Grubbs n Critters

April 4, 2010

Have a Little Faith

Category: Books

My little “just looking around and not buying anything” exploration at a bookstore compelled me to get this book. Only because, it mentioned something about being the same level as “Tuesdays with Morrie”. And I absolutely love “Tuesdays with Morrie”; so it was an easy decision to buy it and give it a well-deserved read.

My thought is that the book ain’t as powerful as “Tuesdays with Morrie”. This book is perhaps about rekindling faith. However, the way it was written is not so much about the type of (whatever) faith, beliefs and religious stance , rather the journey of life itself. There is so much humility in there and it’s more about embracing our differences and respecting them. To me, it is about having apathy, and being accountable to yourself and what you believe in.

It definitely ain’t gonna change a non-believer (of religions) to a believer. I don’t think it was meant to be interpreted that way. Rather, it is more to reflect on your own beliefs and how far a belief has changed as one progresses with life. Whatever “faith” may be, it reflects on hope, losing it, having the strength to find it again and then finding it to fuel that spark in one’s life.

The book condenses a journey, most of which I can’t quite relate to. Maybe, not just yet. However, if anything, there are some parts of this book which had me in a little bit of tears. It is still an enjoyable read and also a rather heart-tugging one.

Image of the book courtesy of Google Images

Chaos or Carnival?

Category: Thaism

Almost the entire Sukhumvit seemed to be in a gridlocked today. As I made my way to my pilates class this morning, I was greeted by a whole lot of reds just at the end of our Soi. There were plenty of noise with honks, cheering from the Reds as well as aggressive-sounding rally speeches blaring out loud, drowning out other noises. This was the scene at about 11 am this morning, almost right out of my door-step:

After my pilates class and a round of foot massage and mani-pedi about almost 4 hours later, the crowd was still there.It was still a peaceful demonstration, but noises louder than before. I thought it was kinda bizarre to see the Reds directing traffic and all. There were blockades everywhere and I saw on the Thai news channel that they were all congregating at Central World. Incidentally, I also received a news update stating that Siam Paragon, Siam Centre and Siam Discover Shopping Mall were closed at 1pm today. The vehicles on the main road outside my Soi have yet to dissipate at 4pm as I walked my way home:

One can only speculate what’s going to happen next. For now, while it did seemed rather chaotic, everything looks peaceful still. Actually, it’s almost like a carnival out there. I can only wonder why anyone in the right mind would want to stand around blocking roads in the sizzling hot sun. All they were doing apart from contributing more to traffic and noise pollution, were making a lot of noise, sleep, eat, chit-chat and walking around as if they were having a time of their lives while waiting around for some instructions.

I’m really doubtful if they know or aware what they are actually fighting for. The whole thing to me almost looked kinda silly and really pointless!

WanPerang’s Wedding

Category: Family life

This post is way overdue. By about 2 months to be exact; and that’s just because I have been waiting for Silver Bullet to process the photos taken from his DSLR as he willingly appointed himself as the unofficial photographer for my brother’s wedding which happened in February this year. It has also been almost exactly a year to the date since the engagement. For Silver Bullet, the wedding just presented an opportunity for him to mess around with his photography equipment.

I really thought this is a nice picture of the newly-weds, shot by his truly.

My brother is, no doubt more culturally inclined that I ever was. His wedding therefore was more traditional in following most of the Malay traditional wedding – an institution which holds a very sacred position in Malay society. While I have been exposed to Malay weddings, I have to admit that I have never been so closely involved with a traditional one. This would have to be my first ever involvement and I swear I’m amazed by all of the grandeur of rituals and cultural traditions in an elaborate celebration

Typically, the wedding couple will be treated like King and Queen for the day. In this case, my brother and his wife had the privilege of being The King and Queen for 2 consecutive days! That’s because, the wedding reception was held over 2 days – one hosted by the groom after the Akad Nikah, and then by the bride’s family on the day after.

For us really, while most of the tasks were to help out wherever and whenever needed, we also get to stuff our faces with incredible selection of food over the course of 2 days, and then some! In the Malay community, food is always the heart of everything and it usually makes or breaks the wedding reception. This wedding really had some of the most delicious food I’ve ever tasted. To not even think of tar-paoing back to Bangkok is just a crime.

Time just flew! The food, ingested and digested; wishes and congratulations offered, and the now not-so-new newly-weds have already gone and returned from their honeymoon. In a blink of an eye, they have already spent 2 months of their lives living as husband and wife with a whole life ahead of them. What are left of the wedding are really memories for them to cherish for the rest of their lives as it signifies another milestone in this moment in time.

Here’s just some snapshots from their wedding, courtesy of Silver Bullet:

Groom’s side bearing trays of gifts and mas kahwin

Groom accompanied by family members for the big event; Bride’s side inspecting the gifts that were promised a year ago:

The akad nikah ceremony, the signing of the marriage contract; kissing of hands as an acknowledgment that the marriage contract is now official.

A family photograph with the newly-weds. After which, the couple would spend hours sitting on the dias as family and friends congratulate them and have a chance to pose for a few photographs.

Post-akad nikah, the couple was accompanied by friends, relatives, musicians and bunga manggar (palm blossom) carriers to the wedding reception hosted by the Groom and family. The couple continued to sit on the dias just like King and Queen.

The next day, the groom was again accompanied by friends, relatives, musicians and bunga manggar (palm blossom) carriers to the bride’s house. To add gaiety to the joyful affair, the groom and his party were required to overcome humorous obstacles before being allowed to go in. The traditional martial arts (pencak silat) was performed, followed by a round of traditional dance.

The cutting of the cake at the bride’s place to indicate that the ceremony is about to end.

It was quite a tiring 2-day, really! I cannot imagine how exhaustive it was for the couple, who spent most of their time sitting at the dias for hours on end. Not to mention having to continuously smile at anyone and everyone throughout the day! You’ve got to admire such resilience though. Nevertheless, I’m sure they enjoyed the day thoroughly after being treated like King and Queen, not in just one day, but for 2 consecutive days! A once in a lifetime experience, indeed!

Anyhow, here’s our congratulations once again to the now-not-so new newly weds! May happiness be with you for eternity. 🙂