Take a bow* - Madonna

So it's bow-tie day today cuz my daughter wanted me to wear it.

*Another one of her brilliants songs. This was released in 1994 and produced together with Babyface.

I will follow you* - Ricky Nelson

It was reported today that a headmaster tried to justify one of the school exam questions by simply pointing out that the correct answer was taken from the textbook. So basically, the correct answer is correct because the textbook says so.

This shows the problem with our education system. Just because the textbook (allegedly) say so, that is the right answer. This coming from Headmaster (who however was clever enough to insist on his anonymity). Our children are not taught to think but to follow blindly.

I face the problem in the Uni - a lot of students initially want to know which textbook to get. The importance placed on textbooks is more important than the ability to figure out the answer themselves. During tutorials, some students are more interested to know what is the right answer - not why is that the right answer.

I guess it id down to the politicians again? They just want people to follow orders, to follow their instructions, to follow without question.

I teach in my human rights class the importance of the right to education. I see more and more the importance of this right - and why some states deny this rights to some of the people. It is through education that people will understand what is right and wrong, what is fair, what is the right thing to do. Today, a lot of people keep on harping on the fact that the law/constitution says so so we cannot question it. Does not matter if the law is right or not.

I am glad that a lot of those whom i have helped educate are seeing the light - and saddened to see some who behave like those uneducated one. Thankfully, they are the exception rather than the norm.

*His cover version of the popular song I Will Follow Him.

End of the road* - Boyz II Men

Looks like its the end of May in June!

*Their brilliant song first featured on the soundtrack of Boomerang.

Man in the mirror* - James Morrison

The importance for parents with young children to check the mirror before going out!

My youngest gave me a sticker earlier in the morning yesterday and I let her stick it on my cheek. I forgot all about it until I was getting ready to leave for lecture. I walked passed the mirror and saw it at the corner of my eye, thankfully. It would have been funny though if I didn't see it. Especially since we have recorded lecture these days!!!

*This is the acoustic cover of the more popular original version. But this one is pretty good. Found in the 2 disc deluxe edition of the Songs for You, Truth for Me album.

Keep the family close* - Drake

Last night, I brought my daughter to Mr. DIY and I bought something for her. We queued up behind this family - a father, mother and teenage son. After paying for our stuffs, we headed to the carpark as the mall was closing. As we walked out of the shop, I saw the father storming away alone. The mother and son soon followed him. From what I gathered, the son said something to his father which made him unhappy. His mother was nicely telling him that he should not have done that as his father would buy him what he wanted (Asians' way of showing love?).

I don't know why that incident affected me. Maybe it was seeing how angry the father was. Or how sad the boy looked. He's probably the only son and he was also probably born to them when they were quite old. Here is a family who went out on a Friday night to spend time together, shopping and being with each other. But it appears to be ending badly. The father may be thinking about how ungrateful his son is, and not appreciating all he has sacrificed for him. The son may be be thinking of why his dad has to be so sensitive, and not understanding him. It could be a long quiet and ackward drive back home and everyone will go to sleep feeling unhappy and regretting why they had to spend time together if it was ended like that.

I really hope the son would apologise to his father for making him angry. Or that the father would talk to his son telling him nicely why he was unhappy. I hope the son will know that despite all his flaws, his father probably love him with all his life.

But in all likelihood, they would keep their feelings and thoughts to themselves and not share them - resulting in a rift between father and son which can grow bigger and bigger.

I don't know why this incident affected me so much that I feel the need to share this here... Maybe I just want people to be happy. Happy with their family. The family is such an important thing in today's society. It's breakdown is usually the cause of many problems we see today.

*First track from his album, Views.

Love changes everything* - Michael Ball

Yesterday, I read a lot of posts and articles about the May 13 riots and killings. As usual, I'll look at the comments and as usual, it troubled me a lot. There were many comments which showed no sympathy to those who were killed. Instead, it appears that the sentiment is that if we are provoked, then we have the right to not only retaliate but to even take your life - and if that happens, we are not to be blamed. Those who started the provocation (or even those vaguely associated with them) asked for it and they deserved it. (On a side note - we all know that provocation can only ever be a partial defence to reduce the maximum sentence but it never justifies a crime).

Have we become such a bloodthirsty and unforgiving people? Maybe that is why many are against the abolishment of state sanctioned murder (capital punishment) because we want blood to be shed before we can move. Can't we realise that violence and bloodshed will not solve anything? And that an eye for an eye will make us all blind to humanity. While (SPOILER ALERT) cutting off Thanos' head may feel good at the moment, we will all soon find that we are left empty as it does not bring back those who are gone - and will just turn to junk food and video games to cover up the emptiness.

Instead of being vengeful and angry and filled with hatred, living in the past, let's all strive to move on with love, compassion, forgiveness and acceptance. The greatest of these of course is love. What a country we will be if we can exhibit that to the abundance. I look to the new generation to do this for the sake of my children and all our children.

*This song was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber for the musical, Aspects of Love.

Never again* - Kelly Clarkson

I wasn't born yet when the racial riots of 1969 took place. But my elder sister was just almost 11 months old. As a parent today, I can imagine the fear and anxiousness my parents must have felt at that time. Although I remember my father jokingly tell me about how he had to 'throw' my sister under the bed as she couldn't stop crying, the terror that they went through that night must have been great. Thank God my family escaped physically unharmed.

Let's ensure such things NEVER happen again. It all starts with us.

*A song found on her 3rd studio album, My December.

Let's work together* - Canned Heat

As we celebrate 1 year of Pakatan Harapan's government, let's give credit where it is due and recognise the many positive changes made in this past year, but also to speak out against where they have failed and need to improve.

It all starts with us. If we want less corruption, we should not contribute to the problem. If we want less racism, we should be more inclusive and not discriminatory. If we want more Rule of Law, we should let the law rule over us. If we want more human rights, we should recognise it and then we should, respect, protect and fulfill these rights.

It's not the government that make our country better - it is us Malaysians who can and should - and hopefully do that.

Here are some quotes from Chef Wan - not a huge fan but i really agree with what he had to say as we celebrate one year of a new government in our country:-

"Yes, we might not have a perfect government to turn around our economy so quickly after what Umno rule has done... but indeed we are always better (off) than having a corrupt government..."

"Enough is enough! Now it's time for all of us to be united as one new Malaysia, (to) rebuild our nation dan redeem our dignity"

"...those who love the country should instead work hard to rebuild it."

*This was a remake of a blues song by Wilbert Harrison.

So emotional* - Whitney Houston

Who knew that eating cheeseburgers these days can be an emotional experience? 😢

*One of her many hit songs which still sound so good today.