the type of humans but we are dwelling on the same soil, maneuvered by the same power and for one thing I believe – something up there is fair. If only all of us could live in unison, and instead of emphasizing on how we differ, we put focus to combine power to make the world a better place; with that, harmony and peace would come naturally.

[Harmony] – without Malaysia?

If I Were a Boy

If I were a boy

Everything would be so much different

I would be stronger and tougher

To lift up responsibilities

To protect myself and my family

To be a man

If I were a boy

My family would be so much different

I could be the inheritance of name

To complete my parents’ deficiency of a son

To be the companion of my father

To create a happier family

But I am a girl

With lack of strength and power

I could only sit and watch

Blame myself for the helplessness

Swim in pool of disappointment.

The Bond of Eternity

By chance, by God’s goals

In a world of zillion souls

We unearth to become sisters

Roofed under the same ancestors

By fate, by bonds

We learned the love that forms

A mixture of cries and laughter

We complete a family to our mother and father

By destiny, by opportunity

We fought over the silly

We laughed during the jolly

Sometimes we’re happy, at times we bully

Developing into our own personality

Together we grew from naughty to maturity

In a love we share as a family

By fortune, by luck

We learned and taught each other

The love, the hate, the ugly, the beauty

I hope the bond will make us stronger

To appreciate each other as part of the family

With love

By me, by Sanly