The comic is a tribute to Nelson Mandela and it's his favorite poem by William Ernest Henley, called Invictus. So, about the comic, the photograph he's looking at is of himself with his eldest son, Madiba Thembekile, who's killed in a car crash. Mandela wasn't allowed to attend the funeral or even find out information about the accident. Over the years, because of the way Mandela carried himself, he gained respect and friendship of some of his guards. Not only did Mandela endure 27 years of imprisonment with dignity, determination and strength, but he also chose to forgive the people who wronged him. That, in my opinion, is his most impressive accomplishment. RIP Nelson Mandela.
That's for my country. Happy 50th Malaysia Day! Well, despite that I'm not entirely independent (part of me still colonized, frankly speaking), I'm really proud of being Malaysian.
Growing up, I feel so proud living in Malaysia. "Malaysia Truly Asiaaaaa....."the radio played. Gorgeous views, beautiful people, SALE, harmonious land where its people of different races, cultures and religion live side by side with each other; the TV showed me. It made me realize how amazing Malaysia is. The text books said so too and well, I see that in school too where kids regardless of race or their skin color, played with each other.
And then I grew up. I saw many awful things. So many racism happening, so many conflicts with the politics, how the government brainwashed us to think that we're perfect, we are ONE, and so on. We have one of the worst human rights issue, we don't recognize refugees and treated them badly, MORE RACISM, we have 1st class infrastructure but 3rd class mentality..the list goes on.
But don't let me kill whatever love or hope you have towards Malaysia just yet, because despite all these flaws that we face, no countries, even its people, are perfect. Malaysia is not that bad after all. We can praise other countries for their development and crazy technology and kick ass government service, but at the end of the day, home's where the heart is. You can't reject something that you're born into just because it's not 100% perfect. I hate Malaysians who go around talking about Malaysia and praising other countries. Seriously. If you're not happy with Malaysia, migrate, change your nationality, live there, rot there and die there, and then you realize how it's not all perfect there too. It's the whole "grass is greener on the other side" mentality. What you see's not always true.
I love Malaysia. It's not perfect, yes, I have to agree, but it's home and that's the only place where you're treated warmly and with open hands. If you're in other country, who knows what kind of treatment you'd get because well, you're not one of their own. Having said that, it doesn't mean that we can just shut up and go about life as if nothing is wrong with our home. There's a lot of wrongs here and we need to fix it. We must do something to change the future of our nation. So come on, lighten up! Live life to the fullest and stop being such a killjoy!
And by the way, I'd like to share some pieces by our local talents with you, lovelies. My man, Ifo, has composed 2 new songs entitled Luka and Aramaiti. The songs were sang by our dear friend Rizal and the music's amazingly arranged by Icco, and the whole thing is immensely supported by The Baks. They totally made it! You'll love it, I promise. Enjoy the songs!
"I always write from personal experience or things that I see. I don't ever try to write about things I don't know. If asked, I want to speak from a place of knowledge and experience. Or at the very least, I'm learning and I'm interested. This album really reflects where the guys and I have been lately. It's one of the happiest things we've ever been a part of. The sound is a lot more upbeat this time around. I don't think our fans have gotten to hear this side of us, where not everything is so heavy and so detrimental."
- Hayley Williams, 2013
That's what Hayley said during an exclusive interview by Glamour recently. I've loved Paramore since the beginning and they just keep getting better. From emo teen-punk, heavy rock, folky terrain, to now. I love that all of their albums are extremely strong for their own reasons. And I'm loving the more positive, upbeat tone of the new album. The music video of their new song, Still Into You, has been I released and I love it at every bit. Now I have something new to dance to. ^^
Yeah, the song and video are very different from their usual ones and I saw some negative comments about them. Some want the old Paramore, some say Hayley's becoming Katy Perry, some say they sound horrible, blah blah blah. Screw all those craps. That's the example of people who are afraid of changes, living in denial and stuck forever in the past. Move on, peeps! Paramore still rocks.
It's a beautiful song and the video's cute! I'm glad to finally see them being so happy and I think it's my favorite video they've ever done. As much as I love Hayley and I can't get enough of her hair, outfit, makeup and her adorable dance, but I wish the video showed more of Taylor and Jeremy, they crack me up.
What Hayley said about her pop-culture obsessions:
"I am re-obsessed with the Spice Girls and their Spice World movie. I grew up on that, and I love that right now the '90s are an influence on young people. It seems like 6 years ago, a lot of us were looking back more into the '80s. But the Spice Girls mean so much to people my age and people younger than me. I love the sense of girl power they give to young women. You know, I didn't have that when I was 16 when Paramore started. I wish it was something that I more fully understood. So I'm loving that young women are embracing their femininity, their power, and their strength. I look at my younger sister, and she's so strong and self-aware. I just feel that it's so important, whether it's feminism or feeling powerful for just one day, I'm happy that's back in pop culture. I hope it stays. I'm happy to see strong women."
Oh this is why I love Hayley. ^^
Now, let's enjoy the song!
Still Into You
Can't count the years on one hand
that we've been together
I need the other one to hold you
Make you feel, make you feel better
It's not a walk in the park to love each other
But when our fingers interlock,
Can't deny, can't deny you're worth it
'Cause after all this time, I'm still into you
Chorus:
I should be over all the butterflies
But I'm into you (I'm into you)
And baby even on our worst nights
I'm into you (I'm into you)
Let 'em wonder how we got this far
'Cause I don't really need to wonder at all
Yeah after all this time I'm still into you
Recount the night that I first met your mother
And on the drive back to my house
I told you that, I told you that I loved ya
You felt the weight of the world fall off your shoulder
And to your favorite song
we sang along to the start of forever
And after all this time, I'm still into you
[Chorus]
Some things just, some things just make sense
and one of those is you and I (Hey)
Some things just, some things just make sense
and even after all this time (Hey)
I'm into you, baby not a day goes by
that I'm not into you
P.S: Sill Into You means a lot to me. I know Hayley won't read my blog, but I'd like to thank her for this song. ^_^
This entry is copied from a blog in the comments part:
Anonymous said...
Friends, allow me a moment of indulgence to clear the foul stench of stupidity among people. The case in LD is nothing new to us Sabahans. In 90s, they abruptly came to the shore at Semporna and immediately bombed the police stations, then went amuck at the town.
They're smart people, some came through the sea, rose from mangrove area and lived 4 to 6 months before started to mingle with the locals and married them. The Tausugs in LD now didn't came all at once, instead they came in batches, with helps from their families in the village. Trust me, they have been there at least 2 to 3 months until the groups become complete, then they decide that it's time to wage war.
If you don't understand the rules of engagement, then don't try to be smart by saying the government is weak, soggy, whatsoever. Police would need to move 1st as they're trained as negotiators, while armies are the last resort as they will not spare anyone once commanded.
They need time to ensure all the locals are out of the village and then cut their food and finance sources, hoping the Tausugs will surrender. That's our rules of engagement. We're not barbaric stoic like the American soldiers. So don't insult or complain about everyone that involves in LD. It's not easy. You don't know what does it feel like to be in a gunfight situation. Those who went in and died knew that they might not come back alive, as it was their vow when inducted to the force.
So please, learn from history and read more. Make sure your mouth and brain go on the same frequency, or in other harsh words, don't be a permanent idiot.
Police say everything is under control. The remaining Sulu gunmen are on the run. A curfew has been declared in Lahad Datu town, 165 km from Felda Sahabat. This is for safety reasons only. There have been no incidences anywhere else outside the Felda Sahabat area. 2 policemen have been killed. The Sulu gunmen have lost 12 people killed on their side. The rest are trying to escape. The area is fully cordoned off.
I'm terribly sad. We look at the history and learn from them. We look at today and care. We look at the future and say thank you. Now, which is more important? The history? Today? Future? Stop blaming and pointing finger. I write this because I just saw many negative comments on twitter and fb about this situation. Some blame government, party leaders, and even Tun Dr Mahathir. While some others who don't read perhaps, stupidly become racist. They're throwing nasty words to those Filipinos that have been living in Sabah. And there are some morons insulting Sabah and saying that Sabahans should have just surrendered to Sulu because we're not part of Malaysia. This and that, till they forget to pray.
Many individuals are involved in this terrorism whether they're from the inside or outside, but what concern me the most is today's situation. Come on guys. People are dead, their families are weeping, our heroes are fighting for justice, we're in fear and never stop praying. And those morons don't even have time to pray, as they're too busy insulting. I'm sad and so angry. Plus my brother and uncles are serving for justice in Lahad Datu right now. The whole family's really worried, but we don't stop them either because it's a responsibility. May Allah be with us all.
Deepest condolences to families of the dead fighters. Al-Fatihah....
"Get ready to riot as America’s beloved pop rock phenomenon, Paramore make their stellar return to Kuala Lumpur on 17 February 2013 at Stadium Negara. Fronted by the incomparable Hayley Williams, the band is geared up for their worldwide tour in conjunction with the release of their upcoming self-titled album due on 9 April 2013."
I. Am. So. Excited!!
So here's the ticket details,
and the venue layout.
Parawhores, what are you waiting for? Pick your zone and book a tix here! ^^
I'm so pumped up for this! It's been my dream to meet Paramore and be at their concert. I don't want to miss it again this time, but my heart breaks when I see the flight ticket price. Far out of my budget. T_T
I wish for miracles..like, lower price by Air Asia, or free tickets giveaway by Hitz FM, or Paramore decides to perform in KK. Heeeeee........
Oh by the way, their new single, 'Now', will be released on 22nd January 2013. Yay! ^^
Yesterday I heard a news about road accident at my town (Papar) that happened last Thursday. It's a tragic accident caused by SLEEPINESS where the driver died just when admitted to hospital.
The victim's a daughter of my mum's friend. She's on her way back from work and it's already dark. Of course we'd feel fatigue and drowsy after a long day of working. So she got sleepy while driving Persona at normal speed on a straight two-way road and unconsciously drove to middle. There's a truck coming from opposite direction but the truck managed to pull over at safe distance and honk. The lady was awoken by the horn and immediately drove back to left side. Because of panic, she forgot to glance side mirror, and then collided with a car coming from behind, pushing the Persona forward and crashed another car in front.
Initially, the lady was said to have minor injuries and she could still move and even called her mother telling about the accident. But when she reached hospital by an ambulant, she died because of internal bleeding and organ damage. Besides, she's just gave birth 3 months ago and there was severe effect on her uterus.
(Al-Fatihah..)
Deep condolences to her family, her 3-month-old baby, and her husband that's outstation during the accident. Though I barely know this family but the tragedy broke my heart to pieces. So guys, please drive carefully on the road. If you get sleepy, just pull-over and take a good nap for a few minutes or go to nearby cafe and have a cup of coffee. We can make a difference and save lives by doing simple acts. Sleepiness kills, you see. Be safe, loves, especially ladies.
I leave you with an infographic about the stages of sleepiness:
Can't believe what I was hearing about the school shooting in Connecticut that killed 28 people, including 20 innocent children. My heart shattered to pieces. I'm still so angry inside that someone would ever want to take life from any human at all, let alone human as innocent as those kids. It's even harder to be grasped when I read the profile of suspected killer, Adam Lanza. You can read it here:
He's a nerd! A smart boy with major issues. And he's also said to be an autistic. How could an autistic boy kill people? And out of everyone, why children? I mean, they're just kids, for God's sake.
Adam Lanza was truly insane, or maybe he's hallucinating or didn't comprehend reality. Whatever. Kids were killed. We've been saddened enough by the dead children in Palestine, now another tragedy came up, it's just too much. If the world's going to end soon, then be it. Can you live in a world where humanity fades and even adults kill children?
they're among the victims. RIP.
Deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
