Making Changes

Making changes, some people love it but most people don’t. They don’t because of fear, fear of the unknown, fear of losing what they have at hand at the moment. It is too hard for them to get up and out of their comfortable zone to make a change and a difference even the surroundings around them make them uneasy and uncomfortable. Their rights to the freedom of expression, speech, religion, place of worship, schooling, and education etc are dwindling and being slowly taken away from them bit by bit knowingly and unknowingly. They are threatened by the very people who supposedly to protect them and their rights. Their “protectors” robbed them blind, increase taxes, desecrate their place of worship, practice racial discrimation and left them to fend for themselves. They get angry and instead of openly speaking out, they whisper. They have many opportunities to make the change but when the opportunity to do so came, there were excuses after excuses.

Common excuses are “Why rock the boat” or “it is better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.” Yet, these are the very same people who winched and complained the most and refuse to get off their butts and do something about it. They deserved what is dished to them.

Making changes involve making sacrifices to your life style, your abode, and your financial circumstances and may risk losing everything you have but it is for something bigger, brighter with better opportunities for yourself, your children, your family, your neighbours, your friends and your country. This means rocking the boat and getting out of the comfortable zone. It takes guts to make the first step.

Many centuries ago, a group of people left their home and country in the time of famine to another country, a land of plenty. They were welcome and rights were accorded to them. They settled down, became citizens, worked hard and build a fortune for themselves and the country. They lived and got along well with the folks of the land. Everyone was happy. There was plenty to share around.

As the “migrants” prosper and prosper, the leader of the land got worried. It was a threat to their power base. The leader began to remove their rights bit by bit. It did not concern the “migrants” at all, after all there were still plenty to share around. As time passed by, they suddenly found they lost everything – the right to speak without fear, the right to worship their God, the right to trade, the right to build a place of worship, and right to own properties etc. Laws were changed slowly knowingly or unknowingly but people were too complacent to take notice. All they cared was their rice bowl and make monies until it was too late. They became slaves with no rights. Life became harder, there were hunger, pain and anguish. There were regrets and moaning but it was too late. It was for a very long, long time before God heard their prayer and deliver them out of bondage into the promise land.

Come March 8, you have the power to make a difference at the ballot box. Will you speak out, take a chance and make a change? Or will you continue to be complacent and go to bed with the devil you know? If you decide to go to bed with devil you know, then stop your complaining and winching. If one morning you wake up to find all your rights were gone, you deserved what is dished out to you. You reap what you sow.

Editor note:

This blog was written after conversation is a friend from home who thinks nothing is going to change. He believe people will act contrary to what they say. These are the very same people who will winch and complain but have no guts to make a change. "Why rock the boat?", they asked.

Chinese New Year In Down Under

I am not sure how to describe the CNY celebration atmosphere in Down Under. This is because I am not sure if it is celebrated on a grand scale or on the quiet side. The weeks leading to CNY they are organized celebration in the suburbs of Springvale, Richmond, Footcrays or in the city during the weekends. Chinese migrants from China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Phillipine will join in the celebration. Yep, Chinese from all around the world. There will be dragon dance, fire crackers, food stalls selling food and drinks, musical show and speeches from politicians etc.
I remember when we first came to Down Under and celebrated CNY, we were very excited to go into the city for the celebration. After one or 2 trips, it became boring. Most of it are opportunists out to make some quick bucks. Guess you seen it once, you seen it all.
I am one of the few lucky ones with some relatives living over here. So on New Year Eve we get to gather around to eat & drink and give Ang Pow to the nephews and nieces. Every year we rugi - give only. The only consolation we always tell ourselves is "It is more blessed to give than to received." Those who have no relatives either have no celebration or if they are lucky, they get invited to a friend's place.



Every year the dinner will be at BIL or SIL place. Their houses is bigger with large dining area, thus it makes sense to have it there. A few years ago, something happened and one of the BIL will not come to the CNY dinner at any of the above place. Any other time it is fine with him but not CNY. I won't get into the nitty gritty of it. So to have everyone for the CNY eve celebration, this year, it is held on the neutral ground - my place.
With some nephews and a niece studying over here, the number of people celebrating this CNY swell. We have a whooping 20 people to celebrate CNY eve in a small house and dining room. The young ones have standing room. I would love to invite more people, especially those who are alone. But that would be pushing it a bit.


Off course, you do get some remark, " Extend your house, lah, you alway have so many people coming in and out." Oi, as though I don't know. Wah, some people think I am a "OKK" (orang kaya kaya). Money don't grow on trees, you know!
Anyway the evening went well and already plans are made to have it here again next year. Pengsan, lah. If God is kind enough, let us hope some lost Uncle or Aunty has left us in his or her will a large sum of money so we can extend the house. Hmm, on the second thought I think I have better chance striking a lottery.
Cheerio!

Wishing You

Hello, to all my relatives, friends and readers

Wishing You

A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS 2008 CHINESE NEW YEAR
KONG HEE FATT CHOY

Christians Are Hypocrites

Before you draw your gun and start shooting or about to hurl sarcastic remarks at me, I need to make one thing clear. I am a Christian, a practicing Christian. I am sure as usual there will people who will disagree for the sake of disagreeing but do I care! I am merely writing what I see and hear.

When I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior in my teenage years, I always try to share my faith with my friends, my colleagues, my family or anyone who cares to hear. It can be disheartening. Sometime it drives people away or it leads to arguments.

One common quote I always hear is “Christians are hypocrites”. This does not only come from unbelievers but also from Christian’s friends or colleagues who have dropped out of church for some personal reasons. I being me always try to defend my faith and belief. Sometime it makes the other party even angrier as I try to make excuses for my fellow believers. After all, they are still human and do make mistakes. That is why Christ died for our sins and forgave us for mistakes and trespasses.

As I grew older and wiser, I must admit the statement “Christians are hypocrites” is quite a true statement. Being to church and to different churches long enough, it is not hard to see why. The rich will click with the rich, the poor with poor and ignore by the rich. Status comes first. Come Sunday it like a fashion show, ladies competing and showing off their Prada or Louis Vitton handbags, their blink blinks that can blinds you and their expensive accessories. Men will brag about their new acquirements – a new car, a new investment, a new venture, a new toy, a new house or apartment or how they make money in the stock market etc. Oi, macham, weekly report.

Usually I will leave for home after church and not stopping for tea or coffee after the church service. Some people thing I am “Pa Pei” or stuck up. Well, I did try to stay many times and mix around but half of the time it bored the stiff out of me. Their interests and conversations really bore the crap out of me. We do not seem to share a common interest even though we are Christians and attend the same church. They always say “come and have a cuppa and join us and have fellowship after church”. Ok that is fine with me but what happen to the remaining days in the week. If you genuinely want fellowship - call me, invite me to our home, belanja me with no strings attached, come and visit me. But sad to say after the cuppa in the church and we all adjourn home, you are forgotten till next Sunday. You are lucky if they remember your name. Hahahaha.

But, hey, you are lucky if out of the blue you get a call from someone from church.

“Hello, how are you?’

“Fine, what’s up?”

“My computer down, can you come & fix it for me?”

Or

“Hello, your wife in or not?”

Me holler to wife, “your call”

Wife,” Hello.”

“M, Kepoh here. Can you cook your special Beef Rendang for me this weekend? I am having a party.

Wife “Arrh, Ok, lah”

Cilakak, got party or good thing never call or share. Only want favor, call. The worst offenders are those who got plenty of money. But if you need favor, they will run far away as if you got an incurable disease. They do not want to know you. Takut, I want to pinjam wang. They do not practice what they preach. Many are full of lip service, hot air and baloney. It is no wonder, people thinks Christians are hypocrite. Christian friends hurt you more than your non-Christian friends. You can get more help from your non-Christians or unbelieving friends than from them. Lagi best, no strings attached.

Now days, if I hear this statement “Christians are hypocrite”, I no longer stand up and defend my Christian brothers or sisters. I will agree with this person and this surprises him or her. My Christian brothers or sisters are professing Christians; they are accountable to God for their behavior just as I am accountable to Him, too. I see no need to stand up and defend their actions.

Each day I try to live my life as best as I could, following the teaching of Christ. Off course, I fall now and then, but at least I don’t pretend to be holier than thou or self righteous. My life is an open book and I let my life be a witness of my faith. I am no longer preachy; I pray more to God to work his miracles.

Remember, I love as the way you are. No strings attached.