Heroes; Now and Then

Salam.
Nope, i'm not writing abt the normal-human-discovering-superhuman-abilities-on-themselves American tv series.
It's abt the REAL movie heroes.

My mum raised this point to me once, long-long time ago....
She said,

"Why are all the "heroes" now, look so cute? Girlish? And soft? During my time, the heroes were vry tough, macho-looking and "huge"...."

And that made got me thinking....
She's correct....
Remember Rambo? Famous in the 80s...
How did he look like?

And how does the man that won almost all the girls' hearts look like?

Cute!
Too cute!
=P






My mum continued, saying that once upon a time, having scar makes the man looks more "macho".
Or at least, a "fiercer" face.
That was the kind of looks girls those days are drooled over.

And the boys now, look very boy-ish....
Haha...
And that is the kind of looks girls are crazy of now.
And i cant help but agree.






Sylvester Stallone


The male artists now, have skin even smoother and fairer than most of the normal girls i met!
And their hair, so well groomed...no more those messy-looking male aura.


Their smile, and their poses for the camera, are all those cute poses.
Where the lips are curved forward, as if to kiss the camera.
Or with one eye closed and another open.
Or just a sweet little "peace" sign on the forehead.
Even my brothers are influenced! They have pictures of themselves, posing like that!
Shd i put one here?
Nay, dont have to. I think readers will be able to understand without me giving a solid proof.

Can you imagine Sylvester Stallone, or Bruce Lee posing like that?

Bruce Lee

One may argue that i put on biased pictures.
Ok, fine... I purposedly find those macho-looking old heroes and cute-looking new heroes.
But, face the fact. The men artists now is cuter.
And it's not their fault. It's not even a wrong thing.

And I'm not saying that the male artists now are less-male than that of the past.
I'm just pointing out how much different the taste of the society between two generations.

20 yrs on the road, the next generation after mine, what kind of looks will win girls' hearts?
Haha...
Let's just wait and see....

JUST AS A COMPARISON........

~THEN~

~NOW~

See?
Told ya...
=)


-AkMaR-
http://akmarr90.blogspot.com

Humanitarian Aid Convoy Blocked by The Inhumane Egyptian Govt

27th Dec 09

11.00 pm - I was chatting in YM.
11.12 pm - I received an sms.

Salam. Egypt is blocking the humanitarian convoy to Palestine. People in convoy stranded in Jordan have gone on hungerstrike! Viva Palestina Malaysia will hand over a letter of appeal to d egyptian embassy in KL tomorrow. VPM appeal 4 people 2 turn up as a sign of support. Customisable map to the embassy = http://tinyurl.com/yd3vauz. Please be there at 12.00 noon and pass on this message. Tq

My heart leapt.
I wanna go to the embassy the next day...!
I'll give up almost all plans i hv the nxt day just to be there...



After much "appeal" to my mum, she allowed me to go.
With a condition, "Don't get urself involved if things ever turn nasty"
Great! I wont want to jeopardise myself (and my scholarship too) so that's nvr a problem.
I started drafting out my plans for the day. How, when and where shd i go.

28th Dec 09

1.56 am - Sleep
Subuh - Woke up.
Check CIMB Clicks if JPA has banked in my allowance. Disappointed.
Get ready for the day.
Etc etc etc

12.00pm - Reached Jln Ampang Hilir. Where on earth is the embassy?
12.15 (i guess) - Oh, there are a lot of ppl here. This must be it. Let's join them.

Ppl talk to each other, discussing the Egyptian's ridiculous act of blocking the convoy.
What is their excuse this time?
They heartlessly closed the Rafah crossing one year ago, blocking all aids into Gaza when Israel was shooting phosphorus bombs into the strip.
They violently caught and killed Imam Hassan al Banna 60 yrs back because he fought the government, demanding to protect the Palestinians via Ikhwanul Muslimin.
And now, they are blocking the humanitarian convoy?

12.30 pm -
Ms Azra Banu said she will ring the bell. Everyone is to be ready (Pls, not to fight. Just to stop talking).
The gate is opened.
Some officers appeared.



Uhuh, i cant hear their discussion. But i'm sure it's abt the gathering and entry into the embassy compund.

Ok, over-the-gate discussion ended. Only 15 ppl can get in. Since i was really far from the gate, i wont make it to go in. Plus, i need to look after my sis (whom i drag frm school to come with me). I cant possibly leave her out there. So yeah, bye reps. Go into the embassy, and strike a deal with them! I'll be out here waiting for good news.

And the gate was closed.....

Supporters waiting outside the gate.

Approx 20mins later...
Gate opened....
Everyone can go in... =)



The ambassador gave a brief talk. I was glad i brought my camera.
I searched for my mp3, i wanna record what is he saying but after searching for it in my bag, i cant find the mp3! I really thought i put it into the bag before going out just now...
Ish.. Nvm.. Just listen properly.....

"We agreed to let the convoy pass"
"Yeay... Alhamdulillah..."
"But, there is some technical problem....."
"Huh?" Akmar thinks: Yeah, pls give us MORE excuses....

Then he started explaining "excuses".
He said the port that the convoy planned to use cannot accommodate such a huge convoy. And he said the gov has asked the convoy to change their route but they refused (says they).
And so, they will request that the convoy change their route to a bigger port.





Datuk Paduka Marina Mahathir was there. She questioned the ambassador. Seriously i was frustrated i didnt hear what was her Qs. I was so far behind...

I still think it's only their excuse.
The WHOLE WORLD knows that Egypt has NEVER been a helping hand to Gaza.
The country of the pyramids hv been neglecting its responsibilities towards fellow brothers and sisters in Gaza, co-operating with Israel.
They closed the Rafah tunnel, blocking the only (why must there be only???) possible way of communication.
Now, they block the convoy.
Who knows what will they do next?
Launch an attack towards Gaza?

We were then shown the way out.
And outside, Ms Azra thanked everyone coming...
And assuring that Viva Palestina Malaysia will be organising more activities as a show of support towards the Palestinians.
Great! =)




After it all ended, i went to my bestie's (Pls, not beast's. Hahaha....) hse.
She cooked lunch with her mum, and coincidentally, they are my fav dishes.
So, thanks to Diana and her mum for the splendid lunch!
Later that day, while i was searching for something else in my bag, i found my mp3 player. Duh! As if my bag is that big... When i needed it, the mp3 doesnt wanna come out. When i'm looking for something else, it appeared.
No wonder ppl say,"Don't look for it. Then only it will come"
Haiz...


-AkMaR-
http://akmarr90.blogspot.com

The Heart Goes Out to Gaza

By SHAHANAAZ HABIB

A year after the Israeli military offensive on Gaza, the people there are still in dire straits.

IT has been a year since the Dec 27 Israeli strike on Gaza. Just a day ago, Haifa, my Palestinian friend who lives in Gaza City, e-mailed me about the situation inside.

“GAZA! I don’t know where to start. People here are alive and not alive at the same time. The situation is really bad and getting worse every day. Nothing has changed since the war. People are still living in tents and the borders are still closed.

 

“We are still living under siege. Fatah and Hamas are still fighting. Is this enough or I should say more?

“The big ugly news these days is that the tunnels will be closed soon. Egypt is building a thick iron wall under the ground to close the tunnels and to prevent the Palestinians from building new tunnels.

“People are going crazy because of that. Prices are getting high and goods will run out soon,” wrote the 21-year-old.

Though painful to read, it was hardly surprising.

Little seems to have changed even with a new president in office in the United States – one who came to Cairo in June making huge promises such as wanting to push the Israeli and Palestinian peace process forward and help Gaza re-build, among others.

continue reading..... (frm The Star, Sunday 27th Dec 09)

Questions (by Akmar):

1. How could the world turn a blind eye BLIND EYES to what the-imaginary-country-Israel is doing?

2. What was Israel's excuse for killing Palestinians? I really cant remember them giving any valid reasons.

3. How could Egypt be so heartless??!! Palestinians are still people... Medical aids are one of the aids that SHOULD NOT AND SHD NEVER be blocked....!

4. Who gave US "the right" to be the world leader?

5. On what basis did Barack Obama won the Nobel Prize?

6. Do you know that the country Israel doesnt exist?

7. What can the world to for the Palestinians?

8. What can you WE do for the Palestinians?

p/s: There was a day, when i was reading my novel, and my siblings were watching the tv.

I really cant remember the title of the show, but it's the 7-8pm show in TV1. The show was some sort of documentary. I was reading when i suddenly hear the sentence, "Israel's land ruled by Palestine........bla bla bla". And quickly looked up, to the tv. I squeaked, i thought i heard wrongly. Then i looked at my mum, and she looked back. She said, "Hmmph. They manipulated the facts...."

And i was very disappointed...

Israel's land? Ruled by Palestine?

Ever heard of anything more ridiculous than this?

I can marry Prince William if even this is considered true. (no worry, i'm not fond of Prince William...)

How could RTM let this kind of show pass?

Didnt they watch it first?

Did they really take everything in? Bcos it's National Geographic @ Discovery? (i'm not sure which is it)

Where is RTM censoring board?

How come there are a LOT of hassle whenever certain parts of movies are cut but a script like this is viewed on air without any publicity?

Confused + disappointed + frustrated = ?

-AkMaR-
http://akmarr90.blogspot.com

Remembering Gaza

=)

Tanggal 27 Disember 2009 hingga 18 Januari 2010 menandakan ulang tahun pertama kezaliman rejim Zionis Israel terhadap rakyat Palestin di Gaza. Selama 22 hari, Israel membedil Gaza dengan bom, fosforus putih dan menggempurnya dengan jet pejuang F16, helikopter tempur, angkatan kapal laut , kereta kebal dan tentera bersenjata.



Seramai 1,400 jiwa terkorban , 5,000 orang tercedera, 20,000 kehilangan tempat tinggal dan 50,000 menjadi rakyat pelarian. Sekolah, universiti, hospital, bangunan awam, rumah dan kedai juga tidak terselamat daripada kekejaman tentera Zionis Israel.

Ulang tahun pembunuhan dan pencabulan hak asasi rakyat Gaza, Palestine akan dikenang oleh masyarakat madani seluruh dunia....

Viva Palestina Malaysia (dahulunya COMPLETE) menyahut seruan ini dan menyeru seluruh rakyat Malaysia untuk menzahirkan sokongan kita terhadap rakyat Palestin dengan melakukan perkara berikut :

1. Mempamirkan skaf Palestin pada tarikh 27 Disember dengan memakai skaf tersebut atau mengikatnya pada beg tangan dan memaparkan pelekat Palestin dicermin kereta anda.

2. Memboikot syarikat yang menyokong regim Zionis Israel. Syarikat tersebut termasuk Nestle, McDonald's, Coca-cola dan Loreal. .Paling minima jangan membeli jenama tersebut dari 27 Disember 2009 sehingga 18 Januari 2010

3. Memasang pelekat kereta memboikot empat barangan tersebut. Pelekat kereta boleh didapati secara percuma daripada No. 6, Jalan SS1/24A, Kampung Tunku, Petaling Jaya. Sila hubungi Cik Jemaimah di talian .

4. Mengamati “satu minit tanpa bicara” pada tepat jam 12 tengah hari pada 27 Disember 2009. Keheningan ini melambangkan rintihan kita terhadap perderitaan rakyat Palestin dan bantahan kita terhadap kekejaman rejim Zionis Israel.

Pada 27 Disember ini, anda digalakkan untuk menganjurkan aktiviti bersama keluarga atau rakan-rakan sempena menyahut seruan solidariti bersama rakyat Palestin. Sila ambil gambar atau video bagi tujuan tersebut dan emailkan ke complete2009@gmail.com . Kami akan memuat turun ke rangkaian web dan Facebook Viva Palestina Malaysia.

Viva Palestina Malaysia dan sukarelawannya akan berkumpul di ruang legar,Mid Valley Megamall pada jam 11.00 pagi , 27 Disember 2009. Jumpa disana!

Gaza masih dikepung. Pencerobohan ke atas Gaza dan penindasan terhadap rakyat Palestin tidak boleh di biarkan berlalu begitu sahaja. Perjuangan pembebasan Palestin adalah suatu seruan kemanusiaan dan perubahan kearah penyelesaiaan yang adil dan saksama mesti didokongi oleh masyarakat dunia sejagat.

Abraham Joshua Heschel menulis:
"Hanya segelinitr yang bersalah, tetapi semua yang bertanggungjawab."

Sila edarkan email ini kepada seramai mungkin kenalan anda. Marilah kita bersama-sama mengembeling usaha kearah memperingati dan memperjuangkan nasib rakyat palestin yang telah lama dibiarkan menderita dan dipinggirkan oleh kuasa dunia..

Untuk maklumat lanjut sila hubungi:

Puan.Azra azrabanu@gmail.com

Cik Jemaimah jemma.mustapha@gmail.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 27th - January 18th marks the first anniversary of the unspeakable brutality committed by the Zionist regime of Israel against the people of Gaza. For over 22 days, Israel dropped bombs, white phosphorous, used airplanes, helicopters, navy ships, tanks, bulldozers and heavily armed soldiers against a defenseless people.

1,400 dead, 5,000 injured, 20,000 homeless & 50,000 displaced. Schools, hospitals, universities, ministries, homes, shops - nothing was spared. The people of Gaza were simply bombed to death.

All around the world civil societies are marking the first anniversary of this cowardly and genocidal crime and Viva Palestina Malaysia (formerly COMPLETE) calls on all Malaysians to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people by doing the following:

1. Display the Palestinian scarf on 27th December everywhere you go. Drape it around yourself, tie it to your bag, display it in your car. Just let it be seen.

2. Boycott the following companies, supporters of the Zionist regime of Israel, from 27th December to 18th January - Nestle, McDonald's, Coke and Loreal. Do not buy any of their products!

3. Put up Boycott Israel car stickers, available for free. They can be collected from 6, SS1/24A, Kampung Tunku, Petaling Jaya. Or call Jemaimah at

4. Observe one minute of silence at exactly 12 noon on 27th December. Turn this silence into a deafening roar against the injustice suffered by the Palestinians.

It is highly encouraged that you get together with family and friends on 27th December. Do take pictures and videos of your activities and email them to complete2009@gmail.com. We will be posting them on our website and Facebook. Viva Palestina Malaysia members and volunteers will be at the open court of Mid Valley Shopping Mall at 11 am on 27th December. Do join us.

Gaza is still under a blockade. The attack gave the Palestinian struggle a global dimension and civil societies all around the world are stepping in to bring about a change. In the words of Abraham Joshua Heschel,

"Few are guilty, but all are responsible."

Please circulate this email far and wide. Lets get together and remember a people long forgotten by the rest of the world.

For more information do contact the following

Azra azrabanu@gmail.com
Jemaimah jemma.mustapha@gmail.com

-AkMaR-
http://akmarr90.blogspot.com

Natrah

Last two nights (Wed 9^th Dec 09), I went to watch the theatre ‘Natrah’ in Istana Budaya, KL. Since my mum’s a fan of theatre, and I was somehow introduced to it since small, I fell in love with it too. Sadly, theatre is always very costly so, we will only go and watch if there is a concession price, like this one.



For anyone who didn’t know, Natrah is a girl born to a Dutch family. Her father, Adrianus Petrus Hertough was a sergeant serving his country and was staying in Indonesia. Her mother, Adelaine Hertough befriends a Malay lady, Che Aminah. During Japanese occupation, Sergeant Hertough was captured and Adelaine was in a hard situation, forcing her to give away her daughter, Maria Huberdina Hertough to Che Aminah. 4 yrs after that, Che Aminah then brought Maria back to Kemaman, Terengganu and raise her up as a Muslim girl, named Natrah. 8 years later when Malaya is still under British colonisation (in 1949), Natrah was seen by Mr Locke, an English officer in Malaya. Mr Locke knows that there is a Dutch couple trying to find their long lost daughter.

Mr Locke tricked Che Aminah to go to Singapore so that Natrah can be taken away by her parents. Being in Terengganu, Che Aminah was more protected. When they reached Singapore, a summon was issued and Natrah was taken away, being put in Girls Homecraft Centre, York Hill, Singapore; a Christian charity house. The case then went public because it was like a fight between two religions; the Hertoughs wanting Maria back and educating her as a Catholic while Che Aminah wanting Natrah, the girl she raised and to continue educating her as a Muslim.

Some reading materials for those who want to know more abt Natrah (i cant possibly be writing her life story here, there's already a book on that) =)
1. Kosmo! Dis 9, 2009
2. Wikipedia (Malay version)
3. Wikipedia (English)
4. Utusan Malaysia 30/11/09
5. Utusan Malaysia (4/12/09

The climax of this conflict was when the English court in Malaya declared Natrah as a non-muslim and her marriage to a Muslim man; Mansor Adabi was declared null. That leads to 'Natrah riot' in Singapore killing 18 ppl and injuring at least 170 other. Natrah was sent back to Holland and raised as a Catholic. Natrah died this year, at the age of 72.

Maya Karin acted as Natrah, Remy Ishak as Mansor Adabi, Umie Aida as Che Aminah and Samantha Schubert as Adelaine. At first I wasnt sure if Remy Ishak is Adam in Nur Kasih but when he appeared on stage, I was very happy. Hahaha... It's not Remy Ishak that I like, it's Adam in Nur Kasih that I like. Ok, let's stop talking abt Nur Kasih, better get going with Natrah. Oh ya, there was a part when Remy Ishak was supposed to do a monologue, but he suddenly became quiet, for abt a minute. I think he forgot the script. Poor him....

For me, the script wasnt strong enough, there are arguable flaws and inconsistencies. But I love Natrah's dialogue. For me, Che Aminah's reasons to take Natrah back from the charity home wasn't logic. She said she's worried with Natrah's Islamic routine; whether she prays, whether she fasts etc etc. But for me, a mother whose daughter (eventhough an adopted one) is being kept in a place she's not allowed to visit her in, will be more concerned of the daughter's well being; whether she eats, whether she's treated nicely or whether she's crying etc etc than her prayers (uh, why do i sound weird saying this?). Plus, Natrah was only 13 at that time. In reality, I'm pretty sure that Che Aminah was also concerned of Natrah's well being apart from her prayers but the theatre did not raise that point at all. It was made as if Natrah's prayers were the only thing Che Aminah cared abt. Which was of course, not good enough.

Natrah married Mansor Adabi (Adam, yeay!) after the court decided to release Natrah from the charity home as the summon was retracted (ok, i dont really know what term i shd use here, 'cancelled' perhaps?). Logically, when Natrah is married to a local, her parents and the court could not and should not separate her from her husband and take her away. Natrah is of marrying age at that time, according to Islamic law. But according to civil law, she was still an underage thus her marriage was nullified! How dare the colonists nullify a marriage done under an Islamic law! How dare the colonists challenge the Islamic law, disrespecting it, announcing Natrah as a non-muslim, separate her from her husband and send her back to Holland. This was a case showing clearly how the colonists think the locals were stupid and weak. And that was why 'Natrah riot' happened in Singapore.

After being separated, Mansor Adabi wrote letters to Natrah without getting any reply. At last, Natrah asked Mansor Adabi not to contact her again, and broke Mansor Adabi's heart. He married another lady, working as a teacher and a lawyer, leading a wealthy life while Natrah suffered in Holland, marrying twice and migrating to the U.S, working as a cleaner. Natrah did ask to come back to Mansor Adabi but that was a different story (which i dont know, dont ask me abt it).

Natrah's monolog was heart-breaking. She cried for attention because nobody was listening to her, nobody asked what she wanted in life, how she wanted to live her life. Everybody was busy in the struggle, fighting for her and their religion. Two mothers fighting for a daughter, two community fighting for a girl, and two parties fighting for dignity. The Dutch can never bear the thought that a girl of their own flesh and blood being raised by a Malay lady; a supposedly weak and colonised nation eventhough that girls is married! It was a matter of ego and dignity to them. It was a story of struggle, of patience, of dignity and of love and romance (i'm pretty sure the love and romance was put in to make the play more interesting).

There was a scene when Aminah and her friend Mak Wok and Mak Wok's son; Mansor Adabi visited Natrah in the charity home in Singapore. At that time, Mansor Adabi wasnt married to Natrah yet. Planned marriage was a culture at that time, and so Malaysians watching the play will surely know that the two ladies planned to marry the two youths off. So, during the meeting, Mak Wok and Che Aminah teased the two of them. From the point of view of someone who didnt know the culture at that time, it will look so very weird that two mothers are teasing their own child in their very first meeting. Hence, i think this scene wasnt properly done. (Yea right Akmar, u urself cannot do it, complaint abt others plk =P)

However, all in all i think this theatre is worth the time and money. It is full of emotions and spirit. Compared to 'Tun Razak The Musical' which i watched few months back, i think 'Natrah' is still ok. Both plays featured the struggle Malaya went thru during the colonisation period. But 'Natrah' was more to religion than 'Tun Razak The Musical'. I'll give 'Natrah' a 7 out of 10. =)

-AkMaR-
http://akmarr90.blogspot.com

Welcome!

This post is specially dedicated to Diana Rizal for publishing her first post in her blog. Haha....

Although the first post took her a very long time (she says), it was a worth one. Interesting and very detailed. =P

Hope she will continue writing (though she says she's lazy to write).



-AkMaR-
http://akmarr90.blogspot.com

Bits of Experience; In Search of A Netbook =)

Brands available: Toshiba, Fujitsu, Lenovo, MSI, Asus, Acer, HP, Sony, Dell

1) Lenovo does not recommend Windows 7 with Intel Atom.

2) Fujitsu, Toshiba and Dell recommend Win 7 with a netbook.



3) Try to ask all the salesman in Low Yat or PC fair if Win 7 is compatible with a netbook. U'll get 1001 answers. Some say "yes, definitely" or "no, never" or "yes, but vry slow" or "no, i dont recommend that". So far i think it's ok.

4) Windows 7 Starter is sufficient. Other edition available: Win 7 Home Basic, Win 7 Home Premium, win 7 Professional. Those whose netbook come with XP OS will say Win 7 Starter is very very basic, cant do anything with it. So they'll ask u to maintain XP. Those with Win 7 Starter netbook will say Win7 is enough. Those who do nt have their own principle will say Win 7 Starter is too basic because it's "starter".

5) Acer and HP and maybe Dell (someone told me) are the most unreliable brands. Well, i dont know the truth, read here. Toshiba is reliable, so is Asus. Fujitsu is good too.

6) Toshiba netbook come with a DDRIII RAM so, dont dream of using the extra DDRII u hv at home (i'm telling this to myself).

7) Opt for a bigger screen netbook. Sometimes the netbook is big but the screen is small.

8) Bring translator along. The salesmen will just love to speak in their own language thinking we dont understand what they're saying. Haha... They chose the wrong customer at the wrong time. Sorry...! =)

9) Sony is expensive, but stylo. =P

10) Don't jump into any decision in buying a netbook or notebook or anything as a matter of fact. Survey the price first. And their free gifts. =)

I can't think of anything else YET. I might update this post if i remember anything new. =)

-AkMaR-
http://akmarr90.blogspot.com