Future & Hope Buddhist Forum: Compassion Endless Wisdom (8/5/16)

 The alarm clock rings at 8.30am, I'm at the bed trying to get up but then I fall back to my sleep. My mummy comes in and turns on the light, "You get out of bed if you don't want to miss the forum you are going to attend in college," 

  I have no choice but get to out of bed. You must be wondering why I'm going to college on a Sunday. Sunway Buddhist Society (SBS) joining hands with Fo Guang Shan (FGS) to hold a forum to get us know more about Buddhism. 

  We leave the house at 9.50am. On the way to the college, I'm super excited because this is my very first event since I joined the society over a year ago. Due to timing, I can't join the activities. I usually keep myself updated from the society's  WhatsApp group chat. 

  I just met the members in person on Friday while they were promoting the event which is going to be happening today. My daddy dropped me off at the university's pick up point while my mummy brings me in. 

  I arrive at JC 2. There are a lot people getting the event to be in shape. I go over to the registration table to have my name signed on the list of attendance. My senior, Yi Xin is just above mine. I go to the third row in the middle seat because in front you have to crane the neck which is very sore! 

  The forum starts at 11.05 am, we sing the national anthem the Negaraku and the Ode Triple Gem. I thought the Triple Gem will be in the Mandarin version because the past events I used to attend back in my high school days the song was in Mandarin. Lucky I manage to get the beat right. 

  The three speakers give us students and working adults alike on the conception of kamma and three traditions of Buddhism practices. We also have a 45-minute lunch break. When I'm about to re-enter the hall, KC, who is the sound-tech guy tells me that the next session won't be using any slides. He suggests me to sit in front. 

  The fun part is the Q & A session because the speakers get very interesting questions from the audience especially the students. My question get picked! I'm very lucky that my question is answered.

  To wrap up the session, we say a little line of the merits and finally a group photo. Of course, we take selfies as well! It's an amazing experience! I can't wait for the next one 

Appreciate What We Have Now Before It's Too Late (15/4/16)

  We all take things for granted such as friendship, family, relationships and life just to name a few. These are which that money can't buy. When they are gone, we are going to regret for the rest of our lives. 

  Family is the "backbone" of our lives. Whenever we feel down or face any difficult challenges, our family is the first one to support us. They give us shelter, food, warm clothing and most importantly unconditional love. Love is the key to every happy family but some families are not. When we grow up, at some point, we will think our family is annoying and sometimes will make us to pull our hair out. At the end of the day, we will always have our family. Therefore, family is always important to us. 

  Recently, headlines in the newspapers that more and more youngsters like us are taking lives for granted by doing ways to kill themselves. A bright future is ahead of them, a long way to go, a lot of challenges and exciting adventures are waiting for them. Yet, they take wrong turn by mixing with the bad company, getting on high drugs and other "scary" actions which I can't describe in words. Yet, some of them taking their own lives by committing suicide. The action really, really hurt our friends' and especially family's feelings. Hence, youngsters risking their lives by committing suicide is the worst yet hurftul decision. 

  In friendships, there will be always a "traitor" among us. Of course, we all started off as friends and hanging out just to get to know more each other. As time goes by, we will know the true colours of our friends and at some point our friends will take us for granted to exploit our kindness and goodness because they think we will be kind and good to them all the time. In the end, we will be betrayed even the one who is closest to us. Thus, betrayal will happen in friendship so be careful who we are mixing with. 

  Don't ever take things for granted in our lives because we never might know who will stay and go. Let us appreciate now before it's too late. Even the smallest action can lighten up someone's day or let someone down. It's okay to regret now before things get worse. 

 

  

Reunion with My High School Juniors (17/3/16)

  Joni and I were exiting from the library to head our economic class. I looked through the transparent auto sliding door. The students of SDHS Melaka, class of 2016 came to Sunway University College for an educational visit. I spotted Mr. Tan, who is the school's counselling teacher. "Mr. Tan!" I called. "Kar Marn, I'm so glad to see you again. How's college life?" I said everything was going on well.


  I introduced Joni to my teacher. Mr. Tan thanked Joni for taking care of me and willing to be my friend. Joni said "It's all my pleasure, teacher," Before we leave, Mr. Tan and I took a photo, he said :" I'm going to show it to Mr. Chay when get back to Melaka." They are leaving for Melaka at around 2.30pm. I had class so I won't be seeing my juniors. We rushed to economic class. Luckily we arrived there just in time. No harm done! After that, I headed for the IT Learning Lab at the first floor to look for my friends but they weren't there. And oh my, they sure gave me a "wild goose chase"! The good part was I did my exercise by sweating out.


  I sat there in disappointment. Desperately took out my phone to call and text them but in vain. I saw my friend, Konomi who was about to head to the library, it's a good thing because the library is just nearby the cafeteria. I bumped into my friends at the cafeteria, one of the groups were not comfortable in my presence. "Thanks. I'll just go look for another seat," I said walking away. That's fine by me, who needs you when you're not really their true friends right? I looked for another group of friends.


  Charis and I went to the Japanese food stall to order. While I was waiting for the food, Charis bought a can of coke for me because I'm so thirsty after all that "wild goose chase". A can of coke will definitely quench your thirst, especially on a hot day. The both of us headed to the North Building because I was having my last class of the day which is English- my favourite subject. We discussed on Mrs. Sen. My friends dropped me off at the usual waiting place. Well, I won't be seeing my juniors and the time was still early. A little game won't hurt right? I bumped into Wui Fang- who was my English course mate in my first semester.

  As we were talking, I saw my juniors were walking out. I thought they went back. I didn't know they were still hanging around the campus. I guess it's fated for me to meet up with the juniors after half a year since I last saw them. "Hey, we didn't expect to bump into you!" my juniors said. "So am I!" I said. It was such a coincidence, Prem was at the foyer too. Both SDHS graduates of the 2014 class had a chat with their teacher. "Mr. Tan, send my regards to your kids," I said. "I will. Thanks for remembering them," he said.

I'm glad that I met up with my juniors and teachers from my secondary alma mater. I'm hoping to see some of them in the future. SDHS juniors, be more, do more, be all you can be at Sunway- where learning come to life (Sunway orientation video) .

Lunch Out with My Best Friend (11/3/15)

  Fundamental Maths ended, Nishail and I went up to the third floor of the college to use the short cut to the university. I almost tripped along the way because the third floor is going under renovation. We used the university's lift to go down. After dropping me off at the new cafeteria, I immediately texted Natasha- she and I used to be in the same Fundamental Maths Unit 1 class when I was in college. I used the WhatsApp app to call her but there was no connection.




  Not long after, Natasha came with her friend, Janice. "Hi Kar Marn, how are you?" we hugged each other. "I'm good! How about you?" I asked. "Everything is going well," Natasha said. She introduced me to Janice. "Natasha mentions a lot about you," Janice said. Really? I thought. Joining Janice and Natasha, was Nathania, Natasha's twin sister. We went to the vegetarian food to grab our lunch. "The vegetarian food here is really nice! You should try," Natasha suggested Janice to try the food. "Oh I like your new hairstyle, Kar Marn!" she added.


 
"Thanks! I got my hairstyle from a Korean hair saloon," I said. "Does that mean is K-Pop inspired?" Natasha asked. "Well maybe?" I laughed.


 
We went back to our place to eat. While we were eating, "Is that Shaun?" she said. When I turned my head, Shaun and his friend were walking in. That's a surprise! The last time Shaun and I met was during the MUFY Information Week which was a month ago- days before the CNY celebration.


"Hey Shaun, what a coincidence!" I said. "What are you doing here?" Natasha asked. Shaun told us he came to Sunway for a sports event. I looked over the field, there were a few tents.


We asked him if he would like to join us for lunch, Shaun said: "Ladies, I love to but I can't. How about some other time?" I said "Well okay,"


  Natasha asked me whether how was my semester two in college. I told her I'm coping well. Around 2.27pm, Janice and Natasha went back to Monash University so I went to the pick up point to wait for my uncle to pick me up (with some help of course!). I'm so happy that I reunited with my best friends after five months. I wish I could do this more often with her.

Monash Apllication Breifing (9/3/16)

  After my English was dismissed at 2.30pm, Nishail dropped my bag along the corridor while I headed for the washroom. When I came out, I saw my childhood best friend, Cheyeene was sitting on the bench along the corridor for her next class. I went over to have a small chat with her. Around 2.43pm, I went to SE 2-12 to look for my friends who I will be meeting up. I just saw Ru Tian, who was among the firsts to come out from the class. Oh, did I mention that we celebrated Ru Tian's 19th birthday?

  I asked her "Hi, Ru Tian! Where's David & Co?" She said "They're in class. Coming out soon. Well, I gotta go, duty calls!" As Ru Tian made her move, I peeked my head inside the classroom. Jun Hsiang and Teng Jie were heading in the opposite direction as me. These two boys are so mischievous! Not to create an awkward scene, I just casually said "Hey guys!" Jun Hsiang "Kar Marn, what a surprise! Where are you going?" I said I didn't know where to go. I asked them the same thing, they said "Oh, we are going to the university's rooftop garden. It's where the briefing is held right?"

  "No, it's at the Jeffrey Cheah Hall- the college itself. Didn't you guys check on elearn where the venue is?" I said. Both boys shook their heads. We took the East Wing's lift but we realized the highest it can go it's the third floor. We had to go all the way down and used the long way to the North Building. We were about to head for the bridge, we bumped into Ru Tian at the Foyer. "Hey, Ru Tian, such a coincidence! Wanna join us at the college's rooftop garden?" Actually we have another birthday surprise for her but she couldn't name it. "Sorry guys, I love to but I can't! I have to finish some touches for the photography club," Ru Tian said.

  Wow, that's a lot of forms on the table. I realized she was alone. Jun Hsiang, Teng Jie and I offered to accompany her until the briefing starts. She said "You guys run along. I'll be okay," I asked "Are you sure?" Ru Tian reassured me she's gonna be fine. So the three of us headed to the college's rooftop garden to chill out. The last time I came here was when my class was switched for a day. It's so good to be back again. I felt bad for the boys to accompany me for an hour before the briefing. Luckily, they are understanding but I still feel guilty on the inside.

  I had a chat with Michelle- my former English course mate. 10 minutes before briefing, she said "Hey, it's good to have boys to help you out," I whispered "I know right?" We both giggled. The three of us headed for the hall. A weird feeling was the hall was stuffed, usually it is freezing cold! We sat the first few rows to get a clear view of the screen. We even reserved a few seats for our friends as well. It was just a few minutes before the briefing starts, we just mingled around with our friends and caught up with some from the first semester. "Students, please take your seats. Our briefing is about to start soon," Ms. Edith said.

  We all soon took our respective places. The briefer said "Students, your hall's air conditioner is not working," Seriously? That's why I felt stuffed when I came in. She gave us a run through our respective course minimum scoring criteria. A form was distributed to all of us and a check list as well. I thought it gonna last for an hour or so. To my surprise, it only lasted for 50 minutes!

Malaysian students were dismissed, just left the international students. I had fun! The fun part is to you get to hang out with your friends after class.

大年初三：中学朋友团拜（10/2/16）

  早上九时三十分，我从温暖的被窝爬起来。我的脚还是有一阵痛但有好点了！于是，我慢慢从床“滑” 下，我蹒跚地走去洗手间。当我要去洗手间的时候，妈妈说：“文，你等一等。我抹干地上。” 妈妈抹干地上后就吩咐我去洗手间洗刷。

  今天我要穿的红色裙却给妹妹拿走了！妈妈说：“没关系！我再补' 买给你。” 我再穿回大年初一的服装—— 红色的连身裙。我在吃早餐的时候，二舅母告诉我们“种族” 的来源，“你们知道吗？专家指出在这世界上，'种族' 这两个词汇从来没出现过。因为我们由世界各地的人'组织' 。” 我们三人互相看了一眼还是不明白二舅母的诠释。

  “就比个例子吧！金花的脚较阔大因为她有罗马的'基因' 。” 二舅母指了指金花的脚板。“妈，你的意思是我'遗传' 罗马人的'基因'？” 金花问。二舅母点了点头就说：“是的！你们不知道阿公是华尔兹舞蹈比赛冠军吗？” 华尔兹舞蹈冠军？！阿嬷都没告诉我们啊！刚好阿嬷出来，我问她：“阿嬷，阿公是华尔兹舞蹈比赛冠军？” 阿嬷说：“是的！在他的青春时期。” 

  我看了看时间的时钟显示早上十时五十分，还剩十分钟我的朋友要到了！不如去洗手间吧！当我要去的时候，大舅说：“文，你朋友到了！” 还是招待客人先。第一个到家门口是宇宣！不久仕维和智彬也来了，凯杰也稍后来了。妈妈要派红包的时候，我说：“妈，我替你派吧！” 我把四封红包派给每人。仕维说：“妹，你几时'嫁' 人？怎么没请我们喝'喜酒'呢？” 

  我说：“哥，我已经'嫁' 学院有一段时间了。” 大家不禁哈哈大笑起来。在新春期间，大家一起分享快乐时光是最好的一刻。宇宣问我：“袈文，你邀请仕聪吗？” 我说：“可以啊！” 仕维说：“你们还记得吗？伟彬和仕聪向袈文表白在班上，他们把我们家的'大姐' 气到面红耳赤呢！” 想不到哥还记得当时的情景。阿公的妹妹和弟弟来了，他们进家的时候我向他们请安但没回复我，算了吧！

  可爱的表弟和我们一起玩耍，他只有六岁但是他已经“爱上” 我这个表姐了！第一次这么多年，我可以让一个小孩“爱上“ 我。不久，他们要回家了。虽然我舍不得，但他们有心来探望我是最大的福气！我很荣幸我有这一班好朋友。

农历新年2016（8/2/16）

  “春天来，花儿开，我看见世界在慢慢动起来…” 是的，一年一度的农历新年来到人间了！早上八时正，《大盛年》在我的智能手机响。我起来然后按“停” 扭，我再把身旁的虹燕摇醒因为她昨晚告诉我：“文姐，你醒来的时候，把我叫醒。” 当我把她摇醒的时候，迷迷糊糊地说：“再给我多三十分钟。” 我从床上跳下，再往去洗手间洗澡。

  洗刷之后，我到饭厅享受简单的早餐。今天吃素所以佳肴都是素菜。吃晚早餐，我到客厅看电视的新春特备节目。我回房再打开平板电脑送上祝福在社交网站，突然间门外传出铃声。阿嬷说：“亲家，恭喜发财！” 亲家？不是小舅母的娘家吗？我从床跳下来向小舅母的娘家贺喜，婆婆对阿嬷说：“你的阿文真会说话啊！” 阿嬷附和说：“是啊！这是我的阿文的长处！在新年送上祝福是她的本领！” 

  大约中午十二时，小舅一家人往森州向小舅母的家人拜年。而我们则在房间做各自的当事儿。阿公已经有几次来开房门，我们知道他要去观音亭求平安，我们一家大小开始换上新衣裳，穿上新鞋。大约下午四时三十八分，我们往观音亭出发。让我来告诉你观音亭的小特征吧！

  观音亭在马六甲被称为青云亭。它位于家喻户晓的文化街。每逢佳节，信徒都会往哪儿向观音娘娘求平安。我每一年的新春跟随阿公阿嬷到青云亭向神明求平安愿这新年会过个大盛年！后来，我们步行至雷州会馆祭拜祖先。虽然我的贯籍是广东，我妈妈是雷州贯籍。所以常向观音娘娘求平安之后都会到雷州会馆。

  大约旁晚六时，我们到钟家拜年。一个小时之后，我们回家休息。由于今年的大年初一很忙绿，所以阿公阿嬷决定明天初二派红包；得到三封红包在大年初一我已经心满意足了！在此，祝大家猴爷大盛年：相信可能· 事竟成！新年快乐！万事如意！学业进步！