August 19, 2006
Hey fellow bloggers and readers,
Please bear with me for not having written anything for the past month as I’ve been so busy with moving into a new neighbourhood and with my work. I am hoping to be able to get my net connection going, so I cant wait to get back to my beloved cyberworld. Till then, take care and have fun! Peace y’all!
June 25, 2006
As we all are aware, the conservation and protection of the world’s flora and fauna is very important towards providing us with a world still filled with such beautiful animals, plants and trees, and providing us with a stable living ecosystem necessary for the world’s inhabitants. Its significance could not be emphasised more with the fact that we, the humans need them in order to survive and to appreciate them so that they wont be lost forever in time. Thus, the continued destruction, pollution and extinguishing must be halted immediately. Hence, the World Wide Fund for Nature or WWF, the world’s largest nature and animal conservation organization is essential in providing definitive solutions to the various problems plaguing our inestimable endangered animals and the environment.
WWF Malaysia, WWF’s 19th chapter, seeks to conserve Malaysia’s rich heritage of forests, wetlands and seas, and also the various species that they protect from being extinct in the wild.
I had the opportunity to an interview with the President Emeritus of WWF Malaysia Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Khir Johari. Although this interview go way back some three years ago (for a Journalistic Assignment), but the key questions and answers are proven to be still relevant today. Some of the issues that I’ve raised include Malaysia’s environmental state, the welfare of the animals and the main objectives and concerns of WWF Malaysia. It is also vital to know how the people are responding to its causes and what are the efforts needed to help make the world a better place to live in, for the sake of our future. Here’s hoping that the proactive measures taken to conserve and protect our flora and fauna may not be futile, and that everyone on Earth would realise and do their part to make an impact or even a small improvement before it’s too late. It shall not be in vain, because there’s nothing more momentous than to provide a sustainable and comfortable life for generations to come.
Have a look at the transcript of my Online Interview with Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Khir Johari, President Emeritus of WWF Malaysia, Dated April 10, 2003: (more…)
June 16, 2006
Being one of the privileged few whom are able to watch most of the international renowned channels (and getting paid at it) on Malaysia’s new 2nd cable pay-TV provider, MiTV, I came across a thoroughly charming and delightful little French film called Pocket Money (1976) on MGM. When released, Pocket Money (a.k.a. Small Change) amassed critical acclaim. It was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film. Roger Ebert named it his favorite of the year, calling it a “magical film” and singled out the windowsill scene as “Truffaut at his best” (Wikipedia)
Directed by François Truffaut, it is a light-hearted comedy that portrays the daily lives of young children with their own dreams and everyday problems set in Thiers, France. The myriad adventures and emotions are explored. One key element in the film stood out, when a boy named Julien, grabs the attention of the village’s adults, through his misdemeanours and the startling revelation of being constantly abused and neglected by his parents. Thus, it will forever affect and change the lives of the children, for the better.
This is the issue I would like to highlight, as the film’s most profound and important part came when the school’s dedicated teacher, Mr. Richet, gave a heartfelt speech to his class that would have opened their eyes to the realities of child abuse, still ever prevalent in our societies today.
Have a read at Mr. Richet had to say, in hopes that all of us would benefit from and advocate the rights and especially, the happiness of all children all around the world.
Text of the speech by Mr. Jean Francois Richet (as featured in L’Argent de poche (Pocket Money, 1976). Directed by François Truffaut, written by François Truffaut and Suzanne Schiffman).
“Lets talk about Julien. I don’t know much more than you do but I’ll tell you how I feel. First, Julien will be taken care of by welfare. He will be placed in a family. Wherever he goes he’ll be better off than in his own home, where in his own words, “he was beaten”. His mother shall lose her maternal rights. For Julien, it may be quite a few years before he’ll know the freedom to come and go as he pleases. Julien’s case is so tragic that we cannot help comparing our lives to his.
My own childhood was also quite painful. I couldn’t wait to grow up. I felt adults had all the rights. They can lead their lives the way they want. An unhappy adult can start again from scratch. But an unhappy child is helpless. He may not know how to put it in words, but he feels that he cannot even contest his parents’ right to hurt him. An unloved and battered child feels guilty. That’s what’s so tragic. Of all mankind’s’ injustices, injustice to children is the most despicable.
Life isn’t always fair but we can fight for justice. It’s the only way. It’s a slow progress but we do move forward. All people with power like to claim they’re impervious to threats. But they do give in to pressure. A show of strength is the only way to get results. Adults understand that and they obtain what they ask for by demonstrating. I want to show that when adults are determined, they can improve their lot. But children’s rights are totally ignored. Political parties are not concerned with kids like Julien or you. Do you know why? Because children don’t vote. If kids have the right to vote they’d have better schools, sports facilities. You’d get them because politicians need your votes. You could come to school an hour later in winter instead of rushing out before daylight.
I also want to say, because of my own childhood, I feel kids rate a better deal, that’s why I became a schoolteacher. Life isn’t easy. You must steel yourselves to face it. I don’t mean “hard-boiled”. I am talking about stamina.
Some of us who’ve had a difficult childhood are better equipped for adult life than those who were overprotected with love. It’s the law of conpensation. Life may be hard but it’s also wonderful. When we’re confined to sickbed, we cant wait to get out and enjoy life. We sometimes forget how much we really love it.
You’re about to go on vacation. You will discover new places and make new friends…Time flies, before long, you’ll have kids on your own. If you love them they’ll love you. If they don’t feel you love them, they’ll transfer their love and tenderness to other people or other things. That’s life! Each of us needs to be loved.”
How true indeed.
By Ben Quah (16.06.06)
June 15, 2006
I had received a very nice email containing a story we could very much take heart from. A very though-provoking story I would like to share with you:
Puppies 4 Sale
A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted
a sign advertising the 4 pups. And set about nailing it to a post
on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post,
he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a
little boy. “Mister,” he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.”
“Well,” said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat of the back of his
neck, “These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good
deal of money.” The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then
reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change
and held it up to the farmer. “I’ve got thirty-nine cents. Is
that enough to take a look?”
“Sure,” said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle.
Here, Dolly!” he called. Out from the doghouse and down the
ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy
pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced
with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little
boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly
another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the
ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup
began hobbling toward the others,doing its best to catch up….
“I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt.
The farmer knelt down at the boy’s side and said, “Son, you don’t
want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you
like these other dogs would.” With that the little boy stepped back
from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of
his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down
both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.
Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see sir, I don’t run
too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.” With
tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the
little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy. “How
much?” asked the little boy. “No charge,” answered the farmer,
“There’s no charge for love.”
The world is full of people who need someone
who understands.
Show your friends how much you care.
-Wonderful story from the World Wide Web.
June 6, 2006
My good ol’ childhood friend Jennifer, whom I encountered recently made time for coffee at a rather well known coffee establishment is one fine person. Working as a web designer, she says that it is fantastic to be able to express her creativity through designing colourful, fresh and vibrant looking websites for her clients. I know for a fact that she has a warm and amiable personality, always wanting to express herself in an artistic way and she is very focused on setting out to achieve her goals as it gives her enormous satisfaction.
She earns a good salary and she has a lifestyle to match. She owns a 2005 striking cool blue Honda Jazz which she drives it everywhere she goes, Being the adventurous kind of person that she is, she also owns a red hot Yamaha Virago motorcycle on which she loves to cruise around the green, tranquil and breezy countryside on weekends. She enjoys the calmness of the cool wind blowing against her smooth and milky skin with her long, silky jet-black hair flying away. The sound of the engine revving loudly is like music to her ears. She invited me for a ride around one of these days and I gladly accepted her invitation without any hesitation. “Why not?” I said to myself, you have to be spontaneous sometimes. Life’s after all is meant to be enjoyed every step of the way, no matter what.
Jennifer always loves to look her best and she will wear stylish and fashionable designer wear. She just enjoys wearing clothes with rich colours, especially bright yellow and dark blue with shiny jewelry to match. When I first saw her, a thought went through my mind, as if she was a model or an actress. She’s indeed blessed with movie star good looks! She had put on just the right makeup on. Shades of light chocolate brown mascara, creamy white foundation and ruby red lipstick filled her face, which brought her exuberance and natural beauty glittering out.
That night we talked all about our lives, hopes and aspirations. Taking a sip of the hot black coffee, she sighed in relief to the tasteful and aromatic concentrated liquid flowing through her tongue. “Coffee can do wonders”, I said to her, as I am fond of drinking it too at every opportunity, albeit mostly ice-blended concoctions.
She hopes that all her dreams will be fulfilled and she will not regret a single day of her life. She plans to have as many children as she can, as she loves children with much affection. She said that children are the essence of life and the future of civilization. “We must do whatever it takes to ensure that the future would be a good one for the sake of humanity”, she said quite philosophicaly.
Her phone rang loudly to the tune of Mission Impossible’s theme. After answering it, she told that she was needed urgently in her office in Sri Hartamas, a place where most people hang out in the midst of their busy lives. She rose up and we said our goodbyes. I offered to pay the bill for her. Without anymore hesitation, she left the premises. In the rush of the moment, I realised that I did not asked for her phone number.
What more can I say about her. She was just the perfect girl with the perfect personality.
by Ben Quah (06.06.06)
May 26, 2006
Let me introduce you to The Inbox: A light-hearted section where I share with you some of my favourite emails that features inspirational & motivational stories, funny anecdotes, jokes, etc. So chill out and be uplifted & may it change your outlook on life…
The positive side of life
Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.
How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you’re on.
Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.
Happiness comes through doors you didn’t even know you left open.
Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?
Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.
If Carrefour is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.
We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors….but they all exist very nicely in the same box…
So remember to always look on the bright side of life!
This was sent in by my good friend Christopher Terry. Thanks!
-BQ
May 16, 2006
It's been a long undertaking, effort and time, and now I am finally able to present to you my personal Flash website called BQonline! www.BQonline.tk
I remember the first time I decided to put my web designing skills to good use way back when I was in University (2003) taking classes in Multimedia design. As I have an avid interest in all things technology and the Internet, I breeze through those classes having gained an appreciation for the design esthetics of a website and what it takes to attract an audience.
That was when I came up with designing my own personal webpage featuring a portfolio of my coursework and some additional information on yours truly. I felt that it was a chance for me to showcase what I can do with my creativity, hence, BQonline was conceptualized!! Although I am not the least happy to tell you it took me more than 3 years to finally get it up but I am definitely satiated with the fact that I have a website to call my own. To tell you the truth, BQonline can never get done. It can never be perfect. It will always be a work in progress. Like a sculpture that's being carved to hopefully one day to become a masterpiece. (Being a relative novice, its highly unlikely for the foreseeable future, but who knows?)
I've always been a fan of Flash-based websites. It's a great platform for one to showcase dynamic animation, fun interactive multimedia design. A few of my favourite sites (which I gained inspiration from) include the 2advanced.net, Pixelranger.com and Neostream.com and not forgetting the web's best flash resource for Flash designers and developers, Flashkit.com.
Do you have a favourite website to share? Please do tell me! I would love to know!
In the meantime, surf over to my website www.BQonline.tk and tell me what you think and how I can improve on it.
"Enjoy life to the full and have fun always!"
–BQ
May 16, 2006
Answer: It's when you stop chasing your dreams, your goals, your ambitions. SO DON'T STOP!
I read this in the latest issue of Reader's Digest and I thought I'd share it with you. Very poignant and it serves as a reminder to us to never give up and to always pursue your dreams despite the odds, obstacles and hardships. If you fail, then you just have to find it in you to pick yourself up and try, try again. Dare to fail!
May 4, 2006
So it took me this long to finally take the plunge to start my own blog. There were many reasons why I did not begin one much sooner, as I presumed that I did not have the necessary writing proficiency to keep anyone interested for so long. Plus, I do not want to give the impression that I do not have a strong command of the English language. Nevertheless, those were that old days when I had a strong tendency to be a perfectionist in whatever I do and cared everything about what people might perceive of me. Well, I guess I’ve sobered. This is a complete turnaround for me, having ‘grown up’ and knowing that the most important thing is to stay true to one’s self and live life the way I want to and not subject myself to conformity.
As I have always been an avid reader, I enjoy every aspects of literature and had always enjoyed writing. This blog would be an excellent platform for me to nurture and hone my writing skills as well as to express and bring out the creative side in me. Like some famous guy once said, “Let your creativity shine though and never let it be stifled” Hence, I give you TheBQExperiment. Welcome! My personal space in the infinite WorldWide Web for me to experiment, to inform and educate, to nurture and to discover. My objective? To make a difference and I hope to reach out in any way that I can, a vow to help change the world for the better, starting with the change in me, to create a life of meaning, fulfillment, passion and purpose.
There’s one more thing. Some questionable questions I ponder: Who’s gonna read my blog? Will I ever find an audience? Honestly I don’t care if no one ever reads this blog. But to those whom will, I truly hope that you will at least enjoy and be entertained and be informed and be enlightened.
I would love it if you do take some time out of your busy life to come here and hang out with me. Treat TheBQExperiment as a casual space, a teh-tarik mamak stall-like table where you and I can discuss whatever the heck we want to, no holds-bar. And please do share your comments and whatever ramblings you have on your mind.
Last but not least, I thank you in advance for visiting TheBQExperiment. I really do wish you will enjoy the content that I will put out on a regular basis. Lastly, do enjoy life, live life to the max and make the most of it. We only live once!
-BQ [www.bqonline.tk]
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
– Mother Theresa
The BQ Experiment. Creating a life of fulfillment, passion and purpose. 