Another Poem

This is another poem by Sensei which encouraged me a lot at this time-

The curtain has opened on the second decade
Moving no longer in a line but over a broad surface
you work to build the towering and fruitful culture of the twenty-first century
This will be the stage upon which you perform!
This will be your debut!
I have a mission which is mine alone
You too have a mission which only you can fulfil.

- SGI President Ikeda

How meaningful! How encouraging! It has deeply touched my heart. I will fulfil my mission.

Poem by Sensei

An excerpt from Cosmic February 2008, Sensei's poem to Kaneko-

My heart in the midst of storm
My heart beats fast
Does my heart beat fast because of the storm?
No, it is to a mysterious melody
Oh, this throbbing heart!
I find in your heart a spring
May flowers bloom within your heart


P/S: A request by Angga, a SGI Indonesia member.

Stop the bickering!

It has been some time since I posted anything. The reasons being I am busy settling into my new job since beginning of this month and the other is I am too fed up and disgusted by what had happened in the political scenes.

Malaysia, should be a land of hope and peace where Malaysians should be able to enjoy peace and prosperity within a stable political and economic background. But all these has turned out to be far reaching and impossible at this moment.

While the leaders are busy plotting and planning each other's downfall and ways to earn more of the rakyat's money, the rakyat are struggling to come to terms with the exorbitant cost of living. While the leaders exchange blows for blows, eye for an eye, the rakyat are finding ways to save, be prudent and earn some extra money for a living.

Last night, I saw the news about Samy Vellu talking about leaders should work for the people all the time and not always think of making money from their positions. I nearly wanted to crush the TV. How thick faced he can be to be talking about this. I really have lost whatever faith left I had about our current leaders.

I am intoxicated with the amount of politics that are happening in the country so much so that I am facing toxicity effects. I can stand it no more. If they do not stop their hanky panky, the country is definitely doomed.

It is time the people stand united and stand up for our rights. We deserve better than this! We deserve the best leaders to lead our country.

My Last Day

Here I am, clocking in for the last time in the office that I have worked for 10 months. How do I feel now?

There is a mixed feelings, happy that I am able to leave this place to venture on something certainly more challenging but fully aware that these carefree and flexible working hours are a thing of the past. But I am really glad that I wont feel that I am wasting my time and my youth anymore. Its a complex feeling nevertheless. The days here has really opened my eyes to a lot of things which is not appropriate for me to reveal here at this moment. But at least I have the chance to experience things which otherwise I would not be able to experience in other places, whether its good or bad.

I guess everything that happens in life should be looked at a positive way as every turn of events serve to develop ourselves, does it not?
So what is in store for the future? I do not know but what I am certain is I will not fear anything. It is time I take on the world. As long as I maintain faith, things will be fine.

Getting on with renewed confidence

Days after making the big decision, I am still coming to grip with it. It was quite nervy at the start but it was much better now. I have found some renewed confidence and looking for a glimmer of hope of getting something out these. I am desperate to go overseas to satiate my thirst for knowledge and inspiration. With renewed determination, I am really keeping my fingers crossed. I keep asking myself for what purpose do I want to be in the academic field? I got some of the answers while talking to my professor the other day. But there is more to it.

The state of higher education in the country is in such a sorry state. To jump into it at this moment is like committing kamikaze. But you have to be in the system itself to be able to change it. I may not be in the position to affect any change now, but I will in 10 years time. I need to build my foundation, knowledge, wisdom, way of thoughts and etc...So I have to be exposed to the outside world.

It is time to change. Education is not to serve politics. Education is not to merely churn out followers and robots. Education is not to stifle the minds of the young. Education is not to get a string of As.

Education is to create people who can think and articulate ideas, conduct intellectual dialogues and are able to utilise the knowledge to benefit the people and society. Education is to serve the people, not serve the people in the ivory tower. Education is to create agents of change who can contribute for the betterment of the society.

A Turning Point

I have come to a junction where I need to make a big decision which will change the course of my life. To go for it or not or to continue remaining in this comfort zone (not that comfortable afterall) - these are the questions that I have been asking myself. Although I have been preparing myself for this change, but when you are finally at that point of making that decision is never easy.

But I am glad that after sincerely praying, I have the courage to take that step. It is a relief, a big monkey off my shoulder at the moment but in no ways that it will be smooth sailing thereafter. It is just the beginning of more challenges and obstacles. As rocky as the path ahead may seem, I am prepared for what may come. I fear nothing. I am ready for it for I have limitless potential. Everybody has that. Sensei, just watch me !

Hoping for a change of times

Now that the mouse has been let out of the bag, we are seeing serious spillover effects and repercussions from the fuel price hike. Commodities, food, materials, properties and transportation are set to skyrocket hitting the normal rakyat the hardest. Not only will the rakyat be trying to grapple with their everyday living, they will also need to be wary of social and crime issues which may also be on the rise.

What has the government done to alleviate the people's suffering?
Again, they have come out vague and unconvincing measures to show that they are serious in facing the hardships with the people. A 10% cut in entertainment allowances is but a chicken feed amount to start with. What is the entertainment allowance needed in the 1st place? Is it not right to say that all government functions and entertainments are already borne by the government? Is the entertainment allowance used to entertain their own family and cronies? What other allowances are the ministers entitled to which are not made known to the people? If they want to cut the subsidies by 40%, shouldnt the allowance be cut in tandem with the subsidies?

The problems that we face today are the consequences of the many years of wastage, corruption, inefficiency in the government sector. Maybe I should not say this as I myself is very much in the system as a civil servant but these recent turn of events has made me even more determined to voice out things which are not right. But alas, what can we at the bottom of the hiearachy do to change it?

I am just hoping that government in waiting will not wait anymore. They could not possibly do worse than the government of the day, could they? Lets wait and see.