Life Is Not a Jigsaw Puzzle

•October 1, 2008 • 1 Comment

When putting together the small oddly shaped pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to get the beautiful picture, we often find the corners and work our way to other corners of the puzzle. But this isn’t the only way the jigsaw puzzle can be done. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t matter how the pieces are slowly put together, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that we get the right piece at the right place.

But life is not a jigsaw puzzle where things fall into its own place. Each person has their own idea of how things are supposed to be. Even if two individuals share the same bigger picture, pieces that make the picture may be of different shapes. 

Now, wouldn’t it be nice if everyone can get their way? Wouldn’t you want those little pieces cut to how you want them to be cut? So that they are placed how you want them to be placed? Of course, that would be nice, wouldn’t it? But, that is far from the reality of things because the world does not revolve around you – myself included.

So how do you deal with pieces that aren’t cut the way you want them to be cut? 

Some say ignorance is bliss. You just ignore the fact that things don’t fit, and get on with whatever else that you have going. Easier said that done, no? How do humans comprehensively ignore something? If ignoring is consciously done, we will – however little it may be – think of what it is that we ignore. Hence, I’d say it’s rather impossible to ignore things that have surfaced. I guess that’s why people whom do not have sound faculty of mind are often happy because they are naturally ignorant to things. At times, that seems as though it’s a priceless gift.

So now what? Things have surfaced, you can’t ignore it, what do you do? I suggest you learn the art of moving on. Just like anything else, it’s easier said than done. Here’s my tip on how you go about it – sleep, that’d help. I think Ted’s mom gave brilliant advice when she said “Nothing good happens after 2 a.m. Just go to sleep.” 2 a.m. can be any time of the day, really. When you know things are just not going to go well, go to sleep. Unless you’ve done something about it, finish it before you sleep.

Let’s get this straight, I am not saying by sleeping you eradicate all your problems and rainbows will start to appear out of nowhere. Sleeping gives you time to calm down. You’ll think better after.

These little pieces are like fries at McDonald’s, you get them with any meal you order. Sometimes you get them the way you like them, and sometimes you don’t. Either way what you care most about is your burger, not the fries.

What I’m trying to say is that things don’t go the way we want them to sometimes. We just have to move on. What has be said and done cannot be unsaid and undone. So why worry too much.

Here’s me wishing all of you Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

An Alien Under My Pillow

•September 21, 2008 • 2 Comments

15 (not so important) random things about me:

1. I like to keep new pair of drumsticks clean for as long as I can. I would even put on my drumming gloves to keep it clean. Anal, I know. In my defense, drumsticks are expensive :P

2. I generally don’t drive fast because first of all, my car does not permit such activity, and on top of that, petrol is still expensive. However, see point 3.

3. I get to places on time, i.e. 5 minutes early, unless unforeseen circumstances arise. Generally, I don’t like spending more than 10 minutes waiting for people to show up, so I don’t keep people waiting. Garang tak? Hahaha.

4. I owe a number of people this you-tag-me-I-write-random-things thing. I am sure (if – in the unlikely event that – they still read my blog), they would be more than happy to drop comments along the lines of “Finally!” to this post. Ke ini hanyalah satu kes Azlan perasan di bulan Ramadhan? Mungkin juga.

5. The famous Pepper Lunch is opening in Pavilion soon. I want to deposit some of their food into my belly. It’s a growing investment.

6. I think I am funny when I’m cranky. By funny, I mean evil-mindedly sarcastic.

7. Whenever I see Megat Syazlee, I would bust my Arabic language skills. Typically, the conversation goes something like this:

Me: Khaifahaluka? (How are you?)

Megat: Ana bilghair, Alhamdulillah! Wa anta? (I am well, praise to Allah. And you?)

Me: Ana bilghair, Alhamdulillah! Min aina anta? (I am well, praise to Allah. Where are you from?)

Megat: Ana min al-bait. Anta? (I am from home. You?)

Me: Ana min al-bait. Aruza bi dajaj? (I am from home. Chicken rice?)

(Insert laugh)

Conversation continues in Malay with random Arabic words such as burtukol (orange), tuffah (apple), kirdun (monkey), kittun (cat), and kalbun (dog) thrown in for… reasons that remain unclear. Tengok tu, sempat include tajuk lagu kugiran sendiri lagi! I can be a DJ… Yeah, right.

8. I am competitive, but I seldom join competitions. I wrote that because I think it sounds kinda cool – using an adjective and a noun that is derived from the same root word. Okay, maybe it’s not even minutely cool to begin with.

9. I like Discovery Channel’s “I love the world” and just to make this post that bit longer, I am going to pen down the lyrics.

I love the mountains,
I love the clear blue skies,
I love big bridges,
I love when great whites fly,
I love the whole world,
And all its sights and sounds.
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda

I love the oceans,
I love real dirty things,
I love to go fast,
I love Egyptian kings,
I love the whole world,
And all its craziness.
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda

I love tornadoes,
I love arachnids,
I love hot magma,
I love the giant squids,
I love the whole world,
It’s such a brilliant place.
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda 

For some weird reason, in my head, the first two lines are often altered to be “I love rambutans, I love the durians.” What was that? Loose screws you say? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

10. I like spending nights listening to songs and let them do the talking :)

11. I have a pact with some of my pals to get ourselves a superbike within the next 5 4 years. See Ducati Monster, and Triumph Speed Triple… Just in case anyone has “Hahaha rempit!” ready to be poured out from the brain to the comment box.

12. I turn 10 whenever a tub of Nestle’s chocolate ice cream and a can of Nestum is in the same vicinity :D

13. I wear watches on my right hand. 

14. I get extremely irritated with narcissistic, self-absorbed individuals. Pis!

15. I tried golf.

The Listening Party

•September 20, 2008 • Leave a Comment

While I was undergoing my internship, I spent countless hours surfing the internet, and during that many hours, I stumbled upon this little piece. I’ve had this on my desktop for quite some time now. Anyways, I’ve always had the intention of sharing it with you simply because I think it’s worth the read.

Disclaimer: I have no idea who wrote this, and I can’t remember where I copied this from. If any of you know who this should be credited to, please let me know :)

When I ask you to listen to me and you give me advice you have not done what I asked.

When I ask you to listen to me and you begin to tell me why I shouldn’t feel that, you are trampling on my feelings.

When I ask you to listen to me and you feel you have to do something to solve my problem you have failed me, as strange as that seems.

Listen! All I asked was that you listen. Just hear me.

When you accept, as a simple fact that I do feel what I feel – no matter how irrational – then I can quit trying to convince you and get about the business of understanding what’s behind this irrational feeling. And then when it’s clear, the answer is obvious and I don’t need advice.

Irrational feelings make sense when we understand what’s behind them.

Perhaps that’s why prayer works. God is always there – listening.

So, please listen and just hear me. And if you want to talk, wait a minute for your turn and I’ll listen to you.

I hope that landed some impact on you – no matter how little it may be.

Good day ahead, peeps!

Listen.. As long as the vessel's not empty

Listen.. As long as the vessel's not empty