Tiada tanah, tiada budaya
Tiada budaya, tiada bangsa*
Happy 47th, Malaysia dearest... have a good one!
*I don't know the origins of this quote; saw it on a boy's t-shirt in the MRT one day
Tiada budaya, tiada bangsa*
Happy 47th, Malaysia dearest... have a good one!
*I don't know the origins of this quote; saw it on a boy's t-shirt in the MRT one day
dances with the daffodils
0 Comments Published by carinasuyin | Thursday, August 26, 2004 | 12:30 AM.
Happy is the heart when one is surrounded by new books... pages to devour, stories to explore, time to abandon, poems to get lost in... and blissful is the feeling of rediscovering one of Wordsworth most enduring poems and a personal favourite since I first studied it in secondary school...
I wandered lonely as a cloud
by William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: -
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company:
I gazed -and gazed -but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought.
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.
I wandered lonely as a cloud
by William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: -
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company:
I gazed -and gazed -but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought.
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.
Up till aeons ago, I used to believe that my Chinese given name was bequeathed by Ah Kong who wanted his first granddaughter to be named Shiyun. However, Atah laughed it off as some tall tale as there was never such a thing according to him. My name was chosen by my dad, as simple as that. “Then, how do you explain that the next two granddaughters in the Ong family were named Tze Ying and Xiao Yun respectively? Don’t those two names sound a tad too similar to mine?” I asked. “Haiyah, your uncles all have no ideas of their own. They also like your name so they copylah. But the one I gave you is the best; original, of course.” Atah answered with a grin. Ah Kong passed away long before I was even born, so my story was never clarified. Figment of my imagination or not, I’d like to keep the story because it is my only link to the grandfather I never got to know.
Shi[1] means poem/poetry/verse and Yun [4] means rhyme/rhythm. Loosely translated, my given name means the `rhythm of a poem’. Su Yin is the English or Bahasa Melayu spelling of my name. Growing up, I can’t recall ever being addressed as Shiyun. It was always Su Yin. I have a strong suspicion that Atah chose the English spelling of the name before the Chinese characters. Otherwise my name would be spelt Shiyun or its dialect derivative. Carina, my baptismal name was chosen by me from a book of saints’ names. I had simply loved the sound of the name. The fact that there is an entire constellation by that name helped too! I didn’t really search for the meaning of the name or about the namesake patron saint. Anyway, put together, my initials spell COSY which delighted silly me to no ends.
Intrigued by what other possible meanings or attributes my name might have and whether they concur with each other (yes, I am that bored and that sampat!), I did a simple search through some online websites and found the following:
Suyin
The name of Suyin has given you an appreciation for many beautiful and refined aspects of life--music and art, literature, drama--and the outdoors, where you find much peace and relaxation, but it creates a far too sensitive nature. You sense and feel much that you do not understand, and sometimes you are alarmed at your thoughts and wonder about their origin. You rarely experience the tranquility that comes with stability of thinking or emotional control. At times, you are very inspired, desiring to be with people and to entertain others as the "life of the party," while at other times you are aloof and choose to remove yourself entirely from association. You crave understanding and affection but your intensity of desire and your self-consciousness prevent you from finding the happiness you desire. You have suffered many disappointments and misunderstandings because of your inability to express your inner thoughts.
Shiyun
The name of Shiyun creates a happy, versatile, and expressive nature, with good business judgment and a fine sense of responsibility, which should enable you to establish congenial relationships in positions of trust where you are dealing with the public. You have a clever, quick mind, with the ability to accomplish a great deal in a short period of time, although it is not easy for you to systematize your efforts. This name could allow expression along musical and artistic lines and gives you the desire to entertain and to meet and mix with people of refinement and culture. It also brings out your love of home and family, and in close association you are able to show understanding and affection. Others are attracted by your generosity and your consideration of their interests. Although this name is well balanced, if it is combined with a surname that is not harmonious, you would tend to worry and find it difficult to organize your efforts.
Carina
The name of Carina creates a friendly, sociable, charming nature, but causes you to be too easily influenced by others. While you find it easy to meet and mix, and can appear agreeable and compromising in conversation, you can become dogmatic and forceful if pressed too far. Others learn that you cannot be told what to do and you seldom change your mind once it is made up. You prefer situations that allow a degree of independence, but are reluctant to take on a demanding work-load or responsibility. In a position dealing with the public, you could do well because of your friendly personality, interest in people, and desire to please. When asked, you are able to give others good advice that you would probably not follow yourself, but must guard against being too opinionated in controversial matters.
..........
How interesting… It is weird how something that was probably randomly generated from some database and pieced together by some software could actually be quite accurate. Made me wonder had Mama or Atah truly considered the meaning of my name, they would be more accepting of my desire to pursue the performing arts. Gosh, if these descriptions had even an ounce of truth or reliability in them… my parents had inadvertently put me on the very path that they so strongly disapprove of. As much as I struggle to take the parental-endorsed-well-traveled road, my heart journeys not with me and only an embarassing lack of courage is stopping me from turning away completely. Alas, that’s another story altogether: conviction vs. courage. Well for all it’s worth, I do love my name and am honoured to carry it. Whether my name is an accident of fate, a predestined choice, or simply a matter of personal preference, destiny is in my hands, isn’t it?
Shi[1] means poem/poetry/verse and Yun [4] means rhyme/rhythm. Loosely translated, my given name means the `rhythm of a poem’. Su Yin is the English or Bahasa Melayu spelling of my name. Growing up, I can’t recall ever being addressed as Shiyun. It was always Su Yin. I have a strong suspicion that Atah chose the English spelling of the name before the Chinese characters. Otherwise my name would be spelt Shiyun or its dialect derivative. Carina, my baptismal name was chosen by me from a book of saints’ names. I had simply loved the sound of the name. The fact that there is an entire constellation by that name helped too! I didn’t really search for the meaning of the name or about the namesake patron saint. Anyway, put together, my initials spell COSY which delighted silly me to no ends.
Intrigued by what other possible meanings or attributes my name might have and whether they concur with each other (yes, I am that bored and that sampat!), I did a simple search through some online websites and found the following:
Suyin
The name of Suyin has given you an appreciation for many beautiful and refined aspects of life--music and art, literature, drama--and the outdoors, where you find much peace and relaxation, but it creates a far too sensitive nature. You sense and feel much that you do not understand, and sometimes you are alarmed at your thoughts and wonder about their origin. You rarely experience the tranquility that comes with stability of thinking or emotional control. At times, you are very inspired, desiring to be with people and to entertain others as the "life of the party," while at other times you are aloof and choose to remove yourself entirely from association. You crave understanding and affection but your intensity of desire and your self-consciousness prevent you from finding the happiness you desire. You have suffered many disappointments and misunderstandings because of your inability to express your inner thoughts.
Shiyun
The name of Shiyun creates a happy, versatile, and expressive nature, with good business judgment and a fine sense of responsibility, which should enable you to establish congenial relationships in positions of trust where you are dealing with the public. You have a clever, quick mind, with the ability to accomplish a great deal in a short period of time, although it is not easy for you to systematize your efforts. This name could allow expression along musical and artistic lines and gives you the desire to entertain and to meet and mix with people of refinement and culture. It also brings out your love of home and family, and in close association you are able to show understanding and affection. Others are attracted by your generosity and your consideration of their interests. Although this name is well balanced, if it is combined with a surname that is not harmonious, you would tend to worry and find it difficult to organize your efforts.
Carina
The name of Carina creates a friendly, sociable, charming nature, but causes you to be too easily influenced by others. While you find it easy to meet and mix, and can appear agreeable and compromising in conversation, you can become dogmatic and forceful if pressed too far. Others learn that you cannot be told what to do and you seldom change your mind once it is made up. You prefer situations that allow a degree of independence, but are reluctant to take on a demanding work-load or responsibility. In a position dealing with the public, you could do well because of your friendly personality, interest in people, and desire to please. When asked, you are able to give others good advice that you would probably not follow yourself, but must guard against being too opinionated in controversial matters.
..........
How interesting… It is weird how something that was probably randomly generated from some database and pieced together by some software could actually be quite accurate. Made me wonder had Mama or Atah truly considered the meaning of my name, they would be more accepting of my desire to pursue the performing arts. Gosh, if these descriptions had even an ounce of truth or reliability in them… my parents had inadvertently put me on the very path that they so strongly disapprove of. As much as I struggle to take the parental-endorsed-well-traveled road, my heart journeys not with me and only an embarassing lack of courage is stopping me from turning away completely. Alas, that’s another story altogether: conviction vs. courage. Well for all it’s worth, I do love my name and am honoured to carry it. Whether my name is an accident of fate, a predestined choice, or simply a matter of personal preference, destiny is in my hands, isn’t it?
"To be a human person means more than having a human genome, it means having a narrative identity of one's own."
I’m gonna be 25 soon and already I feel like I’m thinning… stretched to the edges and soon to disappear into oblivion. Just one little *poof*… Nope, I am not wearing any rings, much less a certain ring of power. So in the months leading up to my quarter-of-a-century birthday, I shall begin a series of posts that attempts to thread a collective narrative identity of my own. I am besieged with a longing desire, an urgent quest that began even before my one month sojourn in Europe – to find myself. It is fitting I guess, to begin with my name.
Essays on Science and Society
I’m gonna be 25 soon and already I feel like I’m thinning… stretched to the edges and soon to disappear into oblivion. Just one little *poof*… Nope, I am not wearing any rings, much less a certain ring of power. So in the months leading up to my quarter-of-a-century birthday, I shall begin a series of posts that attempts to thread a collective narrative identity of my own. I am besieged with a longing desire, an urgent quest that began even before my one month sojourn in Europe – to find myself. It is fitting I guess, to begin with my name.
love gathers in clouds of nines
3 Comments Published by carinasuyin | Thursday, August 12, 2004 | 2:16 AM.
If love was like water, it would rise from the dirtiest of brackish puddles in the lowliest of cities and from the depths of the saltiest mightiest oceans… And yet it is pure; pure as the water that trickles from the Evian-est of springs or the morning dew glistening in the soft embrace of chlorophyll-ed leaves. Love can be as abundant as lakes and rivers or as rare as an oasis in a desert or as deceiving as mirages. And yet love permeates every corner of this blue ball we call Earth. And we live not without it. 70% of our body is composed of love. We began our humble beginnings formed in an amniotic bag of liquid love… nurtured for nine months… love growing in love…
Love gathers in clouds of nines till it is heavy enough to fall…
How shall I fall for thee? Let me count the ways… Shall I fall like little snowflakes, perfect in design and white as innocence? Shall I fall quietly, gently and slowly or shall I fall like mad blizzards or crazy snow storms? Shall I fall like a concerto of summer’s rain, pitter-patter on the window sills, ting-a-ting-ting on zinc roofs and tip-tapping on terracotta tiles? Or shall I fall like hailstones – hard and merciless, knock you silly before you even know what hit you or what hit me? Shall I fall a little at a time like a fickle pregnant cloud of contractions waiting to deliver or shall I fall all at once, pouring down like a tropical monsoon?
And yet, it must be scary to fall… after all, falling down to Earth is quite a long distance and there is gravity with no bungee cord tied, no safety nets, no plushy cushy cumulonimbus clouds… But plunge little rain drops must, onto hallowed grounds and find their way back to love. Love begets love, does it not? Love sets into motion the possibility of other loves- little love, simple love, complicated love, once-upon-a-time-ago love, silly love, puppy love, unrequited love, dutiful and filial love, senseless love, grand love, forbidden love, unconditional love, lifelong love… Love that gives life to living things, love that ends droughts, love that floods and drowns, love that hurts, love that washes clean, love that catches you by surprise, love that changes with time, love that withstands change, love that softens metal, love that simmers and boils, love that tides and ebbs, love that crashes, love that insatiate thirst, love that sacrifices, love that inspires, love that builds and rebuilds, love that gives rise to civilizations, love that destroys empires, love that transcends time, love that heals, love that endures, love that rejuvenates the soul… love in all manifestations and for whatsoever reasons or no reason at all… it is just as it has always been… a never-ending cycle of love.
Love in its purest comprehension… is like water. Cup in your palms and it faithfully stays there, squeeze it tight and it escapes through your fingers. Vanishes on a hot sunny day and returns again on another… drink 8 glasses a day and you will stay healthy. Reverse osmosis it, distill it, purify it too zealously and love loses all its flavour… Soak too long idly in it and you become a raisin or a prune… don’t waste love or you’ll pay the price… yes, love can come at a cost and yet the best love is free… love that is worth the wait.
Love gathers in clouds of nines till it is heavy enough to fall…
How shall I fall for thee? Let me count the ways… Shall I fall like little snowflakes, perfect in design and white as innocence? Shall I fall quietly, gently and slowly or shall I fall like mad blizzards or crazy snow storms? Shall I fall like a concerto of summer’s rain, pitter-patter on the window sills, ting-a-ting-ting on zinc roofs and tip-tapping on terracotta tiles? Or shall I fall like hailstones – hard and merciless, knock you silly before you even know what hit you or what hit me? Shall I fall a little at a time like a fickle pregnant cloud of contractions waiting to deliver or shall I fall all at once, pouring down like a tropical monsoon?
And yet, it must be scary to fall… after all, falling down to Earth is quite a long distance and there is gravity with no bungee cord tied, no safety nets, no plushy cushy cumulonimbus clouds… But plunge little rain drops must, onto hallowed grounds and find their way back to love. Love begets love, does it not? Love sets into motion the possibility of other loves- little love, simple love, complicated love, once-upon-a-time-ago love, silly love, puppy love, unrequited love, dutiful and filial love, senseless love, grand love, forbidden love, unconditional love, lifelong love… Love that gives life to living things, love that ends droughts, love that floods and drowns, love that hurts, love that washes clean, love that catches you by surprise, love that changes with time, love that withstands change, love that softens metal, love that simmers and boils, love that tides and ebbs, love that crashes, love that insatiate thirst, love that sacrifices, love that inspires, love that builds and rebuilds, love that gives rise to civilizations, love that destroys empires, love that transcends time, love that heals, love that endures, love that rejuvenates the soul… love in all manifestations and for whatsoever reasons or no reason at all… it is just as it has always been… a never-ending cycle of love.
Love in its purest comprehension… is like water. Cup in your palms and it faithfully stays there, squeeze it tight and it escapes through your fingers. Vanishes on a hot sunny day and returns again on another… drink 8 glasses a day and you will stay healthy. Reverse osmosis it, distill it, purify it too zealously and love loses all its flavour… Soak too long idly in it and you become a raisin or a prune… don’t waste love or you’ll pay the price… yes, love can come at a cost and yet the best love is free… love that is worth the wait.
Chammika has a huge Albert Einstein poster in his house with the following quote which I like a lot. Also found out that 2005 is going to be the year of Physics, commemorating the centennial anniversary of the discovery of the Theory of Relativity... wow...
"He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice. This disgrace to civilisation should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, senseless brutality, deplorable love-of-country stance, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than to be part of so base an action! It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder."
"He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice. This disgrace to civilisation should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, senseless brutality, deplorable love-of-country stance, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than to be part of so base an action! It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder."
I am grinning from ear to ear... my brother is flying to Athens in about 12 hours time. He's an Athens Olympic Games volunteer. Ooohh I am so proud of him. On the phone from Aalen, he was just brimming over with excitement!
Lots of Jalur Gemilang, badminton squad, Greek and Greeks, raincoat, money pouch, drink lotsa water, billions on security, olympics coke bottle, baby tee, Misbun and the police, Supra's watch, chicks, games village, metro, lim keng liat, Puvan keeping fit, phone bills, nice Thai restaurant uncle, photos, atah, mama, Athens, Athens, Athens...
Yo sugeo... missing you and so darn proud of you! Lotsa love, SU
Lots of Jalur Gemilang, badminton squad, Greek and Greeks, raincoat, money pouch, drink lotsa water, billions on security, olympics coke bottle, baby tee, Misbun and the police, Supra's watch, chicks, games village, metro, lim keng liat, Puvan keeping fit, phone bills, nice Thai restaurant uncle, photos, atah, mama, Athens, Athens, Athens...
Yo sugeo... missing you and so darn proud of you! Lotsa love, SU
been bugged by many to start a blog...
e.g. have you ever considered blogging as a form of self-expression?
gee... and i thought simply being me was self-expression defined
maybe i'll start with a photoblog of my europe trip...
e.g. have you ever considered blogging as a form of self-expression?
gee... and i thought simply being me was self-expression defined
maybe i'll start with a photoblog of my europe trip...
