Pictures

I realised I don't have any pics on my blog. Oh how bland and mundane! So, here are some. And I promise to upload more soon! enjoy! ;)







More to come, I promise!
XX
Joel

where do we go from here?

Funny how powerful communication is. A simple "hello" followed by a short mail to a once close friend, but over a period of time turned into a soured and distanced relationship, came with an unexpected reply. An unexpectedly friendly and non-hostile reply, that is.

And all this happened right after my previous post about friends. :)

I'm glad you replied.
I'm glad we're on the same page, sort of.
I'm glad we're attempting to be friends again, but yet, proceeding with caution.

This truly made my weekend. I let out a big grin and a slight chuckle reading the reply.

Maybe things aren't always as bad as they seem. Maybe there's always a hope and redemption in everything.

My only question is, where do we go from here?

Friends

There's this saying "people come, people go. live goes on". Amazing how true that is! We live our lives in stages, but arrive in levels. At different stages of our lives, we surround ourselves with different people. However, most often, when we close on chapter of our lives and move on to the next, we also leave some people behind. We don't bring everyone to the next level of our lives.

I was always an optimist, always wanting to have a lot of friends everywhere. Not so much to appear as being popular, but more so because I am a sociable person, and regard friendship as one of the most important things in my life. I like to be around people--Share lives together, have a good laugh over drinks, celebrate victories and mourn losses together.

But one thing I've realised, over past experiences and over time is that.. truth be told, no matter how hard you want to keep every friendship, and regardless of how hard you try, distance and time seems to change things. Either people change, or you change, or simply because of geographical distances, we move on. We hang out with new circle of friends, expand our social network, and before we even realise it, we've left some people behind already. That's the sad truth about friendship.

Although that all seems so depressing, there's always a silver lining in everything. I'm glad to say that although I've left behind some friendships that were not worth keeping, or some relationships that turned sour.. I've also made friends that can last the distance. These are the people who are closest to my heart, and love me for who I am. Despite my flaws, my shortcomings and my imperfections, they still love me. These are the people I can be vulnerable to, and share my hearts out with.

A good example is how I see some friends only for 2-3 months every year during summer break, and sometimes we even hardly ever talk over the year, but once we meet up, its like we're back at where we last left off. Things still feel the same, we can still laugh at each other, and have the best of times together. These are the people I can see myself still hanging out with when I'm 30, 40, or even 50 and after retirement, still laugh and joke around with over a cup of coffee or a round of beer.

Someone once said friends are live elevators, they either bring you up, or bring you down. I'm glad to know that I've been blessed with such good friends. Thanks guys! You know who you are ;)



Muchos <3
Joel

Changes

Wow, so much has changed since my last blog post. Hmmm. Wondering where to begin..

Maybe I should start by apologizing to my dear blog readers out there for my lack of updates. I am surprised I'm still getting so many hits from all over! From UK, to the states, to back home, and also from down under. I shall repent and buck up! Time to post more about what's been happening!

Well, here's some news. In case you didn't know, I'm not studying in Monash Sunway anymore. I've still got people from back home sending me emails and messages on facebook asking me why I'm in Melbourne, since when I left KL, what happened, etc. So, for the record.. I'm not in med school anymore. I'm actually doing commerce now in Monash Clayton.

Not trying to be all "chim", but someone once said that life is a series of meetings and partings, and every time you close one chapter of your life, a new one begins immediately. I had a great 3 years in Sunway. The friendships forged, the crazy things done, were worth every second. If you ask me, any regrets? I'd probably say one or two in between, but other than that, Nah, not really! Every person I've met changed my life, and for the better too! For that, I'm really grateful.

But we move on. I've got great friends now in Melbourne as well. And life here is good... Too good, sometimes. I'm enjoying what I'm doing, and that's what matters most! ;)

To the people whom I've had the privilege to cross paths with in my 3 years in Sunway, fret not, I am not one of those "kacang lupakan kulit" people. You guys are still very dear to me and will always hold a special place in my heart.

But onward we go, I say!


Till later! I promise I'll post more updates, with pictures of what I've been up to in Melbourne! :D


XX
Joel

Lady Gaga - Bad Romance

Here it is, the much anticipated, much awaited... BAD ROMANCE music video from Lady Gaga.

I personally think this MV and Paparazzi are her best MVs yet! They just keep getting better and better. I just love the whole "schizophrenic crazed-woman-stuck-in-a-mental-institution-who-ends-up-killing-her-lousy-lover" theme. And OMG, the Alexander McQueen outfit she donned is just amazing. Look at those heels! *PSSSST HAWT!*

Also loving the polar bear train of her dress. So creative! Check it out, and enjoy!

I can't get enough of this video! :D

Yet another maid abuse case in Malaysia

I was appalled to read in TheStar's online news portal today of yet another maid abuse case in Malaysia. Read more here : It's murder: Indonesian maid dies of alleged abuse (Updated)

This time, the poor girl wasn't as fortunate and died of her injuries despite efforts from medical professionals to save her.

The only question in my head right now is WHY on earth are people capable of inflicting such harm to a fellow human being? The injustice done just cannot be explained.

It was reported that Mautik Hani, 36, from Surabaya, had a severe wound on her leg as well as bruises on her arms and face. She was also suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. Just hearing of what she went through in the 2 months working there disgusts me. I feel angry and ashamed that THIS incident happened right here, in Malaysia.

My family employs a maid/domestic helper as well, and we put every effort into treating her as family and give her the best we can. Some people might say if you spoil these foreign workers, they will only take you for granted. Whatever you say, they are still human beings and do not deserved to be treated like slaves/dogs. Heck, I think some people love their dogs even more than their maids!

What is our society coming to? We've heard of numerous maid abuse cases in recent years, here in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong, and the situation doesn't seem to be improving. Remember Nirmala Bonat, whose employer physically abused her, and even burned her with a hot iron, till one of her nipples fell off. That is one tragic story I will never ever forget, and one name that has stuck in my head ever since it happened.

My heart goes out to these abused maids and their families. Imagine having NO choice but to go to a foreign land to work and send money back home, because fate dealt you a bad hand, and you were born into poverty. Being away from home, alone, with not much of a social life, enduring hard labour, earning a meagre wage and having to bear all that abuse? It's just NOT FAIR.

I demand justice and equality. I demand that the culprits responsible for this abuse be brought to justice and be dealt the death penalty for such a heinous crime. I don't think thats too much to ask for. Let this be a lesson to everyone out there.

This really helped me reflect and realise how blessed I am. I grew up in a loving family. I didn't have to work to support my family as a child. I had a proper childhood, had toys to play with. I have a roof over my head, food on my table, clothes to cover me, a comfortable bed to sleep in. I have a good education. What more can I ask for? So often, we take the simplest things in life for granted.

Why not stop for a moment today to just thank God for the good things in your life. Slow down, be still, be thankful.

Lady Gaga's Paparazzi Cover

This is extremely hilarious. I cannot stop watching and laughing.
Must watch till the end ok?! The ending is the grand finale of it all! HAHAHAHA.
Enjoy! ;)


XOXO,
Joel