The Good Ol' Days!

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wahidlui

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    • Name: wahid
    • Country: China
    • Metro: Hong Kong
    • Birthday: 12/12/1988
    • Gender: Male
    • Member Since: 8/11/2004

About Me

  • going nowhere fast!

gl&hf -It's Just Life.

Sunday, 20 September 2009

Thursday, 10 September 2009

  • HEY hey hey. That wasn't part of the deal

    I am a muslim. My grandparents from my mother's side have malaysian and pakistani bloodlines, my mother followed in their faith, my father hers, and me theirs. Having said that, I dont consider myself a very religious person.

    I don't eat pork, staple for us muslims, but that's pretty much it. I observe the Ramadan (an annual fasting in accordance to a lunar calendar that lasts for about a month, which so happens to be September this year zzz) for lets say 2 days, i understand the 5 pillars of my religion's belief, concur with 4 of them, and shun the 5th. I'm proud to say that i am a muslim - it being a partly rare sight to see a yellow skinned muslim so far south (its quite a common religion in the northern parts of China); and that its an awesome religion and culture. But then again, i could say that for any and every religion.

    So, this time im walking to the café, today actually, I have to get to the School of Business Administration to take care of some exchange documents. I have half an hour and I’ve already had lunch, fine weather (typhoon rolling in), whatever, Great mood. So im walking, and someone stops me, jumping me from behind a pillar. Can’t say I didn’t see it coming, but its surprising to see someone you don’t know just come up to you and say “Hi! Have a minute?” Word for word: You have a minute?

    I thought sure, the mega sale was on spanning the whole stretch of the concourse, good deals flying all over the place from T-shirts, to printers, USBs, stationery, cutlery etc. You name it. This must be good. I turn to see a lady in her 40s and a teenage girl, probably 15 or 16.

    Turns out they are preachers for the (or at least one of the) Christian fellowships at my University. I could have rolled my eyes but respect stopped me. Pleased with my apparent initial enthusiasm they ask me to read a passage out of the bible with them depicting a group of men, women and children on a boat crossing an ocean, a river of sorts, where the conditions are grim and their chances slim. Then Jesus Christ reveals to them salvation, either calling upon a strength within or dying down the storms, that part was lost to me. It was quite a story, worthy of the bible, and I understood their further elaboration of how the choppy waters indeed represent life as we live it, and how faith can overcome obstacles as such. All this is fine, I’ve been preached to before, and after every time I always politely say that I already have a religious faith and any further discussion on the matter would be a frank waste of time.

    But before I get to this point, I’m interrupted by them again asking me to sing-along. This time it sounded a bit different, and only mid way through did it dawn on me that it was a prayer to Jesus. I pull back somewhat and grow silent as they continue, the lady all the while tugging at my shirt sleeve for me to go on. I politely but firmly ask them to stop and told them that I have a religion, that forbids me worshipping idols, and that we believe Jesus Christ only to be a prophet, the bringer of God’s words, nothing more, however divine that already is. After which I walk away, quite angry to my surprise, as I felt cheated somehow by this seemingly sheepish pair, though of what I cannot place.

    Maybe it is just me because I already have faith, but their way of ushering passersby into their faith somehow just isn’t the way I’d image god would want it to be. Religion should be holy, or at least understood and embraced before endorsed, not something to be sold on the streets next to a bazaar. Although my reaction to them lulling me into prayer may have been a bit strong due to my own beliefs, to mislead anyone to join in prayer with them before they have affirmed their belief in that religion, or the hope that after doing so that the person will continue the faith is just … not it?

    I understand that we all have the need to believe in something bigger. Something contrary to what dreary science tells - us that are an insignificant speck of dust in the blinding eternities of the ceaseless cosmos. And an answer to many big questions or small ones. Sometimes everyone just wants to look up to the sky, or earth, and wonder. Or turn to a set of rules that govern our lives and set a pace, a tempo or melody if you will, that would simply brighten up life, make it more. The joy of being able to share these discoveries with others is something else really…

    ..But please… don’t force it, people find their faith, or whatever greater aspect, on their own. The fascination is people starting off from so many different places, and going in all directions, yet arriving at the same answer in the end, no?

Thursday, 03 September 2009

  • i was at this party, about a week ago, which was for incoming ECOF (short for economics and finance) students. Being a Year 2 student that was studying Economics and Finance myself, i was quite curious about this whole event. Technically i wasn't invited but i was with a friend in the atrium (a place everyone has to get through to enter or leave campus) who ran into another friend which was going to this gathering and told us to tag along.

    So both me and my friend weren't invited, but all we needed to do was say we were ECOF because the year 1 students wouldnt know any better. Lie number 1). Then me and my 2 friends thought it would be even more fun if i pretended to be a foreign incoming student who didn't know cantonese (i can understand and speak it perfectly well). Fine. I'll use english for 1 evening. LIke a dare to see when my cover would be blown. Lie number 2)

    After getting to the cafe is where something funny happens. I was fine commuting, had quite a bit of chit chat with the year 1 students, i was mildly surprised by how interested they were in my origins once i said i didnt understand cantonese and apparently looks very much a local. So they got to know me, my name, my nationality, where i studied before etc etc. We were quite getting along, though they werent using their first language to speak with me. Then we get to the restaurant, we're all seated down and the cafe tender took a head count without me noticing. Then i hear them say in cantonese taht they have 23 people for the night. And i realise im not going to be staying long (im just tagging along remember) so i immediately say that i'll be leaving before things get down. They immediately understand that they now have 1 extra head to pay for.

    The solution would seem simple. That they call the tender back, and tell him that i'll be leaving so they can have one less to pay. What do they do? They say to themselves, in cantonese, in front of me, that they have 1 extra to pay and that the other 22 can chip in so that i don't need to pay. This was a very great act of generosity on their behalf, but i found it most inappropriate. They could have perfectly told me what they wanted to do, and i could then disagree and go take care of my business with the shop owner. But they didnt. In the end, i went over myself to the cashier and told them of my plight and gladly payed for the drink that i had when i sat down, before leaving.

    What just happened? im pretty sure its not a language barrier thing, because we got along quite well on the train. They were being nice, but hey, they've only just met me, i would be embarrassed if i found out i'd caused them enough trouble to have to enlist them to pay for me.

    And here i was only pretending to be someone who didnt know cantonese. If i were a foreigner, i would have had no idea. I've often found it hard to approach foreigners too, but im pretty sure there is something besides language that sets us apart so much of the time. Im sure that if i were the only one who didnt speak French in a french restaurant where i'd have to pay before leaving, my french friends would use the best english in their power to explain to me the concept of paying or working things out with the shop.

    So What Happened At That Cafe?
    just curious

Thursday, 04 June 2009

  • For anyone who's wondering why i aint answering my phonecalls.. (if anyone ever DOes call me) haha

    4-10/6 Camp (Outward Bound Training SHIT.)
    13-20/6 Beijing Trip (gonna enjoy this one so much more.)


    __________

    If life is about running into brick walls, then finding your way over, under or around...
    I must be the one who insists that running through it is the only just way. The simple way, the easy way. (even if it hurts, even if ill have cheese for brains after) hahha

    make it as hard as it can be. everything else just comes easy that way

Sunday, 24 May 2009

  • Dear Lau sir,

    I want to thank you for being my teacher and my friend. I must thank you for giving me the chance to be reckless, to never compromise, to do what I want while running against your authority head-on. Those were my heydays of my time at Queen’s College. You made me cry, and I can’t recall a time where I have enjoyed tears trailing my cheeks more. And through it all, I learned to be humble, to know that sometimes, there are some things more important. Respect, Obedience, Love…

    I also want to thank you for never giving up on me. You always have the phrase at the tip of your tongue- “Don’t give up on yourself”. When in fact it’s a cry from the bottom of your heart shouting in earnest that… You.. haven’t given up on me, and now I see you never will.

    And thank you, for giving so much to a place I love so dearly. Queen’s College, but nothing can stop ardent love and passion - Students taking, teachers giving; Learning and Loving; Playing and striving. You made it, and you made it more. And though not many people will say that to you, and you may not feel it, but its there, the appreciation of your effort and acknowledgement.

    You deserve nothing more, for you have left sons many, all of talent, all who took something from you, all that grew on you, grew from you. Nothing anyone has said in the past will change what you’ve done. For truly, no one else could have done what you have- it’s the stuff of Legends.

    “There is no arguing with power” yes.. but “As long as there is life, there is hope.” For one with such a bright outlook on life, I trust you will fight for it, and I want you to know that if you need someone beside you, please let it be me. Let is be Us, those whom you have loved for so long and done so much. Let us know that you need us when you do so most; for we have treated you for granted so that we know not to need you, but cannot do without you. Promise me that.

    wahid



    __________________________

    Always thought i wasnt finished writing it... but it doesnt matter anymore
    if i could play a song for you now, it would be Bittersweet Symphony.

    Rest in peace.