Streets of Malaysia

I do not really have any ideas about the streets of our beloved country Malaysia. I am a pure city boy live in Petaling jaya. There is not much to talk about the streets. I've been to only one famous street, which is "Chow Kit route". I have only been there once when i was around 9 years old. I went there with my family because we were actually going to a temple near there. So after finishing with the temple business, my dad decided to bring me to that place. He said its the most famous street in Malaysia, because it was a historical place, it was there since he was small.
He told me, Chow Kit road was the largest wet market in Malaysia. He said, in Chow Kit, it might look just like any night market, but is best not the get into some conflicts with the stall keepers. He also said that, if we are not going to buy anything it is best for us to stay away from the stalls, just look from far, because the stall keeper are not the same that we encounter normally. They are hot-tempered, and greedy. So if we don't want to buy, we better stay far away from them.
Chow Kit road was a famous street because of its culture. The variety of the goods sold there is as many as shopping mall. The price of the goods were highly raised by the stall keepers even though their goods are fake. Why didn't the police came and sweep their goods away? This is an unknown. I have only seen the policemen sweep away pirated CDs before. For the goods, i never actually seen that happened ever.
Chow Kit road is a looks like a totally different place in the morning. The later it goes the merrier the street goes. During day time, the streets will be full of cars and motorcycles. The place will be none other like a normal place, which people drive around, going to their workplace, finding a nice place to eat, etc.
Chow Kit was a drug district before, which a lot of drug dealing happening in the place. Nowadays, there is not that much happenings about drugs there anymore. Maybe its just the surface which is calm, deep underneath might not be that way. Anyway, that is not part of my concern.
Although this place sounds dangerous, but we still can find a lot of fun in it. There are a lot of activities or events going on in this place. Street performances are held frequently by foreigners who cant find a proper job. This place is what that represents Malaysia. The various of races visiting that place, is like one big family. It might be weird, but the stall keepers there can speak a lot of types of languages! This should be proud of. Not many people from other countries can do that. This all thanks to our multi-racial country. Hopefully our country will continue the culture so that we have our own personal history to be proud about.

The streets!

The streets in Malaysia is different from the ones we see in foreign countries. Streets in Malaysia has a lot of hawker stalls. There are lots of things or activities happening in our Malaysia streets. There's a lot of things that are different from others. Our streets can be filled with noise whole night long, unlike some streets of some countries, quiet, full with the smell of danger, fights everywhere. Of course our country has the same thing but not as much.
The streets of Malaysia are normally the merrier the later it goes. This is actually one of the attractions that attracts the foreigners to come to our country for vacation. Almost every night, there will be some activities happening somewhere. From a normal night market to a celebration of some particular day or some events. This is because our country has a lot of different cultures and races. Although our country has different cultures, but we live happily together and we live united in one.
In the night market, we can find lots of lots of stuffs for different kind of people. Things that are new, weird, old, traditional, pretty, cute, unique or many more types. Eventually will suit someone with something. If i'm not mistaken the longest night market is located at Cheras. I went there once before with my parents and my siblings. To shop the entire night market, it took us around 3 hours, with just browsing through the things. If we were to slowly look through everything, I think a day will not be enough, and i am not KIDDING!
Other than the night market, we have a lot of street shows happening on the streets. What i have saw before was like dance on the road, fire-breathing guys performing. I was surprised when i saw, because normally these street shows, I only watch them on movies and its only on the western countries. At first I thought was some gangs gathering on the road, so i was not really dare to get close to them. Then, they suddenly come out with some actions like break-dancing. At first, i was already felt quite surprise, suddenly there's fire breathing behind me. I was more shocked! Though i'm shocked, but i still clear that it was a show. I manage to shook hand with the dancers. I wanted to shake with the fire-breather too, but i was just too scared to approach him. These guys were so brave to perform themselves in front of the crowd. I wish i was like them. However i learned a lesson that if i do not study well, i will need to learn skills and might be like them in the future. That will be awful if we see it through the reality's point of view.

These all might can be seen all around the world, but the crowd, is what we cannot see from the world. All kind of races are gathering around to watch those shows. Sometimes, when we go to some hawker stalls, we also can see all kind of different people in different styles eating, browsing through products or even more. Its like a public modeling place.

The best period of my life

Life is full of honey and medicine. The best part about it is that the things that we have been through will always stays in our memories forever. It inspired us. The things we been through, the fun we had in, the story of a new experience begin, the success and failure we gone through, the friends we meet and the friends we acknowledge has bring life to our life. Each of us has a story to begin with, a part of it to tell. My story begins with…..

 During childhood, I never thought of joining basketball at all, I used to play football, badminton, swimming, cycling but not ever basketball. I remembered that is that day my parents asked me to join basketball. It is when my small brother started joining basketball first and he came back with lots of sweat and fun. When my parents asked me to join basketball too, I just said one word- OK, and that is how it begins every chapter in my life. 

I am in the basketball school team, and that is the hardest part of all because we had to train very hard and i will be so tired and exhausted. Telling the truth, I do not even  know how i got into the school team. I remembered the first day when i joined basketball, way back that time I was in standard 5, for my age, I am late to join the basketball for 1 year compared to my friends, I am just having fun playing basketball without knowing what is happening at all, and of all, my basketball coach come and talk to me and said, ' finally i see you play basketball'. Few weeks later, my coach come and talk to me and asked whether i wanted to join the school team or not because the team need someone like me that is tall. And i answered 'anything', my coach then asked me to come and have a trial and i went. 

I remembered i was the first and fastest to go to level 2. normally people had to learn for more than half a month and have a test only to get to level 2, but i only went for few weeks and i got into level 2. My brother is already in level 2 and since then we went to basketball together. On my first day in level 2, I was very hyper, keep running and talking like will not get tired, maybe i was too excited. Well, after the trial, i was in the school team. 

The saddest thing is have to keep training, training, and  keep on training. One thing for sure, i did not wasted my time training and keep improving. With my friends train and experiences along with me, i feel happy and enjoy. Every tuesday and thursday evening after class, we had to go training, but eventhough i am now 18 years old, i still remember the days we train together as a team and the feelings towards it. 

The saddest thing is during MSSD finals, we lost to catholic by one point only. I can remember my coach have tears in his face and most of my teammates cried too. We had train so hard and long and came prepared for this coming match, but i guess we are still not strong enough. I did not chosen for MSSS, but coach let me train together with the candidates that is chosen for training for MSSS. 

My coach is like my second father. He teaches us many and many of things, not only in basketball, but in life. He teaches us the way of life and the important in life. He gave us courage, hope, dignity, pride and lessons that our team will never forget. Although he looks strict as he is and straight forward, but he is a very nice person if people do not make him angry. He is willingly to teach anybody, even parents. For what i have seen, parents and teacher and other coaches also find help and advice from him. He is truly the best coach i ever had and i do not regret following him for so long.

Moving on to secondary school, the best part of my life! I had one primary best friend studying in the same school with me, he always been my best buddy and brother. I followed to where my coach are teaching basketball in the school and i still do not regret it. Since i and my teammates started planting our seeds in this school, the seeds grew to buds and eventually grew to a big giant tree. Since we enter secondary school, our coach had lead us to countless glory, from form 1 to form 5. Eventhough we had many suffering and sweat along the journey, but we as a team, including our coach walk through the journey together as one. 

Although people changes around us when we grow up, people come, people go, but it does not change a thing because i am very happy that the friends i once had is still there inside me and make an influence to my life, even a little. 

I remembered once i had done something and didnt turn up for training for that day, and the competition is 3 days away, my coach was very angry, but he just asked me do i still wan to play basketball or not and i answer loudly that i wanted to continue playing basketball. Do not know why, but since i joined playing basketball, i slowly begin to love basketball and it had become part of my life. Whenever i see people plays basketball, i always have the rush to join and play and it makes me feel great too. I also remembered another time, that is far worst, my coach found out i had a girlfriend and that night in training, we had a quite long chat. At the end, he asked me one question that is do i still wanted to play basketball or not, because our coach wants us to be descipline at all times and study hard for our future good, i answered i wanted to play basketball again. I can see that my coach actually loves us and wants the best for us all. 

Our coach not only bring many glory to us, but enough fame and pride too. He had a very big dream in his life and he wants to go further. He lead us to various places to played with other teams and even from other countries. He bought us to where we will never expect to go, because he wants us to learn more and see more. 

The best period in my life is that i meet the best coach ever and teammates that he unite us all together. He likes father to us all, teaching and giving his knowledge and self experience to us. Without him, i do not think i could have gone through this far and meet many new friends. My teammates and I, including our coach had been a one big family, thanks to our coach. We been through many things together. Deep in our heart, we all are so thankful to him. He is a coach that is dedicated and spirited towards his passion and love of basketball. For so many years we had been with him, he loves us as much as a father loves their children. 

Greek Mytholody incflunced our daily life

Greek mythology is where the people of ancient Greece share a whole span of stories and tales of the Greek gods, goddesses and heroes of whom they believed in. Although centuries have passed by, these gods and goddesses are still instilled in the people’s mind.

            Each god and goddess is worshipped as a deity who ruled over different regions in ancient Greece. Some of these gods and goddesses have both Roman and Greek names as in the past, Greece was once taken over by Rome and the people of Rome had in one way or another adopted the Greek beliefs and myths.

            There exist many stories on Greek Mythology, such as the story of the Titans overthrowing Uranus, the battle between the Titans and Olympians, the Trojan War, and the social life of each god and goddess. All of these stories are mostly centred on the gods and goddesses of the Pantheon on Mount Olympus which are Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hades, Demeter, Hestia, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Dionysus, Ares, Hephaestus, Aphrodite and Hermes.

            Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia, Demeter and Hades are children of Cronus whereas Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Dionysus, Ares, Hermes, Aphrodite and Hephaestus are children of Zeus. These gods and goddesses each symbolises something unique. For example, Zeus is the god of the sky and Hermes is the god of mischief and messenger of the gods.

            Nowadays, our life is widely influenced by Greek Mythology. The obvious example would be the Olympic Games. The ancient Greek culture has been kept alive through various sources of media, such as movies, literature and pop culture. Architecture and art that can be found in many parts of the world has features that were affected by Greek Mythology. Besides that, the naming of days, months, planets, and even various words and expressions have originated from Greek Mythology.

Greek Mythology is an important factor in our daily lives. However, most of us are ignorant of its great influence. One of the most obvious example in which Greek Mythology has played a significant role is the founding of the Olympic Games.

Back in the olden days, the Olympic Games were held in Olympia, a city which was situated in Elis, Ancient Greece. The ancient Olympic Games were held in honour of Zeus, the God of Sky and Thunder and also the Supreme God of Greek mythology. During those times, Zeus’ most sacred place, the Altis was situated in Olympia. The Altis was referred by the Greeks as the Sanctuary of Zeus, whereby a visit to this place is seen as a way of honour to Zeus.

The poet Pindar has attributed the founding of the games to one of the best-known heroes of Greek myth, Herakles. Herakles was the son of Zeus and Alcmene, a mortal woman. According to the legends, Herakles’ had completed one of his twelve labours and had initiated the first games in honour of Zeus with the purpose of celebrating his successful accomplishment.

Greek mythology is also known to influence historical Greek literature. The only general surviving Greek literature handbook, which is the “Library of Pseudo-Apollodorus” contains all stories on Greek Mythology, including the Titans, the Gods, and the Olympians.  Moreover, this source of literature also provides a summary of traditional Greek mythology and heroic legends.

Greek Mythology has also managed to seep into our entertainment industry. Many of us still read Greek myths, either as a study or as a form of entertainment. Some famous stories include the tales of Perseus, Theseus and also Heracles. In this day and age, many people are fascinated by Greek Mythology to the extent of using Greek myths as a basis for publishing novels and screenplays, i.e. Walt Disney’s production of the cartoon ‘Hercules’, and Warner Bros. production of ‘Clash of The Titans’. One of the recent bestselling novels, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series have also been adapted from Greek Mythology.

In fact, one of the most famous movies, ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ has been influenced by Greek mythology. Fluffy, the three headed dog in the movie was obviously referring to Cerberus, the three headed dog that Hades, the ruler of the Underworld had. In Greek Mythology, Cerberus who guards the gate to the underworld is "a three-headed, dragon-tailed dog, who permits all spirits to enter, but none to return.

Greek Mythology can also be seen to influence what we now know as classical art. This form of art was created by the ancient Greeks. Indeed, many of the Greek sculptures and designs, especially Vase Painting were widely influenced by Greek Mythology. Majority of the Greek sculptures that can be found nowadays tell us stories about the Gods, Heroes, Events, Mythical Creatures and Greek culture in general. The Vase Paintings mentioned portrayed the life of heroes and Greek gods.

Besides that, temples were constructed as an offer of thanksgiving to the patron deity of a city for successes in war, i.e. the construction of the Parthenon in honour of Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom. At the present time, many of America’s governmental buildings have been designed with this form of classical art.

The naming of days has also been influenced by Greek mythology. Each of the seven days in a week has been named after Greek gods or goddesses. The Greeks even called the days of the week Theon hemera, which literally means “Days of the Gods”. For example, Sunday was named after Helios, God of the Sun and Monday was named after Selene, Goddess of the Moon. However, due to Roman influence, certain names have been substituted with variations in equivalent of the original gods or goddesses, i.e. Tuesday originated from ‘Tiu’, which was the Anglo-Saxons equivalent of Ares, God of War.

As with the naming of days, the names of various months were also influenced by Greek mythology. All the months except July through to December were named after gods and goddesses alike. For example, January was named after Janus, God of Doorways, Gateways, and Beginnings, May was named after Maia, Goddess of Earth, Honour and Reverence, June was named after Hera, Goddess of Women and Marriage and others.

Celestial bodies in space often have names with origins of Greek Mythology. In the Western World, names for the planets are derived from the naming practices of the Romans, which indirectly have Greek origins, as Roman Mythology is greatly influenced by Greek Mythology and has many common characteristics. For example, Jupiter is the Roman equivalent of Zeus, and Saturn is the Roman equivalent of Cronus.

Most of the constellations have names of Greek mythology origin, i.e. Centaurus (the centaur), Hydra (creature), and Pegasus (a winged horse born from Medusa’s head when she was killed).

Some asteroids such as Demeter and Apophis, which was predicted to impact earth in the year 2036, all have names which originated from Greek Mythology.  Even space exploration missions were named after Greek Mythology. The most famous example is Apollo 11, the spaceflight that landed the first humans on Earth’s Moon.

As is common knowledge, the Greeks were the pioneer to use an alphabet. In actual fact, there exists some common vocabulary that originated from Greek Mythology. One of the examples is Cupid. In Greek mythology, Cupid is the god of desire and love. He is the son of goddess Venus, Roman equivalent of Aphrodite and god Mars, Roman equivalent of Ares. In the modern culture, Cupid is used to symbolise love and is always shown shooting his bow to instigate love.

There are also many companies and games with names that have been influenced by Greek Mythology. For example, Nike, as most of us are familiar is a well-known public trade company of sportswear and equipment supplier. Its name actually originated from Nike, Winged goddess of Victory, who can run and fly at great speeds. Furthermore, the name  Odyssey, which according to Greek Mythology is the 10-year sea voyage endured by the Trojan War hero, Odysseus, as he sought to return home to Ithica, has been used as names for a well-known travel agency “Odyssey Travel”, and even cars, “Honda Odyssey”. 

Greek Mythology has indeed shown its influence in our daily lives, albeit inconspicuously. 

Heal the world by giving them rights

When I was young, I bullied animals a lot. However when I start to grow up, my thinking was starting to get mature. I felt that all animals have their own rights, not only animals actually, every single living things created by God should be given rights, should be taken care properly, of course these includes the plants and trees.

    Animal right, also known as animal liberation is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human being. Like nowadays, there are a lot of animal schools. We can send them there to learn tricks and or basic skills such as, where to pee or dispose their wastes.

This is also meant that animal should be threaten as non-human person and members of the moral community, and should not be used for food, clothing, research subject or entertainment. This point of view has been presented by a lot of expert, for instance philosopher-Peter Singer and many others. Those guys showed a bad example that brought a huge negative impact to our future generation that follows our footsteps.

            As the world population nowadays is paying more attention to the right of an individual, therefore, non-human animal as an ‘individual’ should not be neglected. In country, there are a lot of organization which named to be animal’s guardian, but they are not doing the same thing as what they have shown externally to the people.

            Nevertheless, there are still some organizations which do help animal to own their rights. SPCA, an organization in Selangor has done it well in protecting animal. In these years, SPCA had help numbers of animal to change and also to improve their live. Adoption, donation and etc are available in SPCA to help these ‘orphan’ to better up their live.

            Besides, law should be strengthen to protect animal so that they have the legal rights to own a more comfortable, safe and healthy living condition. People should have heart of empathy to them, as we definitely dislike others not paying respect to us. This will also happen to the animal as they also have feelings.

            Elementary school should aim to educate students to create awareness, empower and motivate people to be agents of change to improve animal’s living condition in their communities. This will inculcate people moral thinking of giving animal legal rights to have a better living condition without fear and anxiety.

    There’s once a case. There’s a girl kicking a kitten. Her act was recorded down by the CCTV, and that video was uploaded to youtube. After the video was spread out, a lot of people were hunting for her, until she needs to come out to make an official apologize.

            In conclude animal has the right to own a living condition similar to us. Animal should be fed three times per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner), live under a shelter, get to see doctor when they are sick, exercise, have some entertainment and etc.