Homework from the General Translation Course (Intensive) done in 2005. Revisited this one and made a change to some of the words I originally used. The revised translation is as follows:
Homework
Kerja rumah
Translation exercise
Latihan terjemahan
Politik/Rencana
Politics/Article
Major confrontation between governments and religious fundamentalists are increasingly prevalent in modern societies.
Perbalahan antara pemerintah dan golongan fundamentalis agama semakin kerap dalam masyarakat moden.
Some states are opposing Islam as a 'power play'. I do not believe this strategy of outlawing religious movements and persecuting citizens on the basis of their religious convictions is effective.
Sesetengah negara menentang Islam atas alasan 'permainan kuasa'. Saya tidak percaya strategi mengharamkan gerakan agama dan menindas rakyat atas pegangan agama adalah berkesan.
Indeed, fanning the flames of passion in relation to the issues of religion, in this way, is bound to result in a backlash by the religious sections of society.
Sememangnya, mengipas api semangat berkaitan isu agama dengan cara ini pasti mencetuskan serangan balik daripada golongan masyarakat yang kuat pegangan agama.
One does not want 'to throw the baby out with the bath water'. I think it is absurd and senseless to pursue a tough policy on religion, on Islam, because of the fear of extremism and aggressive fundamentalism.
Usahlah kita 'marahkan nyamuk bakar kelambu'. Pada pendapat saya, tidak wajar dan tidak masuk akal untuk mengamalkan polisi ketat terhadap agama Islam kerana takut akan ekstremisme dan fundamentalisme ganas.
It is worth noting that contemporary history provides a number of good examples where religion and secular authority not only co-exist but also blend harmoniously the canons of Islam with secular statehood in the management of the country.
Harus diketahui bahawa sejarah semasa mempunyai beberapa contoh baik di mana pihak berkuasa agama dan sekular bukan sahaja wujud bersama-sama tetapi juga gabungkan dengan harmoni kanun Islam dengan prinsip negara sekular dalam pengurusan negara.
(Excerpt from The Critical Decade - Nursultan Nazarbayev (2003) - Chapter 2, pg. 56-57)
Monday, April 23, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Rediscover The Missing Spark
I just looked at some articles I wrote for publication years ago. Comparing them to more recent works, they seem to express a mood that has since gone missing. I need to rediscover the spark that makes them tick.
It's the cheer, optimism, and spirit that I need to rediscover. The flame snuffed out by a series of unfortunate events awaits rekindling. What could be the key? A new environment? A new beginning? A new way of thinking?
Chatted with a good old friend of mine who gave me some words of advice. Sometimes, it's not about going for what we love to do but unable to handle due to one reason or another. It may help to do something that we may not like at first but are able to handle, then see how things go from there.
Makes sense. I tell myself to find out as much as possible about the setting, environment, expectations, requirements and so on. Then take a step back and evaluate carefully. As I was advised to by someone close to my heart, "be more selective with..." Yes, it rings true.
At the same time there will be a lot of conflicting messages bombarding me from various sources. The way to sift through them relies on one's ability to discern what is truth and what is propaganda. May I see through deception and inaccuracy yet be able to accept the truth and work around it.
It's the cheer, optimism, and spirit that I need to rediscover. The flame snuffed out by a series of unfortunate events awaits rekindling. What could be the key? A new environment? A new beginning? A new way of thinking?
Chatted with a good old friend of mine who gave me some words of advice. Sometimes, it's not about going for what we love to do but unable to handle due to one reason or another. It may help to do something that we may not like at first but are able to handle, then see how things go from there.
Makes sense. I tell myself to find out as much as possible about the setting, environment, expectations, requirements and so on. Then take a step back and evaluate carefully. As I was advised to by someone close to my heart, "be more selective with..." Yes, it rings true.
At the same time there will be a lot of conflicting messages bombarding me from various sources. The way to sift through them relies on one's ability to discern what is truth and what is propaganda. May I see through deception and inaccuracy yet be able to accept the truth and work around it.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Spring Equinox 2012
Today, 20 March 2012 is the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, and Autumn Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. The sun rises exactly in the East at 90° and sets exactly in the West at 270°. Where I am in Kuala Lumpur, the sun will be near zenith at 1:21 pm at 87° above the southern horizon.
The direction of the shadows at sunrise shall indicate the East-West direction. So from what I see in the garden, my front gate is not exactly facing East, it's a couple of degrees towards East by South.
Note that due to the earth's axial tilt, there are only 2 days in a year where the sun rises precisely due east and sets precisely due west.
The direction of the shadows at sunrise shall indicate the East-West direction. So from what I see in the garden, my front gate is not exactly facing East, it's a couple of degrees towards East by South.
Note that due to the earth's axial tilt, there are only 2 days in a year where the sun rises precisely due east and sets precisely due west.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Funeral: Deja Vu & The Feeling Of Having To Be There
On Tuesday, 6 March 2012, I went to a place I last visited in March 2010: Xiao En Centre 孝恩馆. A salsera had passed away in tragic circumstances. She sustained severe head injuries in a car accident. I do not have any other details about the accident, but it definitely had a great negative impact. And she's only 25, so young with a lifetime ahead to look forward to. It will take time for the family members to heal from the grief.
She was a protege of a friend of mine in the salsa scene who has since moved away from KL. Yet I never had the chance to speak with her or dance with her. We went to different dance schools, mixed with different groups, frequented different venues so never got to meet. Now I shall never get to dance with her anymore.
So I can't say I know her. Not even a hi-bye acquaintance. Yet when news spread of her funeral, I felt I had to attend. I just had to be there. Something like lending a hand to support a cause in need. Can't really describe the feeling. Perhaps it's just me and my nature, as I can be moved in ways not common to other people. But of course I won't tell just anyone, because in this world many people will use what they know about you against you. That's the harsh reality of this world which I don't think I'll ever be on concilliatory terms with.
That evening after work, I headed home and had dinner. Followed my brother in his car, managed to get a basement parking spot. Walked up to the very place where Gung Gung's 公公 wake took place, almost two years to the day he passed away. It felt hauntingly familiar. Of all the memories, one that stands out was bumping into Architect Lee Chor Wah by chance as he was attending a funeral there. Ah, those were the days of another magazine. Time to get back on track.
A sombre mood filled the atmosphere. Teary eyes. Sobs. Hushed voices. I estimated 150-200 people at the time I arrived. So many people came to pay their last respects. Since it was a Christian funeral, it felt different from a Taoist or Buddhist funeral mainly due to the absence of joss sticks and "da jaai 打斋".
My brother and I walked to the coffin and spent some moments in contemplation and respect for the deceased. Flowers were everywhere - she liked flowers. Make-up set and some other items were on the coffin too. Must be things that belonged to her or she liked very much. These brought back memories of Porpor's 婆婆 cremation, we cremated some of her study books together with her since she really wanted to study despite her age and circumstances.
I did go up to the viewing portal, taking one last look at her in her state of eternal rest. Her face seemed a bit swollen, most likely caused by the injuries, and the upper left of her skull appeared caved in. I felt sad, imagining the severity of her wounds, and thought the impact must have been real hard. Otherwise she looked peaceful, nicely made up, and sleeping. Memories of Gung Gung 公公 came back.
Next we queued up for the "pak kam" 白金 offering and guestbook signing. No doubt money can't buy back life, but it's a gesture from the visitors' side to help defray the cost of the funeral. And then received the customary small red packet with a sweet inside.
We met some salsa acquaintances there, mostly from her salsa school and those who knew her for some time. Chatted briefly with some of them, and a common thread of thought was, such an unexpected incident and she's gone. I could see the tears in some of their eyes. The feeling of sadness is very real. Who else came - relatives, cell group members, friends from various times in her life, and so on.
All in all the occasion felt gloomy and subdued with an underlying current of deep sorrow. Yet it evoked something in me, and made me go out to take action towards closure. Yes, to end one thing and move on to another.
She was a protege of a friend of mine in the salsa scene who has since moved away from KL. Yet I never had the chance to speak with her or dance with her. We went to different dance schools, mixed with different groups, frequented different venues so never got to meet. Now I shall never get to dance with her anymore.
So I can't say I know her. Not even a hi-bye acquaintance. Yet when news spread of her funeral, I felt I had to attend. I just had to be there. Something like lending a hand to support a cause in need. Can't really describe the feeling. Perhaps it's just me and my nature, as I can be moved in ways not common to other people. But of course I won't tell just anyone, because in this world many people will use what they know about you against you. That's the harsh reality of this world which I don't think I'll ever be on concilliatory terms with.
That evening after work, I headed home and had dinner. Followed my brother in his car, managed to get a basement parking spot. Walked up to the very place where Gung Gung's 公公 wake took place, almost two years to the day he passed away. It felt hauntingly familiar. Of all the memories, one that stands out was bumping into Architect Lee Chor Wah by chance as he was attending a funeral there. Ah, those were the days of another magazine. Time to get back on track.
A sombre mood filled the atmosphere. Teary eyes. Sobs. Hushed voices. I estimated 150-200 people at the time I arrived. So many people came to pay their last respects. Since it was a Christian funeral, it felt different from a Taoist or Buddhist funeral mainly due to the absence of joss sticks and "da jaai 打斋".
My brother and I walked to the coffin and spent some moments in contemplation and respect for the deceased. Flowers were everywhere - she liked flowers. Make-up set and some other items were on the coffin too. Must be things that belonged to her or she liked very much. These brought back memories of Porpor's 婆婆 cremation, we cremated some of her study books together with her since she really wanted to study despite her age and circumstances.
I did go up to the viewing portal, taking one last look at her in her state of eternal rest. Her face seemed a bit swollen, most likely caused by the injuries, and the upper left of her skull appeared caved in. I felt sad, imagining the severity of her wounds, and thought the impact must have been real hard. Otherwise she looked peaceful, nicely made up, and sleeping. Memories of Gung Gung 公公 came back.
Next we queued up for the "pak kam" 白金 offering and guestbook signing. No doubt money can't buy back life, but it's a gesture from the visitors' side to help defray the cost of the funeral. And then received the customary small red packet with a sweet inside.
We met some salsa acquaintances there, mostly from her salsa school and those who knew her for some time. Chatted briefly with some of them, and a common thread of thought was, such an unexpected incident and she's gone. I could see the tears in some of their eyes. The feeling of sadness is very real. Who else came - relatives, cell group members, friends from various times in her life, and so on.
All in all the occasion felt gloomy and subdued with an underlying current of deep sorrow. Yet it evoked something in me, and made me go out to take action towards closure. Yes, to end one thing and move on to another.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Leap Day 2012
Quickie entrie for this special day. Good appetite after a refreshing gym session. Dropped by Popular and MPH bookstores unplanned. Skipped the massive traffic jam by anticipating it and taking alternative routes home. Phew :) Goodbye, Leap Day, and see you again 4 years from now.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Cheerful Smile
Twelve years ago, in New York City, an acquaintance commented that when I smile, it lights up the whole room. Today, someone mentioned "Cheerful like you" and it brought back memories of me smiling genuinely with both eyes and face. Someone believes I can get back my cheer factor. There's still hope in the midst of all this madness.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Mid-February 2012 Update
Now it's the middle of February and time to update this blog. The past couple of months have been tumultous, to say the least. I wish I had better news to tell, but it wasn't meant to be. Tons of disillusionment and bad feelings came together at once. It's been many years since I last felt this way. And it's not something easy to talk about.
People say "time will heal". I don't know how long that'll take in my case. From personal experience, a lot of things that worked with other people don't work for me. The disconnect is something not easily described or explained. What works for other people doesn't necessarily work for me and vice versa.
On the bright side, the few people truly close to me are doing well and I'm happy for them. At least I know they have succeeded to a great extent. As for me, I can't say the same. All I can say is that I made some wrong choices and paid the price of losing my happiness, optimism, and cheer factor. I need to get these three things back, somehow.
Any changes? Yes, in some ways. I gave up a hobby I used to enjoy even during times of trouble and stress. This hobby sustained my sanity during a time of great uncertainty and loneliness. Not anymore. Now it only brings back memories of disappointment, failure, and heartbreak. I told myself I shall not go and participate in it unless either one of two conditions are fulfilled. Condition One is fulfillable but not in my hands. Chances of Condition Two being fulfilled are less than me winning the lottery. As long as neither condition is fulfilled, I'm not going.
There's also a certain type of event which many people look forward to, but I told myself I won't go for it this year. For this one, I would make some exceptions, depending on the people involved and whether going there would remind me of disappointment, failure, and heartbreak or not. I see one upcoming exception I'll make, but as for the others chances aren't so high.
And if anyone is wondering what I'm talking about here, well, only those who really know me would know. Those who don't, won't. Alright that's all folks for today. "Have a great weekend peeps" (quote borrowed from someone I used to know, but no longer keep in touch).
[Note: No Cantonese version for this post. I've neither the time nor the energy to create/think/compose/do up the Cantonese translation. Drained.]
People say "time will heal". I don't know how long that'll take in my case. From personal experience, a lot of things that worked with other people don't work for me. The disconnect is something not easily described or explained. What works for other people doesn't necessarily work for me and vice versa.
On the bright side, the few people truly close to me are doing well and I'm happy for them. At least I know they have succeeded to a great extent. As for me, I can't say the same. All I can say is that I made some wrong choices and paid the price of losing my happiness, optimism, and cheer factor. I need to get these three things back, somehow.
Any changes? Yes, in some ways. I gave up a hobby I used to enjoy even during times of trouble and stress. This hobby sustained my sanity during a time of great uncertainty and loneliness. Not anymore. Now it only brings back memories of disappointment, failure, and heartbreak. I told myself I shall not go and participate in it unless either one of two conditions are fulfilled. Condition One is fulfillable but not in my hands. Chances of Condition Two being fulfilled are less than me winning the lottery. As long as neither condition is fulfilled, I'm not going.
There's also a certain type of event which many people look forward to, but I told myself I won't go for it this year. For this one, I would make some exceptions, depending on the people involved and whether going there would remind me of disappointment, failure, and heartbreak or not. I see one upcoming exception I'll make, but as for the others chances aren't so high.
And if anyone is wondering what I'm talking about here, well, only those who really know me would know. Those who don't, won't. Alright that's all folks for today. "Have a great weekend peeps" (quote borrowed from someone I used to know, but no longer keep in touch).
[Note: No Cantonese version for this post. I've neither the time nor the energy to create/think/compose/do up the Cantonese translation. Drained.]
Sunday, January 22, 2012
No Mood To Celebrate 冇心情慶祝
Today is the day before Chinese New Year in the Gregorian Year 2012. I should be feeling happy, right? Yet I'm not. Unlike the festive seasons of a few years ago, somehow this year I don't feel like celebrating anything. Not even the most recent Christmas and New Year.
I don't know if this is a temporary setback or a state of regression. I do remember that some years ago there was a time when celebrations and festivals meant nothing to me. Because I was very down and hurting inside due to certain issues. Then came a point when my life changed for the better and I started celebrating again, looking forward to each festival.
Even as "recent" as two years ago I was happy to celebrate. I felt optimism and eagerness. But was it due to ignorance? In the two years after that, I went through some disasters. That really caused deep hurt not of the physical type but rather the inner type. I don't think I've fully recovered while I'm writing this blog post.
The wise say, when you have to move on, move on. Yet there's something about me that holds me back. It's sentimentality and the memories still fresh in mind.
Some who talk to me, manage to help somewhat, a few who do, end up making things worse. That's why I rather not talk to some people. As the saying goes, those who really know you, know you; those who don't, don't know any better.
今日係除夕。應該開心嗎，呵？不過唔係喎。唔係好似幾年前嘅節日，今年我乜都唔想慶祝。正話過咗嘅聖誕節同埋公曆新年都冇慶祝到。
我唔知呢個情況係暫時或者真係退步。我記得幾年前有一段時間乜嘢乜嘢節日慶祝對我冇意思。嗰陣時我好傷心好激心為咗幾件事。然後我嘅生活變好咗，有啲事情有進步，所以開始慶祝每個節日。
兩年前我仲係好開心慶祝。覺得有樂觀有熱心。但係。。唔通我真係無知？最近嘅兩年，我面對唔少災難。整到我好痛，唔係肉體上嘅痛，係內心嘅痛。而家寫緊呢個部落格發佈嘅時間，我好似未好嗮。
有智慧嘅人講：唔好再鑽牛角尖。但係有啲嘢我仲係過唔到。係感傷同埋好清楚嘅記憶。
有啲人同我傾偈，可以幫到，幾個噉樣做，點知呢就越整越衰。所以呢，一啲人我唔想同佢哋講嘢。嗰啲真係識得我就會了解我，嗰啲唔識嘅呢，唔會識。
*NOTE: In case of any discrepancy between the English and the Cantonese version of this blog post, the English version shall prevail. I'm not good at expressing myself in Cantonese or any form of Chinese, written or spoken. / 如果英文版及中文（廣州白話）版有任何差異，一切以英文版為準。我唔係好識用廣州白話或者任何中文嘅語言，無論係話或者文。
I don't know if this is a temporary setback or a state of regression. I do remember that some years ago there was a time when celebrations and festivals meant nothing to me. Because I was very down and hurting inside due to certain issues. Then came a point when my life changed for the better and I started celebrating again, looking forward to each festival.
Even as "recent" as two years ago I was happy to celebrate. I felt optimism and eagerness. But was it due to ignorance? In the two years after that, I went through some disasters. That really caused deep hurt not of the physical type but rather the inner type. I don't think I've fully recovered while I'm writing this blog post.
The wise say, when you have to move on, move on. Yet there's something about me that holds me back. It's sentimentality and the memories still fresh in mind.
Some who talk to me, manage to help somewhat, a few who do, end up making things worse. That's why I rather not talk to some people. As the saying goes, those who really know you, know you; those who don't, don't know any better.
今日係除夕。應該開心嗎，呵？不過唔係喎。唔係好似幾年前嘅節日，今年我乜都唔想慶祝。正話過咗嘅聖誕節同埋公曆新年都冇慶祝到。
我唔知呢個情況係暫時或者真係退步。我記得幾年前有一段時間乜嘢乜嘢節日慶祝對我冇意思。嗰陣時我好傷心好激心為咗幾件事。然後我嘅生活變好咗，有啲事情有進步，所以開始慶祝每個節日。
兩年前我仲係好開心慶祝。覺得有樂觀有熱心。但係。。唔通我真係無知？最近嘅兩年，我面對唔少災難。整到我好痛，唔係肉體上嘅痛，係內心嘅痛。而家寫緊呢個部落格發佈嘅時間，我好似未好嗮。
有智慧嘅人講：唔好再鑽牛角尖。但係有啲嘢我仲係過唔到。係感傷同埋好清楚嘅記憶。
有啲人同我傾偈，可以幫到，幾個噉樣做，點知呢就越整越衰。所以呢，一啲人我唔想同佢哋講嘢。嗰啲真係識得我就會了解我，嗰啲唔識嘅呢，唔會識。
*NOTE: In case of any discrepancy between the English and the Cantonese version of this blog post, the English version shall prevail. I'm not good at expressing myself in Cantonese or any form of Chinese, written or spoken. / 如果英文版及中文（廣州白話）版有任何差異，一切以英文版為準。我唔係好識用廣州白話或者任何中文嘅語言，無論係話或者文。
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
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