==tulip speaks==

I was going through the google reader, and Poobalan’s post on a temple demolition caught my eyes. Seems like we just got our early Deepavali gift from the authorities! Malaysian Hindu Sangam issued a press statement,
I wonder if it is actually going to appear in any of our national
newspapers. This is definitely not the first time such incident
happens, and I am very sure this is not going to be the last. As I am
typing this, there might be another place of worship being demolished
somewhere out there.

Is there anything we could do to stop them?

It’s Muruku Day again. I remember posting on muruku during last year’s
Deepavali season. Digged my archive and found the post! Hehehehe.. Read
my old muruku post here.

Somehow
I feel Muruku Day is jinxed! Last year, I couldn’t find a camera, so
used my camera phone to take the photos. It turned out to be kinda
pathetic. This year, coincidenly my uncle took the camera to a function
just moments before we start the ‘muruku session’ *sigh!. This time, I
used my sis’s camera phone to snap the photos. Something is always
better than nothing!

Check out the photos here.

I always have respect for women who stood up for other women. Marina Mahathir
is one of such person I admire, regardless what some have to say about
her. This morning I came across an interview transcript of hers. Here
is one of a remarkable answer of hers and read the rest of the
interview in Malaysia Today.

Q:
Let’s delve into the topic of feminism. You seem to advocate western
liberal feminism. Is that suitable in the Malaysian context?

Marina Mahathir: I
don’t know why wanting to have equality between men and women should be
exclusively western. As if only Western women deserve it and we don’t.

Look, once upon a time women in Malaysia couldn’t go to school and
couldn’t do many things. Now they can, they’ve become Ministers, Bank
Governors, CEOs, what-have-you. Is that particularly Western? Or do we
think that a place like the Islamic Republic of Pakistan where more
than 60% of its women are illiterate is the Eastern way to go?

To simply say that Asian feminists or Muslim feminists are simply aping
the West is to trivialise a lot of good work that is being done by us,
without which you wouldn’t get many of the achievements that we have
had. Was it aping the West that we have a Domestic Violence Act? No,
because it is totally shameful that we should allow the sort of
violence against women that goes on in our country and still goes on.
We were the first country in Asia to have one — that is something to
be proud of. That’s because we desperately needed such an Act, not
because we simply wanted to follow what the West did.

Why is it that when men put up buildings, go crazy over technology, use
gadgets, etc., they are never accused of aping the West while if women
ask for the rights due to them, they are? Unless the eastern way is to
have women always a step below men. But I guess there are plenty of men
who think that way. Poor things.

****

Movie: Manathil Uruthi Vendum
Song: Kannin Maniye

Warning: Not a song that brings you into a dreamland.

I’m
just so tired of all this bickering, bad mouthing and verbal abuse
going on around me. I have done everything I can, and help anyone at
any circumstances - in good faith. Then why am I sinking? Because none
of what I gave came back to help me to stay afloat. Being genuine and
truthful doesn’t help ANYONE nowadays.

My world revolves here. I
have very little in life of my own. My life is a routine which even I
hate at times. So what kept me occupied? A few friends, a family and my
work. Worse part, I think I am losing all three one by one.

I am
frank. I am outspoken. I cry out when I’m in pain. I said it when I got
hurt. So, now that is wrong and I am a person who doesn’t know respect.
Fine. That is what other’s brain may conclude. As far as I am concern,
I have done nothing wrong. And even if I did, that is by accepting such
person in my life.

I am disappointed.

Whoa! Looks like everyone love cookies!!! Here are 3 more cookies, we did during the weekend:

In
Malay, this is called Sarang Semut (Ant’s colony). Basically this is
another form of curtard cookies. Again, it contains eggs, so will only
get to taste it tomorrow.

This
is a solo attempt by yours truly *wink wink. Two doughs were prepared -
one out of Corn Flakes and another from Koko Krunch. Both were
‘attached’ together, cut and baked. After letting it to cool, I dipped
it in melted chocolate and sprinkled with coloured chocolate rice. It
gives a lingering chocolate taste in your mouth everytime you take a
bite! Purely vegetarian!

This
is another Corn Flakes delight, but much simpler compared to the
previous one. This time around, only a single dough is needed and I
added crunched Corn Flakes to it. Yes, it turned out to be crunchy and
again vegetarian.

Before anyone starts complaining of
pictures of cookies one and after, I just wanna assure you this is
something which will not dominate tulipspeaks. I’m longing for a
serious post too. May be in a day or two.. okie?

Finally, the moments I have been waiting for has arrived! It’s cookies
making session again. We started with our favourite cookies, Pineapple Jam Tart..

It looks so yummy.. but too bad I can’t taste it for now (I’m vegetarian for Navarathiri festival) *sob sob!

They say arranged marriage happens only to those who can’t find love…

-tulipspeaks

Movie: Alaypayuthey

Song: Mangalyam

Sorry for the unannounced disappearance from the blogworld, guys (and
my lovely gals)!. Desperate time required desperate measures Things
are getting better at my end.

Marking my re-entry to the blogsphere is a new series of POSTCARDS!  Do give your constructive criticism on this post.

I am desperate for an image make over. any suggestion where to start?

I realised that so many of you would like to see Bobby! So, here she is..

Didn’t
have the time to edit out the green effect on her eyes when I used the
flash. Sorry. And mind you, these photos were taken while I’m unwell..
now, that’s dedication, okie?

Will blog-hop soon when I got better. Hugs everyone!

Week 7th Oct - 13th Oct
…in random

1. Complete manuscripts of 3 scientific papers out of the thesis to be published

Each will take at least 2 week to complete from scratch, mind you Only consolation each paper is about 50-70% completed.

2. Read a pile of published papers to strengthen my knowledge on the future project
What project, you may ask.. it’s kinda P&C at the moment.. will announce it when the time is right.

3. Complete analysis of the collected data for three researchers

Each analysis will be at least 200 pages from scratch.

4. Blogging and blog-hopping

I will go mad if I drop this from my schedule. Blog updates - 3 times/week & blog-hopping - twice/week.

5. Complete a long over-due project report

This is for a friend. I know he will understand if I decide to submit it later but gosh, it’s overdue for (err) weeks now! Feeling really guilty.

6. Curtain railing

The curtain railing in my living room going to fell on someone’s head ANYTIME!! I got to buy new ones and that should be done SOON!!!

7. Organize my files

It may not sound like a big task, but with piles of papers on my desks, bags, files, book shelf etc, I have to organize them before a fat rodent starts a family in it!

8. Read on pets

My Labrador, Bobby is 4 months old now and she is growing at a lightening speed. Time to start training and teaching her tricks. Need to slog on some books on training guard dogs before she grows too big.

Oh dear.. what a week it’s gonna be?