God

Inspired by Naz's post, the whole divine idea seemed liked an interesting topic to be tackled with:)

God is an entity. God is you and me. Treat a starved child to lunch. You are his God. A Surgeon who made it possible for a blind girl to regain her sight, the doctor is her God. Buddha was a prince who became a monk, who advocated ways for mankind's betterment. He was a teacher, he was advocating but they made him God. If only he had a book published titled "The Highly Effective Habits" - Gautama Siddhartha, he would have had fans instead of devotees. Ram was a fictional character from the epic that Valmiki wrote. He was characterized to be the ideal man. He was eventually made God. All their transformations gave way to religions, followed by rituals and soon enough the basis on which these figures were looked upon were lost. What was left was blind faith, exaggerated rituals and categorizations of people under religions.

Being happy is a form of Godliness. Render a helping hand, that too is Godliness. God never created Religion and one need not be a member of a religion to know God. Have unlimited love for another without expecting anything in return, that is Godliness. Now, that would be a little difficult. We have always expected some sort of a gain for our efforts. That is when God enters. Considering his love is unconditional, perform actions just like how God would :)

Internet Addiction

According to China's Ministry of Health: I am an Internet Addict. It states that staying online 40 hours per week is a sign of Internet addiction. 40 hours would mean staying online somewhere between 5 - 6 hours per day. An average student uses the Internet more than that on a daily basis. My usage is probably close to 60 hours per week. And I can bet half the population is probably on the internet for more than 40 hours till The Great Firewalls of China deem too annoying.

Lord Byron

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods;

There is a rapture on the lonely shore;
There is society, where non intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more...

o.O

Aamir Hafeez - Saware

Lying in Pain

I watched the movie "Before the Rains". It was set in 1936, Kerala, Southern India. There was this particular scene where the accomplice of the lead character was put through a somewhat "lie-detector". This is how the "lie-detector" works: A large sort of ladle is heated and the suspect will have to lick the ladle thrice. If no scars are left on his tongue, he is acquitted. Anything hot on your tongue will leave a scar or at least a temporary mark. I don't see how valid this system is. I hope the system has ceased to exist in the present rural areas. Or any other methods that might require one to inflict pain on the self just to prove innocence.

Just for Laughs: The Chinese Way

This what I do when I need a good laugh: Read Ads on the Shanghai Classifieds, Personal Column.

Pretty Babe looking for discreet relationship in Shanghai

Maybe you want to meet a pretty woman of your dream, who looks like a Barby, maybe the first look has any sense for somebody, hmmm...But I feel myself like a little kitten in sole, which wants to get a maximum from life. I like extreme. Are you nice, polite person with tender touch to women? That's good. It will be a pleasure for me to meet a cheerful partner for my discreet relationship in Shanghai. We are definitely can be friends and maybe more...I believe in you, my Romeo!

Babe

Looking for Muscular Man

Gay, Chinese, 21,66Kg, pudong district, Shanghai; for mature or muscle men. only for friends or more. LTR oriented but meanwhile fun is great too. Drop me a line if you are interested. Please don't contact me if sex is the only thing you looking for. meanwhile, if you want to improve ur chinese, i can help you alot, am graduated from university.

A Little Young Chinese Girl Living Alone in Shanghai

Hi,this is susy,22 years old...NORMAL,neat freak,VERY healthy,NO smoke,light drink,NO use make-up,a LITTLE chinese girl(162cm 45kg), maybe we can chat online(sometime online during 7:00p.m to 9:00p.m)

Seeking for a Girlfriend

A China man, single now, 37 y/o, 167cm, 55kg, and serious looking for a smart girl friend in Shanghai, and develop our future together. If you are interesting to make a friend with me step by step, please you feel free to let me know more things about you. Thanks for your attention.

I am not too sure if people do respond to these ads. There are even worse ones where the writer sounds so sincere, sadly I just wanna laugh. There are some girls who would highlight the fact that they are not interested in Chinese men and would only prefer men of a specific nationality. And there are the men who want women of a specific size and height. There are the others who write really long essays or resumes even to get hooked.

Guilty? Innocent?

Is this Tag week by any chance? I was tagged again. Since, I am really free, I'm just gonna attempt this as well.

The rules are thus…

RULE 1
You can only say Guilty or Innocent.
RULE 2
You are not allowed to explain anything unless someone messages you and asks!
RULE 3
Copy and paste this into your notes , delete my answers, type in your answers and tag 20 of your friends to answer this.

Asked someone to marry you? Innocent

Ever kissed someone of the same sex? Innocent

Danced on a table in a bar? Innocent

Ever told a lie? Guilty

Had feelings for someone whom you can’t have back? Innocent

Kissed a picture? Guilty

Slept in until 5 PM? Guilty

Fallen asleep at work/school? Guilty

Held a snake? Innocent.

Been suspended from school? Innocent

Worked at a fast food restaurant? Innocent

Stolen from a store? Innocent

Been fired from a job? Innocent

Done something you regret? Guilty

Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Guilty

Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Innocent

Kissed in the rain? Innocent

Sat on a roof top? Guilty

Kissed someone you shouldn’t? Innocent

Sang in the shower? Guilty.

Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? Innocent

Shaved your head? Guilty

Had a boxing membership? Innocent.

Made a girlfriend cry? Innocent

Been in a band? Innocent

Shot a gun? Guilty

Donated Blood? Innocent

Eaten alligator meat? Innocent

Eaten cheesecake? Guilty

Still love someone you shouldn’t? Innocent

Have/had a tattoo? Innocent.

Liked someone, but will never tell who? Inoccent

Been too honest? Guilty

Ruined a surprise? Guilty

Ate in a restaurant and got really bloated that you couldn’t walk afterwards? Guilty.

Erased someone in your friends list? Guilty

Dressed in a woman’s clothes (if you’re a guy) or man’s clothes (if you’re a girl)? Guilty.

Joined a pageant? Innocent

Been told that you’re handsome or beautiful by someone who totally meant what they said? Inoccent

Had communication with your ex? Innocent

Got totally drunk on the night before exam? Innocent.

Got totally angry that you cried so hard? Innocent

I am Innocent :)

IF YOU ARE READING THIS : YOU ARE TAGGED!
You are not forced to attempt it but it will be nice to hear from YOU :)

50 first thoughts

1. This is the first time I'm being tagged for something. *giggles*
2. Cramps hurt! This is unfair!
3. I wanna eat idlis and chutney. (Is that the right spelling? :s)
4. Sleepy *yawns*
5. Falling on your bum over 5 times in an ice skating ring is fun till you have the whole crowd looking at you.
6. It hurts as well.
7. I feel like a water barrel.
8. It is summer! Why is it raining hippos?
9. I want my mommy!
10. Packing is annoying.
11. Unpacking is worse.
12. I am excited about decorating my new room. Hehe..
13. 10,000 hours is all I need to be good at something!
14. My lazy brain feels exhausted doing this.
15. The Aviator was well taken.
16. Leonardo di Cappuccino is getting better in every movie.
17. I'm flying back in January...Ya Baby....
18. Why do people make their beds when they are gonna mess it up again later?
19. Noodles or bread?
20. Jazz is gooooooood.......
21. I love Martin Scorsese.
22. Should I make the Trip to Walmart?
23. Stay home and slack?
24. Guess I slept the wrong way :s
25. Crap! I cannot turn my neck now.
26. Wheels and blades on shoes are no fun!
27. I gotta act my age.
28. My Attention spans over 5 mintues.
29. Craving for chocolate ice cream.
30. Grey's Anatomy!!! September 24th!!!
31. VERY Excited about school!!!
32. Internet Sucks big time here.
33. Mental Math is fun.
34. Mil Jaan Se Kabhi...can't get the song outta my head
35. Trying to rip a patch of a skin of my finger and I've no idea why I'm doing that.
36. My Sony speakers are so pretty.
37. Table tennis table cum dining table. Will that work?
38. I wonder if people think alot. *blank mind*
39. Stationery crisis!
40. Looking forward to autumn.
41. Cannot imagine life without nuts.
42. Why am I always thinking of food? :s
43. Is it really necessary to have diamonds on a engagement ring?
44. Weddings are so expensive!
45. Why can't couples just register their marriages and go about their lives?
46. Do all Bosnian fellas look like kiddos?
47. I miss London.
48. I wanna learn Bengali. Sounds nice...
49. Mommy thinks I am fat. :(
50. Brown is the new White.

Thank you for tagging me Siras. Time to pass the joy around then :D

IF YOU ARE READING THIS : YOU ARE TAGGED MY FRIEND ;)

Please do attempt it and leave a link to your 50 First Thoughts under the comments! *puppy eyes and innocent smile*

Alexander SuperTramp

I am all for impromptu acts. Going on an unplanned road trip. Taking a deliberate wrong turn just for the fun of it. Sometimes, it is just not worth it. But, I would still go for it. Risking the self is the fun part. Like going on cheap thrill rides in theme parks, the adrenaline rush is awesome!

I went for white water rafting in the rapids here in China, and fell of the tubing I was on. Besides being pushed forward by the rapids which was not that fun when you get hurt by the rocks. The downside to this is I cannot swim. Yes, I was wearing a lifejacket which was pretty much useless. LOL...But I was lucky, the lifeguard was nearby so I was brought back to safety. :D He gave me the what-the-hell-were-you-doing? look. That was cos I did not read the safety measures which said I ought to let go of the tube handle if I were to fall off it. And of course me being me, I flashed my innocent smile and requested to go to the next stop-over( to continue the ride of course :D)with the lifeguard, which involved climbing up the hill from the river, crossing a bridge, a truck ride and finally to the stop over. I got into the tubing and continued my ride till the end. One should really try white water rafting cos its REAL COOL!!! The waves are mind blowing and when the rocks at the side push the tubing forward; one is in for a bumpy ride. The BESTEST of the entire rapids is the fall of the tubing from various heights. There were three of the 7m, 13m and another I forgot. Its mini sky diving off a tube. Pure Awesomeness!

Oops, I got carried away :s Anyways,

I just caught the 2007 film 'Into the Wild'. Directed by Sean Penn starring Emile Hirsch. Alexander SuperTramp (the character) walked out on everything just to explore the world. Who does that? He was a 23 year old who could have got himself a place in Harvard Law School but instead chose to go on a trip away from the world he was brought up in.

According to him, "Job is a 20th century invention. I am not a destitute. I have a college education and I chose the present way of life I lead".

The movie was so good till the part he had to die cos he ate an inedible wild plant by mistake. The movie was based on the real life character, Christopher Mccandless aka Alexander SuperTramp. He was 22 when he left home after donating his savings to a charity home, destroying all his identification and only taking with him a couple of books and some basic necessities. Throughout his journey he took up odd jobs, stayed with hippies, puts up a shelter at a desert, kayaks in the rapids eventually making his way to Mexico from the United states, illegally of course. He was so in love with nature and his ultimate aim was the mighty Alaskan Adventure. He took the odd jobs at Mcdonalds, at a grain factory all in the hope to save up to get to Alaska. He was industrious, always driven and put himself up for the severe of challenges.

Christopher Mccandless was "an aesthetic voyager whose home is on the roads". The line was lifted from the movie which I believe got it from Christopher's diary that was recovered when Moose hunters discovered his body in the Alaskan Wilderness. Christopher died in the Alaskan Wilderness in August 1992 at the age of 24.

It's inspiring. It reflects his stupidity at some point for refusing to take a compass or equipment that might aide him in Alaska. He did not even have a map with him. He walked out on his parents as well. He was wise. He was dumb. He was over confident. He was grounded.

Overlooking all of the mistakes he made, I still think Christopher is great. He was on the roads for 2 years! I have yet to get over the story of Alexander SuperTramp. Its just tooo good.

50% off Abortion

One of the hospitals in China displays the following advertisement:

"Students are our future, but when something happens to them, who will help and protect them? Women's Hospital has started Students Care Month, where those students who come to get an abortion can get 50% off if they show their student ids. Abortion surgeries are the most advanced in the world, won't stretch (your womb), won't hurt, it's quick, and you can do what you want afterwards, it won't affect your studies or your work." - Shanghaiist

Well,if the student is of the legal age then that is a different matter. What if its a young teen? Are they encouraging pre-marital sex? Honestly I have no idea what to infer from this advertisement. They are really trying to limit the population using ways least expected. The country already holds the record for 13 million abortions per annum.

Human Rights Without Women Rights

Afghanistan has recently passed off a law. The Law states that husbands have all the right to deny food and sustenance to their wives; if the wives fail to give in to their sexual demands. No, we are not talking about the Taliban, but rather the Afghan government itself. The Afghanistan political leader has issued such a law. This law further states that custody of children goes to the men automatically and women will have to seek permission from their husbands to work.

"It also effectively allows a rapist to avoid persecution by paying 'blood money' to a girl who was injured when he raped her" - US Charity Human Rights Watch

A part of the law also reads:

"Tamkeen is the readiness of the wife to submit to her husband's reasonable sexual enjoyment, and her prohibition from going out of the house, except in extreme circumstances, without her husband's permission. If any of the above provisions are not followed by the wife she is considered disobedient."

Obedience has been redefined. Women Rights is down the drain. The Law apparently is further encouraged by a cleric in the country, which pretty much eliminates the little hope that any woman of the nation might have had.

The last thing they would need to do would be to also make it legal for the husband to murder his wife when and how he wants to. I will not be surprised if that does happen!

Mixed emotions

When holidays have been a tad too long, and you gotta live all alone, boredom gets to you least after a month. When that happens, even studying appears to be an awesome thing to be involved in. Since 5 grueling years were in the waiting , I decided to get the best outta this long summer hence refrained from purchasing my texts for any preparation before classes begin.

However, the fear of the white coat has started creeping in. Doubts have begun to flood the mind; questioning the capacity of my grey matter to absorb tons of scientific and physiological knowledge that is gonna come by my way in exactly 22 days.

The good thing about the fear is that its not overwhelming. It is definitely not taking over my mind that I feel like a messed up idiot. The fear is not alone actually. It is accompanied by excitement, anxiety, and whole lot of other emotions :D

May Angels Protect You, Trouble Neglect You...

Jim Brickman - Never Alone

Outrageous!

Any nation trying to break another nation using crude methods is just so cheap. Countries A and B are from the same region. They are logger heads when its comes to some issues and other times they 'appear' to be at ease with each other. In a recent news article, Country A came up with suggestions that I bet are definitely gonna strain their relationship further. Country A feels it should join hands with some of the states of country B, help these states in achieving independence from the bigger country B. The number of states from Country B that are fighting for such an independence is one or two. Instigating the rest for the same reason is cheap! Country A feels this dismemberment of Country B is in the "interests of the region's prosperity in the future".
How about tearing up its own Country A into various states to achieve the same "prosperity" it claims? Sounds good to me!

Can you relate to this?

The Singaporean Idea

Singapore-made productions and the message they convey is fairly interesting. These productions are often made in Mandarin or some other Chinese dialect, accompanied by English subtitles. Apparently these movies are about Singapore and Singapore citizens. That 2 second bit where a random Malay guy with a symbolic headwear is buddies with the Chinese lead character, and for some reason they decide to have a tea break at the stereotypical India prata stall; all the while conversing in Singlish. There you have, the ultimate Singaporean idea.

Gave up!

I clearly wash my hands off some people. Its amazing how they are unable to recognize their own misfits but rather the weaknesses of others. How does that happen? Ignorance? Ego?

Innocence

Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons, and proceeded to the checkout counter.

The man at the counter asked the older boy, "Son, how old are you?" 

"Eight," the boy replied.

The man continued, "do you know what these are used for?"

The boy replied, "not exactly, but they aren't for me. They're for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on TV that if you use these you would be able to swim and ride a bike. Right now, he can't do either."

The Moon Was Attacked!

I just witnessed the most beautiful scene in weeks. I was casually looking out the window and saw the full moon. Not a second would have passed, the dark clouds covered the moon completely. Let me remind you, the clouds were not moving in slowly, they were fast. Imagine the clouds as this mafia gang that surrounded the poor moon and pounced on it immediately. One second the full moon was there, and now the sky is just dark. No moon, nothing. Just plain darkness. It was that quick!

Save The Best for Last

Vanessa Williams - Save The Best For Last

Homosexuals and Haemoglobin

It seems China forbids homosexuals from donating blood. Well, obviously I was baffled. Later I figured, many countries around the world strike out homosexuals when it comes to blood donation. Every donor goes through a series of tests before he is allowed to donate his blood. And I don't see why homosexuals cannot donate blood. If they had not been involved in any kinda sexual activity during the stated amount of period, then shouldn't they be eligible? What happens in a moment of crisis where a rare blood type is required and the eligible donor is a homosexual?

Do we save a life or search for a heterosexual?

Holy Daughter

I was dragged around 

and pummeled down 

and pushed into the water.

I was vilified 

and mortalized. 

This is baptism 

for holy daughter.

Through my smoke-filled eyes 

I recognized 

your smile amongst the jeering.

Then I knew I'd drown, 

I'd be swallowed down.

Cos my love, 

you were standing there cheering.

All I knew got washed right through and 

naked I was left there shaking.

All the twisted stares and knifing snares, 

they cut me up into tokens for taking.

As you circled down 

your malicious crowd, 

drew my blood into the water.

I would melt alone

I had lost my throne.

Is this baptism for holy daughter?

Not in such murky

Not in such murky

Not in such murky water

- Leonie Casanova - Holy Daughter - I can't Think Straight - 

Piracy!

I don't how many of you out there despise it and later return home to watch a pirated DVD on your home theatre. I don't promote piracy but I do purchase them occasionally. Yes, contradicting. If the film producers out there wanna sue me for buying them its as good as suing people who purchase fake LV products. Well, maybe not entirely similar but its the same copyright infringement. Lotsa effort goes into the making of any original product. We are almost halfway into the E-book, Online news era. If they really wanna eliminate piracy they ought to target the people who market it. The people who produce it. No point blaming the purchasers. As long as its there before our eyes we would go for it. Sadly, that's the case. If hey were to really look into the case, the ratio between the population that buys and the population that sells these DVDS is 1:100. (They are not validated statistics; they are a probable assumption if I may say) . And these days pirated DVs are so professionally made, the quality is awesome. There are no skips, proper subtitles, audio and visuals are great, they even include special features. China's piracy market took it up a notch into creating Blu Ray pirated DVs as well.