Rumors rumors.

I wonder how people start it. Probably one person starts with a "maybe", then the second goes "probably". The third idiot then jumps the gun and goes "of course!"

"Aha!"


Id like to start a rumor about myself and see how far it goes. Irma is half reptile. She is dating a red-butt monkey. Irma eats thumb tacks. Or maybe just a nice one, Irma can be polite and sweet with people who arent making crazy assumptions about her.

I can be, you know.

Right now Im working on this blog i set up with a couple of friends,  (http://www.karipanas.blogspot.com) and while surfing the net to find out about how to promote this blog I realized that people like it most when blogs are about sex or other scandalous paraphernalia.

Or when the blog talks sh*t about someone else.


I found it amusing that a blog I really dont care to publicize (i.e. this blog) actually got the attention of the admin staff in IIU and other people because of the "ankh". (AGAIN, ITS NOT A CROSS!). Where did they get the blog address anyways?


But the promotion for the new blog Im setting up is still sluggish, mainly because Im such a lazy ass, and also because its about current events, which people really dont care about nowadays. Someone has to get naked, or utter profanity or get in a big big scandal to get attention in this society.


As the saying goes, "Small minds talk about other people, Average minds talk about events, and Great minds talk about ideas.'

Maybe I need to set up naked pictures on that blog, that will get traffic pouring in.

Sigh sigh.

Malaysia, where art thou?

(to all my friends reading this, or crazy people who are staring at the image above my blog and contemplating whether Irma is an apostate or not, take a look at the new blog I set up above. Its funny, it makes you think and its a hell lot more important than me and what Im doing with my time.)

much love.

 

Just for clarification purposes:

a) the lady in the picture above? Thats not me. I wish I looked like that, all pale and hazy looking, but she isnt. I dont mean her to represent me either, I just think that the picture is pretty, extremely well drawn, and just for the ignorant= she is a character from neil gaiman's sandman series called "death". Shes also my favorite character.

b) the necklace around her neck? It isnt a cross. Its an egyption symbol, an ankh, which means "life".

From wikipedia:

The ankh (pronounced 'ahnk', symbol ☥) was the Egyptian hieroglyphic character that stood for the word ʿnḫ, meaning life. Egyptian gods are often portrayed carrying it by its loop, or bearing one in each hand, arms crossed over their breasts.

It doesnt mean that I have started worshipping Egyption Gods either. Jeez.

When I put the image to be on my blog, I didnt think that it would offend, or mislead. I just thought it was pretty. Its my fault, I was naive and ignorant to the prejudice that exists in this country. Silly Irma.

Why cant we just love everyone, forgive everyone, and leave everyone alone?

Thats my New Years wish for the world.

 

(I know Ive told people that I dont want to talk about this whole religion thing anymore, but this is my last posting about this, unless a carnival of those crazies start parading in my living room or something.)

First crazy thing I wanna talk about is something I found out from a friend; emails are, or hopefully, were, going around about my "conversion". You know, those "Fwds" that people with productive lives usually dont open because its incessantly filled with chain-letter garbage and wishy washy love messages, or worse, baseless negative propaganda. (ex: ten reasons why we should hate jews.)

Even his mom got it. Which I thought bought the whole thing to a whole new level of insanity.

A friend of mine got worried about it when I told her this, she said I should "berjaga-jaga." She linked it to the death threats Malik Imtiaz got for defending Lina Joy. That naturally freaked me out. Adding to the chill in my bones, my friend (an immigration lawyer from Canada) told me to get the hell out of Malaysia, because he was afraid for my life. His law firm was ready to process my papers for free, which I think was sweet of them.

When I asked my father about this, he told me that I should have faith in the Muslims and the Malaysians. My father, ever the patriot.

I want to.

Id like to think that the insane people who sent those sms-es around about killing Malik Imtiaz were just horsing around and would not have the guts, or more importantly, the heart to kill a man in cold blood. I see Muslim Malaysians around me everyday, I have them as my friends, and I cannot imagine any of them stoning or killing someone because he has left "the faith".

Its a cold-blooded evil thing to do.

I even find it hard to understand people who think that its the right thing to do. What??? Firstly, it ISNT perscribed in the al-Quran, read it! The only time that law was proclaimed, it was because people were trying to make fun of the new Muslim community by converting into it and leaving it immediately. READ YOUR HISTORY.

It was a law based on a pro-con reasoning, not one carved in stone. You cant apply it now.

Secondly, how are you proving the strength and beauty of Islam by acting in such a vile and ugly manner? Look past all the texts and you will see one main message, to love, to help, to forgive. Not, believe or die. You push people away, you misrepresent the religion, and you justify all the accusations that people make of Islam, that it is a brutal cruel religion.

Abu Talib, the Prophets beloved uncle did not convert to Islam till the day of his death.

In Sahih Bukhari 5:58:223, an account of Abu Talib's last words is recorded:

[...] When Abu Talib was in his death bed, the Prophet went to him while Abu Jahl was sitting beside him. The Prophet said, "O my uncle! Say: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, an expression I will defend your case with, before Allah." Abu Jahl and 'Abdullah bin Umaya said, "O Abu Talib! Will you leave the religion of 'Abdul Muttalib?" So they kept on saying this to him so that the last statement he said to them (before he died) was: "I am on the religion of 'Abdul Muttalib." Then the Prophet said, " I will keep on asking for Allah's Forgiveness for you unless I am forbidden to do so."[...]

I dont see any smiting or killing in the passage here. Maybe people should follow the example of this guy, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. Besides, wasnt he the guy who bought the religion to this world? Wouldnt that be the right thing to do?

I wonder.

 

This is a post in answer to a comment from my last posting.

I quote:

"  just a thot..ppl ask cz they CARE.ppl ask cz YOU matter to them.RELIGION is a BIG issue.if   there's any way to brg the 'lost' prson back to the 'right' path..y not?

but u were ryt in saying its a private matter but y be afraid to tell ppl the real story and avoid fitnah..(i mean in general!)...

there's a vr fine line btween bein NOSY and caring/concern about sum1...

JUST A THOT..."

posted by Sasha

Firstly, thank you for agreeing with me on the issue that religion is a private matter.

Secondly, I wasnt saying that people were being nosy, but people were acting as if my faith was a matter of public discussion. i.e. that they had the right to inquire about it and that I owed them an explanation. I dont owe complete strangers an account of issues in my private life.  

The fact is, I dont think that anyone, who I dont know personally, has the right to ask me this question. And if they have the tenacity to do so, it is extremely presumptuous of them to expect me to answer. I dont have to answer, you dont have to know.

Even if it is done out of pure concern, it is wrong and unacceptable. Its like asking someone on the street, "do you wash your underwear daily?" It may have been done out of pure concern for the persons health and general hygiene, but its still out of line.

Just to clear things up, I love my faith and I will not leave it. Whoever has been spreading these rumors should stop before I take legal action. Its an extremely hurtful accusation, and it would devastate my family if they heard of it. 

It is no wonder the Islamic Community isnt strong. There is the constant judgment of each other, the comparison of who is a better Muslim, the condemnation of people to hell. People in Lebanon are dying by the minute, and they are probably wondering where the millions of Muslims are at this moment, wondering why help hasnt come yet from one of the biggest religions in the world. Where are our legions?- they ask themselves.

They are right here, talking about me. Isnt that sad?

I havent posted in ages, because I dont have the time, but this is an emergency posting.To all the people who have kept on messaging me on friendster and my email, concerning rumors that I have converted to Christianity, please stop.

Whatever I do with my life is none of your business. I dont know you! You dont know me! Stop talking about me. This is ridiculous. Quoting from the last message I got, apparently there are a lot of people talking about it. It is sick and stupid. Go find something better to do with your time, like gardening, breeding free-range chickens, something more worthwhile.

Just so all of you will leave me alone, the answer is no. I am not a Christian. I never will be, the religion doesnt appeal to me, okay? Happy? But I seriously think all of you need to change your attitude towards this whole religion issue. Firstly, its a private matter. Do you know what private means? It means that it is of concern to the individual and to that individual alone. Nobody should have a say in what another person believes, faith shouldnt be forced, because the freedom of the mind is one of the most fundamental freedoms a human being should have.

If you cannot even think a certain way freely, how can you claim sovereignty over your other faculties?

Secondly, why do you always treat people who convert like they are the spawn of Satan? The self-righteousness that you people exhibit is sickening. Its a question of a difference of opinion, it doesnt mean that they will start eating babies. Just because they dont think the same way you do, it does not mean that they are evil. Grow up. Use that hunk of grey matter in your freaking skulls.

Thats all I have to say. Thank you for your concern, and start living your lives for real people.

 

 

I am back!!

Back from about two months in Korea, which was enlightening in a lot of ways. Travel insurance= good. I sprained my ankle and I had to cough up about USD450 for treatment (being xrays, elephant tranquilizers and doctors poking at my leg and asking me "are you in danger of being pregnant?").

I dont even want to go into that.

Its good to be back, as the saying goes, "hujan emas di negeri orang.." etc etc. And Im not going to translate that Malay saying. If my foreign friends are reading this, I dont care, "find a dictionary". Haha. Its my way of promoting our native language. A stance I contradict constantly by blogging, thinking and dreaming in english.

I miss my kids though. Not as in children from my womb, if that ever happens this blog would be off the internet, my children will not have any proof of my young wild reckless days. Or, depending on how cool they are, how lame I was.

I mean the cute korean kids I taught. My favorite has to be Kim, a boy who started off the week by not being able to speak at all in public, and ended the workshop by being in the top ten speakers list. Id love to think that I had a hand in this miracle, but the credit that can be given to me is minimal. It was all him, he worked so hard, and it broke my heart to see him struggling with his shyness, it was so bad in the beginning that tears would form whenever he stood up and spoke.

I want to teach debate in Asia till the day I die. Its a small movement of protest against the little box all Asians are trapped inside from the day they are born, to shut up, to not think and to follow blindly.

I have a train to catch, and my life to get back in order after a long hiatus from "the real world".

 

Sometimes I wonder if I really do know myself.

My capacity to love and capacity to hate is completely beyond me sometimes. When I explain it to people it sounds neat, like it can be compiled into a little volume "Things that will Make Irma Hate You Forever"... " How to Manipulate Irmas Unconditional and Undying Love For You.."

When its actually fragmented, unpredictable.. I would not be as vain as to think that being complicated is a unique trait, but somehow I feel that other people are better acquainted with their emotions. At times mine is like the wacky aunt that rarely visits.. you know her intimately from family anecdotes but you can never really know what shes going to do. I know.. weird analogy.. but if I could manifest my emotions she'd be a middle-aged lady with wild eyes, the kind who lives a sedate lonely life with 13 cats in a mouldy apartment and in the next takes up a latin lover and joins the peace corps.

What inspired me to write this nonsense is because in a matter of 5 hours I will be a year older. Commonly known as birthdays, or in my mind the evil responsibilities of adulthood gaining on me, I have always used these occasions to look at myself, since I think that I am the best source on matters such as my inner soul and the depths of my sometimes evil sometimes incredibly intelligent mind. :D

Though nowadays Logan seems to be getting pretty accurate about things.. (* reflection to self.. this should be considered dangerous. I dont expect that I will do anything about it, my reaction to all dangerous signs being lethargic in general.. unless a beaver is chewing on my leg or something like that )

And its disturbing not to really understand yourself when youre legally an adult already, especially when youre already accountable for everything you do and "not really understanding myself" is not a legal defense for any sort of crime (unless its fashion related) that my haphazard emotions mght lead me to someday.

I guess I should be all philosophical about this annoying fact and take it as a part of life. Maybe youre not meant to really understand yourself .. you might get bored of yourself and that would really suck. Even suicide wouldnt get you away from yourself.. even though your new transparent-like quality might amuse you for a few days.

(The last paragraph sounds like Im on weed. Im not. So there.)

So heres to the aunt who rarely visits.. to people who seem to know me more than myself.. to myself.. to getting to know me better. Happy Birthday Unpredictable, Complicated and Sometimes A Real Pain, Me.

CEO Barbie Criticized For Promoting Unrealistic Career Images

September 7, 2005 |

EL SEGUNDO, CA—Toy company Mattel is under fire from a group of activists who say their popular doll's latest incarnation, CEO Barbie, encourages young girls to set impractical career goals.

"This doll furthers the myth that if a woman works hard and sticks to her guns, she can rise to the top," said Frederick Lang of the Changes Institute, a children's advocacy organization. "Our young girls need to learn to accept their career futures, not be set up with ridiculously unattainable images."

The issue was first brought to national attention by mother, activist, and office manager Connie Bergen, 36, who became concerned when her 5-year-old daughter received the doll as a birthday gift and began "playing CEO."

"Women don't run companies," Bergen said. "Typically, those with talent, charisma, and luck work behind the scenes to bring a man's vision to light."

She added: "Real women in today's work force don't have Barbie's Dream Corner Office. More often than not, they have cubicles—or Dream Kitchens. I mean, what's next? 'Accepted By Her Male Peers' Polly Pocket?"

Despite the growing furor over the doll, Mattel's top brass has indicated no plans to cease its production, insisting that the newest member of the Barbie family represents a positive role model for girls.

"Young girls can be anything they want. There is nothing standing in their way," read a statement signed by Mattel CEO Robert Eckert, president Matt Bousquette, executive vice president Tom Debrowski, and CFO Kevin Farr.

Said Bergen: "I graduated cum laude from Radcliffe and have worked hard all my life, and my career doesn't look anything like Barbie's. Currently, there are only nine female CEOs in America's top 500 companies. To tell our daughters anything else is a lie."

Figures released by the Changes Institute indicate that, although women make up 46 percent of the work force, a mere 15 percent are senior managers. Lang maintains that these facts don't square with the image of the career woman put forth by the doll.

Said Lang: "Any girl who thinks that she can run a large corporation when she grows up is in for a bitter disappointment, and it is simply shameful that Mattel would seek to cash in on impressionable young girls this way."

CEO Barbie comes with a number of accessories and environments, including the Super Barbie Conference Fun Table, Barbie's Company Dream Car and Underpaid Assistant Ken. But by far the most popular version of the doll has been the Talking CEO Barbie.

"This doll says things like, 'Did you get me those projections?' and, 'We need to cut our operating costs by 10 percent,'" Lang said. "It is dishonest to dangle this carrot of success in front of our daughters' noses, when we know that the odds that a girl will grow up to order someone around are virtually zero."

Lang said he does not expect Mattel to recall CEO Barbie, but he wants to send a powerful message to the people in charge.

"When your daughter comes home crying because she was passed over for a promotion for the fourth time, what are you going to tell her?" Lang asked. "It would be easier if she'd been raised with dolls like Glass Ceiling American Girl, Service Sector Bratz, or Maria The White House Maid."