Writers' block

Ever been in a situation where you had an idea to write about something, only to have that idea evaporated the moment your fingers make contact with the surface of the keyboard? Really hated it. Happens a lot of time. Feels like slamming the LCD screen with this keyboard.

Paths taken in life

The other day, me and both of my parents went out for breakfast at a kopi-tiam. While mom was browsing around the stalls, dad and I had a conversation. This is a rough re-typing of the dialogues between me and dad:-

Dad: Son, if you don't like what you're studying, perhaps you could take other engineering disciplines like err,... civil perhaps?

Me: Dad, I told you. I never liked engineering. You can't force me to take that path again, even if it's a different discipline.

Dad: Maybe you could go for something more... more administrative. Less demanding. You see, I've only read about engineering. So, I don't know how does it feel like on your part. Maybe you could re-consider it.

Me: I already told you. I know how it feels like and to be honest, engineering is not my cup of tea.

Dad: Ok. I understand. But, you know, it's going to be difficult to find jobs here if you're going for journalism.

Me: I know, dad. I know the risk I'm taking. But that won't change my decision to pursue journalism. You have to understand, life is never easy. I'd wish it is.

Well, that's about it. Dialogue's kinda cheesy, though. But it does reflect on a dilemma that seems very Asian in nature. Based on my what I've experienced and observed, it seems that Asian parents would typically force their children to pursue a certain career path such as engineering, law, medical, etc. There are a number of possible factors why children are forced to pursue these particular careers. Among them:-

•  Job security
• Good pay
• Well-known and respectable careers
• Bragging rights
• Kiasu-ism
• Children seems to lack sense of direction

The first 3 points represent parents who wants the best for their children. So, it is understandable why they want their children to go for these kinds of careers. After all, every parents want their children to have a proper and secure future, right?

However, I have met parents who represent the next two points. It seems that inflating their egos are important to them. Usually, they would boast to people that their child is studying engineering or medical, even if the child does not enjoy studying them. There are also parents who force their children to take those careers simply because they do not want to lose out. Perhaps the financial benefits and/or the status-oriented nature of these careers drives them to compete with others as if they are scarce commodities. This might explain the increasingly small and competitive job market. Unbelievable. They would rather give in to their kiasuism at the expense of their children's future. Thank God my parents don't fall into either of the two categories (although they fall under the 'parent-who-wants-the-best-for-their-child' category).

Now, let's talk about the last point. There are those who are clueless about which path to go to. This indecisive moment leaves parents no choice but to force them to go for those career paths just so that they do something. There are also those who usually starts aiming for a path only after SPM/STPM results came out.Some are able to cope with it and eventually got the hang of it. But there are those who crumbles under pressure yet could not escape from it because they don't know where to go. I really pity those who had to go through this kind of scenario. If only they are properly guided and their talents nurtured, they would have a better outcome.

I'm not bashing certain profession here. I agree that these careers are very good and important. But, what must be taken into account are their the children's interests and talents. The truth is, not everyone can cut out to be an engineer, a lawyer or a doctor. But for every engineers, doctors and lawyers, there's also the entrepreneurs, the artists, the writers, the social workers, etc. I think, intrinsic motivation (utilizing God's given talents to enrich humanity) matters more than extrinsic motivation (Good salary and status).

Until then..........

How do people carry themselves in life?

Some time ago, I had a dream that had such a profound effect on me that I could still remember it well. Basically, it starts off with a woman and a boy (most probably her son) were running aimlessly. It really was like a movie. They seem to be running from one city to another, in only a matter of seconds. It doesn't seem to make sense until I saw what was chasing the two of them. It was a creature wearing a black cloak full of holes and it doesn't have any legs but it can float on mid-air. My guess was that it was Death itself (minus the scythe). The chase kept going on until mother and son entered an empty room(a dead end). Then, a mist exited out of the boy's nostrils, slowly moves like a snake towards Death's right fist while the boy gradually withers away until he became a lifeless vessel. Afterwards, in a rather cliche manner, Death slowly fades away, leaving a distraught mother to mourn for her son's death.

That's how the story goes. But I still pity the mother even though I knew it was a dream. It even got me thinking of life. Everyone knows that life is so short and that just about anyone can and will meet their ends even in the most unexpected ways. Yet, people seem to just carry on with their lives, committing their time just for monthly cheques. Everyone seems to be 'functioning' instead of 'living'. It's like they hit a 'replay' button, going through more or less the same routine, no matter how much they dislike it. The irony of it all lies deep in everyone's desire to change although very few people actually make that decision. Perhaps, it has something to do with the way people are brought up. Or maybe, there is no other reason NOT to live a mundane life?

McCandless

The quiet and the cold that is typical,
Lying half-conscious, awaiting the moment,
Reminiscing my acts that is naturally fanatical,
My weakened eyes steadily fixed towards Heaven,

With supplies running ever low,
And almost all energy withered,
There is absolutely nowhere to go,
It seems my days are numbered,

My life's memory is my only friend,
A faithful partner that stays on to the end,
Such a great comforter and a grim reminder,
Of the reality that looms ever closer,

Realizing that happiness is real when shared,
That is the only regret I bear,
Such epiphany have left me despaired,
Never to walk again in this body beyond repair,

These moments are not easy to go through,
Because all of us are given only a handful of time,
Just enough to act upon something we like to do,
and not waste them on demanding lifestyle,

The last few grains of time is all I have,
So little to do but to wait,
And to remember the souls whom I've met,
A fitting end for my memoir concerning my fate,

With every heartbeat getting heavier,
Everything grows darker and darker,
This fragile vessel gave out one last struggle,
To hold on in this futile battle,

Alas, I could see the hidden Light,
Piercing its way through the blight,
Full of awe and extremely bright,
It outshines even the darkest night,

The light has come to take me,
My first step to eternity,
I thank the Lord for all he did,
And bless those who read thi...

Coffee and pie

Sip after sip,
The coffee stood by my side,
Watching the rain droplets sliding down the glass panel,
Reminiscing on the days of the old,
Deciphering people's lives as they walk through the door,
Thinking though the possibilities of life by watching a long line of people,
Trying out the famous chicken pie,

Just like coffee and pie,
Can't life be as pleasant as we all hoped?
Indeed, we have lost the child in us,
Lying to ourselves that we 'must grow up',
To choose to ignore that our 'maturity' is the cause of all the troubles today,
We ourselves become the source of all the anxieties,
But are too worried to admit,

Alas, I could feel it,
The strong sense of curiosity,
The youthful hopes and dreams,
Even that child-like energy,
All bound up in this corrupt prison,
Wanting to be free,
To explore and make positive changes all over again,

But, of course,
Until we could find the key to our own prison,
The mundane cycle will roll on,
Unless, of course, one always finds the time and appetite for coffee and pie.

Life's journey

Every note from the sightless player,
Bring memories of early moments,
Remembering life being humbler,
And blood-ties being stronger.

O, how the world evolves,
Too busy building their own walls,
Sheltering themselves from one another,
Not even a greeting to a stranger?


The longing to stand atop a hill,
With hopeful glance followed by a loud shout,
Seems out of favor among the weaker-willed,
Who choose to seek advice from doubt.

Concrete is the new wood,
Evil is the new good,
Injustice is the new mercy,
And ignorance no longer equals stupidity.

In the name of 'freedom', things have gone reckless,
In the name of 'equality', discrimination reign supreme,
Even when true motive is unveiled before us,
We blindly fulfill a corrupt man's dream.

It is amazing that despite the unfolding events,
Man chose ignorance over epiphany,
Brushing away the consequences at a glance,
With nothing but Facebook to keep them happy.

But for now, to live is my objective in life,
Make use of whatever time that is entrusted to me,
Because no other joy is greater than it is to be alive,
And every un-passing time could mean undiscovered opportunity.

~Gerard Galvestini, Copyright 2010

Summary of "the world"

The world is sick, where did the love go?
Too many warm hearts grow cold,
Indifference is the ethics to follow,
Perhaps life is no longer graceful when we get old?

Such is the life of today,
Endless expectations and deadlines,
Literally living life in a hectic way,
It's like everyone's committing societal vice,

How I'd wish I'm not bound by demands,
A 'duty' to be accomplished,
Sacrificing livelihood for a scroll at hand,
What a complete rubbish!

God, take me away,
Away from this filthy place,
Away from the Evil master,
Who wants to enslave me in chains,

A loving arm is all I ever need,
Like a child, being able to feel safe,
To let the winds comfort me,
Taking me far away in my sleep,