Multiracial Multicultural

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I was basically born and raised among neighbors who were predominantly Chinese and Malays. We learned to live in a multicultural neighborhood and my family was known to be color  blind. (no racial discrimination)

I have heard some really good remarks from foreigners who have commented on Malaysians, saying they are amazed how we could all live together harmoniously.

Children are generally colour blind ( no discrimination between races)

I must say, most of my closest friends are not even of my race. We have never learned to judge or sectionalize anyone by the color of their skin. Malaysia is probably one of the most divers Countries, when it comes to a multicultural society.

Of late, we have noticed numerous inter marriages between races and some of the children from mixed marriages are really good looking. They are no longer Chinese, Indians or Malays, but are just Malaysians. Some of the foreigners who have also settled in our country are Koreans, Egyptians and Taiwanese to name a few. More inter-marriages are taking place among locals and foreigners. In time, there will be more Malaysians  who will be of the mixed race instead of any one particular type.

Who knows, someday we might find someone playing this instrument in the streets

Its great to live in a country with people from all walks of life. We are all created in God’s image, therefore let us learn to accept, love and respect one another.

Commitment and Premarital Sex

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

What is your view on premarital sex? What are your feelings about commitment from your partner?

Most lovers engage in premarital sex either for the fun of it or because they believe an eventual commitment from the opposite sex will come through, mainly from the guys.

I admit, guys are afraid to commit. For one reason, he will now have to share all his resources and his years of hard work with another person. He also has to make sacrifices in the future in the form of extra hours of work and limited freedom to do what he used to do before. As for the female partner, she has to find a suitable partner who will be able to care for her, provide a secure and stable future for her  and her offspring. So there is a level of sacrifice and expectancy from each partner.

wait till you tie the knot

The female partner is normally quite sure of her choice once it is made, its up to the guy to make the commitment, which normally does not come through so easily. The only trump card a female can hold is not giving her body to him until marriage. Once it is given before marriage, her chances are slimmer for a commitment from him.

Statistics has shown that partners who engage in premarital sex and eventually marry have a higher rate of divorce compared to those who don’t.

So do you want your relationship to last or not? If you have already engaged in premarital sex, it is not too late. Talk to your partner about abstinence until you both tie the knot.

Calling it Quits

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

How many times have we felt like just dropping everything and taking a flight to nowhere and deciding never to return again? I have felt that many a times. When the pressures of life gets to you, or if you are just feeling bored with no purpose in life, these feelings seem to creep in.

Life isn't a party all the time

 I am currently reading a book by John Paddington called the “Happiness Factor”. He goes on to explain how to attain happiness following the simple alphabetical order starting with A being attitude etc. One of the most important points I recognized that affects my so call mood swings, is the happiness factor that has to do with “Purpose” in life.

Run off to a no man's land

No matter how sure we are about our direction in life, we need to constantly assure ourselves of our purpose in life, if not, we will quit easily. We need to have the right attitude to face each situation and to be able to shield oneself against criticisms, discouragements and rejections.

Light shines sometimes on our bleak circumstances

We will emerge successful if we keep our focus on our goals and what we want to achieve. We will succeed eventually. As for me, I have the Lord sending me angels sometimes to encourage me when I am feeling down, in the form of my cousin, my close friends, etc.

Surround yourself with good friends, you need them when you don’t feel too good

The Final Part

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

We finally finished the main content and photo shoot for the cover of the album last week. I didn’t realize how exhausted I was after that. The video shoot went smoothly with the occasional bloopers and the regular outside interference such as, “ old newspaper, old newspaper…”

Karen helping out in the wet kitchen again, deja vous.

We also took about half a day to complete the photo shoot. We tried various set ups and other special effects shoot. It was interesting and exciting to be part of a great project.

That weekend my good friend Karen decided to visit me. I did a bit of shopping for the night’s dinner. She helped me in the kitchen while I prepared some pasta. We had a great meal and talked till late that night.

Dinner is served!

The next day I found it really hard to wake up for church. After one year this is the first time I went late to church, but I was glad I went cause the invited speaker that day had just the right message I needed to hear.

I remembered that God really cared in the midst of all our busyness and turmoil.

Drum Video Shoot

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

The final part of the drum video production, which is basically the main content is scheduled this week. There were some intensive preparation and we decided to have the video shoot in my hall. More like a concept Sting uses for some of his recording. The close to home concept.

Setting up the technical details

I didn’t realize how many times we had to retake for simple blunders such as pronunciation, blunders in techniques etc. Anyway it went smoothly for the set up and we did the first shot the following day. We managed to finish half of the main content. We should be finalizing the last bit in a couple of days.

The main focus on the video shoot

Now I really appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into movie production. There are a lot of details to look into; the sound, lighting, content, etc. These people work really hard to give us good entertainment or education. It is just not a glamor world of entertainment, it is a world of real hard work.

Quality of Life

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

Don’t bring down the quality of your life to adjust to the economic slowdown and price increase. It will depress you. Make adjustments to live within a comfortable life until your income increases or you could adjust to the rising cost. But don’t deprive yourself of some pleasures, which is within your means to afford.

Spend wisely, dont blow all that you earn

I almost went ballistic on my financial control until I began to feel depressed. I believe I swung to the extreme end of the pendulum. There must always be a balance in life. Certain unnecessary expenditures can be cut or reduced so you can have enough for other things.

Three principles of finance we must live by is, keep aside some savings for a rainy day, spend wisely and a portion to give or meet the needs of others.

Don’t become stingy but become prudent, if you are a good steward of your money you will be surprised how much of it will start coming your way.

He who is faithful with little is faithful with much.

No Blood, No Debt, No Guile

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

Three important things we must live by before we depart from this earth is that we have no blood on our head, no debts in our hands and no guile in our heart.

What do these all mean and how do they affect our lives in relation to others? It is said that when you flirt with evil long enough, your conscious becomes severed and you no longer fell remorse any more.

Take the time, to care for those in need

No blood in our head does not only mean not harming others but when it is within your capacity to help others, have you brushed them aside because you don’t have the time? If some one needs your help either from your time as a friend because they are grieving, or if they need some financial help and it’s within your capacity to help, have you shunned them?

No debt does not refer to debts such as hire purchase for a car or a house of which there is no way you will be able to purchase either of them if you had to wait to save the amount. Another debt such as loans from friends or banks to do business is o.k., as long as you have made plans to pay off in intervals. Don’t hold any debts be it from family or friends or financial institution. The borrower is servant to the lender.

Finally no guile in your heart refers to not doing things with the wrong motives in your heart. If you do anything out of a pure heart and sincerity, you will never be disappointed even if you are not appreciated.

Staying Within the Budget

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

Since the increase in the price of petrol and the cost of basic necessities going through the roof, it has helped a number of us to become conscious of our total monthly expenses.

There is hardly anything in the fridge now, except for some basic healthy necessaties

I was surprised to note that in particular, the rich have made drastic cost cutting measures compared to those earning average income. One of my rich friends said, “money wasn’t easy to earn then, and now having earned so much, it is a sin to waste it on unnecessary expenses with the price of things going up".

A simple but delicious meal at home, can save you a lot

I for one have totally cut on expenses such as eating outside, I have canceled my credit cards, Astro, wines, coffee, entertainments, fitness centre and unnecessary travels. You may say that’s drastic. Come to think of it, it hasn’t been difficult doing it at all; I enjoy making my own meals at home, and have adjusted to a more careful but comfortable life.

I have noticed that I can save quite a bit now, considering the way the economy is going, it is better to start saving for the rainy day.

Surprise Party

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

Well, one of the nicest things your friends can do for you is to remember your birthday. But what tops it most is that they throw a surprise party for you. It shows that you are very special to them. It can be a delightful surprise yet embarrassing with you being the limelight and focus of attention.

Recently, the family of Arthur Kam ( the  prodigy drummer) family threw him a surprise birthday party. Quite a number of his close friends came for the party. I was asked to give a short speech followed by an announcement of his recent international achievement.

There was an elaborate dinner spread followed by Arthur jamming with some of the finest musicians in town.

I met Melissa Campbell in Arthur's party, she acted as the little princess in the movie, " Anna and the King"

The guests enjoyed the entertainment bit. The party was a blast. Arthur’s family has always been behind him  which helped him become a success internationally.

I know someone who stopped celebrating his birthday years ago after his own family and close friends did not turn up for the party in spite of him inviting them over.

Forget about surprise parties, when they can’t even remember, what’s there to surprise? I understand the principle that when you remember the birthdays of others and or celebrate it with them, they will remember yours. In his case, unfortunately it didn’t work. I wonder why?

I remember the sad stories of Audrey Hepburn and James Dean whose parents were not there for them even when they sought after them after having achieved fame and fortune.

They had no one in their family to share their joy.

Prawn Pesto Pasta delight

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

Another easy healthy dish to prepare that is below half an hour, is a great tasting pasta dish. I normally make my own pesto sauce, but you could buy them from the supermarket if you wish. (I suggest the Agnesi brand) Right at the bottom is a separate preparation procedure for the pesto sauce, which you could bottle and refrigerate, which should last a month or so.

Serving for two

Ingredients
1)    Mustard seed
2)     Black pepper crushed
3)    Grape seed oil
4)    Garlic ( diced)
5)    A quarter glass of white wine

Condiments
1)    Pasta (any choice)
2)     Fresh Prawns (10 to 15 pieces, head and skin on body removed. Leave the tail)
3)    Vegetables; broccoli, mushroom (Portobello or buttons) asparagus or beans and chilies ( cut to slices)
4)    Herbs: rockets or any of your choice

Preparation

Boil water and throw in pasta. Add a teaspoon of salt to water. Pasta should be aldante. Drain water.

On a frying pan, pour two tablespoon of grape seed oil. At high temperature throw in mustard seed. Since they burst, I suggest you keep the lid closed until it settles. Reduce flame to medium temperature and throw in diced garlic. When it turns light brown, throw in prawns and stir for a few seconds. Throw mushroom and stir for a few seconds. Reduce flame and pour in the glass of wine, stir for a few seconds and close lid. Leave for 3-5 minutes. Open the lid and throw in beans/ asparagus and chilies and close the lid. Open lid after one minute and put in one teaspoon of salt and two to four teaspoon of pesto sauce and half a teaspoon of pepper. Stir, close flame and throw in broccoli. Finally throw in the cooked pasta, mix well and throw in the herbs and stir for another few seconds.

Dinner is served.

Dinner is served!

Recipe for pesto sauce

1)    1 packet of fresh basil
2)    A handful of shredded parmesan cheese
3)    A teaspoon of black pepper
4)    Generous amount of olive oil
5)     A handful of Pine nuts
6)    A little salt
7)    4 pieces of garlic

Pan-fry a handful of pine nuts until golden brown on low heat. Leave on a plate until it cools.
Blend basil in a blender that is washed and pat dry. Blend in garlic, pepper and cheese. Add pine nuts at different intervals to get differing texture. Remove and add in olive oil until it saturates. Store in airtight bottle and refrigerate.