Sounds like a line from romance novel. But that's what I'm about to rant today...
The line refers to some young men, wearing shirts, slacks and ties, cycling under the hot tropical sun. Yup, the Latter Day Saints missionary.
There's a lot of stigma surrounding this so called 'cult'.
First, I respect those young men very much. Cycling in business casual attire under the hot sun just to spread the words of God (or at least their version of word of God, hey who are we to judge who's religion is true). I often ponder, "It must be hotter in Utah than here. That's why they acclimatize easily". (again with my Mormon stereotype and Utah)
I've never met one so I can't really say something about their religion. But, cycling under the sun, I respected them for than... cycling under the sun in foreign country, I respect them even more... cycling under the sun to tell the world about their believe... that's even hotter. (no wonder they have missionary calendar with hot missionary/model... well that's what cycling do to your body) Link below for the calendar.
Although their doctrine are different from other Christians, as a good Christians we must not mock them for their belief. It is their right to worship what they want to worship. Problem with so-called religious-pious Christians. They think that they are right and have the right to condemn other denomination. What if you bring them in for a discussion, and agree to disagree. They might be some exchange of ideas and more understanding towards each other's religion.
So, if Christians, lose those stigma and try to see the good in them. After all, all religion teaches us to be good to others. Maybe offer them some drinks, like Abraham and his 3 visitors. Who knows, they might bring good news or like the Samaritan at the well.
If you're strong enough with your believe, nobody can change them. So try to open up and see how others see the world.
Peace and love
p/s No I'm not advertising or proselytizing for the LDS church. I just admire their passion in spreading their religion.
Link for those calendar http://menonamissioncalendar.com/meet.php
Don't they look hot? I know they're hot because I'm getting jealous. Let's start cycling.
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
Doctor vs Lawyer
Sound cliche right? There's always doctor vs lawyer jokes. And doctors are always portrayed as angelic and good-mannered and charitable. Lawyers are the devil, cunning, greedy.
But hey, not all doctors are good and not all lawyers are bad. But my family is too blind to see the reality. I had a nephew (actually first cousin once removed). A brilliant one. His family, particularly his aunt (my cousin) coaxed him into becoming a doctor when he grows up. Now you see the pressure endured by most children raised in typical Asian household. He's still 10 years old.
I told him, there are other options. Not only medicine. And one of the option I suggested (it's never too young to suggest in an Asian family) was Law. Just to show that it's not necessary to be a doctor if you're bright. I hope he gets the point.
Upon listening my suggestion, my cousin got shocked with terror. "DO YOU WANT TO GO TO HELL????" she said to my nephew. Question. Do all doctors go to heaven and do all lawyers go to hell? Despite studying medicine for hmmmmmm... let's say a long time, I watched mostly police procedural drama or law drama. Not much on medical drama. Medical drama... just a few including Royal Pains and Hart of Dixie... is Hart of Dixie a medical drama? I'll leave that to your judgement.
The reason why, lawyers are on the verge of falling into hell is because they defend criminals. Hey.... that's not 100% true! Sometimes they are wrongly accused. And chances of defending criminals or bad peoples are 50-50 at most. Some are just disputes where nobody is wrong. They just need to settle some settlement issues. It's the same if a badly injured criminal, say a murderer need urgent medical attention. Doctors can't decline. Hippocrates oath... non maleficence and beneficence. Doctors need to help everyone without prejudice. It's the same situation, but of course doctors get all the praises.
Another reason is doctor can help, say if somebody can't afford the treatment, they can give special price. In law, it's called pro bono work. It's like to counsel for free. Can a doctor give free treatment. Not unless they are pharmaceutical company. Again, nobody heard of any lawyer giving pro-bono services but doctors giving discount rate, everybody knows.
My cousin added... "what if you are really defending a criminal, a brutal one, but because of client confidentiality, you can't disclose anything". I'm no lawyer, but I do thing in doing justice, a lawyer can't withheld any crucial clues to a fair outcome. They can negotiate to get justice done. And regarding confidentiality, doctors do have patients-doctors confidentiality. Say a patient with HIV, can you disclose the fact that he is infected with HIV? If a doctor discloses that fact, the patient would suffer from stigmas and prejudice. I the doctor kept the secret, then, the patients could go and have fun while infecting other. So there, a dilemma. Eventually, the doctor have to tell the patient's relative. Don't ask me. Confidentiality is actually a grey area.
Speaking of confidentiality, I learn about it while watching Legally Blond. Elle Woods kept a secret that could ruin her client's reputation. I don't see doctors keep confidentiality that serious. You'll hear them gossiping in the corridor about their patient. One doctor even blurted out a confidential history in front medical student. And medical students would gossip among each other on the patient. That's not professional, A confidential thing such as breaking bad news (in my case, breaking news about molar pregnancy to a single lady who denied having sex earlier) in front of a medical student. It was years ago. Breaking such shocking new should be done privately to avoid shameful situation. I honestly felt awkward and I wish I could erase that memory.
Another take on confidentiality. I was diagnosed with PTSD. So one fine day, a professor (who ironically teaches medical ethics) asked me in front of my colleague... "So how's your visit with the psychiatrist?" It was awkward. I'm not ashamed but I really felt awkward. I have no intention to hide the fact that I suffered with PTSD, but I would like to tell my colleague myself in my own words. For about a week, I had to explain from A to Z about my PTSD, and to clarify their pities and prejudice (yup... medical professionals still have prejudice toward patients with mental illness...)
That professor despite teaching medical ethics does not walk the talk,.. he blurted something confidential. One unforgivable thing is nepotism. His beloved son, got enrolled into the same medical faculty. Can't you smell something fishy. He is also a former dean. Nepotism or pure coincidence? Only God knows. But one thing for sure, I lose my respect to him.
Lawyers have this thing called Chinese Wall where if a law firm counsel both parties, the lawyers of opposing team would work independently to avoid conflict of interest. Seems like lawyer are serious in avoiding conflict of interest than doctors. A doctor's excuse would be, patient is always first... can't they stop having God Complex.
Doctors think that they are professional, but in handling argument, they are not. In my former faculty, doctors argue on little things in front of the student, like children. They call each other names. Can't they at least sit down and discuss their disputes like adults, PROFESSIONALLY. Or at least agree to disagree. But not by calling names or posting nicknames on FACEBOOK. Seriously, I lose my faith in them. Now, I'm more afraid of doctors than lawyers.
Well, to conclude, doctors are not always good and lawyers are not (always) bad. Lawyers are also good people. If a person is good, he is good no matter what he/she does for a living. My point of view might be biased but this is my personal opinion.In the end, it's up to you readers to decide.
Bye bye...
But hey, not all doctors are good and not all lawyers are bad. But my family is too blind to see the reality. I had a nephew (actually first cousin once removed). A brilliant one. His family, particularly his aunt (my cousin) coaxed him into becoming a doctor when he grows up. Now you see the pressure endured by most children raised in typical Asian household. He's still 10 years old.
I told him, there are other options. Not only medicine. And one of the option I suggested (it's never too young to suggest in an Asian family) was Law. Just to show that it's not necessary to be a doctor if you're bright. I hope he gets the point.
Upon listening my suggestion, my cousin got shocked with terror. "DO YOU WANT TO GO TO HELL????" she said to my nephew. Question. Do all doctors go to heaven and do all lawyers go to hell? Despite studying medicine for hmmmmmm... let's say a long time, I watched mostly police procedural drama or law drama. Not much on medical drama. Medical drama... just a few including Royal Pains and Hart of Dixie... is Hart of Dixie a medical drama? I'll leave that to your judgement.
The reason why, lawyers are on the verge of falling into hell is because they defend criminals. Hey.... that's not 100% true! Sometimes they are wrongly accused. And chances of defending criminals or bad peoples are 50-50 at most. Some are just disputes where nobody is wrong. They just need to settle some settlement issues. It's the same if a badly injured criminal, say a murderer need urgent medical attention. Doctors can't decline. Hippocrates oath... non maleficence and beneficence. Doctors need to help everyone without prejudice. It's the same situation, but of course doctors get all the praises.
Another reason is doctor can help, say if somebody can't afford the treatment, they can give special price. In law, it's called pro bono work. It's like to counsel for free. Can a doctor give free treatment. Not unless they are pharmaceutical company. Again, nobody heard of any lawyer giving pro-bono services but doctors giving discount rate, everybody knows.
My cousin added... "what if you are really defending a criminal, a brutal one, but because of client confidentiality, you can't disclose anything". I'm no lawyer, but I do thing in doing justice, a lawyer can't withheld any crucial clues to a fair outcome. They can negotiate to get justice done. And regarding confidentiality, doctors do have patients-doctors confidentiality. Say a patient with HIV, can you disclose the fact that he is infected with HIV? If a doctor discloses that fact, the patient would suffer from stigmas and prejudice. I the doctor kept the secret, then, the patients could go and have fun while infecting other. So there, a dilemma. Eventually, the doctor have to tell the patient's relative. Don't ask me. Confidentiality is actually a grey area.
Speaking of confidentiality, I learn about it while watching Legally Blond. Elle Woods kept a secret that could ruin her client's reputation. I don't see doctors keep confidentiality that serious. You'll hear them gossiping in the corridor about their patient. One doctor even blurted out a confidential history in front medical student. And medical students would gossip among each other on the patient. That's not professional, A confidential thing such as breaking bad news (in my case, breaking news about molar pregnancy to a single lady who denied having sex earlier) in front of a medical student. It was years ago. Breaking such shocking new should be done privately to avoid shameful situation. I honestly felt awkward and I wish I could erase that memory.
Another take on confidentiality. I was diagnosed with PTSD. So one fine day, a professor (who ironically teaches medical ethics) asked me in front of my colleague... "So how's your visit with the psychiatrist?" It was awkward. I'm not ashamed but I really felt awkward. I have no intention to hide the fact that I suffered with PTSD, but I would like to tell my colleague myself in my own words. For about a week, I had to explain from A to Z about my PTSD, and to clarify their pities and prejudice (yup... medical professionals still have prejudice toward patients with mental illness...)
That professor despite teaching medical ethics does not walk the talk,.. he blurted something confidential. One unforgivable thing is nepotism. His beloved son, got enrolled into the same medical faculty. Can't you smell something fishy. He is also a former dean. Nepotism or pure coincidence? Only God knows. But one thing for sure, I lose my respect to him.
Lawyers have this thing called Chinese Wall where if a law firm counsel both parties, the lawyers of opposing team would work independently to avoid conflict of interest. Seems like lawyer are serious in avoiding conflict of interest than doctors. A doctor's excuse would be, patient is always first... can't they stop having God Complex.
Doctors think that they are professional, but in handling argument, they are not. In my former faculty, doctors argue on little things in front of the student, like children. They call each other names. Can't they at least sit down and discuss their disputes like adults, PROFESSIONALLY. Or at least agree to disagree. But not by calling names or posting nicknames on FACEBOOK. Seriously, I lose my faith in them. Now, I'm more afraid of doctors than lawyers.
Well, to conclude, doctors are not always good and lawyers are not (always) bad. Lawyers are also good people. If a person is good, he is good no matter what he/she does for a living. My point of view might be biased but this is my personal opinion.In the end, it's up to you readers to decide.
Bye bye...
Monday, 3 November 2014
Rainy, cloudy day.
When it rains, I'm happy. Bliss...
Rainy day over here is mild and cool.
Cloudy days are also good, shady and breezy.
Rainy day over here is mild and cool.
Cloudy days are also good, shady and breezy.
A golden cage
My friend said that she lives in a cavern full of bats. I live in a golden cage.
It's always hard to please my master, but then are reluctant to let me go.
An option 5 days ago is not an option anymore.
Now, I'm eyeing for a job with bird-eye view.
A job where I can spread my wings.
I'm gonna do it clandestinely.
Ughhh... somebody please shoot me.
Just like my childhood nightmare.
(How is my poem? good?)
Sunday, 2 November 2014
Hot hot caliente...
I live on a tropical island. It's always hot and humid. Most would imagine a tropical island as breezy and balmy. People from temperate region would envy us for living in 'paradise'. What paradise? A paradise would be breezy and balmy. Hot and humid, it's a few steps away from hell... (I know I am being hyperbolic... no it's not that hot, it's just 32 centigrade... no biggie)
Living in one of the hottest region (again with the hyperbole) We are still positive. We still think that our country is not that hot. Still bearable.
The town where I grew up, has a foreign university. The students are from every corner of the map. So, one fine Saturday, a group African, South African and Zimbabwean to be exact attended a church service. A man trying to break the ice (what ice? it's hot, no ice), asked " How do you find it here? Is it cooler than Africa?" The Africans replied "It's hotter here than in South Africa. We can grow apples in South Africa".
Is it just us or all over the world. We tend to think Africa as the hottest continent on earth. Blame it on the media. Africa is often portrayed as arid, hot, dessert, famine, war. Some parts of Africa are nice and beautiful. I would kill to have to live in a beautiful like Cape Town. Beautiful scenery and beautiful weather. (Weatherwise, a classmate of mine grew up in SA. He told me the weather is just fine. Not too cold, not too hot. An Afrikaner pastor also said the same thing, same goes with the uni students. )
The Afrikaner pastor and I share the same name... :P
Living in one of the hottest region (again with the hyperbole) We are still positive. We still think that our country is not that hot. Still bearable.
The town where I grew up, has a foreign university. The students are from every corner of the map. So, one fine Saturday, a group African, South African and Zimbabwean to be exact attended a church service. A man trying to break the ice (what ice? it's hot, no ice), asked " How do you find it here? Is it cooler than Africa?" The Africans replied "It's hotter here than in South Africa. We can grow apples in South Africa".
Is it just us or all over the world. We tend to think Africa as the hottest continent on earth. Blame it on the media. Africa is often portrayed as arid, hot, dessert, famine, war. Some parts of Africa are nice and beautiful. I would kill to have to live in a beautiful like Cape Town. Beautiful scenery and beautiful weather. (Weatherwise, a classmate of mine grew up in SA. He told me the weather is just fine. Not too cold, not too hot. An Afrikaner pastor also said the same thing, same goes with the uni students. )
The Afrikaner pastor and I share the same name... :P
Don't talk to me...
Here a joke, told to us by our Filipina aunt way before I enrolled into that big sink. A very big sink, that when it rains, one can host aquatic sports for the Olympic. (Maybe as an annex to the nearby aquatic centre)
"When one have appendicitis, the surgeon would perform appendectomy."
"If one have have to remove his tonsil, he'll go for a tonsillectomy."
"What if somebody have halitosis, what would you tell him to do?"
DON'T-TALK-TO-ME
This joke is only effective when told by Filipinos... Ask an American or Australian, it would lose it essence.
She had lots of funny jokes.
"When one have appendicitis, the surgeon would perform appendectomy."
"If one have have to remove his tonsil, he'll go for a tonsillectomy."
"What if somebody have halitosis, what would you tell him to do?"
DON'T-TALK-TO-ME
This joke is only effective when told by Filipinos... Ask an American or Australian, it would lose it essence.
She had lots of funny jokes.
Saturday, 1 November 2014
Unique names...
I am helping my mother, a teacher with her students' list. What a name. Very unique names indeed. Some of the name are Johannest, a boy named Mix, a girl named Francois, a boy named Adriane... I could go on if you like but I think you got what I mean.
If only we were Portuguese, none of this could happen. Their government is very particular with nomenclature. The name have to be Portuguese and meaningful. Foreign sounding names are "Portuguesized*" particularly Arabic names.
Link to list of approved names in Portugal
http://www.irn.mj.pt/sections/irn/a_registral/registos-centrais/docs-da-nacionalidade/vocabulos-admitidos-e/downloadFile/file/Lista_de_nomes31-03-2012.pdf?nocache=1333375560.38
How strict is Portugal. However, it is not practical if applied in a multicultural nation. However, parents to be should be advised to use common name. Not too exotic. For me. Biblical names or Saint's name are good enough. How hard it is to spell Matthew, Patrick, Francis or John. If naming is so hard, just name your child with patron saint. Say, if a child was born on 17th March, you can name him Patrick or Patricia. But the problem is not all day are Patron saint's feast day. Or a day like today. Would you call your child Todos Santos or All Saints. Be sensible when naming your child. There are lots of websites for suggestions.
Another problem with parents from this part of the world, using Surnames as First name. Over here you'll find a lot of local artiste with such name... Anderson, Johnson, Ericson... you name it... not a drop of Scandinavian. Or McClare, Fitzland without a single Irish blood.
With obsession with having Western name, some do name their child with just nickname. More absurd, sibling with same name. For instance, John younger brother is Johnny. There are actually 2 Johns in the family. Another example is Ron and Ronnie. They are brothers. Give them proper name.
Danish is also quite a popular name in this region. My friend had an 'allergy' to this name. It's edible she would say. Or Danish, Bruschetta, Baguette having a slumber party together.
Our obsession with Western sounding names...
My friend's experience in college is quite funny. She's witty. One day during the orientation week, every students would introduce themselves to other students. A girl introduced herself as Apple, another as Orange. They have proper name, Asian names but would prefer her friends to call her Apple or Orange, trying not to be Asian... why are we so embarrassed with our name. They have proper name unlike Danny, or female Francois or male Adriane. Back to the story, it's always You can call me Apple and you can call me Orange. When it's my friend's turn to introduce herself, "Hi, my name is Simone (not her actual name) But you can call me Durian.... giggles..."
The most ghetto name I've encountered today is LATEESHA... One is an Austrian bodybuilder governor wannabe, Schwarzzenezzer... I know Schwarzenegger is black smith. Schwarzzenezzer is what? a portmanteau of schwartz (German for black) and King Nebuchadnezzar? Another boy that I pity most is Michael Boboy... seriously? Boboy... Would you take say a doctor, Doctor Boboy? What if this child become our Leader. Would we still call him Boboy. The person who named him is imbecile!
In other part of the world, A French Canadian had a dilemma naming his child. It's OneFrenchCanadian. He might be not popular, but I like his vlogs. Here the link to his video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2kL3npzrMg&list=UUqGZeotg_wBYLKu4UMZUYYg
He might be funny, but he is still responsible in naming his progeny.
But in the end, it's up to the parent's decision to name their child... but (I couldn't emphasize more) please give a proper name, not nicknames, not surnames or weird spelling hermaphrodite names... If you like to give exotic names, try becoming a Taxonomist. Even taxonomy have naming protocols...
Hey, I'm still halfway with the name list... I'll write more soon. Thanks for reading.
*Portuguesize = like Anglicize but Portuguese. (I can't find the exact term. If you know any, please comment)
p/s somebody please teach me how to put better link to other videos or articles... as you see I suck at this. :P
If only we were Portuguese, none of this could happen. Their government is very particular with nomenclature. The name have to be Portuguese and meaningful. Foreign sounding names are "Portuguesized*" particularly Arabic names.
Link to list of approved names in Portugal
http://www.irn.mj.pt/sections/irn/a_registral/registos-centrais/docs-da-nacionalidade/vocabulos-admitidos-e/downloadFile/file/Lista_de_nomes31-03-2012.pdf?nocache=1333375560.38
How strict is Portugal. However, it is not practical if applied in a multicultural nation. However, parents to be should be advised to use common name. Not too exotic. For me. Biblical names or Saint's name are good enough. How hard it is to spell Matthew, Patrick, Francis or John. If naming is so hard, just name your child with patron saint. Say, if a child was born on 17th March, you can name him Patrick or Patricia. But the problem is not all day are Patron saint's feast day. Or a day like today. Would you call your child Todos Santos or All Saints. Be sensible when naming your child. There are lots of websites for suggestions.
Another problem with parents from this part of the world, using Surnames as First name. Over here you'll find a lot of local artiste with such name... Anderson, Johnson, Ericson... you name it... not a drop of Scandinavian. Or McClare, Fitzland without a single Irish blood.
With obsession with having Western name, some do name their child with just nickname. More absurd, sibling with same name. For instance, John younger brother is Johnny. There are actually 2 Johns in the family. Another example is Ron and Ronnie. They are brothers. Give them proper name.
Danish is also quite a popular name in this region. My friend had an 'allergy' to this name. It's edible she would say. Or Danish, Bruschetta, Baguette having a slumber party together.
Our obsession with Western sounding names...
My friend's experience in college is quite funny. She's witty. One day during the orientation week, every students would introduce themselves to other students. A girl introduced herself as Apple, another as Orange. They have proper name, Asian names but would prefer her friends to call her Apple or Orange, trying not to be Asian... why are we so embarrassed with our name. They have proper name unlike Danny, or female Francois or male Adriane. Back to the story, it's always You can call me Apple and you can call me Orange. When it's my friend's turn to introduce herself, "Hi, my name is Simone (not her actual name) But you can call me Durian.... giggles..."
The most ghetto name I've encountered today is LATEESHA... One is an Austrian bodybuilder governor wannabe, Schwarzzenezzer... I know Schwarzenegger is black smith. Schwarzzenezzer is what? a portmanteau of schwartz (German for black) and King Nebuchadnezzar? Another boy that I pity most is Michael Boboy... seriously? Boboy... Would you take say a doctor, Doctor Boboy? What if this child become our Leader. Would we still call him Boboy. The person who named him is imbecile!
In other part of the world, A French Canadian had a dilemma naming his child. It's OneFrenchCanadian. He might be not popular, but I like his vlogs. Here the link to his video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2kL3npzrMg&list=UUqGZeotg_wBYLKu4UMZUYYg
He might be funny, but he is still responsible in naming his progeny.
But in the end, it's up to the parent's decision to name their child... but (I couldn't emphasize more) please give a proper name, not nicknames, not surnames or weird spelling hermaphrodite names... If you like to give exotic names, try becoming a Taxonomist. Even taxonomy have naming protocols...
Hey, I'm still halfway with the name list... I'll write more soon. Thanks for reading.
*Portuguesize = like Anglicize but Portuguese. (I can't find the exact term. If you know any, please comment)
p/s somebody please teach me how to put better link to other videos or articles... as you see I suck at this. :P
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