I loathe cynics.

Something about their unrestrained contempt for anything and everything just makes my blood boils.

Being a cynic is something of a fashion statement among youths today, particularly among the younger group of youth who like nothing more but to complain at the top of their voices, day in and day out.

When did the world become so faithless? So downright resentful towards optimism, grace and beauty? Where did it all go wrong?

In school, and at work, I've always been labeled as the hopeless optimist and a romantic. True, I have been hurt by having that outlook sometimes, but I find the world to be a much more pleasant place to live in when the glass is half full.
Sometimes when I read comments at the bottom of blog posts, or youtube videos, or Facebook status', all I see are a bunch of very cynical people, who are just living their lives in a passionless world.

The recent Merdeka day for instance, saw a whole load of Facebook messages that made fun of the celebration, and contempt for the government.

How can these people not realise that being proud of one's own country has got nothing do to with the present day government. It doesn't matter whether it is the opposition in power, of BN is spinning a web of lies.

Being proud of your own country has got nothing to do with politics or policies. It's loving your own home.

I pity those who think that being a cynic is cool and is the "in thing". Roses may have thorns, but life is better once you rejoice that thorns have roses.

I stumbled upon a blog today. You may know her. Or not. 

She goes by the name Xiaxue. Her real name is Wendy. 

She's pretty big in the blogsphere, from what I could surmise. Her blog is mainly about her, or people she hate, or people who are unfortunate enough to like her. 

I've seen some pretty superficial people through blogs. They are all about the designer stuff, materialistic and down right ignorant and arrogant. 

People used to hate people like that, but nowadays, they are simply considered honest people, and admired for speaking their minds, not afraid of being called sluts or bitches, because it's become such a norm already. 

I've learnt to ignore and avoid blogs like these. A picture says a thousand words. And when there are thousands of pictures of themselves on their blog, you just get so sick of them. 

But Xiaxue takes the cake. One of her recent posts boasted about how she made her face skinny and put in fillers to make her lips plumper. 

Stupid woman. 

I mean, you can do whatever you want la, but to boast about your face and body transformation procedures is just plain wrong in my book. 

Unfortunately, I may be in the minority. With the advent of the internet, and total information freedom, it takes an exceptional person to not be influenced and stay true to oneself. 

But I have formed my own opinions, done my own mistakes, made great friends along the way that have shown me what it means to be good person, and an independent person. With no desire whatsoever to change my God-given body. 

Unfortunately for Xiaxue, she will never get that feeling. 

Students adamant on keeping status quo 

SHAH ALAM: UiTM is for Bumiputeras -- that's the strong message from more than 5,000 Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students to Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim. 

They marched to the Selangor State Secretariat to hand over a memorandum of protest over Abdul Khalid's suggestion that UiTM reserve 10 per cent of places to non-Bumiputeras and foreigners. 

Led by UiTM student body president Luqmann Ulhakim Mohamad Idris, the students gathered at the UiTM field before heading to Dataran Shah Alam at 7.30am.

They then marched 500 metres to Bangunan Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, singing the university song UiTM di Hatiku' while carrying banners and placards with various declarations -- "Jangan Rampas Hak Kami" (Do not seize our rights), "Selamatkan UiTM"' (Save UiTM) and "UiTM di Hatiku"' (UiTM in our hearts). The students, however, did not see Abdul Khalid as he was at a meeting elsewhere. 

Luqmann was not allowed into Abdul Khalid's office to submit the memorandum, and the situation became quite tense. 
Finally, the memorandum was handed over to the menteri besar's news officer Hasril Abu Hassan who met the students at the security booth.

Luqmann said the state government's statement showed that they intended to to politicise UiTM to gain votes from non-Malays in the Permatang Pauh by-election on Aug 26.

In Petaling Jaya, Abdul Khalid said he was willing to meet UiTM representatives to discuss the demands listed in their seven-page memorandum -- but only after the Permatang Pauh by-election.

He told reporters after the state Budget Dialogue 2009 yesterday that he would discuss with the students their memorandum to avoid any misunderstanding.

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I am a former UiTM student. In fact, I will be graduating from there in a few months time. Coming from the background that I am in, I found it strange and weird initially that everywhere I turned in campus, it was all Malays. I am used to having non-Malay friends. Not because it's a preference. It's simply something that happens. 

These students may think that they are being given their rights as Bumiputras, and it's their right to be in that prestigious University. Fact is, education is a right to everyone who wants to pursue it, regardless of race or religion. More so, when there are many other students who are non-Malays who WANT to study. Who WANT to excel. Rather than keeping a small percentage of Malay students in campus who are simply there for the ride. Because fees are cheap (RM450 per semester) and they are bored. I personally know such students. 

It pains me, because I have friends who have had to struggle to get their education. Some who are far poorer than the large percentage of UiTM students who come to class in their own cars and bikes. While some of my friends have had to scrimp and save every cent to enroll themselves in private universities. 

I'm am not an apathetic Malay. I am proud to be one. I believe in Malay rights. Especially where land is concerned (Tanah Rizab Melayu). But being the daughter of two teachers, I am fully aware of the implications of having the right education. And tertiary education is no longer a luxury for the few. It's a necessity for one to live. (In Malaysia anyway)

Having non-Malays on campus in UiTM should be the least of these students' worries. After being too used to the all Malay environment, and then stepping into the multi-racial working world, can they adapt? Can they accept other people? Or do they stand in a corner with other Malay workers, happily making fun of the other non-Malays? Or do they rise to the occasion? Many don't. They choose to do the former. 

Let's not jump the gun, and react in such a manner (as Malays often do). Listen first to what our MB has to say. Education for all...is never a bad idea. 

bekindtoOthers