My Blog

The world political scene is getting more and more uglier, a war against terrorism is quickly spiralling out of control, and when religion is behind it becomes more complicated. Many leaders from various countries are starting to take side, which has no different to the dawn of world war 1 and world war 2.

Just few days ago, Israel started to attack Lebanon in larger scale in an attempt to eliminate or paralyze Hizbollah and Hamas, 2 globally recognized terrorists groups after Hizbollah kidnapped 2 israeli soldiers while Hamas kidnapped one. Israel demanded the safe return of its kidnapped soldiers and Lebanon to disarm Hizbollah. But these 2 demands seems a bridge too far right now. The worst still is Hizbollah and Hamas are suspected being funded by Syria and Iran. If these 2 countries are being pulled into the war, the consequences can be far from worst. Not to forget that Iraq, the country still trying to recover from war is loaded with pockets of terrorists within. While middle east is busy with the war, there comes North Korea who rejected UN solution to its nuclear program within 45 minutes setting all new world record, and vowed to launch more missiles exercises.  Israel starting to shower Beirut and southern Lebanon with airstrikes, killing innocent civilians and driving up their support towards Hizbollah to an all time high, which is not expected.

This is a worrying issues, with its effect far from limited to middle east, gasoline price skyrocketing, creating massive issues for many companies, citizens with the increase in cost and increase in product prices. Companies who are not doing well are started to layoff employees. Watching the leaders of super power expressing their views is a pain in the ass, but you couldnt really blame them because it aint so straight forward, there are many political complications behind. Is world war 3 on the brink ? I can only hope that it will never but it is not up to me to hope for, it needs the whole world to hope in that way and work towards peace…. if everyone can just cool down, put their own benefit aside, put religion issues aside and differences in culture aside, and being objective in discussing all issues and not keeping a blind eye, a long term peace could be possible, but so I hope. Definitely everyone wants to have the right to stay alive, trying to eliminate one and another is never possible. Just like the chinese word said " Yuan Yuan Xiang Bao He Shi Liao".

Being stubborn will only result in more bloodshed in many years to come….everyone has to give and take. Root towards terrorism must be understood and resolved, and not trying to neutralize them, because when someone falls, someone will always rise when the root issues are not resolved.

Most of my time in US, I had been spending time watching DVDs - original one ok, pirated is hard to come by unless you opt to join the "torrent-lution gang". Well there is a best business practice they teach in my company which is BPX, so to be compliant, any PC is not allow to bit-torrent, but reality who cares except me, truth is I always think we should honor actors/actresses and directors by buying original DVD if they put up a good show.

Back to the topic, I had been watching tonnes of movies I had missed in the 80’s, 90’s when I was limited by budget problem during my early day, where I only get RM 10 per month, which is equivalent to 2 shows / month if you spend everything on movie only. A lot of nice movies back then like "fight club" by brad pitt and edward norton, "godfather" by Al Pacino, "the thing" by kurt russel, "memento" by (dont know who) etc. But the one the captured my attention and I enjoy watching most is "Lost In Translation" produced by Sofia Copolla, daughter of Francis Copolla and starring Scarlett Johannsen and Bill Murray.

The destination, Japan, was a movie about a newly wed couple, with the wife staying alone in hotel most of the time while her husband is busy with work with Bill Murray acting as a famous actor in mid-life crisis coming to Japan to shoot a commercial. Together they found their commonality ( losing direction in life), established a wonderful friendship, leaving back wonderful memory and going back to their own life. Well, the movie doesnt really tell you whether they fall in love with each other, but through their gestures you can feel there was something going on….no, they dont cheat on their other half, but they have a wonderful 1-week friendship and sweet memory to cherish.

I like this movie maybe because I am now alone in US and missing my home a lot, being alone in this strange place can be a scary experience, but as usual we struggled, adapted and then moved on. But the process doesnt always sound as smooth as it was, a lot of adjustments have to be made, particularly where you want to spend your leisure time when you are not working. Going around here costs a lot especially when I like to travel light and alone, I am a person who emphasized a lot on who you are going with for an outing, because it could result in a wonderful trip or an awful trip, I especially hate those experience where you spent a lot in a trip end up satisfying other needs. Not anti social, but there are certain things which will leave a better taste in your mouth if you do it alone with you on way, maybe I am a control freak haha.

Working is also not fun, you met people who dont understand your language, their fear to your threat is equal to your fear to their expectations. It turned out to be a rather exhausting relationship when there is something shaking up the trust factor. You are doing everything double the amount of time and effort, just to prove you are doing the right way. But in reality there isnt really a right way, there is only your way or my way. It was an experience though, but you sure hope it is a short one.

With all these factors accumulated, so when I watched Lost In Translation, it hits me straight away with a "Bang", I like this movie, I felt like the actor and actress is acting on top of a script I am writing just that I changed the place to Japan. I downright love this movie, I dont think I will ever develop this kind of love towards this movie if I watched it in Malaysia.

It was especially funny when Bill said "the people here like to substitute R with L", Mr Black will end up as Mr "Brack", Roger Moore will become loger Moore, on second thought Japanese do speak that way…haha !

Throughout this tough 6 months in US, Lost In Translation is a movie that sums up my thoughts and experience with referenced to the part how they struggled and adapted then moved back to their life. Relocation is not fun, but it is a virtual experience of what will happen if something changed in your life, no gf and family close to you, you lost your human network, you lost your friends and you lost your financial power. It is a lesson that should be appreciated.

oh boy..time is so slow. I joined friendster 2 years ago, I feel this website is kinda useless becoz all you can do is to search for friends around and then do nothing other than reading their blogs offline. man…I dont even read books, dont even mention reading blogs by others, unless from my special loved ones. what so funny ? this is reality mah…haha

so back to the main subject I will be posting blog here because it is so damn boring. In US, In folsom, in this cold apartment or hot, nothing impressed me. I just dont feel what so great about US, other than disneyland haha. The city here is not vibrant, the weather here damn extreme, the shop here damn dirty, the food here damn expensive and plus, disgusting. I miss malaysia where you can get teh ice for 1 ringgit, roti canai for 50 cents.

Well, but after so many damn about this place, there is something nice though like I do admire US spirit where they encourage people to dream, I believe to be successful in life, dream is something that must not be kept apart. A dream from childhood and a man’s determination is all the ingredients that takes to yield a successful individual. That is something I dont see in Malaysia, even in my company although it is US based, perhaps they just asked you to forget about dream, stick you feet to the ground, wake up ! haha.

Another nice thing is the techno stuffs in shops, I really like to spend time looking around the cool gadgets, really turn me on ! The bonus of staying in US, you get all the US merchandise with a relatively cheap price, timberland, famous hasbro toys producing starwars and transformers US version, the famous NIKE and original DVDs, yes, believed it, get 3 for USD 20 for great previewed movies, all time favorites, damn good deal. Now this is a bonus though.

But after doing all the mathematics, I still think home is the best. No matter how wonderful a place is , is not my country, is just a virtual living here, I will take the best out of it and make something great out of it back at home for many years to come. A great experience to be here, but not enough to persuade me it is better than home, well never will be anyplace else in this world. Malaysia, wait for my return, Sept 16TH.