life is but a dream

my love

2011-12-30T06:45:00.001+10:30

Just your smile,
your voice,
and your love.

and I dont need the world
to be happy.

You

2011-12-07T00:11:00.003+10:30

I might not know
How my future would be like
But I am sure
I would only be happy
if you are apart of it
I want you to be the one
That I come home to
I want you to be
the one I have breakfast with
Maybe not too early in the morning
because I know you well my dear
I want to be with you
Not only through good times
But also through the bad times
Cause what I do with my life
will only matter
If I do it with you.

dedicated to my one and only, Wan Jerina. <3

Erti

2011-11-20T23:20:00.004+10:30

Perasaanku ibarat layang-layang,
Bebas membelah awan,
Ingin terbang jauh,
Tinggal bumi yang nyata,
Ku berlegar tanpa mencari
Detik kualami satu persatu,
Angin ku redahi tiada risau,
Hatiku amat bebas

Setelah ku temui dirimu
Bagaikan layang-layang
Setinggi manapun ia terbang
Rebah ke bumi jua akhirnya
Kau ingatkan aku
erti cinta dan kasih
Mengingatkan ku
keindahan perasaan ciptaan ilahi

Ku tidak inginkan cinta
yang mekar bagai bebunga mawar
mekar sehari layu esoknya
ku mahu cinta ini
seperti layang-layang
betapa rebahnya ia di dunia
tetap ingin terbang semula
Ku ingin bersamamu terbang di lelangit
Ku ingin bersamamu tika rebah di bumi

143

2011-10-03T19:44:00.001+10:30

I always believe that there is a reason why we all have a past, it is to prepare us for the future. I cant hide who I used to be nor I can erase what happened. One thing I can do is learn from the past and try to be better in the future.

You are not my first love but you are the love of my life.

If you're reading this, I want you to know something.

Im not sure about you,but I think I have feelings for you and it is real. Its not something that I havent thought about or something Im saying for fun. I wont say it unless Im really sure and Ive given it enough consideration.

Why blog?because I want your sixth sense to lead you here =P

Things are not going to be easy for us, with all the uncertainties and challenges ahead. But I know, if I have you believing in me,believing in us. Everything will end up being just fine. InsyaAllah.

P/S: do tell me if you know who you are and you've read this post =D

=))

2011-10-03T04:00:00.000+10:30

Its hard to sleep knowing you're going through my posts but since you're awesome I'll just sleep now.=P

<3

4

2011-10-01T17:36:00.002+09:30

"Once in your life you find someone
Who will turn your world around
pick you up when you're feelin' down
Now nothing can change what you mean to me"

3

2011-09-30T23:51:00.004+09:30

When I open my eyes
The thought of you
makes me happy

When I feel down
The first thought of you
makes me smile

When I'm with you
Nothing else matters
I just want to see your smile

When I see you
each and every time
My heart skips a beat

When I think about the future
I cant imagine
a life without you

If you open your eyes and open your heart, you will soon realise that what you need is often nearer that you thought.

2

2011-09-28T19:26:00.002+09:30

I hate to be unsure
But I cant be sure
Maybe its just me
Building castles in the air
Drown in my wishful thinking
I dont want to dream anymore
I want it to be real
In the end of this story
I dont want to be sorry
All I need is to believe
Perhaps with a little bit of luck
We could actually be happy.

Need

2011-09-27T17:02:00.003+09:30

I might just need more time
I might just need more space
I might just need more reasons

No.

I just need You.
Only you.

Adelaide updates.

2011-09-14T18:56:00.004+09:30

5 Weeks of study weeks left. If I pass all my papers, this will be it my journey in Adelaide is about to end. I am leaving for good,I dont think I'll be coming back here to live here. I might come here for graduation and vacations in the future. Adelaide is now apart of me and in the future I would really love to bring my children here and show them where I found the true meaning of life. I learn the meaning of being responsible here. I could choose to live my life in whatever way I want because I'm far away from my parents and family but Alhamdulillah I think I have chosen the best way to live.

I learn about Islam a lot more here than back home. I meet different kind of people some are just haters that love to hate but I also met friends that I now consider family. How can friends be family?Why not? These people for the past three years have always been beside me through the ups and downs of life. They have treated me no different than how my family would have treated me back home.The love,the compassionate and the support only Allah can afford to repay them for all their kindness.

Whether I like it or not, its time to move on to the next phase of life. My career would definitely be my main priority for the next few years. At the same time I really want to learn Al-quran,Sunnah and the Salaf principle more in detail (to my readers please knock my head if dont do this when Im back). Well, my definition of success is entering jannah. I can have millions but if I dont take care of my religion I can bring not only me but also my family to hell. This world is not forever, hereafter is where we all are heading to FOREVER.

Ok. Moving on, starting a family comes next. Mom asked about this a couple of months ago and I said, 'I'll get married when I have enough knowledge about Islam and also enough money to provide my wife with the best things in life". InsyaAllah

I may have a lot of plans,but in the end only Allah will decide. I can only hope and pray for the best.

This would probably be my last Adelaide update for my friends and and family back home as you can see I dont really update this blog that often anymore but I'll try my best because if possible I would really like to remember all the final moments in Adelaide.

The end is near

2011-09-07T18:46:00.001+09:30

I cant say why
I cant justify
I try to find a reason
I say you have beautiful eyes
I know that’s a lie
You are so much more
I wish I could know more
I’m writing this
Not to be clear
Nor I want anyone to hear
It can never be clear
It is sad, but the end is just too near.

by extraordinaryme
Richman Avenue, South Australia.

dedicated to you,the one that inspire me.

Where do I belong

2011-07-03T17:58:00.002+09:30

Imagine waking up in the morning after a good night sleep looking out the window. The view that we see is a definite sight and it is real. How many times in our lives we experience that feeling of waking up in the morning looking out of the window wishing we were somewhere else. It could be because we know it is going to be a bad day or even because we had a dream of being somewhere we want to be. As human being it is very hard for us to know where we belong. Our feelings are not static, it changes constantly each day.

Yesterday, you had a good day you went to bed feeling happy you wake up and see the sight you have to see everyday smiling. That’s when you feel you belong to that place. However tomorrow you might wake up in a bad mood and you start hating the view out of your window and you hating and cursing your life, feeling so out of place wishing you were somewhere else.

Emotions are always involved in our decisions. Especially when we try to determine where we belong. It is not easy for the heart to settle down. Logically the heart is literally constantly moving all the time. So it is not an easy task to settle down in one place and consider we belong there.

There is no way you can decide whether you belong to a place. Each and every one of us has different ideas and thoughts on how our perfect place would be. Often we imagine the sandy beaches of the Caribbean or the mountains in Europe as the perfect place where we truly belong. The question now how many of us have actually lived in that perfect place.

I personally feel that being in the place I belong means I am able to wake up everyday looking at the same thing but the journey from that view I see everyday in the morning when I wake up to my first cup of coffee for that day should not be an unpleasant journey. It should feel nice and comfortable. The place I belong is somewhere I am not a traveller looking for an adventure or a tourist eager to find the best things the place could offer. Life itself is an adventure the best things that the place could offer should be a frequent place I go. It can be my favourite café or a park I go jogging everyday. I don’t need to search for anything more because it has everything I need.

The place that you belong to should not be an idea of perfection. It must be a reality. It must be somewhere in this world. It must be somewhere you are living your life and feeling happy being there. If you cant get that feeling then you ought to be a traveller in search for the place you can live and belong to. After all you only have one life and you can’t afford spend life somewhere you don’t belong.

All I want

2011-03-29T23:43:00.001+10:30

I have always
Described life
Like a book
Age like the chapters
Promising different stories
As time pass by
If only I could erase you
If only I can forget you
After all, we have gone very far
From our moments
No I cant
Because you are the only one
Who can make my heart beat faster,
Leave me breathless,
Lose my words
All at the same time
You give me a reason
You make me want to stay.

Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin,21
Richman Avenue, Prospect.
South Australia
28/03/2010

The art of accepting defeat

2010-12-18T03:13:00.003+10:30

In life,from time to time we as human will definitely face defeat. People tend to freak out and in the end this will result in wrong choices. This can be avoided if we are actually ready. We plan a lot of things and naturally we always plan for the best. What we take for granted is the tendency for all our grand plan to fail. That is why we are ill prepared for defeat or any negative occurrence that we face.

In a more concrete explanation, Nasim Nicholas Taleb explains this using the "Black Swan theory" he developed.

The Black Swan event according to him is

1. The event is a surprise (to the observer).
2. The event has a major impact.
3. After the fact, the event is rationalized by hindsight, as if it could have been expected (e.g., the relevant data were available but not accounted for).

This is a theory commonly used to describe unexpected event in the world such as the September 11. I would argue that this theory can also be applicable in our everyday life. In life we always face situations that we never thought could happen and unexpectedly these unexpected events actually change our life drastically. It would not be too much to say that unexpected situations define our lifes more than expected situations. One fine example would be when we study. We take a subject for one semester and attend classes every week because we know by the end of the semester we will have a final exam(expected event). Two weeks into study week we receive a past year exam question (unexpected event). On the day of the exam the question asked were exactly like the past year question we received(unexpected event). In the end we manage to get a decent result. Do we realise it is actually the unexpected event that got us the results?Would we have studied if we had expected the unexpected?Things could go the other way, we expect the past year to come out and then the exam questions are totally different and we end up failing the paper.

Honestly this year hasnt been a good year for me. I planned a lot of things and many did not turned up good. This was the year I considered suicide(just a SILLY thought if I may stress on this). Things were so bad that I wanted to give up. After thinking for a while I realised where I went wrong. I planned for victory but I did not plan for defeat. I figure out if I had planned for a defeat, I would have known what to do when things went wrong.

Basically the art of accepting defeat is simple. It is be PREPARED for a defeat even if you plan to WIN. If you plan to win, yes you would know what to do if you win BUT what happens if you LOSE?You need to be ready for the unexpected because even if something is least likely to happen,it may just happen.

The assimilation of culture and maintenance of ethnic identity in the Italian American Community.

2010-12-02T01:30:00.010+10:30

By Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin

Introduction

Italian immigrants migrated into the US together with many of their Europeans neighbors. When they first came to US most of the migrants had a very hard life. Arriving in a new country, the Italian migrants mostly had very little money and had no idea of their new place apart from US being the land of opportunity. The lack of resources and contacts in the new country prompted many of these immigrants to settle down in the place the first set down.

These immigrants came from various parts of Italy they were scattered all around the US. This paper will look at the common menu of those Italian migrants and look at how it has involved in the community that is now known as the Italian-American. This essay will mainly try to address the significant issues of the process of ethnic identity.

This paper will argue that the role of family is very important in advocating ethnic identity. The influence of a very rigid and traditional family institution helped the Italian immigrants whom in the end were known as Italian American to maintain their identity. This is fascinating because despite undergoing changes from generations to generations their tradition is still very much alive and important to them. The paper will further argue this point by looking, the transmission of ethnic consciousness amongst the Italian American.

Last but not least we will look at the maintenance of ethnic group boundaries and most importantly, the role of food in such process. Overall, this essay aims to look at the evolution of the Italian migrants in America and how this has affected their everyday food.

This paper will articulate all the forwarded arguments and try to answer the main question of whether Americanization disintegrated the original Italian culture and traditions amongst the migrants or have their community managed to stand by their roots and maintain their cultures through generations.

Common menu of the first generation Italian American

The Italian immigrants that migrated to the United States came from many parts of Italy. They originated from states such as Sardinia, Sicily and Naples. The geographical factor causes the type of materials available to each region to be different. The different cooking material available to the regions means each region has its own tradition and food pattern.

Naturally someone that migrates tends to bring together his or her norms from original country to make the transition easier. The Italians were no different they as they settled down in states such as New York city, Boston and Philadelphia they still try to maintain their roots and consume food that they usually consume back at home. (the Italian American) This led to the Italian migrant community to have such a diverse eating pattern but however, the dominance of migrants from certain region had caused the control of food distribution network by certain regional groups in the US led to a common pattern in the immigrant population.(1984 150)

The study of what Italian migrants consume are pioneered by dieticians that are interested to study the relationship between ethnicity and the unhealthy diet amongst people that migrate into America. Initially it was believed that these immigrants the Italian in particular consume too many carbohydrates and do not consume enough proteins. This is understandable especially if we look at well-known Italian dishes such as the pasta and the Italian bread.

This believe however cannot be entirely be agreed upon. A study by a dietician in New Haven Connecticut (King 1935) provides us with information regarding the menu cycle of the Italian migrants. The cycle of the common menu amongst the Italian American points to a very interesting pattern. There were another study being done after the first study. The second the study was conducted by Nizzardini and Joffe and their study again concluded that there is a common meal pattern in the Italian migrant community. This provides a basis of argument for the menu chosen in this essay. This essay accepts the variability of the Italian American community but will assume the most common cycle of menu as the menu consumed by the Italian American community as a whole.

G. Goode, Karen Curtis and Janet Judith Theophano argued that the Italian American menu can be described in terms of item and pattern.

“ The Italian American diet described in the literature can be described in terms of item and in terms of pattern. Items frequently emphasized include macaroni, greens, tomatoes poultry, fish, fruit, Italian bread, cheese, olive oil, wine and coffee. Meat and fish were used in small quantities-simmered with tomato sauce and fried. Shellfish were sautéed in oil and garlic or streamed in a tomato sauce. Roast chicken could be served as a main dish. A ‘one pot’ meal was characteristic of this dietary pattern. Combinations of vegetables and macaroni, legumes and macaroni, sauce and macaroni, and soups, which stressed vegetables, were prevalent.” (1984 150)

Based on the study in New Haven, Connecticut came out with a weekly cycle of the common menu for the first generation Italian American proves that her argument is valid. The study projected a weekly cycle of meals in the was shared in which Sunday was emphasized; on Monday soup were served. Observing strict religious values, they fasted on Wednesday and Friday. The study also deduced that Macaroni was eaten three times a week.
The study also revealed detail meal pattern of the Italian American. On Sunday the first meal was breakfast, taken early in the morning. It was simple meal consisting of a hot drink (coffee & tea) bread t, and fruit. ‘Dinner was an elaborate meal and it its expanded form included four courses which is soup, a gravy dish; roast meat with accompanying vegetable, salad, bread and wine; and dessert. On normal days were consumed In general macaroni is the staple food that is consumed by the migrants through out the week with meat and fish being consumed only twice a week.’(1984 150-152)

The argument that food acts as “the marker of cultural identity has long been noted within anthropological work on social classification, suggesting that food consumption practices are seemingly unequivocal indicators of cultural difference” ( Douglas 1966; Bulmer 1967; Levi- Strauss 1962) Their argument is that the food that is consumed by people can reflect their surroundings because people in general will consume what they have around them and try to improvise those food. Through this culture differences are recorded. Similar patterns of consumption thus mark our dissimilarity from others and charting as they frequently do, on to other aspect of dissimilarities. This further reinforces the argument in this essay that food consumption can be used as a representative of ethnic identity.

Ethnic consciousness

In analysing at the pattern of Italian American common menu it is a clear indication of how their original food from Italy still plays an important role in their everyday menu despite having moved into a foreign land. This strong ethnicity actually provides a strong sense of identity. The Italian migrant emphasize on maintaining their identity is perhaps the main reason for them to still be known as Italian American today, despite having arrived in the United States long ago.

Ethnic identity can be defined as values, cultural practices, social psychological traits and behavious. These factors are usually very hard to be maintaining especially amongst immigrant. They have left their original country and new generations take over from older generations and this makes it even harder for them to preserve their identity.

The younger generations in general have settled down and consider the new place as their home country. Here we see the problem, which is identity confusion. Since the younger generation was born and grew up in America, they have considered themselves more as an American rather than Italian whereas their parents and older generations still regard Italy as their home country. This conflict of identity is common especially in the third generations of migrants. The generation that have got little attachment to their original country and are more connected to their home country.

How the younger generation identify themselves will depend on how much they know about their identity. Waters concluded that “knowledge about ancestors” how much they know about their identity will be the most factor of how people identify themselves (1990 57). Waters also found that, “certain family structures and living arrangements may promote both the passage of information about ethnic origin and the interest in and socialization of children into a particular ethnicity.” (1990:62)

Alba (1990:164) in his research found a significant relationship between c between family and ethnic identity and stated, “Ethnic identity is, first and foremost, a matter of ancestry, of self-definition that is both handed down within the family and created on the basis of family history.” Alba (1990:164) also stated “the significance of the family for transmitting ethnicity is magnified by the comparative weakness of ethnicity in more public spheres, such as schools and workplaces.”

In terms of the Italian American community, Gans (1979, 1994) argued that ethnicity have become mostly subjective identities for contemporary white European Americans. Later-generation white ethnics may practice what Gans (1994 578) calls symbolic ethnicity, “The consumption and use of ethnic symbols intended mainly for the purpose of feeling or being identified with a particular ethnicity, but without participating in an existing ethnic organization (formal or informal) or practicing an ongoing ethnic culture.”

It is undeniable that the younger generations might not have an in depth understanding of their original country but the fact that Italian traditions are able to survive for many generations, the firm ethnic identity amongst Italian American must have been propagated by something very significant. This paper will argue that the Italian American manage to maintain most if not all aspects of their original identiy due to the role of family in propagating ethnic identity in the Italian American society. Many scholars that have often related the role of family in preserving ethnic identity support this argument.

Mindel, Habenstein, and Wright states that, “The maintenance of ethnic identification and solidarity ultimately rests on the ability of the family to socialize its members into the ethnic culture and thus to channel and control, perhaps program, future behavior.” (1998, 8)

González, Umaña-Taylor, and Bámaca concludes, “Familial ethnic socialization and experiences within the family are of primary importance in shaping ethnic identification.” (2006:187)

Rotheram and Phinney recognized the influence that ethnic socialization has, mainly on children. They defined ethnic socialization as, “the developmental processes by which children acquire the behaviors, perceptions, values, and attitudes of an ethnic group, and come to see themselves and others as members of such groups.” (1987:11)

Boscia-Mulè (1999:141) suggests that, “ethnicity has an identifiable and significant role in my respondents’ private lives.It is an ethnicity expressed mainly in the form of familistic values, and through the enactment of some of the behaviors consonant with those values.”

It is understandable why family plays a very important role in preserving ethnic identity. In explaining this we can use Clark’s argument, he says that ‘family is the very stuff of ethnic identity’. They influence lives and this is the main reason why family acts as what described by Stone as ‘agents of ethnicity’.

In the case of Italian American they maintain a very strong family structure. Greeleys study about the Catholics in America found out that among the American Catholic, the Italians are more likely to live in the same neighborhood as parents and siblings their families are very close. (Greeley 1972). When families are close traditions can be passed down and celebrated. This is the main reason why Italian American still has a very strong ethnic identity despite being settled down in a foreign land for a ling time.

Maintenance of Ethnic group Boundaries

Food is essential for everyone. The food that people choose to consume especially in our daily life would definitely be something significant to us. It could mean they simple love the food but it also can signify their identity. Food is also one of the most important symbols through which ethnic groups in America have maintained their individual identities and communicated to the society as a whole. (Kalcik 84).

The reason why ethnic consciousnesses are being maintained through food is because that is perhaps the easiest and most practical way to do it. Klymasz (1973 133) explains that the loss of the ethnic language or dialect often prevents the preservation of verbal folklore forms. This is not the case with food because with its quality that is easy to learn and also can act as a significant reminder to of the past, food is a more practical way to maintain ethnic consciousness especially towards the younger generations.

Sabina Magliocco argues that the various food chosen in an Italian theme festival signifies the important aspect of community identity and the dynamics of ethnic representation.(Magliocco 148)
The Little Italy Festival that she referred is actually one way how the Italian American maintain ethnic consciousness. The interesting part of this kind of festivals is that it can show how the Italian identity has changed over the years. What are being observed in the festival is actually the assimilation of the Italian American community.

The festival was structured to portray the parts of Italian identity that are available and can be enjoyed by the whole community. However by comparison, all the activities are typically American and have very little resemblance to the activities that would usually take place in popular festivals in Italy.

Further study on the festival shows that the sellers of the food in the festival consist of both Italians and non-Italians. The assimilation of the Italian culture in the society makes it a case of the seller selling Italian food to non-Italians and it’s not about representing their regional roots or the Italian culture anymore. The Italian foods itself have become accustomed to the society.

Ethnicity can be hard to define and it changes constantly. Maintaining ethnic group boundaries is also complicated. The process of assimilation inevitable because when a totally different culture is brought into a new society sooner or later that culture will be accepted and adopted into the new culture.

In the case of the Italian American we can see how their original Italian identity being assimilated into the American society. It is wrong to say that the original culture has totally disintegrated but rather it has changed. The fact that some original traditions is still being practiced even though in different ways, this means that the ethnic identity is still very much alive.

Maintaining ethnic group boundaries is not necessary to preserve ethnic identity. We look at how the Italian American preserves their identity. They accepted the changes of the society and made the best out of it. As a result over the years they have managed to maintain their identity without being left out of the society. From the example of the little Italy festival, it can be deduced that certain identities such as their food have been preserved.

This can be seen when pizza and pastas are being sold in the festival. These foods were food that the early migrants had in their weekly menu when they first reached the United States. At the same time many aspects of the festival were not the same as the festivals in Italy but rather were things that are being done in America shows how the two different cultures has been successfully assimilated not at the expense of another.

Conclusion

Food is a very good indicator of ethnic identity. Different countries due to various reasons such as taste tendency, geographical conditions, economic development consumes different type of food. In this paper we look at the common menu for the early Italian migrants that migrated to America.

When they migrated they brought together with them their culture and traditions. As the community develops, this community faces a common crisis amongst people that migrate to a new place, which is the identity crisis. The dilemma that they face is to define their identity. Evidently the Italian migrants choose to preserve their identity and at the same time assimilate into the new culture.

Preserving their identity proves to be a challenging and a daunting task especially to the second generations onwards. These people have very little if not at all attachments to their original roots. Here comes the role of family members. Family plays an essential role in introducing and maintaining the ethnic identity. If families continue to practice and observe their original roots and traditions ethnic identity will definitely be preserved as people will value their origins based on how much they know.

This paper takes food to show how the Italian Americans manage to preserve their ethnic identity. The example of little Italy festival manifests the idea of maintaining ethnic identity and assimilation of that identity into the new culture. This also proves that ethnic groups do not need to maintain any boundaries with the whole society, as ethnic identity will not disintegrate.

In a nutshell by using food as a reflection for ethnic identity we can see that Americanization has not disintegrated the original Italian culture and traditions amongst the Italian Americans. Their community, despite having to assimilate into the society has managed to stand by their roots and maintain their cultures through generations.

References

Alba, R. D. 1990. Ethnic Identity: The Transformation of White America. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Boscia-Mulè, P. 1999. Authentic Ethnicities: The Interaction of Ideology, Gender Power, and Class in the Italian-American Experience. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

Clark, D. 1991. Erin’s Heirs: Irish Bonds of Community. Lexington: The University of Kentucky Press.

Gans, H. J. 1979. “Symbolic Ethnicity: The Future of Ethnic Groups and Cultures in America.” Ethnic and Racial Studies 2:1-20.

Gans H. J. 1994. “Symbolic Ethnicity and Symbolic Religiosity: Towards a Comparison of Ethnic and Religious Acculturation.” Ethnic and Racial Studies 17:577- 592.

G. Goode, Judith Curtis, Karen, Theophano, Janet (1984) Meal Formats, Meal Cycles and Menu Negotiations in the Maintenance of Italian American Community. In Mary Douglas Food in the Social Order. USA: The Russel Sage Foundation. 143-218

González, A. G., Umaña-Taylor, A. J. & Bámaca, M. Y. 2006. “Familial Ethnic Socialization Among Adolescents of Latino and European Descent: Do Latina Mothers Exert the MostInfluence?” Journal of Family Issues 27:184- 207.

Greeley, A. M. 1972. That Most Distressful Nation: The Taming of the American Irish. Chicago: Quadrangle Books.

J. Iorizzo,Luciano, Mondello,Salvatore The Italian Americans Youngstown, NY : Cambria Press, 2006

King A.A study of the Italian diet in a group of New Heaven Families. Master Thesis Yale Univeristy.

Klymasz, Robert (1973) "From Immigrant to Ethnic Folklore," Journal of the Folklore Institute 133-137

Mindel, C. H., Habenstein, R. W., & Wright, Jr., R. 1998. “Diversity Among America’s Ethnic Minorities.” Pp. 1-12 in Ethnic Families in America: Patterns and Variations, edited byC. H. Mindel, R. W. Habenstein, and R. Wright, Jr. Upper Saddle Ridge, NJ: PrenticeHall.

Nizzardini, G and Joffe, N. Italian food patterns and their relationship to wartime problems of food and Nutrition Mimeographed. National Research Council on Food Habit. 1942.

Rotheram, M. J. & Phinney, J. S. 1987. “Introduction: Definitions and Perspectives in the Study of Children’s Ethnic Socialization.” Pp. 10-28 in Children’s Socialization: Pluralism andDevelopment, edited by J. S. Phinney and M. J. Rotheram. Newbury, CA: Sage Publications.

Stone, E. 1988. Black Sheep and Kissing Cousins: How Our Family Stories Shape Us. New York: Penguin Books.

Jodoh

2010-11-19T16:25:00.002+10:30

Entering my final year Im pretty sure they will be people that will ask me about this when I return. For now all I can say is there are many things that I want to achieve first before settling down. However it does not mean I dont think about it at all.

Jodoh kita sebenarnya sudah tertulis di loh mahfuz. Kita suka atau benci, segalanya sudah tertulis dan sebagai manusia kita perlu redha. Kita mampu merancang tetapi Allah ada perancanganNya untuk kita dan semestinya perancangan itulah yang terbaik.

Berbicara soal jodoh ni, saya ada ciri-ciri pilihan sendiri. Sebab tu sepanjang hidup saya sangat susah untuk mempunyai perasaan dekat seseorang perempuan. Kalau saya tertarik pun banyak benda yang saya kena check sebelum betul2 nak suka.

Paling penting, mestilah rupa. Paras rupa mesti kena cantik dan penampilan kena kemas. Buat apa nak hipokrit, mana ada orang dalam dunia ni yang tak pentingkan kecantikan. Tetapi kecantikan tu subjektif. Kecantikan di sini bermakna cantik untuk saya. Tak kira la pendapat orang lain macam mana.Yang penting saya rasa cantik. InsyaAllah in the future I will provide her enough money for grooming,slimming beautiful clothes, everything.(kena kerja keras ni)

Saya juga pentingkan latar belakang. Bukan latar belakang keluarga tetapi latar belakang si dia. Macam mana dia bergaul dengan kawan-kawan, cara dia bercakap dengan orang tua tu semua sangat penting. Saya ada cita-cita yang memerlukan orang yang bakal bersama saya itu bersih dari benda yang bukan-bukan.

Cara dia position diri dia dekat public pun penting. Cara dia duduk dan cara dia berjalan. Duduk kena sopan berjalan kena tegak dan yakin. Contohnya, Kate Middleton dari segi public relation dia adalah wanita ideal bagi saya.

Otak pun kena ada jugak.Saya sangat suka intelectual discussion. Not all the time but from time to time. Sebab tu saya nak cari orang yang membaca dan orang yang boleh berhujah dengan baik. Senang nak communicate, nak bersembang pun tak bosan.

Kalau boleh nak cari orang yang minat sukan. Definitely bukan sukan2 yang terlalu lasak mcm base jumping atau panjat gunung ke apa tapi sukan komersial mcm bola, F1 or tennis maybe?Boleh kongsi minat sama-sama.

Ciri-ciri suri rumah pun penting jugak. Kemas rumah saya sangat2 tak boleh duduk dalam keadaan bersepah dan berhabuk. Masak? That should be a bonus tetapi kalau takder I dont really see it as a must. Asalkan rajin & pastikan ada makanan untuk dimakan. I did not grew up with home cooked meals but my mom made sure there's always food for us. Dont get the wrong idea, she do cook but not always.

Last but not least, dia mesti financially prudent. Susah kalau orang perempuan ni jenis yang tak pandai control duit. Berbelanja mengikut kemampuan. Bukan nak kedekut tetapi kalau ada 1000 kena belanja cara ada 1000 kalau ada 1 juta kena belanja cara ada 1 juta. Baru tak celaru hidup.

Seperti yang saya telah katakan tadi, kita boleh merancang atau berkehendak ke atas seusatu tetapi segalan-galanya kita terpulang kepada Allah.

Dalam soal jodoh sebenarnya yang paling penting AGAMA. Kalau takder sekalipun semua ciri-ciri yang saya nyatakan tadi, kena ada usaha mendekatkan diri pada agama.

Rasulullah SAW dalam hadisnya bermaksud, "Kahwinilah wanita itu kerana empat perkara, kerana hartanya, kerana keturunannya, kerana kecantikan dan kerana agamanya. Pilihlah wanita yang beragama, engkau akan selamat".

Mungkin orang akan kata kau nak macam2 ko tu mcm mana?

Thats the reason why I work hard to improve myself everyday.

aku ingin berjuang

2010-11-12T01:34:00.003+10:30

Apa guna tuntut ilmu
jika hidup sekadar mengejar wang

Apa guna selamat
jika ramai yang teraniaya

Apa guna gembira
Jika masih ramai berduka

Apa guna mekar
Jika hakikatnya layu

Apa guna tenang
Jika hati masih resah

Apa guna bangkit
Jika matlamat tidak tercapai

Apa guna merdeka
Jika akal masih terjajah

Apa guna suara
Jika tiada kebebasan bersuara

Apa guna mata
Jika hati terus buta

Apa guna semangat
jika aku tidak berjuang

Biar aku mati
Tetapi jangan aku dipersiakan

Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin

Suara anak muda di Malaysia sangat sayu. Jika kita berbeza pendapat ancaman berbentuk ISA sering diomong-omongkan. Bukankah ISA itu gunanya untuk menjamin ketenteraman negara?Jadi mengapa perlu ia digunakan untuk menyekat suara-suara lantang yang inginkan kebaikan untuk negara?Hati sangat kecewa apabila ramai orang yang sebenarnya sayangkan negara ingin menyatakan perbezaan pendapat tetapi terpaksa melupakan hasrat kerana ancaman berbentuk ISA. Saya tidak anti internal security act kerana ia penting untuk menjaga KESELAMATAN negara. Tetapi jika ia untuk menakutkan rakyat dan menutup KEBEBASAN bersuara itu bukanlah tujuannya.THINK.IMAGINE.BELIEVE.

kata-kata

2010-10-29T23:04:00.002+10:30

Kadang-kala kita perlu,
jatuh sebelum bangun,
tewas sebelum menang,
luka sebelum sembuh,
terlupa sebelum beringat,
leka sebelum sedar,
buruk sebelum baik
tenggelam sebelum timbul,
gagal sebelum berjaya,
hilang sebelum jumpa
BENCI sebelum CINTA.

For you

2010-10-28T10:47:00.002+10:30

Aku hanya boleh doakan kau sentiasa bahagia dan sabar menghadapi segala dugaan.

Because I dont want you to know that I care
I want to be invisible to you.

Sukan Kegemaranku

2010-10-24T18:43:00.003+10:30

Although Im not a natural born talent in any sports but I love sports. Of course football is my number one sport, my first love. A huge-huge super huge fan of Manchester United I have been following football since I was a kid. At 8 my room was filled with posters of my fav football club and at that time my favourite player, Michael Owen (I was super excited when he decided to join Man Utd!) Locally I supported Pahang as a kid because my uncles and auntys used to bring me to the stadium to watch them play(Abah originated from Pahang).

However when I entered MRSM in form 4 we were introduced to a new kind of spirit 'semangat kenegerian' people would be extremely proud of their state and since I was born and breed in Selangor it kinda affected me. I start supporting Selangor!So yeah now I support Selangor=)

My interest in sports does not only constitute football but it also includes various other sports. Some I have tried in school ans some I was introduced in uni. Tennis for instance is a sport that I start playing in school and now its my second favourite sports. In fact I bought a new tennis racquet early this year but since no one I know play tennis regularly I just dont get the opportunity to play it. In uni due to peer pressure I also do play rugby sometimes.

In the future, maybe after I graduate I would love to take up golf. YES believe it or not Im into golfing. 10 years ago I did took some golfing lesson however that was it. Mainly because dad stopped playing golf. Owh yeah did I mentioned I do not come from a sporting background. Most of my family members do not play sports. At times I wonder where does this deep passion and interest comes from?My grandfather perhaps?sigh I wish I could know them better. Both my gradfathers passed away when I was young. So now Im gonna make a list of sports that I have played and some sports that I hope to one day try just for the sake of having fun.

1. Football
2. Tennis
3. Golf
4. Rugby
5. Bowling
6. Go-Kart
7. Hockey
8. Squash
9. Badminton
10. Frisbee

the way you are

2010-10-23T11:27:00.003+10:30

'when I see your face, theres not a thing that I would change
When you smile the whole world stop and stare
because you are amazing just the way you are'
-Bruno Mars, Just the way you are'-

Inspired by the song Just the way you are by Bruno Mars

Because you are amazing

I dont want to find a reason
nor an answer
to why I would love you
now and forever
The world can judge
for what we are
for who you are
for who I am
But we shall stand
Above all those
unkind words
clueless ideas
As this is about us
Girl,you should know
I would not change
even a single bit of you
You are the face
I want to see
every single day
for the rest of my life.
because you are amazing
Just the way you are

by Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin

Inspired by a song,dedicated to all my friends.Good luck in your exams!

I am not a lover.

2010-10-18T13:03:00.005+10:30

Don't tell me you love me because I'm deaf,
Don't ask me an answer because i'm dumb,
Don't show me how much you love me because I'm blind,
let it be in your heart, for someone.

written by a close friend, Ammar Izzul Islam.

Im lost without you

2010-10-17T22:26:00.002+10:30

Back in school I used to imagine my life in uni. I had so many hopes and dreams. Now all that dreams and imagination is about to enter its final stage. Alhamdulillah the journey has been nothing less than spectacular. This is where I leave behind my teenage years for many more challenging years.

I wanted love,
I found someone,
But its not meant to be.

I wanted life,
what more can I hope for?
Im living the life.

I wanted an experience,
The journey itself
is an experience
I shall not forget.

I wanted to lead,
Indeed I have a chance
To make history.
To serve and lead the community.

My second year in university is about to end. Another two weeks of classes and then a whole month of exams. InsyaAllah if I pass all my subjects I will be entering my final year in uni. I might have not achieved much this year but I certainly when beyond my normal boundaries. Many things that I would have regarded as being impossible but this year I gave it a try. I took many calculated risks. Some of which brought pleasant returns and some just did not turn out well. As the Aussies often say, No worries mate!I am young and for sure I will make mistakes but the more important thing is I learn from my mistakes. I know if I did not take risks I wont find out the answer. My life will be haunted with many what if's questions. I am glad I freed myself from that uncertainty. This year I stood up for my feelings,for my thoughts and for what I believed in. A friend of mine once said, you must always be brave and you must not stop being brave. For now the journey shall continue. I dont want much in this temporary world. Just good enough condition for me to prepare for the afterlife.

Puzzle

2010-09-28T23:16:00.002+09:30

When I first saw you,it never occured to me I will one day include you in my blog. This blog is a personal blog and I usually post things that are important in my life; things that I love and have a deep passion for. Since day one, you have been like a puzzle to me. I dont know what to do when it comes to you.

When I dont know what to do, I try not to act stupid and try to be smart. I have to be honest Im not funny so thats why I always talk facts in front of you. Maybe you hate me because of that?I dont know. You are somehow like a puzzle that I try to solve but end up destroying it.

What I saw in you is an ideal woman that knows what she wants in life. You always choose to do the right thing. In making decisions, you follow your brain and not your heart. How do you expect someone like me to present myself upon you? Thats the reason many things I di infront of you seemed like Im just making it up. Actually what I was trying to do was to be a better man. It would be a lie if I say I did not want to impress you. Well, Im not impresive so I had to make an impression. If thats the reason, I'll just accept Im not good enough and will never be good enough.

It is important that you know, Im young and Im not as matured or as good as you. All the things that I had done that got you annoyed are mistakes I have to live with. You have punished me enough, I hope you forgive me now.

I admit I once wanted to fight for your heart.Now that is something from the past. It hurts when I have to pretend like I dont care about your wellbeing. It hurts when I cant be there as a friend for you.

As far as you know me, YES there has been many unpleasant experience but Im sure there are moments when things were good between us. If perhaps you could actually picture the more pleasant moments when you look at me,InsyaAllah things can be better.

Im writing this because I care about you and I want you to know I have learnt my lesson.

Pemilihan AMK 2010

2010-09-16T23:00:00.002+09:30

Politics
Right now Keadilan is having their polls to choose party leaders. Since this is the party that I wish to join upon graduation I am following this years party polls with much interest. Of the many contests, I would say the contest for the Ketua Angkatan Muda is the most important contest. This is a party of the future, a party that is relatively new and also has a a large young supporters and therefore this position is extremely important. From all my readings one conclusion I can make is Rafizi Ramli is the best candidate to bring Keadilan forward. Lets be practical, Angkatan Muda needs intellectualism and start moving away from street politics. His team, Generasi Reformasi looks good I cant comment on each one of the member of his team but I personally know Saifullah Zulkifli as I have worked with him before during my time volunteering for YB Nik Nazmi two years ago. He is a very talented young man. Angkatan Muda can really use his experience as a student leader and activist to promote intellectualism. Yes I cant vote during this years party election but if there are any party members reading this, why not try something new? Go for Gerakan Reformasi!

P/S: Apparently there are party leaders that read my post therefore I have decided to make a separate post regarding this subject because the previous post was just a random post =)

Thoughts

2010-09-14T23:24:00.003+09:30

This is week 7 in uni. One assignment away from mid semester break. I really do think that Australia university have got a very good academic calendar planning. Usually breaks come when you badly need a break from university. After all the assignments and work-load together with never ending personal problems that completes the horrendous pressure put upon shoulder you will eventually reach a point where you just feel like giving up. Alhamdulillah thats when the break comes in to save your life. I look forward to this break because I BADLY need to restructure my life and start focussing on my studies in my final 4 weeks of semester 2 Year 2 life.

Life
Overall I am happy.Blessed with strong pillars of supports from wonderful friends, I cant ask for more. Truthfully right now I am surrounded by people I am really comfortable with. But just like all good things, this journey will end soon, in one year to be more precise. From my facebook status I bet people would think that I am always emotional. In reality, that is not nearly true. It so just happen that whenever i update my status it would be an emo status. I have a reason for that. I used to update happy status until someone labeled me as a psycho that creates happiness in my mind, believe it or not it was on her STATUS!So since then I rarely put happy thoughts up. But now, oh well what the hell. Why should I bother?I apologised but she insisted on HATING me. So Im not going to bother anymore. Its just not worth it.

Politics
Right now Keadilan is having their polls to choose party leaders. Since this is the party that I wish to join upon graduation I am following this years party polls with much interest. Of the many contests, I would say the contest for the Ketua Angkatan Muda is the most important contest. This is a party of the future, a party that is relatively new and also has a a large young supporters and therefore this position is extremely important. From all my readings one conclusion I can make is Rafizi Ramli is the best candidate to bring Keadilan forward. Lets be practical, Angkatan Muda needs intellectualism and start moving away from street politics. His team, Generasi Reformasi looks good I cant comment on each one of the member of his team but I personally know Saifullah Zulkifli as I have worked with him before during my time volunteering for YB Nik Nazmi two years ago. He is a very talented young man. Angkatan Muda can really use his experience as a student leader and activist to promote intellectualism. Yes I cant vote during this years party election but if there are any party members reading this, why not try something new? Go for Gerakan Reformasi!

MASCA SA
Alhamdulillah.I was fortunate enough to be voted into the Malaysian Students' Council of Australia (South Australian Chapter) last year. Soon my first term will end. We have one more event before this years committee will be dissolved and a new committee will be elected during our AGM. From what I heard more than half of the current committee will not be seeking for re-election. Its kinda sad but good things never last. Personally, I am willing to serve for another term. However it all depends on whether i'll get re-elected. We'll see how it goes. Overall it had been a very good learning experience for me and so whatever happens I am honoured to have been able to serve in this organisation.

Regards,
Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin.

Indecisive

2010-08-22T22:20:00.004+09:30

Today I was unexpectedly asked by someone I do not expect, a straight and direct question. It was simple but yet a huge question I would say.

DO YOU LIKE HER?

Lets put the CURRENT SITUATION OUT of the equation. Thats not important. What I am worried about is how I answered the question.

I said, ' I cant give you a definite answer'. The question now is:

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME?

Since when did I became indecisive with my feelings? When it comes to feelings I am the type of guy who have always been sure of what I want. I am usually very decisive. She can be taken, or in love with someone else but if I like someone I just like someone (doesnt mean Im going to make a move for her; I know how to respect other people). I cant control how I feel but surely I can control what I do with that feelings.

I could have answered the question with a big YES or even a big NO. But honestly, the answer that came out from me was an honest answer.

I am certainly not looking for a relationship which I think was in fact the reason why I dont know whether I like her or not. I am attracted, but hey, Im looking for the REAL thing so there are so many things that I have to consider before being 100% committed. Some people say Im too slow but to me, its fine. If its meant to be, its meant to be; she can go fall for all the guys in this world, in the end she'll still be mine. So Im not worried. I believe in destiny. Allah knows best.

Another possible reason is that maybe Im tired of falling for someone. I am still hurt by my recent experience. It takes time to recover especially when it hurts so deeply. Okay, lets not get into that.

SO YES.

I stand by my answer. 'I cant give a definite answer'. Maybe one day, when Im really sure of my feelings I'll consider confessing. Am I not scared she might be taken by then? Well,again Allah knows best. The important thing here is Im being honest to myself.

FOR NOW

I pray that,
she would always
be happy
Believe in herself.
Be successful in life.
Blessed with good health
and all the best things in life.
Amin.

When I try to explain Love.

2010-08-19T00:41:00.006+09:30

Everyday I pray for you. I pray for you to be happy. I pray for your health. I pray that one day perhaps you will see me the way I see you. This feelings is real and pure. No, my dear I'm not one of those people that are around you just to get a piece of you. Im willing to put my life on the line for you but Im not asking for anything. Is this love?Sometimes I wonder. Isnt love supposed to be beautiful? Isnt love supposed to unite two hearts? Why is it hurting me.

You keep yourself in that world of yours. Hoping for a miracle. Dreaming of the impossibles. Trapped above the stars, blind to the harsh reality .Reality? oh well thats where I stand. Far far away from your heart.

**************

You called yesterday. My brain says dont pick up. My heart says what if she really needs you. As always I succumbed to my feelings. You wanted to see me by the river behind our university. I thought, that is rather strange. That is the place where I go to find peace. The chill breeze whisking on my face; the sights of affectionate lovers that never fails to give hope. Maybe one day I'll find my true love, it gives me peace.

I could see you, beautiful as always. You were wearing your maroon coat, my favourite colour. I saw you a holding a yellow balloon. That is rather strange, I thought. Knowing you; I have always been prepared to expect the unexpected. I went closer and I saw you smiling, the exact smile that had melted my heart again and again. Before I could open my mouth you gave me that yellow balloon. Just as I got a hand on it, it popped.

Is this a sign from god? I said sorry and you say its ok because theres a message in it. Yes indeed,there was a piece of paper;written on it was a poem. It was your handwriting so I know you wrote it. I always knew you could write, thats your talent. I was at the first sentence when the skies turned grey what seemed so clear moments ago is now fading away. That was the end of my dream.

Its between the lines.

2010-08-17T20:20:00.002+09:30

I dont want to create a reason
or say something
that would make things better
Its just not that simple
Its important to know
I have trained myself
to look strong and relaxed
especially under pressure
As though my confidence level
have no limitation
I act professional
according to the situation
So I might seem fine
In the outside yes
Not in the inside.
Now is the time
I shall repeat my pledge
Dont care about my feelings
its worthless.
I am committed to see
my friends happy.
for you are the one
that compares to no other.

Ahmad Ridhuan,20

The story needs to move on.

2010-08-12T23:17:00.002+09:30

If I am a painter, I want to draw a new picture.
If I am a movie director, I want to film a new movie.
If I am an actor, I want to star in a new blockbuster.
If I am a singer I want to sing new song.
If I am a writer I want to write a new story.
If I am an entrepreneur I want to create a new business.
If I am a lawyer, I want to fight a new case.
If I am a dreamer, I want a new dream.

YES.

I want a new beginning.
In this story I dont want it to be about me.
I want it to be about everyone around me.
I tried to get something done for me,for once.

BUT

I was misjudged,misinterpreted,misunderstood and HATED.
So NO I am not going to let my life go down the drain.
I swear to god I wont let what they did to me happen to any of my friends.
The misery and the sadness.OH,IT HURTS.

SO

For that reason, I am going to spend my life
from now onwards, making others happy.
I'll do what it takes to make you, my friends, my family happy.
Ignore my happiness. I DONT CARE.
I will only care for all of you
Which means in Adelaide Im talking about all my friends.
and at home all my family and friends.(See I am giving clear definition so that my intention wont be misinterpreted anymore)

PLEASE

Just tell me if it gets uncomfortable.
Correct if what I am doing is wrong.
Because I PROMISE you I have no hidden intentions
I just want you guys to be happy.
Obviously I am human,so I might make mistakes.
I repeat CORRECT me.
I will repent and make sure the right things are done.

WHY?
Because I am done pretending as if what happened did not affected me at all.
I am tired and sick of thinking about how to get this over with.
I guess this is my final decision.

20

2010-08-10T00:43:00.004+09:30

I am 20.Yes not a teenager, not yet an adult. A few weeks before my birthday.It became perhaps the worst few weeks of my life.I thought surely I'd turned 20 unhappy. Alhamdulillah,that did not happenedWhat happened to me?I wish not to reveal here.Because unlike some people. I respect privacy. I do not publicly humiliate my friends

Lets move onI have to thank my friends because I owe this happiness to them. Without them, I really dont know what could have happened. Especially when Im so far away from my family.They were there for me day and night;advising me,listening to me, giving me the motivation I badly needed. At a time when only god knows how miserable I felt. I had so many friends around me.

So this years Birthday post wont be about me but will be about those people that made this day felt amazing. Without them,trust me I wont be smiling while typing out this post. Without them I dont know whether I would have survived.

Thank you Ammar, for everything. You are certainly not my friend, you are the big brother that Ive always wanted.

Thank you Amzar, for everything. Your wise words, have changed my life in so many ways.

Thank you Acap for everything. Your cakes and muffins were the only sweetness that I could taste for that few weeks.

Thank you Ikhwan Yuslim for everything. You suck. BUT I know you care about me. =P

Thank you Imran for everything. Your harsh but realistic advices have made me stronger.

Thank you Najwa. I knew you for a few days but out of all the people,you chose to be a friend. You allowed me to explain instead of just hating me.

Last but not least, Thank you Raifana. You, my good friend made me believe,again that not everyone hates me after all.

lots of love,
Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin,20
(09/08/2010)

Perantauan-Adelaide update

2010-07-11T17:02:00.004+09:30

Dear readers one of my friend showed me this blog http://www.adifstory.blogspot.com I would really recommend you to read this blog. Her stories are inspiring. I spent the whole two days reading her posts totally mesmerised by her use of words, music and her paintings. I really think that she's a good role model for us young people,not that she's old but the things she's doing and her achievements at her age is totally remarkable. So yes,go have a look and I must say be prepared for a magical and mind blowing reading experience.

It was my dream to leave my country. Believe or not I listed going overseas in my life to-do list when I was 10 years old. If you guys remember back in school we used to have program maju diri(PMD) usually at the beginning of the year. A week filled with activities to develop our non-academic skills. Ridiculous I would say because one of week of training wont change anything but I really enjoyed it. In one of the activities our teacher asked us to list down what we want in life. Going overseas, leaving the country was right on top of my list.

Alhamdulillah, after 10 years, here I am blogging miles and miles away from home. Back then I really wanted to go to UK because Im a die hard Manchester United fan and I wanted to study there and watch my team. Well, Allah have a better plan for me because destiny have lead me to this wonderful city, Adelaide. Honestly, so far this journey had been nothing less than spectacular. I thoroughly enjoy the city,the friendly people not forgetting the dreamy weather(not really its freezing now). Adelaide is nothing like the place I come from. Its has a small city and its not very busy. The city is surrounded by parks and gardens. I was born in Subang Jaya and I grew up in PJ and if you are familiar with this places you'll know how busy and congested they are. Traffic jam in Adelaide is like normal traffic in PJ. Studying in Adelaide to me is like taking a break from that busy life. Not saying that Im not busy here but the environment is much more peaceful here.I can be busy with assignments and association activities but yet I could feel relaxed and enjoy life.That is Adelaide to me.

When I reached here there were so many things I wanted to do. I was like a bird set free from its cage. I just want to fly away. My heart at that time was filled with excitement and hope. Finally I have this opportunity to reinvent myself and be who I want to be. I didnt know anyone here. I see new people and make new friends almost everyday. The first thing I did was to use a new nick name. I used my childhood name. A name that only my closest friend back home called me.

My first year passed like a breeze. Now, Im halfway through. InsyaAllah another 3 semesters and this short journey will end. I do have plans but nothing is for sure. Where I'll go after this what I do when this stage of life. While I can try to improve myself I shall leave the future to Allah. I believe with all my heart I am destined for the best. I also believe that all the good things in life will only taste sweet after tasting the bitterness of life. Thats the main reason why I am always optimistic.

Yes I am always optimistic. EXCEPT when it comes to love. I am very pessimistic when it comes to love. MAYBE because I have come into terms that it just impossible. I somehow believe that Allah have destined for me to be happy in some other ways but not love. I am not the type of guy that could fall in love with the beautiful girl across the street. I seldom fall for the hottest girl in school,uni or whatever. I am always attracted to the quiet girl in class or the impossible girl that all the guys secretly have a crush on wouldnt say anything because she's too impossible. YES that kind of girl. I thought thats gonna change when I reach here.

Unfortunately. NO. New place,new friends but same old same old story. I am tired because these type of girls they will never accept someone like me. They wont talk to me let alone care about me.

When it comes to relationship I will tell you now. I am not looking for a short term relationship. I want a long-term and stable relationship and obviously now is not the time for that. In my previous posts I have highlighted the things that I want and need to achieve before taking that extra-responsibility.

As I am writing this post Im still reading the blog I mentioned earlier. SERIOUSLY people go READ the blog! I tried to describe the blog earlier but as I read her posts really I dont think my words are worthy enough to describe her writings.Its soo...hurmm..indescribable!

Owh yeah.Tomorrow I'l be leaving for a much needed vacation. Im revisiting New Zealand. 5 years ago I went to North island and this time around I'll be visiting South Island. Hopefully New Zealand will lift up my spirit and prepare me for a very busy 2nd semester. InsyaAllah.

Kegagalanku

2010-06-27T17:27:00.002+09:30

Sejak kebelakangan ini emosi sering tidak stabil. Mungkin tekanan tatkala menghadapi peperiksaan. Tetapi tekanan peperiksaan bukan satu perkara asing bagiku. Sudah berkali-kali aku menghadapi peperiksaan. Konsep usaha-doa-tawakkal senantiasa menjadi pedoman ku menghadapi setiap peperiksaan. Alhamdulillah masih diberi ruang masa dan nikmat kesihatan untuk berusaha bagi peperiksaan kali ini. Tetapi mengapa hati masih tidak tenang sepenuhnya?Aku hairan. Jika hendak disalahkan peperiksaan, fokus aku ketika mentelaah subjek tidak lari. Setiap hari di Barr Smith Library aku masih diberi rezeki dan kesempatan untuk mentelaah ilmu dengan tenang.

Misteri. Itu perkataan paling sesuai untuk mengungkap perasaan ini. Kenapa emosi ku tidak stabil. Dalam masa satu hari bermacam perasaan membelenggun hidup ku. Perasaan gembira dan duka itu bagai tidak boleh dibezakan. Sekejap aku gembira sekejap aku berduka dan seringkali aku marah secara tiba-tiba.

Aku menjadi takut lalu aku cuba muhasabah perlakuan ku. Mungkin aku telah menyalahi atau menyakiti perasaan sesiapa tanpa aku sedari. Aku terus meminta maaf kepada semua rakan-rakan di sekelilingku. Alasan yang aku beri, 'exam sudah dekat'. Tidak aku bukan meminta ampun kerana exam, aku mahukan kemaafan kerana aku dapat rasakan seakan-akan ada insan yang tidak senang dengan ku.

Nikmat ketenangan jiwa kembali dalam hidupku. Tetapi malangnya, hanya buat sementara waktu. Sehabis peperiksaan pertama ku, emosi aku sekali lagi meragam. Kali ini lebih dahsyat. Aku bingung dan tersentak. Apa pula salahku kali ini.

Dalam kelekaan melayari laman web aku terbaca:

Tidak sempurna iman bagi orang yang tidak beramanah dan tidak sempurna agama bagi orang yang tidak menepati janji” (Riwayat Ahmad).

Mungkin inilah kesalahan ku. Sudah hampir 8 bulan aku diberi amanah menjadi pemimpin di sini. TETAPI kerana terlalu leka mengejar sesuatu perkara yang sebenarnya aku tiada kuasa untuk mengubah,satu perkara yang Allah sudah tetapkan aku ambil mudah tanggungjawab ku. Aku hanya melakukan perkara yang disuruh dan tidak mengambil apa-apa inisiatif untuk melakukan perkara lain. Amanah ku bukan hanya untuk membuat apabila disuruh, amanah ku lebih besar dari itu. Aku perlu banyak berubah.

Ya Allah. Aku sedar dan insaf. Berikan aku kekuatan untuk menjalankan amanah ini. Aku akan cuba memperbaiki diriku. Berikan lah daku ketenangan jiwa. Berikanlah kesabaran serta keredhaan. Tetapkanlah hatiku untuk meneruskan perjuangan ku ke arah kejayaan ketika menghadapi perhitungan mu satu hari nanti.

Yes you can.

2010-06-16T23:47:00.004+09:30

This is a personal post DISCONTINUE READING if you dont know me or just dont feel like knowing anything about me.

WARNING: This is a post to motivate me, please feel free to stop reading. ITS ALL ABOUT ME.

Next week is my finals. If I pass all my subjects I'll be half way through my degree. InsyaAllah. Well the time has come for me to start thinking about my next step. Because the next step is huge.This is where I either I make it or break it. I honestly feel that I need to start thinking about it now so that I have time to make the best possible option. I like to be be in control and plan my life ahead. So far Alhamdulillah, I wont say i achieved everything that I planned but I am still on the right track. Working hard to make everything possible one day.

The first option would be to continue my studies. Heres an option preferred by my parents. That was sort of the deal. Get my degree and continue with my masters. It has always been my preferred choice also. Masters in Health Economics and Policy is will only take one year to complete if I could make the grades. Ive been doing lots of research. So far what I have found out is that it is an interesting course. Something that I have deep interest BUT the only problem is the career. I cant really picture myself being Economist. Be it Environmental Economist or Health Economist I dont feel like spending my time doing research.

It is undeniable, being a Health Economist would allow me to work in the medical field; my first love. I have always wanted to work in the health industry but the role of a Health Economist is something that I dont think suits me. Basically the problem with continuing my studies is I cant find a course that will suit my future career.

So then how do you imagine your future career would be like Ridhuan?Well I want a career that suit my lifestyle:
1)I want to work 10 hours a day,6 days a week.Sunday is only for my immediate family.

2)I want time to spend time with my ALL family.Not often but at least 3 months once.

3)I dont mind travelling around,ad hoc tasks. This is only for the first 15 years of my working life.

4)I will spend my spare time for community service.(being active in political party)

5)I want to spend first ten years working/learning in a company and then start my own company.

6) I want to become a corporate slayer by 30 years old.

7) I want to become a multimillionaire sitting at the top of middle-class society.

8)I am a people person so basically, I want a career in management.

Thats a rough idea of what I want in terms of career. As you can see,it doesnt make sense to get a Masters in health economics does it?

The other option I have is to start working. A bachelor of economics would get me a job in various department or even as a diplomate. BUT if I do start working it would be rather irresponsible if I choose to disregard my dad's company. Whether I like it or not he sponsored my whole studies. I feel like if there is one thing I can do for him it would be to work for him. I used to be scared that if I work for him I'll always be under his shadow. I never wanted to become an engineer because of that but it all changed when I worked for him last year. I realised that all my education and trainings(active involvement in societies) had made me somehow more capable. I believe that I can learn and even one day be better if I work for him. Its not easy but what do you expect? You wanna become a multimillionaire and not suffer like hell first that is rather bullshit.

A piece of advice given to me by my friend that has inspired me and will always be an inspiration to me: You dont have to become pilot to own and airlines company, you dont have to be an engineer to own an engineering company. You need to be smart and get the right people to do it for you.

For now thats the two most viable options that I can foresee. Its still early and I have ample time to plan. Lets see where time will bring me. Many things can happen and my plans are always dynamic. It changes as the situation changes. Anything can happen. Love can change my plans. Passion can change my plans. A combination of everything can give me a new option. I dont know. For now I have a finals coming out. Get that done first then start thinking again. Im just stressed out and I feel like writing. i didnt want to write something thats not gonna change my life. Writing about the future gives me motivation. Yes you can!

When I say something.

2010-06-09T01:12:00.004+09:30

When I say something, I usually mean it if its an advice it usually something that I do. I do not usually give advices that I cant do myself. However during the weekend I said something that Im not doing. I feel bad it keeps coming to my mind but I'll just justify what I said here. I am not sure whether they read my blog or not but I just feel like getting it out here. YES I am in the middle of an assignment and exams are around the corner I am fully aware of that just that I tend to feel uncomfortable if I dont let it out.

Ok. I was with a few friends during the weekend,we were talking and chilling when this topic about confession came out. I declared if you like someone you MUST tell them. And everyone agreed with me. Then I start explaining the concept that you have to be a man if you like someone, tell HER. The only problem is, this is something that I only BELIEVE in. It is the RIGHT thing to do. I have to be honest, however it is not something that I am doing.

I HAVE done it before but just once. After that, that hasnt been the case. Ive never confessed to anyone else. I admit I do have feelings for someone now and I dont plan to tell her. I am pretty sure she is clueless about my feelings and I prefer it to remain like this at least for the time being.

Dont get me wrong I am not someone that says something but dont do it. It is just that I have my own reasons. Trust me I can justify my reasons.

Firstly, the time is not right. I am just occupied by so many things now. Priorities that I have to consider. My studies, my commitment with Masca and the list goes on. Because she is special, I cant just say I like her and expect her to like me. I have to put lots of effort and trust me, I am willing offer not just my heart but also my lifetime to this girl but the time is not now. I have to stay focus. I am chasing a dream and she will fit into my dream insyaAllah. Lets face it love will make her happy,true enough but MONEY will make her happier.

If I choose to confess I have to think of the consequences. Will I lose her forever? Do I keep fighting?Will she hate me?Will I be annoying her? and the list goes on. I have to be very sure that it wont break me FIRST then only I can confess and at least when the time comes, I am prepared for any possibilities. I also have to make sure that it will make her HAPPY.

For now, I just want to be MYSELF. I just want to be her friend and hopefully she'll see my qualities. Because it was her qualities that got me attracted. I want her to judge me also from my qualities. I am not looking for a relationship that comes from being sweet,giving presents, poetry or wtv. I want a pure relationship that is real. I am looking for a relationship that will last forever. It needs to be based not entirely on love but also other important qualities.

Well thats my explanation. You might think Im wasting my time but no, this is actually a form of counselling for me. I am doing this for myself. To make me feel better.

Again, please UNDERSTAND I like to do the right thing and I am always serious about doing the right thing however sometimes due to the situation the right thing to do might not seem right in theory.

Regards,
Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin.

You did not cry,you chose to fly

2010-05-31T22:20:00.005+09:30

You dont look for somebody
or try to be anybody
In this sorrow street of life
Where souls get lost
to the devils of yesterday
you could have strayed
but you stayed,
Always remember my dear
when the sky turned grey
all they did was look
and say
you're going to fall
be washed away
by the stream of tears
no you did not cry.
you chose to fly
you made a choice to reach the sky
here,now you are soaring above
the clouds of darkness
if you feel like falling
now or later
just open your eyes
and look how far you've gone.

Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin
Barr Smith Library,The University of Adelaide.
May 28,2010

This is dedicated to my new friend, Syaza.

Kesabaran

2010-05-23T10:51:00.002+09:30

Ramai orang mengenali saya bukan sebagai seorang yang pemarah. Saya jarang meninggikan suara ataupun cepat marah. Setiap kata-kata tidak kira hinaan atau pujian saya akan sambut dengan hati yang terbuka. Saya menerima dan menghormati prinsip kebebasan berpendapat. Saya sedar yang saya tidak akan mampu membuat semua orang menyukai saya. TETAPI kesabaran itu ada peringkat dan ada batasan. Saya mungkin akan senyum dan dan terus senyum tetapi jangan sangka yang saya akan membiarkan ianya lepas. Mungkin bukan hari ini tetapi satu masa nanti bila masanya tiba saya akan balas dan saya akan menjadi kejam. Bukan untuk membalas dendam tetapi sekadar menuntut keadilan. Emosi boleh dikawal dan pada yang sama boleh menjadi tidak terkawal.

Ingatlah kebahagiaan tidak mungkin akan kita capai dengan kebencian. Kita harus mencari bahagia dalam keadaan kasih dan sayang. Mustahil kita akan dapat merasai kemanisan cinta yang datang daripada kebencian. Jika kemenangan yang sedang dicari.Tahniah anda telah menang tanpa bertanding.

Persoalannya, adakah hati itu hadiah kemenangan?

This is not a game.This is love you are talking about.=)

Stop

2010-05-19T22:00:00.002+09:30

His heart is as vulnerable as hers
If she can think and feel
Perhaps she will understand
All this while he have been trying to understand
His mistakes that cant been undone
His story signifies his sincerity
But she refuse to listen and understand
Now he's not living in anxiety; because of her
He's now a man that lives in reality
That has stop to believe in love eternally

-ahmad ridhuan,17-

Here's something I wrote a few years back. I stopped believing in love for a while at that time. HOWEVER I think the current me should learn a lesson from the past me because seriously, Im not meant to find happiness in love. Love creeps into my heart and tears it apart and just leave. I am happy with the other things in life, but by now I should know.Love is something thats never gonna happen not now,not ever.

Masa depan KeAdilan

2010-05-18T21:35:00.004+09:30

Reformasi
Kemenangan DAP di Sibu seharusnya menjadi satu pembuka mata kepada kempimpinan Parti Keadilan Rakyat. Tatkala Pakatan Rakyat semakin mendapat kepercayaan di peringkat bawahan PKR dilihat semakin goyah tidak mampu berpegang teguh kepada kuasa. Kebanyakan wakil rakyat PKR yang lompat rata-ratanya wakil rakyat penggal pertama yang tidak mungkin berada mendapat kerusi tanpa sokongan rakyat terhadap PKR pada pilihan raya umum yang lalu. Hendak atau tidak PKR bertangugnjawab ke atas kejatuhan kerajaan negeri Perak kerana majoriti yang lompak datangnya dari PKR. Mungkin sudah tiba masanya PKR menghidupkan slogan 'reformasi' yang menjadi pembakar semangat perjuangan ahli-ahlinya. Sebelum berangan-angan untuk membawa reformasi di peringkat nasional, PKR harus membuat reformasi dalaman serta merta. Bukan mudah untuk mentadbir negara. Melihat sokongan rakyat di dalam 11 pilihanraya kecil selepas pilihanraya umum ke-12 tidak mustahil Pakatan Rakyat bakal diberi mandat untuk memerintah di dalam pilihanraya yang akan datang. Persoalannya sekarang adakah PR sudah bersedia?Parti-parti komponen PR terutamanya PKR harus mula mengukur baju di badan sendiri. Jika masih lemah sesuatu bentuk anjakan paradigma hendaklah diusahakan. Rakyat sudah tentu tidak mahu kerajaan yang tidak bersedia dan tidak mampu bertahan.UMNO akan terus mengasak tetapi didalam peperangan jentera sendiri haruslah kukuh dahulu sebelum berhadapan pihak lawan.

Kekuatan
Kekuatan PKR khususnya terletak kepada golongan muda dan berpendidikan.Perkara ini memang jelas dan di sedari pimpinan parti tetapi setakat ini usaha untuk mempertengahkan golongan muda masih samar. Jika mereka benar-benar serius untuk memperkasakan parti, golongan muda dan berpendidikan ini wajib dipertengahkan. Sayap Angkatan Muda terutamanya perlu menjadi lebih intelektual. Sebagai pemerhati luar apa yang dapat dilihat adalah AMK terlalu emosional. Mereka sangat cenderung berdemonstrasi. Mungkin sebagai pembangkang budaya ini wajar tetapi harus diingat PR sudah memerintah di 4 negeri. Seharusnya AMK diberi peranan yang lebih bermakna dan dikerah untuk membantu kerajaan di negeri-negeri ini. Sekurang-kurangnya jika diberi mandat kelak pemuda-pemuda ini sudah mempunyai pengalaman dan boleh diserap masuk membantu kerajaan. PKR perlu memandang berat aspek pentarbiyyahan generasi muda agar tidak terus dikemudi insan-insan yang tidak setia. Berdasarkan pemerhatian banyak mahasiswa di dalam dan luar negara menyokong perjuangan PKR di dalam dia atau terang-terangan. Seharusnya wujud satu usaha untuk merapati golongan ini dan menggunakan potensi yang ada pada mereka untuk pembangunan parti. Jika benar PKR disokong pemuda sewajarnya parti ini didokongi golongan muda.

Masa Depan
Memetik tulisan blogger Sang Pelangi

"Tidak sukar Anwar Ibrahim untuk mempengaruhi pemuda. sebenarnya. Anwar mempunyai tokoh muda yang boleh diketengahkan seperti YB NIk Nazmi,YB Nurul Izzah,YB Yusmadi,YB Ong Chin Wen dan YB Sim Tze Tsin yang semememangnya muda dan sebahagiannya mempunyai pengalaman zaman mahasiswa yang gemilang"

Jika ada suara-suara diluar yang mengatakan PKR parti yang retak menunggu belah ini adalah satu kenyataan yang tidak benar. Sememangnya ramai yang telah lompat tetapi mereka ini bukan golongan yang menentukan masa depan parti. Mereka ini golongan yang lompat dan sudah menjadi sejarah kepada parti. Atas dasar semangat demokrasi itu adalah hak mereka dan PKR perlu hormat keputusan itu. Persoalannya sekarang kemana arah parti setelah ditinggalkan pembelot-pelbelot ini?

Jawapannya jelas. Golongan muda adalah jawapan kepada segala kepincangan di dalam parti. Jika pemimpin atasan seperti Azmin Ali, Syed Husin atau Anwar Ibrahim sendiri membimbing anak-anak muda.Tidak mustahil PKR akan melahirkan pemimpin-pemimpin muda yang mebawa arus politik baru. Pemuda yang beragama, berpendidikan dan lantang bersuara ini yang perlu dicari parti. Bukan pemimpin-pemimpin buangan BN yang tidak langsung memahami semangat perjuangan PKR. Pengalaman mungkin menjadi satu alasan untuk tidak mempertengahkan golongan muda tetapi jika dilatih pengalaman itu akan datang. Oleh itu PKR mula mula memperkasakan unit latihannya agar lebih ramai pemimpin muda dapat dilahirkan.

Laungan reformasi tidak boleh sekadar menjadi laungan retorik. Laungan itu perlu dihayati dan dihidupkan. PKR sendiri perlu bermula dengan melakukan reformasi dalaman. Sebagai parti yang baru berusia setahun jagung mungkin proses pembesaran parti amatlah perit. Ramai yang sudah mula penat dan bosan untuk berjuang di jalan yang sukar. Tetapi perjuangan parti perlu diteruskan. PKR adalah satu parti masa depan. Rakyat meletakkan banyak harapan ke atas parti ini. Seluruh jentera parti wajib menyedari hakikat ini.Hidupkan reformasi kerana itu adalah janji parti kepada rakyat.

What this is.

2010-04-29T18:26:00.002+09:30

It feels like im trapped
Under this ocean
With no direction
Trailing in this competition
No I don’t want to compete
What I want is to be the one
The one that makes you happy
I just want to make you love me
I just want you to smile
Because this aint about me
Playing a game
Throwing all my cards
Taking everything
If I win
Losing everything
If I lose
This will always be
About winning your heart
And nothing more than that
I am more willing to lose the war
Than rule over the ruins.

My Promises

2010-04-22T19:26:00.001+09:30

I met you without any hidden intention
Never thought you’ll get my attention
But honestly, since day one your discretion
Have got me heart panting, putting myself in a situation
You take my breath away
I am not sure where this feeling will get me,
But I am sure if you give me a chance,
We will get to that destination
That we both dreamt of
I will not build castles in the sky
And let all my promises die.
Or disappear as years pass by
I promise you happiness
Not a fairytale
I promise you reality
Not fantasy
Believe me,
When I tell you
I love you.

extraordinaryme,20

Critically analyse the politics/ideology of Definitely Maybe by Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin

2010-04-08T01:22:00.001+09:30

Introduction

The American Dream is an idea that puts the concept of having it all and enjoys it all as the ultimate success. The idea has always been encapsulated as a utopian goal in popular culture especially in films. Businesses and politicians then further glorify this notion influencing minds of many people. What makes Adam Brook’s film; Definitely Maybe outstanding is that it combines this element (the American Dream) with traditional aspect of American politics (elections and party politics)
. Definitely Maybe brings us the memorable journey of William Hayes who moves out of his university life to New York and join the 1992 Bill Clinton presidential campaign believing he is one step closer to his American Dream. This is a film about a normal young man trying hard to achieve his dream; to become a successful and respected politician. This paper will explore the reality of the American Dream and American Politics as we analyze the film Definitely Maybe. The analysis will explain how the American Dream are interpreted by common citizens and also issues such as conspiracy and high profile scandals that have always had enormous impact on American politics. Last but not least; this paper will look into the American idealism that have also been shaped by its political ideological debates.

The American Dream

President Clinton said a year after his victorious 1992 presidential election:

The American dream that we were raised on is simple but powerful one-if you work hard and play by the rules you should be given a chance to go as far as your God-given ability will take you.
-President Bill Clinton, speech to Democratic Leadership Council, 1993

In this one powerful sentence he answered the most important questions surrounding the American Dream; who may pursue the American Dream? In what does the pursuit consists? How does one successfully pause the dream? Why is the pursuit worthy of our deeper commitments? Ironically, in the film Definitely Maybe the main character was depicted to be involved in the 1992 presidential election campaigning for Clinton. In this context he represents people that are chasing the dream.

The film evolves around William Hayes trying to explain his love story to his daughter. He begins his story at the period when he just finished college. As a young man he plans to get married to his college sweetheart and become a successful politician and eventually become the president of United States of America. A very idealistic thought as it is but in reality his dream and plans fits into the typical American Dream. He represents the millions of people that share the same beautiful dream of perfection.
However as we can see from the start of the film, the current William Hayes was complaining about his broken marriage and dull career. This situation creates a question mark on regards to the importance of social and welfare in the dream. How important are other aspects of life or are they just merely material based? We can see that despite not achieving his ambition to become the President of United States the current William Hayes have a decent job and is financially stable, living a life many describe as the American Dream. In spite of this, his marriage did not survive.
Statistics shows that once, America had a strong marriage institution. In 1990, 95 percent of women and 94 percent of men ages 45 to 54 either was or had been married. Marriage was seen as best route to achieving the American dream but now it is seen more as a problem and divorce is seen as path to personal liberation.
This scenario can be seen clearly in the movie Definitely Maybe. How William Hayes failed marriage opens a new door for him to relieve his romance with his best friend, April. So this shows that intentionally or unintentionally, Hollywood films have shaped the American Dream making it different to what it used to be.

Conspiracy and High Profile Scandals

In Hollywood films, the American dream has also been associated with American politics by depicting politicians as a hero that will make this dream possible for everyone. However, American politics have never been shy of conspiracy and high profile scandals. History has shown that conspiracies and scandals have been the downfall factors of many politicians but it happens again and again. In Definitely Maybe, we are shown how scandals and conspiracy can impact politics and public opinion.

As William Hayes’s life progresses, Bill Clinton became president of the United States; he opened a consulting firm with his friend Russell whom he worked with during the Clinton campaign. Their big break was when their former employer during Clinton’s campaign, Arthur Robredo hired them to run his campaign for Governor of New York. By this time he was in a relationship with Summer, a journalist who was covering Arthur Robredo’s campaign.

Their relationship however hit rock bottom when Summer decides to publish an article about Robredo’s involvement in a conspiracy to let off a friend on an early parole. Due to his campaign that was based on tough on crime agenda William knew that this would not only cost him the election but also eventually ended his relationship with Summer.

After the article came out Arthur Robredo lost the election, William lost his job and ended his relationship with Summer. What we are being shown here is how the media can shape public perception not only films but also other forms of media that can hugely impact decision making processes. Media pressure has influence various decisions making processes especially if it involves public sentiments.

William Hayes life became miserable after the slip-up. He was unemployed and to make it worse the scandal involving Clinton-Monica Lewinsky came out. At this point he had become cynical with his career choice. Once he was a firm supporter of Bill Clinton. He believed that Bill Clinton would bring change and improve the situation of the country. Out of disappointment he started drinking heavily and moved away from his initial dream.

This shows how high profile scandals and conspiracy not only can affect the actors but also people on the ground that had shed tears and sweat for a cause they believed in. In this context, the politicians themselves that were promoting the possibility of achieving the American dream stumbled into the wrong direction.

Another interesting point to highlight in the film is that a few years before the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal erupted William Hayes tells us about New York City. He described the introduction of two important new medium of communication; the Internet and cell phone.

When the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal was exposed, surprisingly the public reaction was very different this time as compared to previous scandals involving high profile politicians. It is save to say that the introduction of the new media have changed how people look at things. Perhaps more than any other scandal episodes, the events surrounding the impeachment of Bill Clinton epitomize the conflation of political and popular culture that characterizes American society. The Clinton/-Lewinsky scandal clarified, and in some ways redefined, how political and entertainment culture pertain to presidential leadership.

Political Ideology

Analyzing the politics of film Definitely Maybe would be incomplete without looking at the political ideology of the two leading characters; William and April. Both have opposite characters. The political understandings of both characters are also very different. Here we see the American idealism that is usually shaped by its political ideological debates. William has a strong belief in the two party system and he have his own stand on which party he supports. Contrasting from William, April on the other hand represents the independent citizens that are not bounded by any particular political ideology.

Party identification can be described as an individual’s affective orientation to an important group-object in his environment. In this sense, William Hayes was highly affected by this idea. When he first met April, they were working for the Clinton campaign. He immediately assumed that she was a Bill Clinton supporter or at least belongs to any political faction. However to her it was different. She did not feel obligated to support any parties or have any opinions about politics. The only concern she has is to earn money.

April’s view on politics can be characterized in the individualistic sub-culture. She views political life as being based in system of mutual obligations rooted in personal relationship. This explains what she said to William Hayes “You think this bozos you’re working for, they don’t care anything more than their own ambition’. She represents people that are skeptical about the changes politics can bring into life.

William Hayes on the other hand belongs to the moralistic sub-culture. He believes politics as a public activity centered on some notion of the public good. He was surprised by April’s stand on politics. He had faith on the whole partisan politics. He believed that politics could actually change things around and improve the living quality.
The political ideologies of both character in one-way or another dictated what they decide to do in their life. William Hayes went on to open a consultation agency choosing to work in the political line. April decides to go around the world and finish her studies. It is hard to judge which type of ideology is the better one with both characters going on with life being successful in chasing their dream.

Definitely Maybe certainly shows that people should be allowed to have their own ideas about politics. No matter what one believes if they are committed to be successful they will eventually find their way.

Conclusion

The film Definitely Maybe deals with many issues that common people face in their everyday life. It shows how a young man without any extraordinary ability faces the harsh reality of life. The film gives American dream a more reasonable outlook. It shows that the American dream is something that is not so glamorous, but yet can be a reason for common people to struggle and achieve success. The film also, looks at the traditional aspect of American politics; the election, scandals and also political ideology. All this three aspect if combined, sums up the colorful and eventful American politics that despite the skeptics many people have faith in. Finally the most important thing is the message that this film is trying to convey to its viewers which is in life if there is a will there will be a way.

Bibliography

1) Ahlburg,Dennis and J. De Vita, Carol , ‘New Realities of the American Family’ Population Bulletin, 47 (No. 2, August 1992), p. 12.

2) Campbell,Angus , E Converse, Philip, E. Miller,Warren and E. Stokes,Donald, ‘ The American Voter’ The University of Chicago Press(1960)

3) Fields, Barry, ‘Impact on Public Perceptions, Educational Decisions and Policy’, University of Southern Queensland PO Darling Heights, Toowoomba, Australia pp 2-15

4) L. Hochschild, Jennifer Facing Up to the American Dream: Race Class, and the Soul of the Nation.Princeton: Princeton University Press(1995), pp 15-38

5) Marriage in America: A Report to the Nation  Council on Families. 1995 p 24

6) Owen, Diana, ‘Popular Politics and the Clinton/Lewinsky Affair: The Implications for Leadership Political Psychology’, International Society of Political Psychology Vol. 21, No. 1, Special Issue: Response Latency Measurement in Telephone Surveys (Mar., 2000), pp. 161-177.

7) Paddock, Joel ‘Political Culture and the Partisan Style of State Party Activist Publius Vol. 27, No. 3 (Summer, 1997), Oxford University Press’ pp. 127-132

8) Paris,Geela (2004), The American Dream - Are We Really Free? Available online at: http://www.womensradio.com/articles/The-American-Dream--Are-We-Really-Free%3F/39.html

The road ahead

2010-03-26T00:36:00.003+10:30

I can still remember when I was a kid, whenever I get scared or worried I always tell my self its ok you have your dad he'll take care of it or if he doesnt there's mom. I was afraid of the dark,I was afraid of the dentist also doctors because back then I had chronic asthma and almost every year I'll be admitted. In fact theres this one time in primary school when all the kids had to take an injection I called my mom and cried hoping that she would 'save me'. All my worries and fears are always comforted by my parents.

Now that I'm entering the big 20 leaving all those childhood and teenage years behind I realise, Im entering this journey alone.Soon, I will be my dad. I will have to be the brave one. The one that will always be there for my family. In this journey,Im not gonna be the one crying or running away from all the problems. If before I usually push my problems to them, this time I will have to face the problems. However Im very not worried because I dont have to create any new solutions or be someone that I dont know. I just need to solve my problems the way my dad did and hopefully emulate what he had done for his family.

I grew up happy. Apart of a few years of hell in my life(something that I do not wish to reveal) I think overall my parents did all the right things for us;me,my sister and my brother. We always had enough food,money,love,education; everything that are needed in life we had enough. I see this as a challenge for me. You see, my dad managed to do all this for us. It is my wish to be able to do the same thing for my family in the future and this scares me a little bit because I know it is not easy.

The road ahead, is not about me anymore. My dreams and aspiration have to include many important people. My future wife,future kids that's life are going to change and depend on my decisions. This is not a journey by which I can tamper with. Failure is not an option.

I cant guarantee anyone that I will be successful in life but I can promise that I will work hard to be successful. I cant guarantee anyone happiness but I will spend my life them making them happy. I admit I am not perfect you might not see me as the right guy for the road ahead but I am definitely working hard each day to grow so that perhaps one day I will be ready for the journey.

Britney!BritneyBritney!

2009-11-30T12:37:00.004+10:30

Yesterday, I saw my first concert. If I can describe it in one word,it would be SPECTACULAR!But NO WAY! Its my first concert and there are many things I would like to tell!I got the ticket a few months back in fact I got it just hours after it was sold online.There are many reasons I bought the ticket but lets concentrate on what leads me to the concert. When I got the ticket it was a few weeks before my finals. I told myself if I work hard and really study, I will to the concert. So, I really studied spent lots of time in the library, the ticket was like a gift I decied to put aside for myself after a year of struggle in uni. I was reasonably satisfied with my preparation and so I decided to go to the concert.

The Circus Starring Britney Spears: Australian Tour
Yes, my first concert is her concert!She had Adelaide as one of her Australian destination so I see this as an opportunity to see her live. I was a huge fan of her back in primary school arounf 10 years ago but as I grow up I wasnt realy a big fan anymore. I do love her songs with catchy beats and dance move but that was just it.

Moving on, I arrived at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, went there alone because there are not many Britney fans that I know here so it was just me alone. I sat there and there was this guy sitting beside me. He told me he's 50 years old and became really into Britney just recently. He said his ticket is a birthday cum christmas gift from his sister. I could see he was very excited. While waiting for Britney to start we had a light conversation then he tells me all about his life, broken mariage, gay son, alcohol and smoking addiction and how he is trying to get back on track and 6 months ago he saw Britney performing one of her hits on tv and immediately became a big fan!He read her books, bought all her records.Its really interesting because each and everyone in that place had their own Britney story. I wish I could have one but I dont have any Britney story except for maybe Britney had made me realize that its impossible to please everyone but it is possible to be yourself and make the best out of life.

The concert was opened by Dj Havana Brown Australian born very talented DJ. I think she managed to really get the crowd to be in the mood. Everyone started to scream dancing and get into the mood. The show started with Britney singing You Want A Piece of Me. Like I said Im not a huge fan so when I listen to this song I just listened but during the concert they had lyrics and when I read the lyrics it made me realize that it was about her life. How people are always judging her and expecting more from her ignoring the fact that she's just a girl who wants to live her life.Overall all her songs was fabulous on that night. I really enjoyed it. It was such a great experience for me.I just wish that I had some friends with me but oh well you cant get everything from life. If you guys want to see the concert I believe people would have posted in youtube.You can just check it out. And one more thing. Ive just become a fan of THE LEGENDARY Ms BRITNEY SPEARS!*screw the haters*=P

My favourite moments in the concert!

Roles of international organisation in contemporary politics by Ahmad Ridhuan

2009-11-26T19:52:00.003+10:30

Contemporary politics have seen states with separate policies align themselves into common understanding to form international organizations. Over the years there has been a staggering increase in the amount of international organizations by which different nations work together on common ground to achieve similar objectives.

The concept of international organization can be explained from three main theories; the realist, intuitionalist and idealist school of thoughts. This paper will argue the role of international organizations from the institutionalize point of view. Institutionalize view organization as completely rational. Institutionalists recognizes the complex relation between states in the creation of international organizations however, international organization are steadily becoming more important due to increasingly complex interdependent relationships in many issue areas of international politics. Contrasting from the instituitionalist view, the realist school believes that since the power of international organizations are very limited, it is impossible for any international organizations to be able to change the anarchical structure of international system. According to the realist view, international organizations are merely being used by stronger state to achieve their self-interest. As for the idealist school of thought, they view international organizations as a representative of commonly accepted values by the society in different members of an international organization and the supporters of the average that leads to an order in the system.

In arguing the roles of international organizations, this paper will use two approaches, the rationalistic and reflective approaches. I will look at the United Nations as an example of intergovernmental organization and Amnesty International as an example of international nongovernmental organization. I will explain both organizations from multiple viewpoints and levels of analysis. The roles of international organizations in the complex interdependent between states can be argued from various points of view but for simplicity this paper will argue that the main roles of international organization involve security and peace, economy and trade, social welfare and human rights. These arguments highlights the significant roles that international organizations needs to play, coinciding with the understanding of international organizations as a common platform by which international co-operation are being held to overcome the many issues and broad area in international politics.

Maintaining peace and security is a complex process that needs massive workforce and lots of co-operation. When peacekeeping efforts are fronted by international organizations the process gets more complicated, questions regarding sovereignty of states especially arise. This is because in peacekeeping missions involving international organizations various countries come together under the international organization banner. Peacekeeping is something that happens in a situation or surrounding that is defined as structured largely in terms of collectively understood concepts, norms, and understandings.

At times the different members have conflicting issues with the affected states making peacekeeping effort more complicated. The United Nations, one of the most influential international organizations for example faces these problems. One example is when China vetoed peacekeeping efforts in Macedonia due to the latter’s stand to recognize Taiwan. Does this legitimize the realist view that international organizations are merely being used by powerful political actors in fulfilling their objectives? From a short-hand view, it can be easily deduced from that point.

However without UN intervention, things could have been worst. One must wonder what would happen to Darfur or East Timor for example without the intervention of United Nations peacekeeping efforts. Situation in both states improved tremendously after UN peace keeping effort. Peace building, in the words of Roland Paris, is a practice by which a liberal international order is projected. The concept of co-operation of states under international organization needs to be clear. In order for the international organization to play its role efficiently, it is important for states under the international organization banner adhere to the organization’s sets of law in missions.

Under this condition members needs to re-address its identity. It is impossible for peacekeeping efforts to be successful if each state were to maintain its own identity. There will be many conflicts of interest even among its own members which would undermine the role of international organizations. Another issue that international organization needs to deal with in regards to its role to front peacekeeping effort is to decide what needs to be done and what can be done. Peacekeeping missions often involve some form of intervention. The most problematic situations of internal displacement are those states that refuse to acknowledge a problem of internal displacement and international access. For example, if two countries get into a war and United Nations decides to intervene in the war to maintain peace and order what kind of approach they should take to improve the situation. The options that UN have assuming that there are no vetoes would be either to protect the weaker country, only provide necessities for the people or stay out of the conflict. The right decision is extremely important because a wrong approach will worsen the impact on the affected countries. Here we could see how important the role of international organization could play in maintaining peace. The fact that in consist many states to a certain extend gives it the authority and capacity to intervene.

I would argue that in the role to front peacekeeping efforts international organization have its limitation but by improving its structure they can play vital role in ensuring global peace. The structure of United Nations for example has rested an incredible amount of power on its security council. This reduces their efficiency in playing the role as peacekeepers. In contemporary politics, with rapid globalization, many issues relating to peace and security need global solution. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is a clear example where a conflict between two states becomes a global issue. The huge impact that it could bring is why intergovernmental co-operation is becoming very important and popular.

The recent economic crisis that started in from the sub-prime crisis the US and eventually affected the global community proves that international relation can have a massive impact on global economic affairs. If we study the history of international organization’s role in economic affairs, the ability of Organization of Petroleum Export Countries (OPEC) to play a decisive role in international oil market particularly in controlling the supply and price of crude oil and petroleum in the 1970’s marks the significance of intergovernmental organization in economic and trade affairs. The success shows the important role an international organization can play in the affairs relating to global economic development.

The growing interdependence among states especially increasing economic contacts between states regardless of internal policy increases the vital role of international organizations. The capacity it has with members ranging from undeveloped countries to developing countries and developed countries gives international organization the influence to have a significant impact on economic and trade affairs. It is important that international economic organization have an integrated system that can provide help for different countries that have different needs. Without a universal integrated system, this advantage could also dampen the role of international organizations as an imbalance economic trade could actually destroy the smaller economies.

When discussing global economic affairs it is important to highlight the different background and developments in different states as they are not the same. It is also important for the co-operation to include vast amount of countries. A recent report in the Walls Street Journal about the expansion of Group of 8 to group of 20 shows the needs for international economic organization to include more countries. A senior US described the expansion as a reflection of the world today and pulling the international co-operation into the 21st century. In contemporary politics, globalization has made trade very open and inclusive that to stay relevant any international economic co-operation needs to be more inclusive and open to more countries. Another limitation that could be identified is the different internal conditions of states that are members of international economic organizations.
A realist perspective will definitely be skeptical of international organizations due to its nature that members have not got the same capability which creates an imbalance of power. Realists argue that international organizations are merely being used as a tool for stronger states to achieve their self-interest. In issues such as free trade agreement, the realist ideas by which international organisations being used as a tool by stronger states for self-interest probably are true if not done accordingly. Governments have used free trade zone to respond to both domestic and international pressure for more open trade policy. The pressure is even higher for members in international organization. For developing state, free trade could be a disaster because without a competitive domestic market, free trade would destroy its primary or domestic market. Nevertheless, governments of small countries would face difficulties in facing resisting international even more if they are receiving aids of international organizations.

However, there are initiatives to avoid small states from being duped into unfair trading deals. The role of UN economic and social council proves that the realist view is not entirely fair to describe international organizations. The role of UN economic which is to enhance the coherence and effectiveness of activities of different development partners proves that there are efforts within the organization to work together and find solutions for its members.

The initiation of Development Cooperation Forum that reviews the trends and progress in international development cooperation before providing guidance and recommendations to help its members further proves that despite the complex relation between members, it is possible for the more stable countries to help the less stable countries in terms of economic and trade development. The role of international organization in economic and trade development amongst the global community can be justified by the efforts and its objective on paper however all this needs to be translated into reality.

Human right is a universal idea that came from the western liberalisation. Ramesh Thakur in his writing for the journal of peace research argued that Amnesty International and United Nations are the most preeminent international organisation in the matters relating to human rights. Despite being fundamentally different with UN as an intergovernmental organisation and Amnesty International as a non-governmental organisation that causes both organisations to have different objectives, UN and Amnesty International could work together in issues regarding human rights and social rights.

On the issue of human rights and social welfare, this paper will argue that the role of international organisations in contemporary politics is to uphold the basic principal of human rights in accordance to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There are major critiques of this declaration saying that it ignores different cultures of the plural global society, but this paper would make a general assumption that the rights discussed here are referring to the rights as suggested by the 1948 declaration and it is by far the most accepted universal proclamation of human rights.

Human right issues have been the epitome of modern international relations. In contemporary politics, there are two major roles of international organisation in regards to human rights and welfare; providing military aid and humanitarian aid. There are many controversies surrounding human right issues especially when it involves military intervention. Generally, the only organisation that has an authority to conduct military intervention is the UN. This is because the only ones that have the very power are states and since UN is a state based organization, it has that authority. As for Amnesty international, it does not have such authority but since it is a non-state based organisation, it is free to act without the influenced of any state actors with self-interest.

Realists regard the pursuit of rights as unnecessary, dangerous and it is against national interest. However surprisingly, they allow defending human rights is a pre-requisite to protecting national interest. Base on this, it is obvious that this view is vague and thus can be rejected. In contrast to realist, institutional theorist sees that defending human right is rational it done by international organisation.
To prove that defending human rights is rational and it is done by international organisations we can refer to the achievements of Amnesty International. The limitation that it has as non-governmental organisation that have got very little authority to intervene in state affairs does not undermines its function in upholding human rights. It provides training and awareness about the content of Universal Human Declaration. For example, after evictions in Zimbabwe in 2005, Amnesty International facilitated a workshop for local activists to develop strategies on how to work with national and international human rights organizations. When a community was threatened with eviction the following year, they were able to mobilize these networks and prevent eviction. This is an example of how human rights are being restored using humanitarian aid such as providing awareness.

Globalisation has certainly changed the global political landscape. In contemporary politics, international co-operations especially under the international organisation banner is increasingly important in dealing with global issues. It is true that international organizations have its limitations but at the same time, it has its own advantages. In many cases, the advantage exceeds the disadvantages. In terms of security and peace, we could see from the case study of how the intervention of UN has improved situations in Darfur and Macedonia. From the perspective of economy and trade, the role of UN economic council in helping development nations such as Burma has been very impressive. As from the social and welfare point of view,we could see non-governmental international organization such as Amnesty International have saved a lot of lives and provided awareness amongst the global community. Despite all these successes, it did not come easily. International organisations face many obstacles and complication faced in order to achieve its aspirations and objectives in playing a more meaningful role. The functions and roles of international organisations followed by its complexity in contemporary politics confirm the instituitionalist view that despite its complexity, international organizations are rational.

References
Footnotes
Ramesh Thakur Human Rights: Amnesty International and the United Nations Journal of Peace Research, Vol. 31, No. 2 (May, 1994), pp. 143-160 Sage Publications, Ltd.

William F. Shulz, A New Realism for Human Rights, UU World XV:3 (July/August 2001): 28-35.
Hugo Slim,Military Intervention to Protect Human Rights: The Humanitarian Agency Perspective Oxford Brookes University Oxford, UK
Background Paper for the International Council on Human Rights’ Meeting on Humanitarian Intervention: Responses and Dilemmas for Human Rights Organisations, Geneva 31st March
http://www-secure.amnesty.org/en/human-rights-defenders/issues/human-rights-community
David Mozeresky, International Intervention in Darfur The International Development Magazine, http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=3140&l=1

Roland Paris, “International Peacebuilding and the ‘Mission Civilatrice,’” Review of International Studies 28, 4 (October 2002), pp. 637-656.

Catherine Phuong “The international protection of internally displaced persons” Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2004.pp 226

Robert O. Keohane International Institutions: Two Approaches International Studies Quarterly, Vol. 32, No. 4 (Dec., 1988), Blackewell Publishsing pp. 379-396

W. Graham Astley and Andrew H. Van de Ven Central Perspectives and Debates in Organization Theory Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 28, No. 2 (Jun., 1983), : Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University pp. 245-273

Bob Davis, Jonathan Weisman and Stephen Fidler G-20 Near Deal Economy, The Wall Street Journal, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125383640233239423.html
Amer Salih Araim, Intergovernmental commodity organizations and the new international economic order New York : Praeger, 1991. Pp 4
United Nations Economic Council informations,
http://www.un.org/ecosoc/about/faqs.shtml#newfunctionecosoc

Max Lawson, The world is still waiting, OXFAM briefing paper 2007 pp 1-31

Ba-Emadi Coffin Rethinking International Organisation Deregulation and Global Governance London, Routledge.2002 pp 30

Asia as the next super-power by Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin

2009-11-26T14:54:00.001+10:30

Introduction
Asia will be a future super-power, the shift in the balance of power from the west to east is not improbable. History has shown us how empires from Asia once dominated the world. From the mighty Mongolian empire (1206-1368) to the Gunpowder Empire of the Ottomans (1299-1922), the importance of Asia in the world history is undeniable. The last big upheaval of Asia the world have seen comes from the land of rising sun, Japan (1860’s)

The era of western domination has run its course bringing both good and harm to human history. Many still believe that the West still maintains superiority over Asia. Kishore Mahbubani in his book The New Asian Hemisphere presents us with a possibility that the world is entering a turbulent era of “de-Westernization”. This paper will argue that in the near to medium term future, Asian countries are very much likely to be more important as the power shifts begins from West to East. Asia will be the new axis of power. Power in this paper will be narrowed down to mean the control of economy, politics and social. This paper will explain how Asian countries are gaining more power in global economy and politics indicating a power shift.

Politics, economy and social advancement as basis of success

Any region which can control global politics and economy while at the same time maintaining its social will have the advantage in global decision making processes. This paper argues that Asian countries will be more important in the near future from an economic perspective as the region economy keeps growing despite global economic downturn. I will look at the emerging economy of India and China that if these economies continue at the same rate of growth they are projected to surpass even the most powerful western economy, the United States of America. This will put into perspective the idea that due to the ability of Asian countries to develop their economy successfully the region will in the future be the new powerhouse. Besides getting an upper hand in economic growth, social advancement is another important aspect of global power because it will ensure stable growth, in terms of materials also intellectualism. Asian culture and Western cultures are known to have fundamental differences. To explain how social aspects can be a form of advantage in global decision making process, this paper will look at how the emergence of soft power from Asian countries are creating waves that are certainly breaking the domination of Western culture. We will also look at the current political climate. With Asian countries’ increasing economic influence, the international political landscape has certainly changed with the Asian region getting a more significant role in the worlds’ political arena. Finally, we will look at the Black Swan theory to see why all consensus agreement can be wrong by looking at current developments. We will look at how the unexpected global economic downturn have left Dubai from one of the fastest growing city to a ghost town to explain how an unprecedented event could change everything. In conclusion, this paper will show how, by using hard power and soft power, Asian countries will likely to shift global power from the West to East.

Asia’s rise as regional economic hub

Current development sees the global economic crisis that hit the world has left many countries struggling to recover. The western countries especially USA has been hit severely stunting its economic growth. Amazingly, China has emerged out of the crisis fairly well. China's growth will be underpinned by a rapid expansion in emerging market economies, which will account for about 70% of global GDP growth in the coming decade, Deutsche Bank's Chief Economist for Greater China, Jun Ma, told an investment conference in Hong Kong. From this projection it can be expected that if China keeps growing at its current rate, in the near future and medium term future, it could definitely be one of the dominant economical force breaking the western domination of the world economy.

As the US (the current economic super-power from the West) main trading partner China is undeniably very important to US. In the near future China’s progress would definitely be followed closely by the West as it will determine their future too. We can see how economic growth has made Asian countries more important and at current rate the continuity of Asian economic growth in the near future is extremely important in determining the global economic condition. To further affirm the shift from west to east it is important to acknowledge that China is not the only emerging economy from Asia. This paper will only look at India as the other emerging economic force from the East. However since Asia is a big continent consisting many different nations, different parts of Asia for instance, South Korea, Japan and the South East-Asian region at the same time are emerging to become strong economic forces on their own pace.

India economic reform beginning on the early 1990’s has transformed its economy making it grow at a higher pace. In the next ten years India’s economic growth is very likely to become one of the fastest growing economies. The recent acceleration in real GDP growth reflects both faster input growth as well as rising total factor productivity. It is no wonder Malaysian former premier; Dr. Mahathir identified China and India as the countries that would lead the Asian charge. If the rapid growth continues at the same rate for these countries, it is very much possible for them to replace the likes of western economies. However if these countries fail to live up to their potential, the shifts will not happen as we can see from Dubai. The collapse of the global economy has left Dubai struggling. Foreign companies are starting to withdraw from Dubai as investments stunt. Therefore the current economic growth in Asian countries needs to be maintain, and then only these countries can ensure they remain as economic powerhouse.
In arguing the point that economic might will provide an advantage in global decision making process, we will see how economy can be used as a tool to get extra influence. One way is by increasing military strength. US the current biggest economy has got the highest military expenditure followed by China Military might is a form of advantage especially in global politics. Military force can be used as a tool to get respect from other countries thus providing a form of authority. As the economic dominance shifts from west to east, military dominance might also shift. This will definitely make Asian countries more important.

Benefiting from Soft power

Power as we know does not only come from military might. It is true economic growth can be used to increase a country’s military force but it is not necessary. There are also other forms of tool that can make countries politically influential. Decision making process in the 21st century has become increasingly based on diplomacy rather that military. Therefore it can be deduced that there are alternative options other than military and economic force to be influential globally.
Soft power, as labeled by Joseph Nye, are other forms of power such as the ability to persuade other states to go according to your states direction and follow your states style of administration is how this paper would describe the ‘other’ aspect of power. The key word here is persuasion not by means of aggression. In supporting the idea of how Asia can use soft power to their advantage Anwar Ibrahim, former deputy prime minister of Malaysia explains how Asian Renaissance can mean ‘the revival of the arts and sciences under the influence of classical models based on strong moral and religious foundations; cultural resurgence dominated by a flowering of arts and literature, architecture and music and advancement in science and technology’.

Unlike hard power (economic and military might) soft power is very hard to define but in order for it to be useful it needs to provide significant impact. However, the impacts can sometimes be too discrete that its impacts are debatable. In analysing Dr. Gerry Groots argument in his writing “Soft power in the Asia Pacific Pacific Post 9/11: The case of Japan,China and India”, Japan theoretically is a super soft power as well as economic power but it couldn’t use its strength to get outcomes it wants. It is undeniable that Japanese culture has been very famous especially in popular culture. Japanese have been importing its popular culture such as sushi and anime (animated cartoons) all over the world. It is very famous that we can see Japanese culture anywhere in the world. Such popularity however did not obtain Japan any extra political mileage. Looking at Japan’s failure to be included in the UN security council despite its huge soft power, I would to a certain extend agree that soft power might help in assimilation of different cultures in the world’s society but evidently, it still could not match the influence a state gets from hard power.

In order to gain political advantage from soft power, Asian countries needs to make the advantage they get from soft power provide them with extra power and influence. India for example has the opportunity to do this. Not only their technological developments are moving very fast, India could use its rich religion and cultural tradition to build up their soft power and make full use of so that the soft power can provide them with extra influence. The use of Bolywood films to bridge Muslim-Hindu divide is one example how India can use its movies to promote peace. From one perspective with such impact, this type of soft power can be a tool of diplomacy. This capacity could give an indication that India can play an important role especially engaging the differences between East and West. If India could live up to this expectation, it is possible that it could emerge as one of the front runners from the east. If western domination failed to bring together east and west, maybe eastern domination could unite these two regions.

Black Swan theory

“There are known knowns. There are things we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we do not know we don’t know.” This was the statement made by former US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on regards to the unstable situation in post-invasion Afghanistan. These words in simple term reflect the Black Swan theory, the impact of the highly improbable. There are many possibilities but we often disregard the improbable. Relating to our topic the Black Swan logic makes what you don’t know far more relevant than what you know. This is because it is easy to speculate what would happen in the future, how important can Asian countries be in the near or medium term future can be concluded in many ways however till the time comes the possibility of the improbable is still there.

Therefore based on this the black swan theory I state the limitation of this paper, which it is a mere projection based on current events and data’s. This paper has shown that with increasing economic strength and political influence, Asian countries will likely be very important in global politics and decision-making process. However, according to the Black Swan theory, there are possibilities that it might not happen. It is very hard to determine the future especially when certain events could change everything in a glance. The case of Dubai will be a very good example. Dubai’s economy was sky rocketing just over the last few years foreign aids were pouring in. Everyone expected that Dubai will be the super power of Middle East economy. The global economic downturn has left Dubai a ghost town. Foreign investment soured with many projects from oversees cancelled. This could happen to India or even China. Never ignore the improbable because there are possibilities that things might change against expectations. Any planning and decision making processes needs to be carefully planned so that countries are well prepared in facing any possibilities.

Asia could be the new axis of power. The increase in soft and hard power at a very high pace rate can certainly prove that this is not merely wishful thinking. However the important thing is that the development needs to maintain. Asian countries such as China and India needs to take affirmative action to further strengthen their economic development. It is also important to find a way for soft power to be used as an advantage particularly in international politics. The failure of Japan to use its soft power must be a lesson that if soft power will not mean anything if it can’t give any advantages. The Black Swan theory can be a reason for Asian countries to be more careful in decision making processes. Any decisions need to be considered from various perspectives before being finalised. In conclusion, based on current development it is very likely that global power will shift to the east but the future can be unpredictable.

Bibliography
1. E. James, William, Naya, Seiji and M. Meier, Gerald Asian Development: Economic Success and Policy Lessons, The University of Wisconsin Press, Wisconsin, 1989 pp 7-10
2. Groot,Gerry Soft Power in the Asia Pacific Post-9/11:the Cases of Japan, China and Japan In in G. Groot & Jain & F. Patrikeeff (eds)(2005/2006) Asia Pacific and a New International Order (New York, Nova Publishers)
3. Ibrahim,Anwar The Asian Renaissance Times Books International, Kuala Lumpur,1996 pp 18
4. Mahbubani,Kishore The New Asian Hemisphere: The irresistible Shift of Global Power to the East (Public Affairs, New York 2008) pp127-173)
5. Mukherji ,Joydeep India: Asia’s Next Productivity Success Story Centre for the Study of Living Standards volume: 14 (2007) pp 38-52
6. Nye, Joseph S., The Paradox of American Power: Why World’s Super Power Can’t Go it Alone. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2002
7. Oliver, Chris China's GDP to overtake U.S. by early 2020s, says analyst The Wall Street Journal http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chinas-gdp-overtake-us-early
Last checked: 18 November 2009
8. Stockholm International Peace Institute list of top 10 biggest spenders of military expenditure http://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2009/05/05A
Last checked: 18 November 2009
9. Taleb, Nassim Nicholas, The Black Swan theory: Impact of the highly improbable ,The Random House Publishing Group United States,2007)

The girl that I might never know.

2009-11-17T00:43:00.001+10:30

I try to find
Who I am
Far away from who I was
I look for peace
I search for love
A new story
A new beginning
I found you
Dear library girl,
You are a mystery
That I cant solve
I want to know you
I would love to
Share stories
With you
As I can see you are
Always by yourself
Perhaps the anticipation
With lots of patience
Will one day be rewarded
With answers
I do not dream
A fairytale ending
I might be young
But I am not naïve
Just so you know
The sight of you
Is enough to make me smile.
You make me happy.

extraordinaryme,19

P/s: I just realized there are many mistakes in this post. I was just too overexcited I guess. After reading it again I myself got confused hence Ive made some corrections.

The time is now

2009-10-23T01:24:00.002+10:30

Next week will be my final academic week for Semester 2. Final exams and assignment submission follows before I end my first year It felt like just yesterday I finished SPM but now I’m already going into my second year in university. My journey is still at the very beginning and there is still a long way to go before graduation but things are going extremely fast Im not sure it will feel that long.

Having said that, I think the time has come for me get out of this cocoon ive built around myself for far too long. I have restricted myself from doing many things that I have wanted not because I cant but because I don’t want to. University is where the great separate themselves from the good, its where extraordinary people distant themselves from the ordinary crowd. History have shown that great leaders blossomed at university level. Anwar Ibrahim for example was a student leader at university level. He was the founding leader of ABIM and was actively involved in student movements. With 2 years left, if I do not start doing something meaningful I fear that my university days will be all about examination and assignments, nothing more, and nothing meaningful.

I have a dream.

I want help build my country for my future and for the future generations.

I do not see life as in terms of dollars and materials. I think there are more to it. I am not denying the fact that money is important but why cant I earn money differently. All my family members lambasted me for my opinion. No one supports my decision to be actively involved in my nation’s decision-making process. My parents, auntie’s, uncles, everyone was against it. Not a single person asked me why I have such a deep passion in politics. They ignored my feelings; they ignored me as an individual. My political views might be a little bit different from them. However does it mean I do not deserve a chance to explain my reasons?

Everyone seems to have forgotten the fact that I am studying Economics not accounting. Even from that people should be able to see that I am more interested in finding solution for the PEOPLE not Companies.

Don’t get me wrong. I do like money and for sure I would like to earn lots of money. I’ll be a hypocrite and a liar if I say I don’t want to live a lavish and luxurious life. Just that I also believe in serving the community at the same time. By which I mean getting involved in the society not just throwing around money and expecting it to solve problems such as social issues, poverty and community development.

No matter what challenges I face despite getting absolutely no support from anyone my spirit will not die. I will take advices but my dream shall not fade away. It stays. I will achieve it eventually. Maybe now people cant see my vision but I believe if I am patient and consistent, one day people will understand. For that to happen, there are many things that I have to do especially balancing my life. There should be enough emphasize on my studies and also in community service. In order to achieve my dream and to prove the critics are wrong.

I have no choice but to start progressing.

The time is NOW.

Late night in Adelaide

2009-10-07T02:14:00.002+10:30

Its 2 in the morning and I cant sleep. The fact that Ive got a morning class tomorrow makes it worse. Its my first day in uni after 2 weeks so I was rather tired I slept at 8 for about one hour and now here I am wide awake. It has been a while since I wrote random stuffs here. This is supposed to be the place where I write wtv comes to my mind. I would again like to stress that I'll write anything that I consider suitable here. People have warned me that student blogs are being monitored government. If its true and I would like to make it clear here that I dont feel threatened at all. I do not spread lies. And if they cant accept the truth or any different opinion I suggest they should just stop being a hypocrite. Why practice democracy if you cant even let the future generation have their own opinion. Forget about freedom of speech or freedom of thought because we are just too far away from that. All I can say is it is disgusting and unacceptable if they were to monitor STUDENTS blog and destroy their future just because they see things differently. Again I am saying this based on warning given to me by a reliable source. I am not accusing but IF its true it is STUPID. And again IF this is true, now I know why so many people wants to migrate and I am talking about talented brains not just normal individuals(doctors,engineers etc.) I used to question them but now I am seriously considering settling down somewhere else, serving another country.

Enough of that I guess. I just feel so betrayed. Lets talk about about something else. Noticed I used the word 'talk'? Ive met heaps of wonderful friends here in Adelaide. People that really care about me and people that I realy care about. However I havent got any very close friends over here. Unlike previous years I had people around me that really understands me I can express my feelings. Now the only way of expressing my feelings and thought is here, online. I either talk to my friends online or my blog. So thats why I hope you people can understand at times this blog can get emotional. Yes I like intellectualism but I just cant be consistent not here at least. This is where I share my feelings and ideas with the world. I am sorry. By the way it is already SPRING. I love Spring!Awesome season where you can see flower blossoming, enjoy the chill but sunny weather..Its getting reallly late. I shall stop here. Dear friends, life is too short,if you dont start living you will miss out the one chance you get to experience this world. good night.

At the Crossroad of life

2009-10-03T02:40:00.003+09:30

Someday you’ll remember

Things that you let go

Shot that you have missed

All the roads not taken

All the fears you succumbed

And when it all comes

You know you’re at a point

The crossroad of life

You know it

This is the moment

You are supposed to decide

You can’t be sure

How it will end

You wish you can run

But where will you go

When you are here

At the crossroad of life.

You had it planned

All the things you want

One thing changes

Everything goes wrong

Life becomes a maze

You wished you were out

It brings you here

Now you’re at

The crossroad of life.

You won’t change your mind

Your heart refuses to move on

Now is the time

You have a choice

To wake up from your dream

To start living

This is when you start moving on

Not holding on to memories

At the crossroad of life

By Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin,19

Selamat Hari Raya!

2009-09-29T19:15:00.003+09:30

hye!Lately I havent been updating my blog. The reason being so is because Im BACK HOME!So Ive been caught up with all the plans that I had planned months ago!I would like to take this chance to wish everyone

Selamat Hari Raya!Maaf Zahir & Batin!

Issue

2009-09-12T01:11:00.004+09:30

Ive been extremely busy for the past few weeks with assignments,test,presentations piling up and I just got bored.So I decided to take a break and decided to find a new tv series that I can watch now that all my favourite series are either canceled or havent entered its latest season. I decided to check out 'the secret live of american teenager'. Since Im just too lazy to write my own synopsis,heres an overview I got from wikipedia

Centered around fictional teen Amy Juergens, The Secret Life of the American Teenager explores how Amy's pregnancy affects her, the baby's father, her friends, and her family. The news of her pregnancy puts additional strain on her parents' already rocky marriage, but brings Amy closer with her younger sister Ashley, her new boyfriend, Ben, the father of her baby, Ricky, as well as with other teens atUlysses S. Grant High School in Valley Glen, California. Amy's world expands as she learns that virtually every teen at Grant High carries a secret or unexpected problem.

Why I think this show is very interesting is because it highlights the common problems teenagers face nowadays. This show has got its fare share of haters stating that its not realistic etc. However to me what's important is the message that it is trying potray. Teen pregnancy happens everywhere so does abortion and divorce. Obviously people would not act as cool or as proper to that sought of things like in this show but cant we see that the writer is trying to show us how we SHOULD react. Again many other stuffs in this show are debatable but it is really a matter of choice whether you want to get the message or just antagonize all the messages.

So what about Issue(title of post)?Lately Malaysian politics are getting more and more irrelevant. WE are just soo caught up with race related issues and it is getting more ridiculous each day.I wonder whether our leaders have put so much emphasize on this matter and have overlooked other problems. There hasnt been much attention given to social problems. I just think that issues such as healthcare,economy,education, teenagers, family development are equally important and needs to be address. What are we doing to solve these problems? Are we doing enough?I cant see any significant moves to engage on all this social issues. Even if there are efforts to improve this situation dont blame me if I cant see it. There hasnt been much reports about this issue in newspapers. It is a shame that in US they are vigorously debating about the healthcare issue and we are still stuck with cow head protestor as the main news.

In this context I think the media have got to play a more meaningful role. Why fight for freedom of press if freedom if it is just used for politicking purposes. Freedom of press should be more than that. Perhaps sensitive issues such as teen pregnancy could be given a fair account so that at least these type of issues can be addressed. Public awareness is extremely important especially in issues that involves the community. In conclusion, in order for Malaysia to move forward it is highly essential that people are being exposed important issue rather than focussing on trivial issues and not gain anything from it.

Adelaide University Union Election 2009

2009-09-01T21:40:00.004+09:30

ITs election time in Adelaide Uni! This week students of the university of Adelaide will be voting for their new student representative council. I can see lots of politics and history students running in the election. As a matter of fact todays international politics lecture was half empty!I guess they were busy campaigning outside! To my fellow adelaide comrades I here are the preview of the contesting parties.If you are interested go vote for them!

Activate-progressive,active,accountable

I would say they form the current student body. Most of their candidates are running to retain their seat in the student body. I was being told that they are know to be labour-left which is very appealing to me. They also promised more engagement with the students. Regarding this matter I did stressed to one of the candidates if they win they really should deliver this promise. Students needs to be engaged consistently in order for them to feel represented.All in one a strong party with realistic promises. Most of my votes went to their candidates.

Innovate

Here we have a party with lots to offer for the international student communities. One of my tutor mate is running for them. From what I've seen she has got impressive oratory skill and like-able character. However I'm not really sure about their manifesto, seems to be too good to be truth. An international student village in the uni?I wonder how are they planning to deliver their promises. As always despite having some doubts some of my votes(we are voting for many posts and we are allowed to pick a few candidates from different parties) did go to them. In a nutshell heres a party that offers lots of new faces as candidates(i was told),aligned to labor party-right,with many benefits being offered to international students.

Indygo

An independent party not affilated to any political link. Not very appealing to me but according to their flyers this party have representatives in the current SRC. They achieved everything that they promised last year. The appealing bit of this party is their catchphrase student control of students affair.

=)

2009-08-23T22:36:00.004+09:30

When I saw your facebook profile today

I realized I havent been there

for a quite a while

I see you now

Though from a distant, very far away

I saw

everything that I have always wanted

in my life

Its like what I dreamt of

Years ago

It is now reality

Things seems to be just like

Everything that I had planned

For me,for you,for us

We are in uni,young and preparing

for the future

Unfortunately things are different today

There's me,there's you but no more us

It will never be the same again

Im not that stupid

To even have a glimpse of hope

It is true

We can plan

But Allah has his own plans

for us

Everything happens for a reason

I hope you know

I feel extremely happy for you

As I said

once upon a time

It doesnt matter

Who I am to you

What's important is your happiness,

I WILL BE HAPPY IF YOU ARE HAPPY=)

Nur Kasih

2009-08-23T01:40:00.004+09:30

Inspired by a Malaysian drama, Nur Kasih. Honestly, I rarely follow any Malaysian drama but this one is different. It is impressive!Thumbs up to the director Khabir Bhatia and the actors despite not all being well known produced an outstanding story. I did watched some Malay movies in cinema last year for the sake of supporting the industry because studying economics had made be understand that without support there is no way our industry was survive. Some movies were impressive but others just wasnt good enough. Well, Nur Kasih isnt a movie but its a drama worth checking out.

Cahaya Kesetiaan

Kau sendiri dalam segala rahsia

Tentang cinta dan derita

Yang telah kau pendam

Sekian lama dalam diam

Segala kerana perasaan kasih

Setia kepada si suami

Sesuci hati seorang isteri

Bukan salah mu,

Segala derita ini

namun kau tetap tabah

Menghadapi segala pancaroba

Tak pernah sekali kau cuba

Menyalahkan tadir

Mahupun berputus asa

Terus teguh menngabdikan diri

Kepada yang maha esa

Sesungguhnya hati ini

Mungkin punya pilihan sendiri

Mengharapkan jalan yang mudah

Tetapi Ingatlah wahai kasih

Hanya tuhan yang menentu

Hala tuju manusia yang hanyalah hamba

Janganlah hampa

Terus kecewa

Suatu hari

Pastinya tiba Saat bahagia

Teruslah percaya

Jangan berhenti

Segala ini, hanya dugaan.

Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin,19

Salam Ramadhan

2009-08-22T17:12:00.002+09:30

I am very thankful to god that I am given the chance to experience this month once more. I wish my fellow Muslim friends all the best, may we use this blessed month the best way possible. It is really amazing for me to look back because for the past three years I have spent this month in 3 different places. 3 years ago I was in Lenggong. Studying for my SPM preparing for THE exam of my life. I was young, 17 to be exact. Last year, I was at home. Enjoying the comfort of my bedroom and mums cooking. Again preparing for another big exam. I was doing my AUSMAT. It was a transition for me coming from a school that have got 97% muslim student to a college that have got less than 10% Muslim student. Back in school everyone was fasting but in college it felt like no one was fasting. However thanks to my wonderful wonderful friends in college it was fun! They were very understanding in fact they were days that we fasted together and when to break fast together. I’ll always remember those days. Finally this year! Here I am far away from home. Things are definitely more challenging here. Unlike previous years I will have to prepare my own food! I really wonder how am I gonna cook especially when I have to cook for the whole house without tasting what I’m cooking. We’ll see how it goes. One thing I realize this year is that next year, Insyaallah I wont be in a different place. I am finally settled at least for another 3 years!It might not be a big deal for other people but is for me. Only god knows what I had went through due to all the uncertainties surrounding my life. All the pressure I had to deal with. Alhamdulillah for now I have a clearer path. Definitely not easy but at least I know where I’ll be next year. Whats gonna happen after that. I shall let time decide. One more thing. I'll be back home soon!

I want a star

2009-08-20T00:28:00.001+09:30

When I look at the stars

I believe that there are other stars up above the sky

Because I can see

It is the same

for certain things in life

I need prove

I want to be convinced

I want to believe

That there are other 'stars'

Might not be as bright

Might not be as beautiful

At least it is up there.

I dont wanna fall in love

2009-08-18T23:12:00.002+09:30

Not again.

Why?

Because I dont want to hurt anyone

And be hurt by anyone

I dont want to let anyone down

and be let down by anyone

The notion of love doesnt suit me anymore

It had left me feeling so alone

When she's not with me

It had made me cry

When she doesnt reply my text messages

It had gave me sleepless night

Thinking about her and how to make her happy

I thought I couldnt live without her

Who says I cant survive without love?

I dont need to fall in love

Even if I want to be with someone

I just need to be committed

I just need to trust

I just need to be there for her

I just need to be with her,just her

I just need to be her friend

I just need to be her partner in every way possible

I just need to care about her

NO,I dont need to fall for her

We can be happy

Aint that what everyone need from a relationship

We let our mind be blurred

By a perception that love is all we need

to be happy

I despise that

Why love when it cant give you happiness?

Why love when it hurts you?

Why love if it forces you to do stupid things?

In the end.

You get absolutely nothing from it.

Yes it can stay with you as happy memories.

Is that what you need?

Funny People

2009-08-11T23:56:00.002+09:30

Underneath anger, there's hurt.

Underneath hurt, there's love.

-from the movie Funny People-

Us

2009-08-10T21:45:00.006+09:30

Some things in life are meant to be only in my dreams I guess

If you want to see the world

Can I be the one with you

I wont promise you the world

But I can tell that you'll be my world

I wanna sing and dance and cry

With no one else but you

We will drive on the roads

We can swim through the streams

Climb the mountains and run on trails

I'll be there just for you

We take one step every time

I just need you to be you

-extraordinaryme, 19-

The day

2009-08-09T22:15:00.003+09:30

Each year I would write something on my birthday.

Usually it would be something unusual.

Not This Year.

Maybe because Im tired?

Maybe because Im confused?

Maybe because I am uninspired?

I am done.

Moving on

2009-07-29T23:17:00.002+09:30

It is something easier said than done. It can take years or in some cases days but it is definitely not an easy task to move on from a broken relationship. I admit I myself took 3 years and few thousand miles before I can really say that I have finally moved on. Having said that let me be honest I am not 100% sure but I think I can already accept the fact that we were just not meant to be.I think I have gone through that stage of life fairly well. You might be wondering why am I talking bout this? It is because I am seeing the same situation happening to one of my friend. It hurts I know how it feels I really hope she can see it in a very mature and rational manner. I dont want anyone else to feel what I felt. The devastating impact it can be bring to our life might just be very bad that we cant recover from it. Until today I still find it impossible to fall for someone else. There are people that I really like but I just couldnt take that one extra step because I have become traumatized. I do not blame anyone except for myself. Yes it was my first love.Yes she was my dream girl. However when it comes to a relationship feelings are just not enough there are other things that matters. Life is like a book. There are many pages.There are chapters. There are beginning and last but not least there are endings. You just have to accept it and go through it.It is your story you cant blame anyone else if it is not the story that you wanted. God have got it all written down. The stories are all destined. You never know the ending but you just have to keep going on, moving on. I have learnt this from my own experience. I refused to let go. That was the whole problem. The moment when I left my country that was when I told myself this is it if I don't move on now I will miss a lot. I will be sad all the time because I know I am alone here. Surprisingly the world didn't end, as a matter of fact I feel better. Firstly because I can now treat her like my best friend. Moving on doesn't mean I do not love her anymore. Just that in a different way,in a very special way. Secondly I meet other people. I open myself to new possibilities. Now I can see there are actually other extraordinary girls out there. This have made me believe that despite losing the most perfect girl that I have known in my life there is actually hope that I can meet someone else that is perfect for me. I end this with a quote from the movie '17 Again' When you're young everything feels like the end of the world. But it's not; it's just the beginning. You might have to meet a few more jerks, but one day you're gonna meet someone who treats you the way you deserve to be treated. Like the sun rises and sets with you.

Adelaide update

2009-07-27T22:57:00.003+09:30

It is hard to believe that things are going to be moving this fast. It felt like just yesterday I arrived here in Adelaide for what I expected to be the ride of my life. Now I am already going into my second semester in university. Life hasnt been like I imagined. I have always said. I am not here just to get a degree. I have got other missions. So far it hasnt been that way. Studies are going on well, Im also coping with the new environment met a lot of friends. However I dont really see myself gaining experiences that can be used for my future career.NOT YET. I am not doing any part time job which from my point of view is very important to get on hands business experience, Im not communicating with any locals I dont have any Australian friends, I am not socializing, creating networks and also I havent joined the gym. I am not actively involved in any clubs or society though I did signed up for the labor party club of Adelaide. Well those are stuffs that I have failed to achieve in semester one which I hope I can do it in semester 2. On the other hand what I have managed to do in semester 1 includes going around Australia. Visited Sydney,CAnberra and Melbourne(twice!), constantly attending islamic talks,passed all my subjects,full attendance for principle of microeconomics(tutorial and lectures),full attendance for comparative politics(lecture) and thats about it. Things are not all bad here. Even though Once a while I still get lonely but thank god Ive got lots wonderful friends and family members that are willing to talk to me online. It wouldnt be unfair to say that my macbook is my best friend in Adelaide. Every day and night happy or sad she is always there for me. I'll die without her=D I guess it is impossible to achieve everything in one shot but it is important to have a goal in life. I believe it makes my life more organized and more focussed.

Jika ingin gegar dunia

2009-07-07T12:12:00.000+09:30

Jika ingin gegar dunia

Ku harus percaya

Kemampuan itu ada.

Jika ingin gegar dunia

Ku perlu akur

Ku harus berkorban

Jika ingin gegar dunia

Ku harus berubah

Agar mimpi menjadi kenyataan

Jika ingin gegar dunia

Ku harus gengam bara api

Sampai jadi abu

Jika ingin gegar dunia

Bukan dunia harus ku kejar

Dunia itu datang dengan akhirat

Jika ingin gegar dunia

Ku harus berani

Bukan sekadar berkata

Jika ingin gegar dunia

Ku harus bangkit

Meninggalkan kelalaian ini

Jika ingin gegar dunia

Ku harus mula sebelum fajar menyinsing

Bukan terkinja2 di waktu senja

Jika ingin gegar dunia

Ku tidak boleh mengharap

Tetapi menjadi harapan

Jika ingin gegar dunia

Ku tida boleh merasai benci

Tetapi menyedari cinta

Jika ingin gegar dunia

Ku tidak mampu berseorang

Harus mengumpul angkatan

Jika ingin gegar dunia

Perlu bermula dengan aku

Demi agama,bangsa dan Negara.

-Ahmad Ridhuan Alauddin,19-

Bagaikan Pepasir di Pantai

2009-07-05T16:43:00.003+09:30

We always forget, we let ourselves drown in sin everyday. It doesnt matter who you are,where you are from seeking forgiveness is important. I believe it makes life much simpler if you are not hated. There are things in life that I wished I didnt do, words that I shouldnt have said but I know I cant undo all of it. What I can do is probably not repeat all those regrettable things. Just because I cant undo all of it doesnt mean I can just let it be. So I seek forgiveness for all those things that cant be undo all those words that cant be unsaid. I cant change my past but I certainly can do something about my future. I cant fix all the mistakes but I shall try not to repeat it again.

Dalam Menghadapi segala dosa-dosa lama,baru, yang akan datang,

bagaikan pepasir di pantai...

Wahai Tuhan ku,

Ku tak Layak ke syurgaMu,

Namun Tak pula sanggup ke nerakaMu

Ampunkan dosa-dosa ku

sesungguhnya Engkaulah Pengampun dosa-dosa besar.

Wahai Tuhan selamatkan kami ini

Dari Segala kejahatan dan kecelakaan

Kami takut, Kami harap kepada Mu

Suburkan Cinta kami kepada Mu

Akulah hamba yang mengharap belas kasihan darimu

Life aint a movie

2009-07-05T01:09:00.003+09:30

I have always wanted my life to be like the movies I watch. No matter what happens in the end it will be a happy ending.I hate watching movies with sad endings because I tend to relate myself with the characters. I dont usually put myself as the hero because I know I am no hero. I love to see the way problems are solved in movies. Regardless of the challenges the problem will be solved. It is also interesting to see how people accept or reject someone in movies.It seems that no matter what the consequences might be, it is bearable. Sometimes, I wish life was more like a movie. I do not expect a perfect movie. I do expect ups and downs but I want things to be more bearable. It so happens that I have to face harsh facts again and again in my life. The best way to describe my life would be a constantly declining graph. I pray to god everyday asking for forgiveness, asking for happiness asking for success. The only hope I have would be that one day all my prayers will be answered. I do not hope for something extraordinary not even a life like in the movies, I dont deserve that I know. I do not cry.I do not show my emotions not to you not to anyone. Deep down inside I know I am crying. I just wanna be happy.The end.

Destiny

2009-07-01T01:25:00.003+09:30

I would say this is a very interesting piece.It came to me suddenly, I was doing maths while listening to some music and out of the blue i felt a sudden urge to write. I started writing this on one of my past year question paper. The more interesting part is that I am not sure whether I am inspired by a song or by someone or by life. Life is a mystery!=D

It was destined

I dont need another chance

I have to take my chances

What's right or What's wrong

I cant be sure

I craved for a dream

that was never meant to be

I waited for something

That made me lose my senses

I have and will always

believe in what I was destined

It was destined for me to fall for you

It was destined for me to make promises

It was destined for us to fall apart

It was destined that all my promises,

Be broken by time and distance

It was destined for me to see

There is more to life

It was destined for me to believe,again

I can smile and love

and be inspired

All at once

I can choose to explore

what's in stored for me

without being the one for you.

Heal the world

2009-06-28T00:30:00.000+09:30

A tribute to Michael Jackson(1958-2009), The King of Pop.

My opinion

2009-06-23T00:29:00.002+09:30

When the Malaysian opposition decided to thrash the unity talk and concentrate on wresting the federal power, it IS not or SHALL not merely be about taking away the power. A lot needs to done. A country with so much potential is now on the verge of breaking down. The main plan is to restore the economical situation and also mend the broken society. I would rather not elaborate on that because it will be impossible, here I do not wish to state what should be done but I will state what I hope to see. Another BN is not needed, Pakatan Rakyat should get only ONE chance to govern and if it fails then they should be topple too. The rakyat deserve the best government, it does not matter which party. The important thing is a functional government. People are very scared to move on, to change. It is not something unusual when you have been under the same government from day 1. There are too many what if questions that can only be answered if the people are brave enough to explore new possibilities or else nothing will change. If you are promised a new dawn expect a new dawn nothing less. Now, that is the talk for the future. We have got at least another 3 years or less before that could happen. If the government were to change fair ELECTIONS should be the ONLY reason it happen. What happened in Perak should by now make us understand. Again I repeat we do not want the same old story, we want change. Pakatan Rakyat should realize that they have got ample time to be prepared. Instead of getting involve in never ending politicking, PR should start strengthening itself. New and young leaders should be identified and given the right guidance. I have personally met a few PR leaders and trust me; they are the leaders for the future. I know this because when a politician talks about various issues from religion to education to football but not politics it wouldn’t be unfair to say ‘this is the new politics’. This is important, as a strong government needs to have strong leadership at every layer. People have said that PR is a very fragile coalition. Instead of ignoring this opinion why not investigate these allegations? If it’s true there nothing wrong with it, PR was form just last year! By taking the right approach it can be sorted well. States under PR should also beef up their administration because whether they like it or not these states are by far the closest indication that the people can get on how things are going to be under PR. Perhaps avoiding controversies can be one of the agenda and also they shouldn’t concentrate too much on the past administration flaws because that was the main reason they were elected. It is the future that needs to be shaped. PR have promised a lot now it is the time to hold on to those promises and prove the people that they were right in choosing them. The only justification would be in their performance. For now, lets give our 6^th prime minister his chance to lead. He introduced us to 1Malaysia a very interesting but confusing concept. It sure did get a lot of attentions but what can it do?Even though I doubt much can change lets hope he does not make the already bad situation worst.So if you are wondering why am I being so one sided? Well, Different people have different opinion and from my point of view a reliable Pakatan Rakyat would be the one for our future. You can have your own opinion, feel free to object this post but PLEASE do it with facts. I will not delete any comments as I believe in freedom of thoughts and opinion. Comment with sense not emotion.

From the bottom of my heart

2009-06-20T01:56:00.003+09:30

Firstly, thank you Mama,Abah,Sabrina Ashraf for visiting me here in Adelaide. It was perhaps the best thing that has ever happened since I arrived. I am not saying things are bad here but that was the best.

I would like to thank the only neighbour I am close to for everything. I wish her good luck in her new journey.

I would also like to congratulate someone that I consider my best friend for achieving what she has always dreamt of. Your new life chapter aint gonna be a ride in the park but its what you have chosen. Have a good life

To all my friends that are also entering new chapters in their lives. I wish you guys all the best.

We have shared wonderful moments that I will not forget. Things are certainly going to change but I guess this is life, just go through it!

To an almost forgotten friend. Its good to be friends again. Its good to know that I can actually make someone smile. I always thought that I can never make anyone happy.

I feel happy blogging, after a week filled with microeconomics and going into ANOTHER week filled with microeconomics this sure help me to relax. For certain reasons I considered shutting down this blog but this is the only medium I have for me to explain myself. So far studying overseas has been a very lonely experience, it is hard to explain but that’s a fact. Therefore I will continue blogging. Be it life, politics or love I will continue to blog about things that I am passionate.

We tend to forget that happiness doesn`t come as a result of getting something we don`t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.Frederick Keonig

Pasti

2009-06-16T22:40:00.000+09:30

Ku tak mampu memetik bintang

Jauh bergemelapan di sana

Ku telah cuba, sekadar untuk pasti

Biarkan bulan yang sendiri

Temankan ku di sini

Biar pun tak lengkap di sisi

Tak mungkin akan ku ratapi

Setelah apa yang ku lalui

Yang pasti tidak akan ku lari

Cuba hilang dalam mimpi

Biar apa pun yang akan terjadi

Walau perasaan ini tak pernah kau selami

Walau pun ku telah dilukai

Bukan sekali tetapi berkali

Walau esok masih belum pasti

Aku ku pegang pada janji.

Fear

2009-06-12T01:14:00.001+09:30

I stumble upon 2 interesting quotes yesterday and today. The first one was from a movie and the second one was on my adelaide metroticket..

"Fear is the heart of love"

and

"Fear is the parent of cruelty"

Interesting dont you think? The heart of love is also the parent of cruelty. I personally think this is true. Love is cruel. Ive got nothing else to say perhaps anyone with experience can explain more about this?BTW it is winter here and it is cold!I know winter here is nothing compared to the winter in US or Russia but it is freaking cold!

Aye to the Future

2009-06-11T11:51:00.001+09:30

Something I wrote while studying microeconomics.

Aye to the Future

I’ve tried all my best

I’ve given all I have

I did all I can

I’ve said all I want

I can’t think but remember

I’ve been there once

It have been years not months

More time and more space

Are just excuses

For far too long

I can’t move on

And I cant lie anymore

That’s a fact

I must accept

Things have to change from now onwards

Giving up is inevitable

Looking up is inescapable

As I could already see a light

At the end of this dreadfully dark tunnel

By Ahmad Ridhuan,19

Ausmat Sunway 2008

2009-06-09T21:47:00.001+09:30

I am seeing

All that I missed

I am dreaming

All of those memories

I wish I could do more than cherish

I want those days we shared to come alive

I don’t understand why time flies

Why couldn’t it last?

Why wouldn’t it wait for me

Ausmatians, I miss you.

random thoughts

2009-06-06T23:35:00.001+09:30

I often think about all those memories that I wish had never left me

Now it seems to be so far away

It used to be with me

I used to live my dream

I know Ive done things that I shouldnt have done

But I am in no position to undo those mistakes

Its a done deal I cant change it but I regret it

For example, Seeing my friends studying medicine

it makes me happy, at least I can see my dream through people that I care

It was the one thing that I really wanted in life

I want to help others,

I left home for something that I thought could lead me there

I sacrificed my love for something that I believe could jump start my dream

It was a gamble and I lost my game

Fair enough, I FAILED

and so I lost everything

I am not going to give up

Just because I cant get into my dream career

it doesnt mean I cant be successful

now things are different

I will still serve the people

In a different way

Insyaallah, by studying economics and politics

I can still achieve a part of my dream

which is to serve the people

I have experienced how it felt to be in a golden era in my life

The feeling of being complete

The feeling of being in control of my life

I had it all

I have a feeling

that, NOW I am ready

With my family and friends that matters

on my side

Golden Days of my life will be back

Reducing Poverty and Increasing Development in Haiti

2009-05-26T23:14:00.000+09:30

Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop a thorough understanding of the problem in Haiti and find out what needs to be done to improve the poverty and underdevelopment in Haiti. As the problem in Haiti is very broad and can be seen from various perspectives certain measures are taken such as defining the perspective of the research to be more specific. Overall, the economic, political and social histories in Haiti were taken into consideration in this research to come out with the proposed solution.

Introduction

In order to determine the major obstacles to economic development and poverty reduction, it is important that the problem is defined so that the objective is clear for the solutions to be proposed. For this research, the definition of poverty and development as explained by Amartya Sen in his book ‘Development of Freedom’ are being used as the yardstick to determine the objective and solutions. Poverty as he defined can be identified as deprivation of basic capabilities than merely as lowness of incomes, which is usually standard of identification of poverty. As for development, he measures it in terms of the real freedom that people enjoy. This contrast from the narrower views of development that emphasizes more on the growth of gross national product or the technological advancement of the society. The freedom from his point of view depends on economic arrangements as well as political and civil right. Therefore all the solutions proposed for Haiti in this research are focused on solving poverty and underdevelopment from this perspective.

Statement of research finding

Based on the history and current political situation in Haiti affirmative action needs to be taken and it have to begin now. The best possible solution to resolve poverty and develop Haiti is for it to implement something that is based on a proven model. For Haiti, the solution would be to use the country-based development model introduced by the World Bank as the main reference. The main reason why this model is chosen is because of the broad consensus that the country-based development model. It presents the best prospect for sustained growth and poverty reduction in countries. By strengthening domestic policies and systems, uniting donors behind ambitious goals, and providing a framework for the mutual accountability of stakeholders, this model is also indispensable for realizing international commitments on aid effectiveness and scaling up.

Proposed Solution

Haiti is not hopeless or doomed to failure. Oxford University economics professor Paul Collier makes this essential and oft-overlooked point in discussions on Haiti in his report on how to establish economic security in Haiti for the United Nations Secretary-General. It is a much-needed change in discourse that, until recently, included the discussion of ‘trusteeship.’ Six years after Jean-Bertrand Ariste’s government was ousted by armed revolt, again the government in Haiti had to be dismissed and this time it is over violent food price protest in the impoverished Caribbean region. It appears that Haiti is getting another chance to enter a new dawn again after its turbulent political past. Situation in the country as it is, is not very encouraging. As the 2008 CIA report states, 80 percent of the population lives under the poverty line. In addition to a staggering 70 percent unemployment rate and a 50 percent rate of illiteracy on the island, almost every water source has become polluted with human waste due to the lack of a sewage sanitation system. The unsettled political situation in Haiti is one of the key factor of the failure in resolving poverty and underdevelopment that has been haunting Haiti for many years. Perhaps the question that arises from this is situation is best put in Simon Fass’s term ‘what has the Haiti’s government done to change the situation of the majority and of the population? Instead of maximizing public welfare the ever-changing administration of Haiti have rather served to maximum the private income of whatever clique that happened to be in power rather than improving the internal situation of Haiti. It is important to acknowledge that all government in the world needs time to produce result. Generally, the introduction and implementation of policies takes time to produce results. Political instability causes the government to become ineffective as it makes it hard for policy to be implemented and for the majority of population to bear the fruit from any policies that are being implemented to help them. To make the situation worse, in Haiti not only the government is ineffective, it is also corrupted. This can be traced from the History that started Haiti’s political instability. Haiti’s state of affairs can be compared to the situation in the Dominican Republic. Both countries experienced similar dictatorship administration. Dominican Republic was under the rule of Trujillo and Haiti was under the rule of Duvalier both dictators that lead their country in the nineteenth century. Ironically both were corrupted leaders that brought in the concept of predatory state in their country. Comparisons between Haiti and Dominican Republic situation under the dictators provide ample illustration of the mechanism that are at work in a predatory state. The economy at both countries was unproductive with profit seeking entities sucking away profits from the people. This was the bad foundation that caused poverty and underdevelopment in which Haiti failed to recover until today.

Another factor that caused poverty and underdevelopment in Haiti is the lack of political capacity. Without a stable political surrounding the administration process is almost impossible. Rules of law for example cannot be upheld. The government is unable to control desperate people in dire state. Latest statistics shows that almost two third of the labor force in Haiti does not have formal job.[1] At the same time, the population is growing rapidly. What comes out from this is the problem of soil erosion. As the population grows, there is a tendency for the agricultural sector to become more labor intensive. What happened in Haiti is that it was not perennial and there were no monitoring. Therefore it contributed to the soil erosion in Haiti. People in Haiti rely on cutting trees to produce house and charcoal to sell. However without proper jurisdiction, severe deforestation have impacted negatively upon Haiti’s environment. Extensive soil erosion has hurt their agriculture and fishing industries, which are the backbone to the country’s economy. Research shows that one-third of the land has lost so much topsoil that it is no longer arable, or barely so. Erosion has also turned the nation's highways into muddy roads, and degradation of rural areas has driven thousands of people into the cities, which are already overwhelmed by poverty and overpopulation. When the backbone of its economy is disrupted it makes it harder for them to get out of poverty moreover developing the country. In terms of agriculture the situation in Haiti is comparable to India’s agriculture industry. In India, the agricultural industry is troubled due to natural disaster such as drought. However India managed to survive this through a revised agricultural strategy that had improved food production. Natural disaster such as hurricanes makes the already bad situation worse for Haiti. The failure to maintain Haiti’s environment is because there is lack of political capacity. As the economy of Haiti depends a lot on agriculture industry without a reliable environmental condition it cannot be expanded or even started. We can see that as the result from political instability Haiti’s government lacks the capacity to improve the situation. Both factors, the instable political situation and dysfunctional administration have caused poverty and underdevelopment in Haiti to be prolonged.

In his report on Economic Security in Haiti, Paul Collier does not ignore Haiti’s dire circumstances nor does he dismiss the challenges it will confront in 2009. Yet, he concludes that Haiti has “fundamentals that favour economic development’. The proposed solution would be to use the country-based development model introduced by the World Bank as the main reference to combat poverty and increase development. The first reinforcing strand of the country-based development model is the internal factor. Development strategies should be linked to Haiti’s country system, In this case what needs to be done is improving the socioeconomic and sociocultural .To cultivate the economy in Haiti it is important to remember that improving the quality people’s life is the main concern right now. Therefore what I will suggest is for Haiti to revitalize its agricultural and industry. The reason why is because agriculture is the core to the country’s economic development. If the poverty in Haiti were to improve the economy have to change first. An improved agriculture industry not only could recapitalize farms to jumpstart Haiti’s economy but it can also ensure the availability of food crops for the population. This can be done by stimulating agricultural production and encouraging livestock farming. In the short term at least the country’s food crisis can be reduced especially with the rapid growth in population. It is proven if we take the example of how Ghana managed to reduce poverty through improving its agricultural industry. Recent analyses by the World Bank, of the Ghana Living Standards Surveys in 1987-88 and 1991-92 reveal that the headcount index of poverty declined from 37 percent in 1987-88 to 32 percent in 1991-92. Rural poverty fell from 42 percent to 34 percent. The remarkable success by Ghana could be emulated by Haiti if things are done accordingly.

The first strand concentrate on national-driven solution or internal factor whereas the second strand will concentrate on the external factors. To recover Haiti needs to get support from outside. Over the years, overseas donor aid in Haiti hasn’t been consistent making it tough to predict the amount of budget that is available for the country. It is not hard to imagine the damage inflicted on development policies and nascent institution by the inconsistent nature of these flows. In this case, again the success of more stable countries can be a benchmark to be followed by Haiti. Tanzania and Ghana for example have managed to work closely with the donors. Donors will state the funding in advance at least a year before budget formulation. As a result a more reliable budget can be planned for a more efficient implementation. Foreign aids are extremely important for Haiti in as it provides a financial foundation, which is essential to combat poverty and increase development. With support from the United Nations Tanzania has costed the implementation of development to its priority sector such as agriculture, water and health. The similarities of the priority sector in Tanzania and Haiti could give an indication that if it could help Tanzania, it can also improve the situation in Haiti. Relating from the first strand of the country-based development which is the internal factor, what the external factor can do is complement the internal factor. In other words foreign aids can help Haiti develop its priority sectors. The role of non-governmental institution is also needed. The poverty in Haiti comprises all aspect of life. Therefore the role of the international donor should not be limited to only helping the country financially. Humanitarian help is also needed. Haiti is deprived of basic needs such as clean water, healthcare and also education. In order to help the country to work all these basic need shall be restored. It is not impossible if non-governmental organization such as UNICEF and Amnesty international comes out with a proactive measure to resolve the humanitarian problem in Haiti.

All the proposed solution cannot be implemented without the Haitian government playing an affective role. Robert Maguire in his article “Towards the End of Poverty in Haiti’ suggested that government participation is needed in identifying needs, priorities and approaches from international community to combat poverty. In doing so the government must be free of corruption. Haiti is rank 177 out of 180 in the latest corruption perception index a clear sign that corruption is very serious in the country.[2] This is something that has to be recognized as a threat to Haiti’s progress in reducing poverty and increasing development. Without sufficient confidence in the government it might be harder for them to receive international aid. Another negative impact would be inefficient allocation of resources. A corrupt regime will distribute resources only to those that can benefit them. In this, the population will suffer the burden due to a corrupt regime. Another priority of the government would probably include the judicial reform and improved public health in Haiti. What Haiti needs now is a functioning government. A government that is able to allocate resources efficiently and at the same time increases economic activity. A country that does not easily slip into sustained political stability is proven to be successful in reducing poverty. Take Mexico for example the population in poverty has decreased from 24.2% to 17.6% in the general population and from 42% to 27.9% in rural areas from 2000-2004.[3] Mexico is a pivotal case of political and economic transition for the developing world and it can set a model for countries such as Haiti that faces same kind of challenge.[4]

Conclusion

The situation in Haiti might not be encouraging. Things certainly can be improved. There are countries such as Ghana, Mexico and Bangladesh that faced similar problem as Haiti and have the identical economical structure but managed to reduce poverty and increase development in their own way. It is important that any implementation in Haiti follows the right and proven economic model. International community should also play a role in helping to set up the foundation to Haiti’s solution. The more important thing is that Haiti’s government needs to revamp itself to be relevant and proactive in finding solutions to achieve the objective of reducing poverty and increasing development for the people. They shall not curse the darkness but light up a candle for it will benefit the Haitians more.

References

1) Alex Dupuy, 'Spanish Colonialism and the Origin of Underdevelopment in Haiti', Latin American Perspectives, Vol. 3, No. 2, (Spring, 1976), 5-29

2) Gilburt Loescher and John Scanlan, 'Human Rights, U.S. Foreign Policy, and Haitian Refugees', Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs, Vol. 26, No. 3, (Aug., 1984), 313-356

3) Gerard Pierre-Charles and Margaret Low, 'The Democratic Revolution in Haiti', Latin American Perspectives, Vol. 15, No. 3, (Summer, 1988), 64-76

4) Mats Lundahl, 'History as an Obstacle to Change: The Case of Haiti', Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs, Vol. 31, No. 1/2, (Spring - Summer, 1989), 1-21

5) Mats Lundahl, 'Underdevelopment in Haiti: Some Recent Contributions', Journal of Latin American Studies, Vol. 23, No. 2, (May, 1991),411-429

6) Clifford E. Griffin, 'Haiti's Democratic Challenge', Third World Quarterly, Vol. 13, No. 4, (1992), 663-673

7) Ministers of Foreign Affairs Resolution 3/92: Restoration of Democracy in Haiti', The American Journal of International Law, Vol. 86, No. 3, (Jul., 1992), 667-669

8) Lundahl M Staff, Mats Lundahl ‘Politics Or Markets: Essay Haiti’

Routledge, 2002, 13-255

9) Haiti’s Economic Challenge by Robert Perito and Emily Hsu July 2006

http://www.usip.org/pubs/usipeace_briefings/2006/0717_haiti_economy.html

10) CIA World Factbok-Last Updated 14 May 2009 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/geos/ha.html#Econ

12)Paul Collier’s reports on Haiti Economic Security by Robert Maguire March 2009

http://www.focal.ca/publications/focalpoint/fp0309/?article=article3&lang=e

13) Faced Behind Poverty State by Kimberly Alzuphar Columbia Spectator http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2009/02/01/faces-behind-poverty-statistics

14) Mark Kesselman, Joel Krieger and William A. Joseph (eds.), Introduction to Comparative Politics (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006) 472-517

[1] Data by CIA World Fact book

[2] Based on 2008 CPI data by Transparency International

[3] El Universal, 2005-08-24

[4] Kesselman et al. Chapter 10

Disclaimer:If i failed to acknowledge anyone in this research please inform me it is not done intentionally.

Silent

2009-05-18T23:28:00.001+09:30

This is something I wrote once upon a time when I was truly madly deeply in love and also my first try on photoshop..haha=D

the poem is not that clear so im gonna type it here

I have never said it aloud,

for everyone to hear

what's deep inside is always

hidden beneath this silent soul

I might lose all my words in front of you

But please never doubt the love I have for you

It is pure

and it is eternal.

-Ahmad Ridhuan,15-

~Time have passed so fast leaving us with memories but this is true until today and will be true forever.~

Why cant I?

2009-05-18T01:18:00.002+09:30

Why can't I breathe whenever I think about you?

Why can't I speak whenever I talk about you?

It's inevitable, it's a fact that we're gonna get down to it

So tell me

Why can't I breathe whenever I think about you

-excerpt from the song Why Cant I by Liz Phair-

3 weddings

2009-05-10T21:58:00.000+09:30

A quick note: Dont read this if you have something better to do.Its all about me.

I attended a wedding reception today.It was a reception for three couples. All of them seniors. Looking at how happy they were it got me thinking. Where am i heading in life? Marriage is one thing but thats not my main concern. I despise marriage right now not because I dont want it maybe because of my situation. Its either because im more focused in getting a degree and start a career or maybe because my love life is soo screwed up still the same,unchanged still going no where after all this years, sigh I am unsure. My main concern is where do I go after getting a degree or if god willing two degrees. Should I continue my studies?Should I start a career? If I do start working. What do I want to be?Economics is a very broad field. I can choose to Start climbing the corporate ladder-boring but lots of money. I can get lots of money get anyone I want. Or do I get into politics?Based on What Im studying its all geared up for a political career. I want to help people, I wanna be a leader-interesting but if I were to be in politics it wont be about money. Second option:further studies. What course?

Should I further in econs or politics? where do I go and the question goes on..If you are wondering why worry this is only my first year in uni?Trust me I have a good reason to worry. Ive got less than 3 years to decide what I want to be FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. Doing a degree in such broad course is worrying but Im glad because even though I have a big decision to make I still have choices. So what am i going to do now? Well I have decided for the next three years I will explore all the possibilities. I want to meet new people, visit new places, I will be open to new ideas and finally when im done, I'll decide. After all, time is on my side. Once a close of friend of mine asked me do I have any dream? I said I want to have a career and a family. She said thats what everyone wants. Well I want to be someone that everyone wants to be. Furthermore people dont usually get what they want.=D

ITs not over till its over

2009-05-09T01:02:00.000+09:30

I Cry,

My thoughts are with you my leaders

People have chosen you

Fight,

For this is your battle

Give us a country we deserve

Its not over till its over.

May democracy prevail over autocracy.

Anti-authoritarian

2009-05-06T19:44:00.000+09:30

Biar ditangkap

Biar dikurung

Perjuangan mu belum lengkap

Wahai pejuang negaraku

Betulkan niat tekadkan hati

Mara, terus ke hadapan

pandang ke belakang jangan sekali

Kezaliman ini perlu diakhiri

Darah yang mengalir hari ini

Untungnya esok hari

semoga Tuhan memberkati

Perjuangan mu yang murni

Hidup rakyat!hidup demokrasi!

see

2009-05-03T21:18:00.000+09:30

See

I can't hope

But I can dream

I can choose to swim

or drown in this stream

I just want to be

Who I have to be

You might not be into me

I just hope you can see

things are different,but I am me.

-ahmad ridhuan,19-

18

2009-04-26T02:01:00.000+09:30

A tribute to my beautiful friend, Faizatul Asna

Happy Birthday, You are already 18!

One interesting fact that I know about your birthday

is that

You were born today at 11.05 pm

Am I right?

My dear friend

When I first met you, you were 11 years old!

IT is unbelievable how fast time flies

you are now 18!

All I can say is I wish you all the best in life(trademark)

May Allah bless you with a good life

p/s: I couldnt get a pic of you alone so I got Mr. Facebook to help me=D Btw you look soo much better without make up!

saying sorry

2009-04-18T12:16:00.000+09:30

To have a dream, its a virtue

I can dream so can you

Theres nothing wrong with it

I met a friend not so long ago

about a week ago,to be precise

Through him I witnessed

A fairy tale, he had a dream

he decided to be bold

and go for the broke

he travelled from melbourne to adelaide

to get forgiveness from the girl he love

Studying economics I'm kinda used to seeing things from two points of view

The marginal benefit and the marginal cost

This is an exceptional case

which breaks all the rule

Its a love story

Saying sorry, he could do it in so many ways

theres facebook,ym and also blogspot

But he chose to travel 735 km

Sometimes life is all about what you do

Not what you say.

I am Malay

2009-04-06T10:09:00.000+09:30

In my post 'malay reform' I received a comment attacking on my personal life. Disputing my race. Disrespecting my family. Without name even a nickname, simply unknown. I can choose to delete it but because i believe it is someone close I would rather not delete. Let people judge. This is my reply

At such a tender age I am studying history, politics and economy at one of the best university in the world. Where do you learn politics?(setakat dkt kedai kopi boleh pergi mati)

What I wrote is based on my observation what I am studying.

So no, its not not based on what my father impart to me but rather on my observation and understanding I state my opinion.

. I accept criticism but only on my ideas not on my personal life.

As stated in the Malaysian constitution:

"orang Melayu" ertinya seseorang yang menganuti agama Islam, lazim bercakap Bahasa Melayu, menurut adat Melayu, dan-

(a) yang lahir sebelum Hari Merdeka di Persekutuan atau Singapura atau yang lahir sebelum Hari Merdeka dan ibu atau bapanya telah lahir di Persekutuan atau di Singapura, atau yang pada Hari Merdeka berdomisil di Persekutuan atau di Singapura; atau

(b) zuriat seseorang yang sedemikian

I am Malay and I have every right to talk about Malays.

Prove me if I am wrong.'Fikiran Melayu perlu direformasikan'

WE are behind in terms of economy and education

What concerns you people the most is Malay supremacy.

ITs not relevant

You say the Indians have to change. They are not leading the country.

We the malay leads the country. As leaders we have to prove that we deserve to lead.

LEt me ask you evenif they are corrupted who are we to discriminate?

The Prophet related in Hadeeth Qudsi that Allah has said 'Verily I have made injustice unlawful upon myself, and I have forbidden it amongst my servants as well, so do not be unjust to one another.'(Muslim)

I have a few question for you.

I get all these ideas from university. I learn from professors and doctors people that are far more knowledgeable than you. Where do you get your ideas? Blogs?Wikipedia? Websites?haha!

KALAU SETAKAT NAK BUKTIKAN AKU BUKAN MELAYU DAN SOROK BELAKANG ANONYMOUS BAIK TAKYAH. SEKURANG-KURANGNYA AKU RISAU TENTANG BANGSA AKU.KALAU BAGI ORANG MACAM KAU YANG ASYIK NAK HIDUP DALAM BAYANGAN TAK NAK MENGAKU KELEMAHAN MAKA HANCURLAH BANGSA. NAMA AKU AHMAD RIDHUAN BIN ALAUDDIN, ADA IDENTITI. KAU PULAK MENGAKU MELAYU TAPI PENGECUT, NAMA PUN TAK BERANI LETAK.

P/S: One thing my dad taught me is to respect. Did your dad taught you anything?

-lawan tetap lawan-

Across the ocean

2009-03-29T00:08:00.000+10:30

Across the ocean

I look back and I saw all the distances

Obstacles I have to endure

To be with you

I question my will

Cuz I dun think I can do it again

To say yes it would be insane

To say no life would be a pain

I kept thinking

Now Im tired of the thought

Im bored pretending

Hiding behind a big fake smiley

Is there anything I can do?

No, and I can justify.

-Ahmad Ridhuan,19-

Fikiran Melayu perlu direformasikan

2009-03-11T23:12:00.000+10:30

Sedarlah wahai bangsaku issue yg perlu diutmakan dan dititikberatkan sekarang adalah isu ekonomi,isu membangunkan minda bangsa bukan lagi ketuanan melayu,hak keistimewaan melayu.Kalau kita dapat membangunkan bangsa kita hak dan keistimewaan melayu tidak diperlukn lagi secara automatik terus kita dihormati dan disegani. Setiap kali saya utarakan pendapat di dalam youtube,facebook,forum sering kali pendapat saya akan diselar. Dihantar ayat-ayat yang hanya dikatakan oleh manusia jahil yang tidak berpendidikan. Mantapkan pendidikan,hebatkan ekonomi itu agenda pembangunan bangsa. Hak keistimewaan melayu dan ketuanan melayu itu perjuangan nenek moyang kita tercatit dalam perlembagaan. Malangnya konsep ini disalah ertikan oleh sesetengah pihak bagi membakar hati ekstremis nasionalis melayu yang rata2 tidak mempunyai tahap pemikiran yang tinggi. Sudah lah hentikan perjuangn yang tidak membuahkan hasil yang meletakkan kita jauh di belakang. Dalam hal lain kita sering prejudis terhadap kaum lain.Tahu kah kita jika mereka berada di luar negara cina dan india dari malaysia dianggap sebagai Malaysian bukannya indian atau chinese.Indian utk org dtg dari India,Chinese untuk orang datang dari China. Sebagai Malaysian kita harus mengangkat satu sama lain sudah tiba masanya kita meletak kan perbezaan warna kulit di luar pertimbangan. Terima mereka ni sebagai orang kita,rakyat Malaysia. Sudah tiba minda masyarakat melayu direformasikan sebelum hilang melayu di dunia selamanya.sekian terima kasih.

lalala

2009-03-11T22:53:00.000+10:30

hye guys!

It have been ages since I posted anything. Apart from the photos.Ive been busy with uni,settling down and stuffs..sorry! Adelaide is nice. Ive got great friends. I wouldnt mind settling down here forever but there are some issues that I have to consider before deciding. The journey have so far been smooth. Since the day I arrived everything have been according to plan. The challenge I am facing now is to mix around with the locals. Ive got lots of friends but they are all Malaysian. But I guess its normal.As an international student Asian especially it is not that easy to blend it however its not impossible.I need time and space I am sure i'll have lots of aussie friends.Communication havent been so much of a hassle because they speak english and so its easy the only problem would probably be the ascent. Not so much of a problem with the city folk however there are some people with really thick ascent its really hard to understand. One thing that I have fallen inlove with in Adelaide is the beach! I love it!Ive been there every weekend for the past few weeks.Glenelg beach is just soo beautiful! As for the uni I think Im happy to have chosen University of Adelaide. They have the best lecturers in the world and buildings with fantastic architecture design. A combination of classic and modern design. I love my course.Im taking a combination of economic and political subjects. So now when I write or talk politics I talk base on facts.I spend hours reading and analyzing political structure of countries. I guess thats all from me for now.g'day mate!

Life at uni

2009-02-14T01:53:00.000+10:30

Adelaide 2

2009-02-11T12:36:00.001+10:30

Adelaide

2009-02-11T12:26:00.000+10:30

Time to say goodbye

2009-02-09T04:03:00.000+10:30

All my bags are packed and Im ready to go

Goodbye my friends

It is not the end

It is a beginning

Friendship that last

Will continue forever

I go

with all the wonderful memories

I enjoyed every second I spend

with each one of you

to my friends from KT

I'll miss you guys,lets have another reunion next year!=D

To my friends from permata

I have spent three wonderful years with you guys

that I will never forget for the rest of my life

To my friends from MRSM Lenggong

I would prefer to call you guys brothers and sisters

you were my family,you were my friend you were my everything

To my friends from college

We only had one year

But I met the best people in my life in college

I do hope we can stay friends forever

Goodbye.

7 days

2009-02-02T05:16:00.000+10:30

My last 7 days in Malaysia before I begin a new journey away from this country

Away from my comfort zone

Away from my family

Away from my friends

Away from her

I have to accept I will be away

for at least half a year before I could come back

Im glad I managed to meet almost everyone important in my life

I visited my school

Theres nothing much left for me to do

My chapter in this country is about to end for now

I can only anticipate with much excitement

I have no idea whats gonna to happen

I expect it would be tough and hard

But I know i can survive

I will survive!

Everything is fine here I will leave to explore

something new with no regrets

though i was a little bit worried about one of my best friend in college

she had to undergo a major operation

the moment I saw her,heard her voice

I felt relieved, felt like crying

Im so happy she's fine

she's recovering well

get well soon Wawa!

Other than that theres nothing much going on in life

By the way to whom that matters

I might be far from you but my heart will always be right here with you

no matter where I go.

New Direction

2009-01-20T21:14:00.001+10:30

Yes, A new Direction for me.Ive been accepted to University of Adelaide to study Economics.So instead of Flinders I have decided not to miss this golden opportunity.It was my dream to study Econs in University of Adelaide however I wasnt offered anything and so I gave up on that dream.I start concentrating on what I have which explains why I accepted the offer from Flinders university. Unexpectedly I received an email from Adelaide on Monday offering me a place to study Econs there. University of Adelaide,ranked 106 in the world and number 9 in Australia it is an offer that couldnt afford to decline.

A new chapter

2009-01-13T04:25:00.000+10:30

So the time have come,

yet again,the part I hate the most

Its time to turn another new page

This time its not just another page but ive reached a new chapter

A new beginning, A start that I have always dreamt of

A journey that I chose

Happy and excited, I should be

But sad and worried I am

I do feel happy and I am excited

But I am also sad and worried

I have always said I hate uncertainty

Whether I like it or not

Smile or Cry

My life is full of uncertainties

I dunno wat to expect

Despite all these uncertainties

one thing is for sure

I am pretty optimistic

I guess I should update my friends,people that I care and people that care about me.Well I have made up my mind.I am gonna accept the offer from Flinders University.I am going to study the Bachelor of Commerce Majoring in Finance.Come February I will be blogging from Adelaide=)That is all for now if theres anything I will be updating you guys soon.

lots of love,
Ahmad Ridhuan

The end must come

2009-01-04T17:39:00.000+10:30

War

Until the philosophy which hold one race

Superior and another inferior

Is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned

Everywhere is war,

me say war
That until there are no longer first class

And second class citizens of any nation

Until the colour of a man's skin

Is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes

Me say war
That until the basic human rights are equally

Guaranteed to all, without regard to race

Dis a war
That until that dayThe dream of lasting peace, world citizenship

Rule of international morality

Will remain in but a fleeting illusion

To be pursued, but never attained

Now everywhere is war, war
And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes

That hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique, South Africa sub-human bondage

Have been toppled, utterly destroyed

Well, everywehre is war,

me say war
War in the east, war in the west

War up north, war down south

War, war, rumours of war
And until that day, the African continent

Will not know peace, we Africans will fight
We find it necessary and we know we shall win

As we are confident in the victory
Of good over evil, good over evil, good over evilGood over evil, good over evil, good over evil

These are the words popularized by Bob Marley in his song War. While I am typing this I have no idea how many people are being terrorized and brutally murdered in Gaza. Yes I know this post couldnt bring any significant impact nor bring back the innocent lives that have become victim of human hunger for more power.

Some Headings from newspapers and online news around the world

Gaza Attacks Further Split Arab Rulers, Public -Washington Post
Deaths as Israel hits Gaza mosque-Aljazeera online
Invading Israeli troops battle Hamas -Australian News online
Nine Israeli soldiers killed: Hamas-Sydney Morning Herald
Israel continues attack in Gaza as world leaders call for truce-ShanghaiDaily
US thwarts push for Gaza truce demand-Mail and Guardian(South Africa)
Israeli Tanks Mass Near Gaza as Jets Strike-St Petersburg Times(Russia)
Israel invades, biggest military ops since Lebanon War-The Star(Malaysia)
PAS rakam simpati, bantah keras kekejaman Zionis-HarakahDaily(Malaysia)
Week 2 of Israeli Gaza blitz, no end in sight-Malaysiakini

All I can say is the world clearly the world KNOWS about Israel's invasion.

But nothing is being done to stop it. United Nations seems to be dumb and deaf.

The OIC is as usual doing nothing.

Bloggers have been the deciding factors in many elections around the world.

The voice of blog have changed and shaped a new landscape in the world.

Since the voice of UN and other big organisation seems to be lost in thin air when it matters.

Maybe bloggers around the world could unite and stop this wars not only in Gaza but all the wars around the world

Talk about the Butterfly effect

Small variations of the initial condition of a dynamical system may produce large variations in the long term behavior of the system.

If a butterfly's wings that creates tiny changes in the atmosphere may ultimately alter the path of a tornado or delay, accelerate or even prevent the occurrence of a tornado in a certain location

Imagine if the whole blogging community unite and try to do something. Compare the accesibility of a butterfly's wing and a blog.

Think.Imagine.Believe

War against the worlds biggest terrorist

2008-12-31T04:51:00.000+10:30

Prior to this post iIhad a lot of drafts that i decided not to post.After being in the blogging community for some time i realised i have to be very mindful of what i decide to post. I dont care what people say about me but I wouldnt want to hurt anyone with my postings. It is not my feelings that I have to care about but the feelings of the others. Initially I wanted to blog about my post ausmat activities but while I was browsing http://www.chedet.com/ I saw his latest post about Gaza.A few quotes from his post

The world seem to be condemning Israel for the inhuman attack against Gaza. But as usual the world does nothing. Why not? Because Israel is backed by the United States of America.

The world should also condemn the United States. The planes and the bombs are all made in America. If they are lost the US will replace them. And the US will finance Israel so as to continue its bestiality.

Let us all condemn the United States and Israel for what have they done to Palestine. Honestly speaking I am not anti Americans but I am 100% against their country's policy to go into wars and commit brutal killings.one question?Can the death of another million lives bring back those who were killed on the 11th Spetember 2001? They say they want to have a war against terrorism. They are actually trying to kill their own shadow. They have killed more innocent lives than people they label terrorist. They have created more chaos than any other terrorist organisation. The war against terrorist will end the day the United States decides to stop their invasion. Much hope have been put upon America's President elect Barrack Obama. A change they want have become reality. What about the change the world wants? Can he deliver that? Hope and change is two different thing. We can hope but will things change? That are the questions that year 2008 have passed down to year 2009. Time will reveal everything. To my brothers and sisters in Gaza my prayers are with you. May Allah be with you.

*well this is it for this year.I'll blog about everything that happened this year soon. It had been one of the best year in my life.Ive really enjoyed 2008.I really look forward for next year.It will be another year full of changes.Till then Happy New Year!

thoughts

2008-12-10T05:55:00.000+10:30

I am alone

So what if I am not over my past?
What if I am over my past?
Who are they to judge?
Based on their own perspective
They can make their own conclusion
I am sorry I don’t care anymore
My desires are unlimited
I wish I could destroy the barrier I built
I wish I could cross this line that i have drawn
Between you and me
Because that is what I want
But I will not succumb
As that is not what I need
What I already have now
Is more that what I bargain for
I would not risk anything
For everything than I already have.

-Ahmad Ridhuan,18-

I will be there for you

2008-12-05T01:05:00.000+10:30

could it be I have found an angel

I can see heaven in your eyes

In my soul i will never be lonely

For there will be an angel by my side

People say a picture means a thousand words. I couldnt agree more with this. This is my latest picture with two of my good friends. This might be an ordinary picture from the outside but the significant of this picture to me is extraordinary. These two girls are friends that i met back when i was still in primary school. In other words they are childhood friends. We were very close back then. However due to study commitments and other stuffs our friendship drifted away. Honestly last year i never thought this could happen. Being close again with them reminds me of the good old days. When we were close back then I had everything that i've ever wanted in life with me. I was extremely happy. I look forward to wake up everyday and live my life. It was just so perfect. I wasnt searching for anything I wasnt trying to make myself happy, I was already very happy. Up that point all my life plan was on track.But i surrendered that happiness for something new which until today i regret and I am sure it will haunt me forever. But life have to go on. our friendship survived time, distance and also a broken relationship. In the end of the day we are still friends. I hope we could stay friends forever because one day if nothing goes right at least we know we have something to hold on to and that is our friendship. The future is uncertain but i certainly believe i will be happy if u guys are apart of me.

My Ausmat journey

2008-11-25T03:09:00.000+10:30

So im done with ausmat.Finally!hopefully i'll get the TER required for uni.Since i am very free now I am gonna write something new.Im going to write about a random topic which i havent decide. I'll just type, continue typing till i get an idea of what i should write.Lets pick a topic.Perhaps i should write something about me.Do you realize I rarely post stuff about myself?Well today I am gonna write about my experience in Sunway University College. Before I finished my SPM i had lots of plans which involves one particular individual. After finishing SPM I came back to my hometown as you know i spend 2 years in a boarding school.I realized things have changed its not the same anymore.There goes my dream,hopes and plans.I had no plan B and so i had nothing to do.I decided to followed my parents advice and start studying.Of all the courses that are offered in this world I dunno why but I chose Australian Matriculation.Less than a month after SPM I start studying again.I know it will be tough at the same time I know it is gonna be awesome.I always imagined college life would be like in the movie American Pie. Trust me it is not at all like that but still it is awesome. My first day in college I felt like ive been there for years I already had so many friends I know studying in the same college so it wasnt that hard to fit in.However I am not the type that will stick with the same group of friends all the time. I meet new people I try to make friends with everyone. Trust me I met some of the most wonderful people in my life in college. These people had something most of my friends in school didnt have.RESPECT.They respect each other and they treat each other like humanbeing.Being in college really helps me in the process of moving on from my hope and dream.It was very hard but I was lucky to meet friends that i dare say I will NEVER forget forever in my life.What seemed impossible became possible. The time I spend with my college friends gave me the time and space I needed to accept the harsh reality of life. I wanted to become a better leader so I decided to join the Ausmat Student Council. It was interesting to be in the council I had the chance to work with a bunch of aspiring leaders thats not only very comitted but also fun to work with. We were given the responsibility to handle activities for Ausmat such as I-CARE DAY(some charitable thing),Sunway Sports Carnival,Theme Day,Ausmat Talent night to name a few. I would like to highlight The Sunway Sports Carnival as I was one of the few person incharged of it. I always had this interest in sports. Be it football,golf,badminton,table tennis I just like sports.Me and one of my best friend in college were incharge of the Ausmat contigent.I cant remember how many events we had but swimming,futsal,ping-pong,tennis,netball was on the list.It wasnt an easy task to esemble teams for each of the event.I had to find people not only from my intake(jan)but also people from march intake which I barely knew. With the help of everyone in the student council we were the only course that were represented in all the sports.It was a great success.I mean winning is a different story but participating having the fighting spirit that was the most important thing. We had that in Ausmat.Ausmat was fun but at the same time tough.I had tests almost every week.To make it worse each and every test was counted in the overall mark. Bassically i had to study the whole year.Study,Study,Study and suddenly it was already mid year.Time just move on and on leaving me with no time.Mid year holidays we had a trip to Langkawi.It was an eye opener because it was my first trip without an adult and with just my friends.If I start writing about the trip this whole post will only be about the trip because soo many things happened. The trip will always be in memory as one of the sweetest memory I had in college.Besides that in college we had more freedom.Which means more adventures together.Me and my friends expereinced a whole lot of new experience which includes accident,transvitite,ghost hunting,movies,food,drinks,futsal,driving,football.It is fair to say Ausmat wasnt just about academic education but it have also taught me more about real life experience.Enough said Ausmat.If you realized I didnt mentioned any names in my story. The reason is im not so good in remembering peoples name and if I start to name I might just forget some people and I dun want anyone to be left out of this story so it is safe to say i would never forget you people even if i dun remember ur name.I almost forget, in college I had this huge crush on a girl but she left Ausmat after our first sem and yeah I will not forget her also because concentrating my mind on her helped me a lot.I wanted to move on and so it helps a lot when i have someone to think about. Nothing happened but it was refreshing to meet someone new and interesting like her.She's the type of girl that could shine even in the darkest situation.Honestly I dunno wat I am saying so lets go on to other topics.You know what?On second thought I think I will name friends that I will definitely not forget its not that I will forget everyone else in Ausmat but these people are a lil special to me personally for various reasons.Adam.Adnesh.Anil.Amrita(both).Angeline.Andrea.Barath.Boh.Jess.Young.Radin.Chui.Wawa.Fel.Tanisha.Abdul.Faiz.Ieka.James.Janice.Jq.Renu.Pradina.Kevin.Khai Wen.LiShion.Michael.Nelly.Pao.Sarah.Shobz.Shra.Syahmi.Vj.YunTeng.Zainol.
Thanx for being my friend.Ausmat ended but I do hope our friendship stays.we might not see each other everyday again next year but I hope the memories of seeing each other in college almost eveyday this year will stay with us forever.To my fellow council members it was a pleasure to work with you guys.