My Sabbatical

It’s been quite some time since I wrote in my blog. It’s not that I didn't have anything to write about but I just couldn't find the time to do so. And when I finally have the time, I would have forgotten half of the things that I wanted to write. But this is something important, so I better put it into writing. The main reason is not that I would forget it but to validate to myself that I am actually going to do this; all out once and for all.

It’s my sabbatical. What started off as just a story and a dream that I told my friends, now has went deep into my thoughts making me believe that I can make it real. It has always been a dream to take a sabbatical and go somewhere. Each time I see it in the movies, a series or any other show; I will re-assure myself that I am going to do this. This small idea grew on me and I started browsing a few websites, reading about sabbaticals. And the only one thing that all of them had in common were "start planning". Whether you are going to do it this year or after 10 years, the first thing you should be doing is start planning. Planning indirectly urges us to implement it into practice.

So I decided, whether I will be doing it or not, I am going to start planning. First thing first; anything that is planned needs a time frame for you to work according to. To give us a clearer picture regarding what has to be done and by when it should be done. So I set my time frame. A start date and an end date for my sabbatical. All my plans will evolve around this chosen time period.

01 April 2018 - 31 August 2018

Yes, it has been decided. My sabbatical date will be from early April 2018 until end of August 2018; a 5 month sabbatical. I have 6 1/2 years to plan everything, get prepared and leave for my amazing journey. I have to do this no matter whatever it takes. So far I have only one plan in mind. During that 5 month duration, I will be in Russia from 08 June 2018 until 08 July 2018 to experience the World Cup and relive my university days. Rest of the 4 months I am not sure what to do and where to go yet. But all will be put into plan in due course of time.

Things that I need to start pondering about would be finance which will be my biggest challenge. I need to start planning on finance from now. The next one is I need a mission. I don't want to go on a sabbatical and come back like a worthless tourist who went for a 5 months holiday around the world. No, I need a mission; something that I need to accomplish at the end of my sabbatical. Most importantly I have to plan the aftermath. I don’t want to come back broke, jobless and add more pressure to my life. It should be 5 months of unforgettable moments where I come back to continue to live my life to the fullest.

Hope everything will fall into place nicely.

Violent Community

Just when I thought everything is going well, I had to hit rock bottom again. I get a sudden phone call from my sister in law, Linda and my eldest brother saying that my other elder brother Nanthakumar was abducted and beaten for around 6 hours because he was suspected of stealing from my sister in law's nephew's (Simon) house.

We consider ourselves to be living in a civilized country. When you find out your jewellery worth RM100000.00 has been stolen, the first thing you should do was make a police report. And if you had suspected my brother of doing so you should have mentioned it in your report. But no report what so ever was made.

Two weeks after the alleged theft, thugs were hired and my brother was abducted. He was brought to a secluded area near a road heading towards Genting and was brutally beaten by 8 people using sticks, helmets and bricks. He was badly injured. Swelling throughout his body, jaw was dislocated, fracture near his eye socket and internal bleeding in the head. Luckily the police acted quickly and detained Simon's future bride and ordered my brother to be surrendered. He was brought to the police station by Simon alone. Simon was arrested and my brother was admitted to Selayang Hospital to receive treatment. The incident was reported in Harian Metro.

http://www.hmetro.com.my/articles/Lembikdalamhutan/Article

It was traumatizing to hear the news. I couldn't imagine the amount of fear that a person will be facing when you are being beaten by 8 people without mercy and are threatening to end your life. The feeling of being helpless and the fear of your life coming to an end in a lonely jungle where probably your body would not have been found until it has decayed is unbearable. What a monstrous incident.

I use to think living in 2011 we would have become more cultured But this incident has taught me otherwise. We live in a society where violence and brutality is still practiced by majority of the people. But this makes me wonder, is the Indian community the only one acting this way whenever faced with a problem or is it the case in any community? I do not wish to be judgemental but the amount of violence projected by the Indian community is very alarming.

Even though I detach myself from being identified by any religion and ethnic and would prefer to be identified just as a Malaysian or a human being, my name, skin colour and background knits me closely to the Indian community which I am starting to fear day by day. Why is violence instilled so deeply in this community? I do not have the answer, but just wish that this radicalism could soon be diminished.

Captain America and Cesar

I did a back to back that day. I could not find the time to go and watch Captain America and before I knew it, Rise of the Planet of the Apes was out. So I decided to watch both on the same day. Rise of the Planet of the Apes at 9.45pm and straight after that Captain America: The First Avenger at 11.30pm. But it was well worth my time.

Both movies turned out to be good. With a lot of superhero movies being released, Captain America proved to be one of the best for this year. The story and screenplay were smooth running, incorporating strength and honor throughout the movie. Chris Evans put in a convincing performance. Tommy Lee Jones' one line comments was an added crunch. The detailed World War 2 settings were a major plus point to the movie. And as usual the Nazi conspiracy is thrown into the mix which never seems to lose its attraction. It was a good intro for Captain America.

The Rise of the Planet of the Apes was equally good. Andy Serkis gave an extraordinary performance as Cesar. The mixture of CGI and the emotion of Cesar are amazing. The development of Cesar's character through the movie is carried out really well. With a well written screenplay and good performance by everyone, towards the end of the movie, you are already rooting for the apes even though being a human yourself; a movie worthy of subsequent sequels.

It was a night well spent watching two good movies at one go. I should try more of this kind of marathons. If the movies are good

Passing of a Friend

It’s been long since I wrote anything in my blog. Never could find the time to do it. Well a friend passed away few weeks back. I knew him from school days, same primary school and same secondary school. The news came as a shock to everyone.

I didn't keep in touch with him for a long time. I wasn't in contact with him at all until Deepavali 2009, where I met him again after 7 or 8 years. We took down each other’s contact. But as I was staying away from everyone, whenever he would call, I would decide to ignore. Time passed and suddenly after two years I get a phone call saying that he had passed away.

He was going back home after spending time with his friends until early morning. Motorcycle went out of control and he was badly injured leading to his death. Me and my friends went down to his house in Ipoh that day itself, reaching there around 10pm. It was a hard feeling to see him resting peacefully in his coffin. Mother was crying. I had no words to console her. I was never good at situations involving intense emotions. What do you say at times like this? All I could do was keep silence. Passed whatever cash we collected to his father and we were off. We chilled for a while before heading back to Taiping and KL respectively.

My friend's death got me thinking. I am staying away from most of my friends. Not even remembering when was the last time I spoke to them. These are friends who have done so much for me. I was engulfed by an impending feeling that it might be too late when I decide to contact my friends. But my inferiority complex still keeps me away from them. When will this internal battle end? I miss my friends a lot. I feel like I am being torn apart from the inside not being able to do anything about it.

Back to School

On 16th July 2011, I stepped back into my school, St. George's Institution (SGI) after 9 years. The last time I remember going to school was in 2002 when I attended my schools 'Canteen Day'. I started schooling in SGI in 1997 and was there until I finished form 5 in 2001. As my batch mates were still around in form 6, I revisited the school a few times in the year 2002. Those visits being the last until two weeks back.

My mother broke the news to me that the school she works in, Sekolah Semangat Maju (SSM) will be putting up a stall in my schools 'Canteen Day' on the 16th July. I was so happy. What an opportunity to visit my school again. A lot of people say that I should not have any problem visiting SGI from time to time as I live in Taiping and I work in Hospital Taiping which is just beside my school. Well, easier said than done. It’s not easy just to walk into your school unless you're a 'somebody' which I am definitely not. I needed an excuse, I needed an event and it finally came.

Saturday morning I woke up and stepped back into my school and it ended up being one of the happiest days of my life. A feeling of overwhelming happiness engulfed me as I rode my motorcycle into the school compound. The school has changed a bit, not its spirit but physically. The old and worn out basketball court has been totally renovated into a new court, thanks to Georgian Class of '78 and also Law Tzuo Hann's Long Way Home. The school hall and canteen which had only cement floors have been changed to tiles.

Even though there were some physical changes, the Georgian Spirit remains strong as ever. All around students and teachers were working hard at their stalls. It was so crowded and in every corner you can see Georgians and Georgianas in their different class, club or sports t-shirts all carrying the St. George emblem proudly. It made me proud to see the Georgian spirit still burning high. Students were having loads of fun, working in their stalls, trying to get sales going, dancing to the songs from the DJ, listening to live band performances in the hall, it was just too good.

I walked around the school, going to every corner that I use to hang out. I had my breakfast at the same bench in front of the teacher's room that I and my friends use to chill during recess time when we were schooling. I checked out club notice boards, and was surprised to see my picture was still there in the St. John Ambulance Malaysia notice board even after 10 years leaving the school. There were flashes of memories all around. I chilled in the school hall, remembering the countless assembly, loads of performances, the chorus speaking practices and the 'Hari Anugerah' which my father will attend every year to see his son receive certificates of excellent achievement in education. Now it’s nothing more than memories. Also took some time to chill on the science lab staircase, remembering the amount of fun we use to have in the labs. The labs were our playground.

In the midst of all these happiness, a tinge of sadness that none of my batch mates were around to share it with. But after a few phone calls, I learned that a good friend of mine, Tenes was on his way to Taiping from KL and will be coming straight to the school. As the 'Canteen Day' went on, I could not stop to talk to most of the teachers as they were very busy. But, I did talk to Pn.Rima, my class teacher in form 5Sc1, currently class teacher of 3A4 and bought a few things from her class stall.

It was nearing noon and some of the stalls were already closing. I watched the 'Street Soccer' tournament in the volleyball court. The boys are really good. Well what would you expect from Georgians. This is the very same volleyball court that I use to have my marching training and was use to be tortured in the sun every week. Back then it was torture and painful, now its happy memories that you want to re-live just one more time.

As it neared 1.00pm, most of the stalls have closed, cleaning was underway and only a handful of people were still around, teachers and students of course. I went back and sat on the bench I had breakfast in the morning. This was the very same place that I use to chill with my friends everyday during recess time, the same place. My thoughts pondered bringing me back 10-11 years, the amazing time we had, the unforgettable incidences, I was in a world of my own, and time was at a stand still as I relived my happy moments.

Then I was startled by a voice, back to reality and I saw my friend was already here. He was accompanied by his mother, his elder brother (ex Georgian) and his cousin brother (current Georgian). Together we once again roamed the school. This time we went to the classrooms in the new block. These are the classrooms which I studied in when I was in from 1, form 3 and form 4. To be standing in the same classroom that I have studied in 14 years ago was nostalgic. Currently they have around 24 - 26 students per class. Very different form our days when we had 40 - 43 students per class, which was way much fun.

After a grand tour around the school, we were back in the school canteen to see our former teachers cleaning up the school. They still had so much of dedication after all these years. I thought long years would have faltered their will and dedication, but it had only made their spirit stronger. We went and spoke to them. Not many teachers were around; most of them had already retired. We manage to meet and speak to Pn.Nazian (Chemistry teacher), Pn.Kunavathi (Moral teacher), Mr. Sri Rengan (History teacher) and Mr. Rama (PE teacher). It was wonderful to speak with them again. It was more touching to know that after all these years they still remember our names.

Talking with the teachers we learned that currently the school is collecting fund for our new 4 storey building which will replace the current Bengkel Kemahiran Hidup. This 4 storey building will be home to the form 6 classes. RM400 000.00 has been collected and the plans has been submitted to the local town council. Looks like SGI is still going strong after all these years without the help and assistance of our district education department. Felt sad a bit after hearing this new plan. Though I was happy there will be a new building, I felt sad that I am not able to contribute anything for it. What a disappointment I have become towards my school.

Then and there I fixed in my mind, I have to do something for my beloved alma mater. When I do not know, whether big or small I do not know but I will do something. It’s a promise I made to myself, a promise that I will definitely fulfil. It was almost 2.15pm, and the school was almost deserted besides less than 10 teachers and students clearing up last few things. It was time to go back home.

It was a great day indeed. A day filled with 5 years of amazing memories all re-lived in one single moment. Will I get another chance to do this again I do not know and if I do, I do not know whether I will feel the same. But this moment I will cherish forever, one of the happiest day of my life. All my friends who were with me during my school days remember that we are Georgians and we will forever be Georgians.

"ONCE A GEORGIAN, ALWAYS A GEORGIAN"

Movie Review - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two

Well what can I say, a miraculous ending for Harry Potter’s amazing ten years journey. The first movie came out in 2001 and instantly captured my mind. As the subsequent movies were released, my attraction grew from films towards its books. Following Harry and his friends as they grew up was mesmerizing. As the book came to an end, it was definitely a sad moment indeed. You just didn’t want to say goodbye to your favourite characters and the Harry Potter world. The same kind of feeling and emotion is re-felt as the movie bids farewell to this ten year old franchise.

The movie starts off exactly where they left it at part one. No time wasting in recapping what has happened so far, which is good as it would have dragged the movie and beat the whole point of making it into two parts. As soon as the movie begins, we are taken into series of action sequence and spell binding moments, the scenes in Gringotts and then back to our beloved Hogwarts where the final battle takes place. The final battle is in an epic proportion, the amazing effects and a courageous battle between the good and the evil.

A lot commented that the death of certain characters should have been better justified, for instance Fred, Remus and Tonks. But in my opinion catching the deaths of these characters in heroic scenes would have taken away the depth in the scenes where Snape dies and Harry sacrifices himself. The theme of good versus evil is wonderfully captured especially when Voldemort proclaims Harry Potter’s death and Neville Longbottom stands up to him and urges others to continue fighting.

Final battle ends with the death of Voldemort and Harry throwing away the ‘Elder Wand’. Scene jumps to 19 years later where Harry and Ginny are sending their children off to Hogwarts from the King Cross station. So does Ron and Hermione. The original casts portray themselves as their adult-selves. Some suggested that they should have used other adult actors for the last scene, which I totally disagree. This is the final scene in a decade of Harry Potter movies and the last faces I would want to see would definitely be Daniel Radcliff, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson who have worked hard for the past ten years. Not some actors who just comes in for the last minutes and try to define this amazing journey in one scene.

All the cast have characterized their role perfectly. Special note goes out to all three main characters, Daniel, Rupert and Emma who have grown in their acting skills together with this movie. Helena is excellent in the Gringotts scenes, as she makes you feel that the character is actually Hermione and not Bellatrix. Ralph Fiennes and Alan Rickman being the amazing actors they are have brought deep characterization to Voldemort and Snape which wipes out whatever vague image we had of them when reading the books. Set design was very detailed, effects and cinematography was excellent especially during the final battle.

Overall, Harry Potter and Deathly Hollows Part 2 is an epic ending for an epic journey. Making amends for the lack of action in the first part, this movie takes off in an action packed manner right till the end. But the main themes of good versus evil, love, friendship, sacrifice and courage are well blended throughout the action scenes making it into a wonderful story telling experience. Even though the 3D effects are not as spectacular as Transformers, the storyline is so strong that it can be totally discarded. This movie is definitely the must watch movie of this summer.

Even though the franchise ends with this last movie, it will be watched again and again by us and our children. The depth and excellent story, characters and life’s journey punctuated by the triumph of good over evil makes this franchise an epic only to be matched by the likes of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.

Love

Here is a topic which gets me all confused, Love. The phrase I hear the most being shot at me when it comes to Love is "you won't understand because you haven't experienced it". Sometimes I get angry when people say this, and sometimes it gets me thinking. Is it true? Do I really not understand love?

Of course I love my family and friends, and I understand love to that extend. But what about this love for the special someone, the so called soul mate, the love of your life, the one or any other name that people might refer it to. Is it that different from the love that you have for others? Does it really exists, the willingness to do anything and go to any heights for that one person that you love? Maybe it does, because people sometimes do weird things in the name of love.

Well I’m not sure what I experienced was love or not. But in the course of hitting 20 and moving on to 27, I did come across two exceptional girls that captured my mind, or some would say "my heart". They had two different personalities but both were special personalities in their own way. They were friends of mine, nothing was done and they remained just friends. Why was I attracted to them? Well as I said, their personality was something special.

I do not know whether it was love, a crush, infatuation or whatever else that it can be called. But it was a feeling, a great feeling none the less. If it was not love, than it means that I have not felt love yet, but if it was, than it means that I missed a possible soul mate. Why was it missed? If the feelings were there, why wasn't it pursued?

Well, the one word answer would be commitment. What commitment? Well let’s just leave it for some other day.