I Don't Have A Ferrari To Sell

I’ve been thinking about change.

I’m reading a fascinating book now, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. It’s all about this hotshot lawyer was drowning in work. He had a heart attack, then decided to sell everything and go on a search for the purpose of life. He ended up with a bunch of monks in India, deep in the Himalayas. He came back looking years younger, alive, free, and fulfilled. The book is about him sharing what he had learned from the monks.

The first chapter talks about your mind being a garden. If you cultivate it with pretty and fulfilling things, your life will be fulfilling. And if you let weeds and negativity take root, they will eventually stifle you. What he says makes a lot of sense. He talks about meditating every day to train your mind to focus. If you can focus your mind on one thing, basically enter flow (Flow Theory) at will, you can do and be anything you want because you will be able to hold your focus.

Next is changing the negative thoughts you have to positive thoughts. Basically, learn to control your minds and harness the power of your thought. Based on positive psych and all that, I know about the power of positive thinking. It makes a difference in how you feel is you smile when you are mad. The simple act of replacing bad thoughts with good ones can make so much difference to the quality of your life. This eventually becomes a habit and you can learn to not hold on to bad thoughts and ideas.

And then he goes on to say that if you visualise what you want, the thing you are working towards, a goal, then you will get there. Visualisation keeps you on your target and it helps you see yourself attaining those goals and then your life and your choices will lead to them.

All this makes sense to me. I get it. It tallies with the stuff I've learned in uni.

The next chapter is about a lighthouse, or the purpose in life. He says that once you find something that makes you feel free and full, that is your purpose. For example, if painting gets your blood pumping, if you are excited by it and have this internal drive to keep doing it, then that is your purpose. And it’s also important to make sure that this purpose involves serving others in some way. So perhaps showcasing your art to touch lives? Or teach people about art?

Once you find this purpose (it make take some exploration before you pin it down), cultivate it. Keep your mind focused on it. And then set small goals related to your purpose. Keep your mind on those goals and make sure you have the courage to act on them.

In fact, you can do this with any small goals as well. Say you want to be more peaceful, or more financially secure, just set small goals. He outlines a 5 step process to it that you can use.

The whole book so far seems quite psychological and methodological which makes sense. Because even spirituality and transcendence requires some form of discipline and understanding of what works with humans. Since psychology is all about how humans work, applying it to this is a logical step.

But then I started thinking about making all these changes. Sure, I can meditate each day to train my mind, I can regularly visualise myself obtaining my goals and then acting on those steps to achieve what I want.

However, it’s not as simple as it seems, is it? I have responsibilities. People who are counting on me. Besides, I’m still young. I don’t actually have a solid life to change yet. So sure, I can shape my life using these principles to avoid the need for change later on, but what happens to my family while I’m on this quest?

I can’t just decide to go after what I want without considering how it might affect the people around me. I just can’t.

So is this book really for me? I mean, I can read it and apply parts of it to my own life. I’m sure I can stand to benefit from some of these techniques. But maybe I’m just not ready for this entire book. Or maybe I just don’t need it in the same way that the monk did. Perhaps some of these techniques will be enough for me for now. Maybe that's the whole idea. To take what you need from this pool if wisdom and apply it to your life accordingly. 

I know I can do better with focusing my mind. I know I can do better with being more positive. So I shall.

I can start on one of these techniques, perhaps meditation. I want to learn how to focus my mind. I want to take charge of it. And I know I can do this. I think this exercise will help me hone my discipline as well, which I know is terrible right now. Each day will be an improvement.

(I’ll start the meditation next week though. I want to start it after I’m done with the assignments)

The La Sallian Way of Life

I'm back from Ipoh! Those days were definitely memorable! (Though if you asked me right now, I can't remember everything we did (: )

Let's kick off from the beginning. We arrived at the La Salle Centre in Ipoh at around 5pm. There were already a few people there by that time. I met my room mate, Mary Ann and the three guys got their room right next to mine. We left our bags in the room and went exploring!

The whole centre was beautiful. There was a small pond of Koi fishes and trees everywhere. There were also about 5 or 6 aquariums of fishes. From goldfish to love parrot fishes and even snails! And tadpoles too, can't forget the tadpoles. That was just the La Salle Centre. There was a gate that lead to SMI. St. Michael's Institution is HUGE! The building is so old and well preserved. They have a huge football field and basketball courts. The classroom door are big and wooden. They also have what the natives call 'the 5-star toilets'. It is amazing! Really like the ones you can see in hotels. Oh, and they also have CCTV's at every corner of the school.

So that's the environment. Now let's talk about the people. My room mate is a Michaelian. There were also Georgians, Paulians, Xavierians, Josephians (Kuchingians), and some others I can't quite remember right now. All the boys were really nice. Martin Jalleh conducted most of the camp and Isaac (who works at the La Salle Centre) conducted the final part. Martin Jalleh was, of course, as good as ever. He had that infamous laugh of his, and all his jokes, old and new. I had a blast during his sessions. We also met Bro. Vincent, an 82 year old La Salle brother, Bro. Michael and Bro. Matthew. I really like all of them . They all have the gift of the gab. Whenever they spoke, they knew just how to hold our attention. Perfect when handling a bunch of teenage boys!

The sessions really help me learn a lot about myself, and La Salle and how to handle the world and my encounter with God. As Bryce said, it was a change. We all changed in one way or the other. It seemed like we had just as much free time as we had sessions. We had about 5 hours of free time on Monday afternoon. Bryce, Jon, Kevin and I sought the services of Michaelians to show us around the area. They took us to Ipoh Parade. I loved it there! It's just like Subang Parade but less. They have tons of shoes and clothing stores as well as cool graffiti T shops. I bought myself a red, green and yellow skull cap. The next night, we went to their version of Petaling Street but a lot less intimidating, Gerbang Malam. There were countless stalls selling phone covers. One guy even had a stall as big as four put together. Phone covers were hanging everywhere! I found the cover I wanted for my phone and Bryce found 2. We also bought a huge bouncy ball for Bryce's little brother. After that we took a taxi back to the La Salle Centre.

Now, We had a lot of fun there, as you now know. However, we also learnt a lot. I, for one, found out a lot about our founder La Salle. He was of a rich family but the sight of young French boys running around, too poor for school moved him to start a school for them. He was an amazing man who put God first and let God work magic through him. Slowly, his order grew and before he knew it, they were being summoned to other places to do good work. But, even La Salle had trouble. He retreated to Parsimony for a few years, tired of life and problems. That did not stop him though, for he received a letter from his fellow brothers requesting his presence. So he complied. All us La Sallians owe La Salle a whole lot. It's because of him that we now have beautiful schools set up for us us, helping us grow in a spirit of oneness and camaraderie. It's the La Sallian way, so I've learned.

I'm glad I had the chance to to experience La Salle. It's my last year here and I feel truly blessed to be a La Sallian (even though I started late in life :P ) The people I met and the things I've learnt are beautiful. The experiences and bonds are irreplaceable.

On the down side, I may never see many of them again. We all have each other's numbers and email so maybe there might be a chance, you'll never know. I'm definitely going to keep in touch with my La Sallian side:)

Another down side is that this camp has made me realise that I do not have a clue as to where I'm headed in life. I postponed my worry after SPM but now, I have to face it head on. I'm gonna be out of school in a few months and I need a course of action. A plan. I'm felling pretty lost right now. I need Fr.PM to get back soon so I can talk to him. I think he might be able to guide me a little.

Hmm, I guess for now I'll have to do some silent meditation. See where that leads me. Oh well, World, here I come!

The Mystery of Self Respect and Science

Today, I'll start off with the assembly in school. The prefects were checking every body's socks because someone was wearing yellow socks and they were trying to find out who it was. While checking, one prefect told off an upper six girl who had dyed her hair. That girl, in turn, got defensive and argued back. The prefect didn't say anything much after that with the exception of a warning. Once the prefect left, the girl started to vent her feelings to her friends in a very loud and sarcastic way. She kept hurling insults at the prefect all through the Negaraku, Selangor Anthem and School Song. It was totally annoying. I was so tempted to tell them to quite down, but I didn't since I knew what would happen if I did. After the song, they continued to utter abuse, now directed at the entire prefects board and the school itself, during the morning prayers. Talk about lack of respect. It doesn't matter to me whether you're right or wrong, as long as you have some respect, if not for the school or state, at least for you're country. We should be thankful that we live in a country where we can go to bed without worry. We have running water, electricity, clean air and most importantly, peace. So, no matter how upset, mad, hurt or angry you are, you put it aside and proudly sing the National Anthem. After that, feel free to continue your string of condemnation. The same should be for the prayers. Just because you're not Muslim nor a Christian, you don't have the right to disrespect their prayers. How would you feel if I talked loudly and insulted people openly while you were praying? Where's you self respect? In my book it's completely tarnished  thanks to you immaturity. Some decency would be much appreciated.

Anyway, after school we (Visha and I) had R&D with Pn.Soleha. Dinesh joined us a little later on when the topic was traditions. We talked about Sarees and traditions of each culture but somehow we managed to steer the conversation to boys and girls. Visha said that girls have two extra ribs (I thought so too but didn't I read somewhere that the myth was busted?). Then Pn.Soleha mentioned the story of Adam and Eve. Eve was made from a rib bone that God took from Adam. I said; "I wonder if there was any anesthetics involved at that time?" and Dinesh, the smart-alec, said; "So that means God invented cloning! That's where science started!." (o.O)

He went on and said, God told Adam and Eve not to eat the Apple from the tree because it was sprayed with insecticide and that Adam and Eve got kicked out of Eden because they were contaminated with insecticide!

Hence, God invented science and the proof is -he made Eve from Adam's rib bone. The earliest documented case of cloning.

!!Oh what geniuses we have nowadays!!

Embracing The Rain

First off, this is my 100th post this year! Wohoo!

School was so much fun today. During MUET, we did group discussions. Since my half my group didn't turn up (they're in hospital), I'm not due to present till next week (Alleluia!). Visha and Romina were in the same group and they were debating (and monopolising the whole discussion) about who's point is better. It was fun to watch, I must say. Visha was so into her point and I could see she was getting emotionally attached to it (I understand though, 'cause I'm exactly the same) whilst Romina was very calm and she managed to convince everyone. However, I think Visha would have ploughed on if not for the time constraint.

Anyway, during BM, we were learning about 'Proses Morfologi', 'Pengimbuhan' to be exact. I think I've said this before but I'll say it again, I really enjoy the BM classes. Learning a language from the roots is really something. My use of the language, however, is still very poor and I'll have to work on it really hard. I won't be perfect but to be good is great. :)

Economics was the best. Even when Dinesh was sitting in the row in front of me, I was laughing non-stop at his and Visha's antics. Today, he decided to sit next to me. You can imagine just how much more I was laughing. Visha was hilarious too. Everything was amplified.

After school, we joined a treasure hunt organised by L6S1 in conjunction with the Month of Independence (did I say it right??). Anyway, It was really fun. I was in a group with Karthiga and Tamil. We, or more accurately I, was running around everywhere. I was a ball of energy (even though it was raining cats and dogs). We tried our best to answer all the questions. We left one of it blank (Semangat Membaca........?), and the other question that we didn't know, we guessed the answer (When did tun Dr. Mahathir declare the Malaysia Flag as Jalur Gemilang?) We only wrote down a random year; 1997. Our theory being that if no one else got it (since everyone seemed to be having an issue with that particular question), our year would be correct and we'd get the extra point. F.Y.I: I just checked, the actual date was 31August 1997. Yay! So now I'm hoping we get a point:). there was one question that we couldn't not have answered without help from Team Revolution (Visha, Romina and Dinesh). It was a calculation question. We really didn't have enough brain energy to do the math so they helped us out. Thanks Guys! :)

That was the day so far. I have some Economics work to finish up and then, hopefully, sleep. I've kind been an insomniac these past few nights. I wasn't exactly completely awake but neither was I dead asleep (I'm always usually dead asleep!)

Alright then. Chao for now!

!HAPPY BIRTHDAY DILLON LI FERNANDEZ!

14 Hour Day

Before I really start, I'd like to mention that today has been a really, really long day. We (ma and I) left the house at 6am and only reached home a little after 8pm.

T.G.I the last day of school!!!!!!! Two weeks off and even though I have homework (3 1/2 essays & 1 objective paper to be exact), I'm stoked! I've got it all planned out and this time, I have a feeling that things will go according to plan. Obviously, I'm going to stay up late today, just to mark the beginning of the holidays :)

Apart from being the last day of school before Raya, today I went to my first ever CSS meeting and English Lit class. I'll start of with CSS. They're a bunch of hyper catholic boys, in love with their religion and so completely stunned that there is a girl in their group. I'm not too sure but I think it's been a while since they've had a girl in CSS. Anyway, being the only girl, my dear mother's predictions came true when they unanimously decided to make me their new Secretary. I'm honoured of course and I'm happy with the way they welcomed me. They were of course shy, as was I, but I can see us all getting along quite well. I'm very excited for all the planning of activities to start. Many of them go to the same church and it's nice to have a little piece of it here in school too. It's like a connection between home life and school which I've never really had. They're good boys and I'm looking forward to the coming year.

On to Literature, of the English nature that is. We had our first official class today in one of the CERiA cabins. I have to say, out of all the classes I've ever attended in my entire life, this was the most exciting (BM ties with it for 1st place, though). We read through and analysed 3 poems by Hardy (just to begin with). It is still an intimidating subject to me but I feel that with the help of our teacher, we'll be able to make it through fairly well. The poems we covered today were the simpler ones and from what I gathered throughout the class, the teacher thinks we'll be able to understand the meanings quite easily. I'm having a great time. So far, the only glitch is in finding a proper venue to meet up. CERiA was fine when the classes were supposed to be on Saturdays but now that it's on a weekday, we'll need to source out another option. The last resort will of course be the teacher's office but I think somewhere else (maybe a park or a quite cafe) would be better and less imposing. She's already spending her time on us so let's try not to take her space as well. She really fun to study with and she's so obviously passionate about Literature that learning isn't so much learning as it is an experience with her.

Once Monday comes, I'm getting into my school mode to make sure I finish my homework as soon as possible. I know I've said that before and it didn't happen but this time, I'm all charged up and in the mood, which I'm sure will last through out the holidays. Right now, I'm in a mode where I can see myself doing all the things I want to do, experiencing and living the life I want to live. I can see those images so clearly in my head that I just know I'll be able to get there. That's why I know I'll be able to finish my homework fast and spend the holidays like I've always wanted too. ::) It's a powerful feeling. A 'sometimes-you-just-know' moment. This is it. I know it is!

LET THE HOLIDAYS BEGIN!!!!

The Weird Girl and Magic Onion

So far, the new school has been good to me. They have very high standards but I think I'll be able to keep up if I work at it. I have two subjects to catch up on, BM and Economy, which I have never taken before. I'll work hard this year so that by next year, I'll be on the same level as everyone else. It's alot of work but I'm confident I can do it. I just need to keep reminding myself not to slack off (which is more of a habit than anything with me).

As for the people, they're not too bad either. Since everyone is new to me, it's been easier to fit in. They very friendly and although they're not on the same wavelength as me (I'm not holding myself to a higher standard, I just don't think the way most people do), but they're definitely closer to it than my other friends. Of course, I'm obviously under-exposed, being the Shah Alam raised girl that I am, so this might be a good experience. I'm having fun, for sure. Maybe giving more of myself to this school experience will make things even better so we'll see how it goes. As for now, I'm going to try as hard as I can to catch up and get into this Form 6 thing a little more whole-heartedly.

Moving on, I have the FLU! Argh! Not again. :( But do not fret, I say, for I have come across and ancient (not so ancient actually but it sounds nicer) form of remedy. It is said that to be rid of this wretched virus, all I have to do is place an onion in a bowl on my night stand while I sleep. When I wake up, I should be healed. Ergo, I will try out this ancient magic and let you know how I feel tomorrow. If it works, I shall be singing praises to God for his almighty wonders and if it does not go my way, I shall still sing to the glory of God for such a wondrously delicious fruit (I love onions by the way)
:)

I would love to give you an introduction to my classmates, but since I don't know them enough and I'm in no condition for another long post, I'll leave it here for now and get back to you tomorrow, if and hopefully when, the onion remedy works.

IT'S IN!!!

Today, I went to the ATM machine purely to SEE my salary. I know it sound crazy but all I wanted to do was to see the numbers on the screen and let me tell you, it was very satisfying! To celebrate, I spent more than usual or even necessary on my lunch break. I decided to eat food from Wendy's. It was delicious. By the way, here's a friendly warning to everyone: BEWARE! Wendys' medium combo is huge and I'm sure their large combo is enormous. Break was fun. Nad was there and so was Barney. He ordered the combo fajita and I pinched a few from his plate (THANKS!). We talked and laughed and had lots of fun. He was teasing me about something and I sprinkled some pepper on him :) Needless to say, he disappeared for a few minutes.

Anyway, the new SPG's have been okay so far. They're learning, one a little slower than the others, and they're getting better. It feels great to see them all improving in their job because I trained them first so I'm like their coach. Now I know what my teachers and parents feel whenever I succeed at something. It's very satisfying. I want them all to do well, regardless of whether I like them or not.

Today was a learning day for me too. I was taught about the many sauces and soups in Friday's. Most of which I don't like at all and the rest I love. It felt kind of nice to be taught something. I felt like I was back in school. The weird part was that I didn't mind at all. In fact, I think I'm actually looking forward to school again. (That's me, the studying freak!).

Anyway, I'm so tired today (I have no idea why), so I'm going to sign off here. BYE!