Multiple Intelligence

Some intellectuals around the world say that the ability to understand the world is a complex matter...based on personal experience...yeah it's a complex matter. The Internet is definitely a good source to try out all these tests (especially if you have the unstoppable urge to fill in blanks - like I do). So I tried this 'Multiple Intelligences Test'. Well for those who are curious, I will share my list of intelligences:

1. Intrapersonal (myself smart): I know myself well, especially in terms of strengths and weaknesses.
2. Logical (number smart): Good in mathematics, which is true (eventhough I am teaching language - go figure)
3. Naturalistic (nature smart): I enjoy the world of plants and animals, surprisingly true, though my plants usually die on me...hmmm...
4. Visual/Spatial (picture smart): Supposedly good in art, able to read maps...hmmm..not quite cause I suck at map reading and double suck at art...but I am good at solving picture puzzles.
5. Kinaesthetic (body smart): Enjoy sports...athletic...well I guess I enjoyed sports at one point in my life but now the weight issue (fat) is making this difficult...:-(
6. Interpersonal (people smart): Enjoy mixing in groups, be involved in activities...hmmm...actually I am quite the introvert as I enjoy being by myself.
7. Linguistic (word smart): Enjoy reading and writing...well I definitely enjoy reading to the point that some people may call it an addiction but writing...blearghhh...I definitely suck at that...funny thing is...I am good at teaching it...;-).
8. Musical (music smart): Enjoy music and able to recognize sounds...love music but recognize sounds...aih..nope..definitely not!

Now for those of you who are interested in finding the levels of your intelligences please visit this website: http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/what.cfm

Nature of humans...to never be satisfied...

We, creatures called humans, are never satisfied with all the good things that enter our world. We tend to continue looking for more things (things: referring to anything that we want in this world) to ensure that we are happy...without realizing that you are happy. Am I happy? I actually am...surprisingly...as I always want something that I do not have. Someone sent me an email with this story attached to it. I would like to share this story. Don't look at it in a romantic way but look at it through how we, humans, are always wanting more without realizing the things we have. So read on fellow bloggers, read on:

This story tells us something about..... LOVE & LIFE.

My husband is an engineer by profession,I love him for his steady nature and..I love the warm feeling when I lean against his broad shoulders. Two years of courtship and now, five years into marriage, I would have to admit, that I am getting tired of it. The reasons why I loved him before, has now transformed into the cause of all my restlessness. I am a sentimental woman and extremely sensitive when it comes to a relationship and my feelings. I yearn for the romantic moments, like a little girl yearning for candy. My husband is my complete opposite; his lack of sensitivity, and the inability of bringing romantic moments into our marriage has disheartened me about LOVE. One day, I finally decided to tell him my decision, that I wanted a divorce. "Why?" he asked, shocked. "I am tired. There are no reasons for everything in the world!"I answered. He kept silent the whole night, seemingly in deep thought. My feeling of disappointment only increased. Here was a man who was not able to even express his predicament, so what else could I expect from him? And finally he asked me: "What can I do to change your mind? "Somebody said it right...It's hard to change a person's personality, and I guess, I have started to lose faith in him. Looking deep into his eyes I slowly answered: "Here is the question....If you can answer and convince my heart, I will change my mind. "Let's say; I want a flower located on the face of a mountain cliff, and we both are sure that picking the flower will cause your death. Will you do it for me?" He said: "I will give you your answer tomorrow...." My hopes just sank by listening to his response. I woke up the next morning to find him gone, and saw a piece of paper with his scratchy handwriting underneath a milk glass, on the dining table near the front door, that goes..."My dear, I would not pick that flower for you, but...please allow me to explain the reasons further..." This first line was already breaking my heart. I continued reading. "When you use the computer you always mess up the Software programs, and you cry in front of the screen. I have to save my fingers so that I can help to restore the programs. You always leave the house keys behind, thus I have to save my legs to rush home to open the door for you. You love traveling but always lose your way in a new city. I have to save my eyes to show you the way. You always have the cramps whenever your "good friend" approaches every month. I have to save my palms so that I can calm the cramps in your tummy. You like to stay indoors, and I worry that you will be infected by infantile autism. I have to save my mouth to tell you jokes and stories to cure your boredom. You always stare at the computer, and that will do nothing good for your eyes. I have to save my eyes so that when we grow old, I can help to clip your nails and help to remove those annoying white hairs. So I can also hold your hand while strolling down the beach, as you enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful sand...and tell you the colour of flowers, just like the colour of the glow on your young face... Thus, my dear, unless I am sure that there is someone who loves you more than I do... I could not pick that flower yet, and die..." My tears fell on the letter, and blurred the ink of his handwriting... and as I continue on reading. "Now, that you have finished reading my answer, and if you are satisfied, please open the front door for I am standing outside bringing your favorite bread and fresh milk..." I rushed to pull open the door, and saw his anxious face, clutching tightly with his hands, the milk bottle and loaf of bread. Now I am very sure that no one will ever love me as much as he does, and I have decided to leave the flower alone. That's LIFE, and LOVE.When one is surrounded by love,the feeling of excitement fades away, and one tends to ignore the true love that lies in between the peace and dullness. Love shows up in all forms; even in very small and cheeky forms. It has never been a model. It could be the dullest and most boring form. Flowers, and romantic moments are only used and appear on the surface of the relationship. Under all this, the pillar of true love stands...AND THAT'S LIFE. The happiest people in the world... are not those who have no problems, but those who learn to live with things that are less than perfect. LOVE is not just between two lovers, husband and wife--it also encompass; mother, father and siblings, sisters and brothers, friends and neighbors ya!

Need...

Have you ever gone through a time where you needed something so badly but it is just out of your reach? It is a need so bad that you're doubling in pain cause you do not have it. It is there for you to see, touch or smell but you can not have it because it does not belong to you. And it will never belong to you because you are not worth it. You might ask: why do you want it when you can not have it? Humans are like that, wanting something that they can not have. In this case, I can not have it because it is not interested in being owned. Sometimes I close my eyes and dream how it would feel like if I could have it. I know I will care for it, nurture it and love it. But that is all I can do, dream. I am learning to live without it. Not easy of course but it is something that needs to be done. So it is probably the last time I need something like I need this thing. I will be relieved once this need disappear. But it will probably take some time. Wish me luck!

Changes

Sometimes you read something that another person wrote and it made you think. I read a friend’s blog entry regarding ‘changes’ and ‘saying goodbye’. I personally realized that I’ve been going through major changes of my own. It never really hit me that these changes have occurred and how it impacts my life. I guess if I want to recall every single change in my life it would take too long to note it down (I am not a writer!) but what could be considered major?
I guess I can say that my failure to complete my degree in the states. Why did the failure occur? Stupid heart-wrenching love story – that’s what happened! I mean how lame can I be? I honestly don’t love or accept relationships easily…I am one of the ‘boys’…so I am not in my comfort zone when talking about feelings. Yeah…I’ll comment on how ‘hot’ a guy looks like but that is usually it. But ‘Panda’ broke my heart. But honestly that was only the catalyst – then I changed…into a madwoman…thus this change ended with a sad note…I failed. I didn’t attend classes, I slept during the day and woke up at night…playing pool…hanging out with friends. I came back into the loving arms of my parents and continued my studies. This change taught me not to be reckless and keep my head on my shoulders.
Second change, was a friendship experience. I have a group of friends that has been with me since I was a young girl. Two ladies are the closest to me…Juju & Ina. But Ina and I went through some changes from 2002 – 2005. We grew apart. And when I mean apart here is no communication at all. We weren’t fighting but we just grew apart. I was sad that this sad incident occurred. Even when my late mom passed on she just came to hug me and left. She was never there through the toughest time when I needed a good friend. But out of the blue, she came back to the circle and opened a boutique ‘Apple and Pearl’. We talked about the separation, we cried but we ended up being close again. This change taught me forgiveness.
The third change was death…my mother’s death. I don’t think I can clearly explain what I went through when I watched the person I love the most slowly wither away. I had to be the grown up that I was because I wasn’t before. I relied on my mother so much that I just simply refuse to grow up. But when she left I had no choice but to grow up. I had to handle the family like she did. Could I? Not really…the first few months were the most tiring…physically and emotionally. But I have a cool dad who allowed me to get things done my way. So that change taught me patience.
My mother’s death was in my head when a friend wrote a blog entry entitled ‘saying goodbye’, I was thinking about my mother and how I said my goodbye to her. In my thoughts, the images of the day she died are still clear in my mind. So clear and real that I can remember her scent and what she was wearing. I believe in heaven and I believe that she is in a better place waiting for judgment day. Knowing all this I suddenly realized that I haven’t really said goodbye. I say this because I haven’t stopped talking to her about everything. I have a step-mother now and she’s a nice lady but I haven’t been able to talk to her like I talk to my own mother. I am no longer teary when I have thoughts of my mother as I know she had to go but I can’t seem to forget all the things that I do with her. So I’ll hold conversations in my head as if she was around. I pass by her grave almost everyday and I greet her. Silly it may seem to some but it’s something that I just subconsciously do. My goodbye to her was to her physical self as I know she’s no longer with me. But her essence as a mother is still with me, and I haven’t said goodbye to that yet. I accept death as part of life and so my goodbye to her is an acceptance to that, I’m just slow at saying goodbye to the image that I have of her. Probably sound silly to some but I guess it is how I feel. Sometimes you read something that doesn’t necessarily echo the same thing but it still creates some sort of feeling that you didn’t realize you have.
The most recent change is my movement away from my work place. Am I happy? Ecstatically happy but yet at the same time horribly sad. The past five years have been great. My department (to me of course) is the coolest department ever. I have met some interesting people that have been good friends. It’s an odd relationship to me because we don’t see or talk to each other during the weekends (unless something comes up). We just see each other during the day and that’s it. But yet, with some, I have developed a strong friendship. Ms. Piggy is one of those friends. The odd thing is we will be moving in to the same new office just a different department. So changes are supposed to be good right? I mean a good pay, better job scope, own room and so on. But yet the sadness…leaving those that have slowly turned into good friends (‘annoying at times but acceptably charming’ as an example). I mean who would have guessed that inviting yourself to lunch with Ms. Fatty and Ms. Piggy would turn into a nice group of friends. I mean I am kind of picky…so I guessed it worked out. Aih…there are many more things that I can talk about but that would just kill me to write. So I guess I’ll end here.

One of those days...

"Out Of Reach"

Knew the signs

Wasn't right

I was stupid for a while

Swept away by you

And now I feel like a fool

So confused,

My heart's bruised

Was I ever loved by you?

Out of reach, so far

I never had your heart

Out of reach,

Couldn't see

We were never

Meant to be

Catch myself

From despair

I could drown

If I stay here

Keeping busy everyday

I know I will be OK

But I was

So confused,

My heart's bruised

Was I ever loved by you?

Out of reach, so far

I never had your heart

Out of reach,

Couldn't see

We were never

Meant to be

So much hurt,

So much pain

Takes a while

To regain

What is lost inside

And I hope that in time,

You'll be out of my mind

And I'll be over you

But now I'm

So confused,

My heart's bruised

Was I ever loved by you?

Out of reach, so far

I never had your heart

Out of reach,

Couldn't see

We were never

Meant to be

Out of reach, so far

You never gave your heart

In my reach, I can see

There's a life out there

For me

Gabrielle

Baby, it's all good!

What do you see when you look at me

Do you see someone limited, or someone free

All some people can do is just look and stare

Simply because they can't see my hair

Others think I am controlled and uneducated

They think that I am limited and un-liberated

They are so thankful that they are not me

Because they would like to remain 'free'

Well free isn't exactly the word I would've used

Describing women who are cheated on and abused

They think that I do not have opinions or voice

They think that being hooded isn't my choice

They think that the hood makes me look caged

That my husband or dad are totally outraged

All they can do is look at me in fear

And in my eye there is a tear

Not because I have been stared at or made fun of

But because people are ignoring the

One up above

On the day of judgment they will be the fools

Because they were too ashamed to play by their own rules

Maybe the guys won't think I am a cutie

But at least I am filled with more inner beauty

See I have declined from being a guy's toy

Because I won't let myself be controlled by a boy

Real men are able to appreciate my mind

And aren't busy looking at my behind

Hooded girls are the ones really helping the Muslim cause

The role that we play definitely deserves applause

I will be recognized because I am smart and bright

And because some people are inspired by my sight

The smart ones are attracted by my tranquility

In the back of their mind they wish they were me

We have the strength to do what we think is right

Even if it means putting up a life long fight

You see we are not controlled by a mini skirt and tight shirt

We are given only respect, and never treated like dirt

So you see, we are the ones that are free and liberated

We are not the ones that are sexually terrorized and violated

We are the ones that are free and pure

We're free of STD's that have no cure

So when people ask you how you feel about the hood

Just sum it up by saying, 'Baby its all good'

Author unknown

Hijab

Someone asked me why do I wear a hijab...

"And say to the believing women that they should restrain their eyes, and guard their modesty (virtue), and that they display not their ornaments except what appears of them. And that they draw their veils over their bosoms and display not their ornaments except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sister's sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male domestics who have no natural sexual force, or children who know nothing of women's nakedness. And let them not strike their feet together so as to reveal their hidden ornaments. And repent you all to Allah, O you believers, that you may succeed." [24:31]

I wear because it is required by religion to do so. I do not question it because I truly see the beauty and logic in it. But please also keep in mind that the hijab itself does not symbolizes 'alimness'. 'Alimness' is between you and Allah. But there is a tendency for people to equate a person wearing a hijab and doing horrible deeds as a symbol of Islam. We have ourselves to blame for that as we forget that when we do wear the hijab, our actions should represent what we believe in, Allah, thus our religion Islam. So we should care about what we do as people will continuously see the hijab as representation of Islam. Do I do my best to do what is necessary? That is a question I will continue to ask myself as long as I am allowed time here on earth.

Suffering...

I was watching Beyond Borders a few nights ago. I was hit very hard with the images of suffering and those images are not even the raw footage of what is really going on as it has gone through the Hollywood process. But even then I got really sad thinking about the people that are suffering...Especially children. I get hungry and thirsty during Ramadhan but at the end of the day I get to pick and choose from the many delicacies available to break my fast. People at these places call hell on earth do not have that choice. And I think to myself, what have I contributed as a person part of a society that is stable. Yeah I give money to foundations that I believe in but what do I really do as in to physically help? I should be volunteering to go to these hot zones like when Indonesia was hit by the tsunami. What stopped me? I do not have the responsibility of a marriage...no husband...no children...I should go. What stopped me was work...I cannot just pick a bag and leave as there is no way my institution would just allow me to take a 3 week leave to do volunteer work. Sounds like an excuse but it happens to be a solid one. So I have made up my mind to find a way to not work for people but to be my own boss in a few years time. Do I have the guts?? I do not know for sure...there's a lot of planning involved and not to forget the financial part. But at least then I have the freedom to do some of the things I plan. Some might say it's naive for me to even consider but I guess this is one experience I have to learn on my own. So even if I fall, I can get up with pride because at least I tried.

Amigos para siempre...

Friendship is one of the best relationship a person can have (of course this comes from a person with no love life - but try to have an open mind). I do not have many female friends but the few that I have I treasure beyond priceless material things (seriously - not trying to sound cliche-ish). Two of my best friends, Monster and Pink Lady, and I have been been through the toughest parts of our lives together since teenagers eventhough at times we were not there physically but only in thought. We've been through breakups, hookups, wedding, births, death and even dissatisfaction among the three (sporadic communication for two years) and yet I have always had them in my mind and we always come back to each other. I don't have sisters, so these two would be the closest I get to ever finding out what sisters might feel like. Pink Lady's children are like my own especially Princess. What I treasure the most is that we never feel the need to sugar coat our words as we felt that the truth is more valuable than trying to protect each other. Only those that really care for you are willing to face the storm when confronted with truth. I guess this is especially true for me because it is in my nature that I am often blunt and sarcastic (so like House). But that also means my friends are able to tell me truths that I need to hear (especially those that you really don't want to hear). I hope that our friendship will remain true forever. Monster and Pink Lady...lots of love and hugs!!!

Empty Hearts

Renaksi & Eseret...my fantasy.

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde - author, conversationalist, poet, critic and gay. He is eccentric and flamboyant, often at odds with the pompous society that surrounded him. Many a things were said about his extravagant and unconventional behaviour but to ignore his masterpiece is a fallacy that appeals to a person (my TSK students would know this ;-)). Here are some of his wicked wit (taken from 'The wicked wit of Oscar Wilde"):

The bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or in friendship, is conversation.

De Profundis

I would not have about me shallow fools,

Who with mean scruples weigh the gold of life,

And faltering, paltering, end by failure.

The Duchess of Padua

We all take such pains to over-educate ourselves. In the wild struggle for existence, we want to have something that endures, and so fill our minds with rubbish and facts, in the silly hope of keeping our place.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

(I of course don't agree to that but he just put is so eloquently that I had to put it in)

I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is hitting below the intellect.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Men become old, but they never become good.

A Woman of No Importance

Women are never disarmed by compliments. Men always are. That is the difference between the two sexes.

The Ideal Husband

I hate vulgar realism in literature. The man who could call a spade a spade should be compelled to use one. It is the only thing he is fit for.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Ramadhan

It is time again for the holy month of Ramadhan...the time when a Muslim is obligated to fast as to purify his or her soul, refocus (if it wasn't focused before) his or her attention to Allah and sacrifice comforts in life to appreciate what you have and be grateful for it (to become aware of the plight of the poor and needy). The fulfillment of the required obligations (not just fasting but terawih, the reading of the Quran and so on) are rewarded 70 times more than usual reward (fasting is one of the 5 pillars of Islam).

The reason why the month of Ramadhan is so important is because it was the night that the holy book Al-Quran was sent down from the 7th level of Heaven to the 1st level from where it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in piecemeal basis over a period of 23 years. Al-Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad. It was memorized by Muhammad and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one word of its 114 chapters, Suras, has been changed over the centuries, so that the Quran is in every detail the unique and miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad fourteen centuries ago. Al-Quran is also the prime source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time it provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an equitable economic system. But Muslims need to remember to not just read to Al-Quran but to also understand it.

2:185 - "Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful."

Writing this entry was also a reminder to me to do the necessary for this holy month. The information above was directly taken from http://www.islamicity.com as I did not want to paraphrase and get it wrong.

Selamat Berpuasa to all my Muslim friends and for those friends who are not, enjoy the food galore at the bazaars.

Lame...

Previous posts - indication of what boredom can do to a person...came back from Miami Vice (lame movie)...couldn't sleep...surfed the net...answered stupid blog quizzes...and ta-da...silly entries.

How logical am I?

You Are Pretty Logical

You're a bit of a wizard when it comes to logicWhile you don't have perfect logic, you logic is pretty darn goodKeep at it - you've got a lot of natural talent in this area!

How'>http://www.blogthings.com/howlogicalareyouquiz/">How Logical Are You?

How evil am I?

You Are 42% Evil

You are evil, but you haven't yet mastered the dark side.Fear not though - you are on your way to world domination.

How'>http://www.blogthings.com/howevilareyouquiz/">How Evil Are You?

How normal am I?

You Are 50% Normal

While some of your behavior is quite normal...Other things you do are downright strangeYou've got a little of your freak going onBut you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself

How'>http://www.blogthings.com/hownormalareyouquiz/">How Normal Are You?

What kind of blogger am I?

You Are a Life Blogger!

Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary.If it happens, you blog it. And make it as entertaining as possible.

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofbloggerareyouquiz/">What Kind of Blogger Are You?

How am I in love?

How You Are In Love

You take a while to fall in love with someone. Trust takes time. You tend to take more than give in relationships. You tend to get very attached when you're with someone. You want to see your love all the time. You love your partner unconditionally and don't try to make them change. You stay in love for a long time, even if you aren't loved back. When you fall, you fall hard.

How'>http://www.blogthings.com/howareyouinlovequiz/">How Are You In Love?

Sri Lankan dinner part 2

The Sri Lankan dinner was so delicious. And I, in the midst of all the excitement of an all female uni mate dinner, forgot to take pictures of the food and the people (which I planned in advance…sigh). So that leaves me only one choice...to describe the people and the food which would not be the same. Let me start with a brief description of the people involved in this wonderful dinner get together. Most important of course were the hosts, Shamara and her wonderful sister Kamuthu (chef extraordinaire). They are from Sri Lanka, and of course Shamara is an A star uni mate whereas Kamuthu is an expatriate (her husband is currently working in Malaysia). They live in Bangsar. Next would be Emmy, my partner in crime in uni, whose job is to keep me walking in a continuous straight line. Then there’s the ever classy Rose, who looked superb that night as usual. Emmy and I met her in one of the many elective classes that we took. Then there’s Amelia, Emmy and I met her for the first time that night. She is Shamara's and Rose’s classmate.

Why would I put this dinner event in my blog? Well let me put it this way, it is one of those rare nights where a group of women from various backgrounds (such as being married, with children, single, young and middle aged) all met up to enjoy a wonderful dinner and talk about everything under the sun. It was a nice night to just sit and enjoy each other’s company. Emmy and I arrived on time at about 6.30 pm. The rest got there close to 7 pm. We had drinks and talked for awhile (about uni matters no less). Then we started dinner around 7.30 pm. The food was great (as in I could do those ‘travel and living’ shows and describe the food as one of the best meal I had). Kamuthu served us chicken beriani where the chicken was soooo tender and the spices just nice, prawn curry where the prawn is not over cooked, grilled potatoes with sautéed onions, spices and dried fish, and lastly the cubed salad with fresh yogurt. I mean some people might say “So what? We have beriani here in Malaysia. What’s so great about what you had?” True I suppose but what made this worth mentioning is because it was done to perfection. All the flavors just came together to create this unforgettable taste that blew us or me away. After seconds (couldn’t help myself – not disciplined enough), it was dessert…orange soufflé without the crème. Now here I was thinking without the crème the soufflé wouldn’t be so nice…was I so wrong. The orange soufflé was so tangy and sweet that a spoonful in your mouth was like a burst of 10 oranges. I mean I am seriously not exaggerating, Emmy, who does not have the required taste bud for sweet things, said that it was delicious. I was also appreciative that they remembered that some of us don’t take alcohol because the soufflé should have had some Grand Marnier in it. But even without the Grand Marnier it was soooooo delicious. Personal friends would know that I need to get on a diet and exercise but that night I couldn’t care less about getting thinner as I also had a second serving of the soufflé.

All in all it was an unforgettable night. Emmy and I plan to take Shamara out to dinner as a token of appreciation for cooking a splendid meal. It has to be soon as Shamara will leave for Sri Lanka soon. Hmmmm…a trip to Sri Lanka might be interesting… ;-).

Sri Lankan dinner

I will be having dinner with Emmy at Shamara's place in Bangsar tonight. She will cook an authentic Sri Lankan meal (I bet it will be spicy...I will soooo sweat)...Can't wait to see her and hang out with Emmy...It's been awhile... ;-)