Friday, March 24, 2006

Man's Best Friend

Three months ago, a stranger came and took shelter at my home. He was shivering, hungry and tired. Lost and alone with no where to go because the place he called home was destroyed by yellow giants that breathed dark smoke through their noses.
Now, he is no stranger anymore, but a friend. But it is today that it was his last day being with us, for today he was taken away.

I will tell you a tale of a creature that changed our perception on how we look at things. A gentleman, loyal friend and a survivor of odds. His (or rather "its") name is Buddy.

Late last year, Buddy came and sought refuge at my house porch from the December rain. At the back of the hill that I'm staying near, there were lots of new development going on and I think that must have caused it to move out to seek refuge among us humans. We we're curious why this dog never left after the rain. We decided to leave it alone and perhaps it will leave later.
The next morning, we saw this lean golden brown dog still sleeping under the hood of the car, perhaps he finds it warm under the engine. Again we left it alone and thought it would leave.

Days go by and still this dog refused to take its leave and continued to sleep at the same spot. Whenever we walked out of the door, it would be alerted and will make way for us to walk past him so as to not obstruct our coming and going. (Such gentleman -- or rather gentledog)

Christmas came and Ivy came back from Singapore and learnt of this dog that was staying outside our porch. It never bothered us so we didnt think of forcing it to leave.. but mom actualy didnt like pets. Ivy started to call it "Buddy", after that we all also started to address him as "Buddy". So that was how "Doggy" got its name "Buddy"

As days went by, it became much closer to family. I wasnt around much as I was in UM during the weekdays, but it seems that he recognises me. Dad began feeding it, mom didnt wasnt really bothered about the dog because he always avoided us so as not to obstruct our activities. When mom goes out to dry the clothes, he will move aside and watch her hang up the wet clothes in the sun. He would also walk beside us when we go down the street just as close company.

There were many nights especialy in February, I would just sit out in the moonlight in the wee hours of the morning when everyone's asleep but he was there. I began to move closer to him and he would let me pet his head. I've been in really close proximity and he would actualy move closer. A true friend even in the late hours.

I would begin to whisper my prayers to God and he would sit by me to listen. I dont know if he understands anything at all (well I doubt it anyway) but his presence being so close makes me feel that there is a friend close by. At times like these I would gaze into its eyes and wonder, if there is a soul in such a creature. Meek and Loyal, a true friend who sits quietly beside you and listens to what you say.

I wonder do "All dogs go to heaven"??

Late February, Buddy got involved in an accident. He was hit by a truck while it was resting in the middle of the street. His fore-right limb was crushed and he could not walk properly after that. Thankfully he was spared of his life, but we got a little worried because his wounds were open and there was no way that we could assist him because we were afraid to go near him. I've tried to draw closer to him after that but he would evade me. Perhaps he thought that it would trouble us more to care for him. So for the rest of the days Buddy grew thinner because it couldnt move much and spent most of the time resting behind our cars.

Today, a day to be remembered. It was the day we last see Buddy. The dog catchers came and took him away. Just when Buddy was getting better, just when he was almost fully recovered from his open wounds (though he may never walk again). Although handicapped, Buddy did put up a great struggle from 5 men who poised to capture him ... dead or alive. It was a struggle between life and death, decides if he would continue to live here or die tonight.

There is so much more I want to talk about Buddy.
He's changed my way of looking at animals
He's changed my mothers affections towards pets/pests
He's drawn out a deep sense of care for animals from my dad
He's became my lil brother's "first pet"

Good friend, I will surely miss you~!

-in rememberance of Buddy-
24th March 2006

Friday, March 17, 2006

Moving on

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,Phillipians 3:13 (ASV)

There are things in life that you cannot hold back in memories for too long without letting go and moving on. There comes a time where a decision has to be made to make progress,

Your regrets, your remorse. Give them to Me, because you cannot live with them.

All seems like foolishness, but may it pass, may it pass

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Sharp Words

Words uttered can never be taken back
Words that cut opens new wounds
Like a man shredding a feather pillow and trying to pickup the feathers again in the streets
I'm sorry I had to say those things
I'm sorry you had to hear them from me

Does Transparency Pay?

Lord, u lead and u reign

Monday, March 06, 2006

Gua Musang

That's where I'll be going soon~! (with Soon) .. haha sorry for the pun

I've just got off an interview with Mr Micheal .. or uncle Mike .. nice man he is, got lots to share about his past experiences. I think from what he says, in taking us, he will expect much out of us because this is a infant growing organization.. so lots of research and self-understanding is much needed to improve efficacy of plant operation. I think there will be a few traits that we may have to learn at first but I think when we get the hang of it, we will have to start off with the real reasons we are placed there... to do research

It looks like a long way from home, but I guess its time to step out of the comfort zones! Life is going to be harder there, perhaps it will push me from where I am now further to be able to withstand the pressures of the working world in future... I realized I can't be stuck in academics all my life... I think that's where most students fear most.. transition from student to a full working adult~!

I'm comforted much knowing that my God is with me all the way and that he has provided for me so as to take up such a challenge. I'm ready for it... perhaps the few weeks of isolation from modernity would help me lear a thing or two .. and maybe with the less distractions I may get to know Him more and more~!

I know I'll certainly miss all my friends for those long weeks, surely we would be dying to meet one another after the long semesters and now the holidays ... I guess this year I may not see some of them back in KL~! *Sigh*

I've made a decision, I'm sticking with it.. so don't ask me again "why Kelantan?". Its a challenge I want to take up, and its a challenge I'll get~!

"God be with me!" --- oh yeah .. it was good that it rained here today too~! Thank God~!

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Heavenly Beauty

As I gaze into the cloudless sky,
Countless stars, way up high,
The crescent moon, smiling west,
A joyful night, a glee celest.
Such was the clarity,
in a wide spaced beauty,
yet such was also the darkness,
not being able to see beyond us.

Much like what's deep inside,
Sitting between a great divide,
Beyond that beauty, is there no vision,
No focus, no goal, just driven by passion,
Fear is birthed by her mother, Uncertainty,
What lies beyond that beauty?
What waits for me?
In the deep darkness, I cannot see,
Until I'm there, will I also find beauty?
Perhaps beauty in another way,
But for now I'll live from day-to-day.

Freedom


Its a thousand words

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Coded Language

Can one learn to truely understand another?
Can one know exactly what the other person is saying?
Can one read a person's body language and tell what the other is hinting?
Can one see between the lines of what the other is really writting about?
Can one understand why was something said or written by another?
Can one feel how the other person feels in all of his/her expressions?
Can one learn to truely understand another?

I've come to a point where I find myself unable to really listen.

Are you telling me something?
Are you trying to prove a point?
Are you educating me?
Or are you just testing me?


Self-expression must pass into communication for its fulfillment. - Pearl Buck -

Questionable Quotes