Men are from Mars & Women are from Venus

The title speaks of an adage old saying of how different both men and women are by nature. It says that both sexes mean contrastingly different things even when using the same word; absorbing and interpreting external stimuli; the manner of perceiving a specific situation etc. Bottom line is that men and women are worlds apart. I happened to learn it the hard way in recent times. But is there no common ground or matters of mutual understanding?? Will there be no solution to this question that keeps on baffling both sexes?? Frankly, I think it is more of a challenge on men when it comes to comprehending women. Women just go on leading their normal lives without much worry, or so I am told.

One myth being perpetuated is that men are insensitive. They never show their true feelings most of the time, and keep them under lock and key from others. In order to put the record straight, men are not comfortable sharing sentimental moments with everybody. The closer the person, more comfortable a man feels. Public showing of emotion is not in a man's nature either. I have shared moments with many of my friends dealing with sensitive information. These are mostly related to relationship issues, and sometimes men do cry. Yes folks, you heard me!!! Men cry, but given that they are so overwhelmed by a particular incident that pushes them over the cliff.

In showing interest both sexes use numerous strategies. I have been exposed to a few, and also implemented some as well. I must admit that the strategies keep on evolving over time, but retain the earlier essence in objective. At times, traffic is only a one way street. Then comes a situation when traffic is flowing on both sides of the bridge. Another type occurs when the signal lights malfunction on one side of the bridge giving mixed feedback. Out of the three the types the final is without doubt the most excruciating. I wonder if there is a real life Mr. Hitch?? How I would jump at the chance of taking a few tutorials from him. I wonder who taught him, hmmm?

Frankly, I accept the difference in genders. Got no problem with it at all, but no one should overdo it. Then it upsets the whole apple cart, and that is just not cool. I am a very sensitive because of my mum and resilient due to my dad's influence. So, its all good in the end. My premise is that understanding each other will help to maintain the balance, and for God sake don't go overboard with stupid mumbo jumbo. That goes to both men and women, since it's all about equity.

The beginning

As the fasting month dawned I wanted to make myself a better person. Its not that I am a hardened criminal, a psycho or sociopath, but the desire to purify my soul felt ever so great. I am not an exemplary Muslim role model by far. Nevertheless, I try to the best of my ability to follow the instructed path given by God. I have to release all the pent up guilt accumulated from the last fast, and ask forgiveness from the Lord. Thus, my quest for redemption is about to begin.

The first day passed by without much effort. It is mostly due to staying indoors and not going about anywhere. Once resuming campus, it is expected to become more arduous. Running around here and there would obviously get a person exhausted. Today, I went to a hawker street to find an array of lovely food. At that same moment I thought why the hawkers in KL didn't sell some of the food I saw here?? Its quite appalling to find the same type of food from stall to another, and not to mention a waste of time. We should create a business module for the hawkers called 'Hawker 101.' They quite badly need a differentiation strategy to stay in business and attract customers.

I will try with all my strength to be a better person this fasting month. While talking to a friend back home I dropped the question "How's fasting going?" The reply I got was quite unorthodox and not to mention amusing from a guys perspective. He quipped "It's okay man. Keeps me away from shagging." This is a perfect example of different views regarding a certain matter. That is all I am saying.

One heck of a ride...

This entry is coming after a very very long time. Due to my academic commitments blogging had to take a break. Since the mid semester break started I was anxious to go to JB. I hadn't seen my nephew in a long while. I missed the cute and naughty little boy like crazy.

On Sunday, I packed my bags and left uni about 1pm and reached the bus terminal an hour later. When I inquired with my usual coach service I would have to wait until 7pm to get a seat. This was of course out of the question. I am never the one to buy tickets without knowing the quality of service provided by a company, but I had little choice. I bought a ticket from a lady who said the bus is leaving at that instant, that being 2pm. When I reached the bus it was already full, which I did not see as a good sign. A guy with a walkie-talkie was quick to assure me that another coach is coming shortly. Little did I know his version of 'shortly' measures to about 2 hours. Until my coach arrived a lot was happening in the surroundings. I was inhaling carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide from the fumes of the many other coaches around me. I was guilty of second hand smoking thanks to many men, and also not to mention women. Let me be blunt for a second; a smoking woman just drives me potty. I am not the one to ruin the argument on gender equality, but smoking just takes the feminine touch out of a woman. I passed my time thinking of ways to clobber and mutilate the servicemen who promised me an early coach, and not living up to it. Business ethics is in a very sorry state. My patience was wearing very thin and if it was back home the scenario would have got a bit ugly.

I finally got a the coach at about 4pm and sat down exhausted. Standing for 2 hours with a bag is certainly not very comforting to ones back and spine. I was on the road and started to read 'Men's Health' in order to get an update on what's new in a man's world. An hour into the ride things started to get very cold, and the culprit was the air-con. I think people are seriously given the wrong impression about the air-con. Its to keep people cool from the heat and humidity, and not to make them feel as if they are in Antarctica. If the freezing was not enough, I was starting to feel hungry around that time. Coming colour was definitely not any good. Halfway through the journey, I made up my mind about the freezing air-con and hunger. It was really starting to work, and what happened next made me lose my cool. The dimwit sitting next to me decided to take off his shoes and put it up on his seat. The stench from his socks was just unforgivable. I am certain he missed a lot of lessons on etiquette throughout his life, and despising this ass was hardly an issue. I felt like vomiting on his face, and then stuffing one sock in his mouth while choking him with the other. It certainly would have been a very satisfying means of revenge, not to mention fitting from my perspective. Did I mention that the driver talk on the phone as if he is addressing the political rally?? Well, that chap talking is an ear full, no doubt. One thought flashed clearly in mind, and that was "this is really not your day, dear boy!!"

Reaching Skudai gave me much relief due to obvious reasons that I had to undergo during the journey. Next time I will not travel in another coach service than my usual one due to incidents of this sort. Thus, I wish to forget this foul episode from my short term memory, but I fear it will stay for sometime. Do note that harmful notions only develop when I am subjected to extreme mental pressure. Apart from that I am a very cool person, I assure you!!

A taste of home

Many a time one goes back home in ways thought, in person, by the illustrations of another coming from home, or in a dream. Every time I go back home nothing is like as before. Change has descended upon every aspect of life and entombed ways of the past. Many a things have I missed during my stay away from the isle in the Indian Ocean. Bonds that were earlier strong and concrete have been withered away by time. The ones who were very close to me now appear to be a distant. They are like the stars at night, beautiful and bright, but in fact are so far away and unreachable. A long absence seldom makes people fond of each other; rather they tend to grow apart. But one thing I have learnt is that of a constant yearning and appreciation for the loves you love so much, and in my case it’s the immediate family. Understanding their expectations, hopes, dreams, and not to mention the trust placed in you makes one perceive situations a whole differently.

I travel home in my dreams. My subconscious mind takes me to a multitude of varied places every time. At all those times I end up interacting with so many of my friends and family. It’s like a collage of scenes merged into the likes of a single movie trailer. The best part is there is no start or stop button, and it goes on and on. I wonder if there is anything called an ‘impromptu dream?’ The movie trailer is fuelled by thoughts, emotions, and memory of a dreamer. I love it and would have it no other way.

I wanted to savour some real home cooked food. Enough with the ‘shitty’ canteen food that lacked variety and taste; also not forgetting the hygiene factor; and not to mention the diarrhoea that follows after consumption. All the ingredients bought were taken to be cooked. The menu was onion roti, dhal and chicken curry along with fried entrails. It was nothing fancy, but it was all that I expected. The aroma, taste and the burps that followed afterwards, all reminded me of home.

My island home sparkles as a pearl in the Indian Ocean
Covered in a smooth blanket of soft and glimmering sand.
Oh! How anxious am I to see thy lovely bounties again
Since my spirit is waning and energy running dry

Living within 24

I have begun to ponder how time is a very valuable component in my life. Certainly, many a thing can be accomplished by being ‘on time’ so to speak. But in reality no one is that way. Maybe you can come close to a whisker, but being spot on takes on a whole different level. Procrastination is the undisputed rival of being on time, no doubt about that. I have been meaning to make a post, and look how long it took me since the previous one.

I am sure many people wish that a day comprised of more than 24 hours. It’s just a ploy, tactic or merely a ruse to reassure oneself that everything they want to do in a day can be done so. Given that a day would consist of more than 24 hours, of course. In reality, all the things that one imagines and conjures up deep in his faculties tend to not happen at the specific time. Time is never the right factor when expecting certain things to unfold. Most of it does happen eventually do to an act of God.

A day seems to fly by and you hardly feel it. Life has become so complex and people are desperately finding ways to retain every essence of simplicity from being faded away. Everyone wants to get a hold of this thing called ‘life’ and live it to the fullest. Thus, countless folk have rules in life of no regrets and many more that I am not bothered to mention. You might ask, why?? I have listened to a lot of it, and I’m sure so has everyone else. Most of the ones I have heard are hogwash not deserving a second thought. A few on the other hand makes one contemplate while your about to doze off at night.

I should be more conscious of time, as they say “time waits for no one.” But frankly the only thing one can do is try and that’s about it. The irony is that all the people don’t say or do what they plan on doing when the time is thought to be right. Later, they are choked and suffocated with regret because of not saying or doing that is previously intended. When looking back in time I’m sure everyone has regrets. If anyone hears a “no” inside their head then that would be self denial. Lets face it, we are all human after all.