..::070707 Blog - v2009::..

Yes, we haven't blog for a while, but that's because our daughter has been very active in that area nowadays! :)
(If only I'm doing this on a full time basis, I can just churn out new content everyday!)

Ok, back to the subject matter:

Anyway, we had the opportunity to catch the Oscar 2009 (or is it 2008?) winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire just recently. Yes, we know we're a bit late as the movie has been gaining buzz for a while, but it was only released in Malaysia without much publicity (or maybe I was under the 'tempurung'?) and we finally got some complimentary tickets to watch it! (hahaha, that's probably the main reason)

Well, the verdict? -- The movie and the whole production of it deserves all the plaudits and accolades that came their way! It was a feel-good movie, it shows the reality of the slums in India, it opens the public eye (hopefully) and above all else, it's totally inspirational!



Can you believe it, the slums children walking on the red carpet of OSCARS...
It's like a dream for these lucky kids!

At the basis of it all, it's also a LOVE story, which is why they WON because if you look at the history of the oscars, they usually award the Best Picture to a good love story. Don't believe me, search it out!

But the question on a lot of people's minds are (including me), is it really based on a true story? Well, I've googled it everywhere and somehow, I couldn't find a direct link that shares the real story of this Indian Slum Millionaire. Yet, Nia insists that it was based on a true story and the winner apparently still lives in the slum with his ailing father.

So, if anyone could find a link of this true story, then do leave a comment here with the link or the story..

The best stories that I found online are these two:
1. Slumdog Millionaire Is Really The Story of My Life
2. Slumdog Millionaire - A True Story

Basically, even if it's not based on a true story, the inspiration behind the movie is actually real. The movie is loosely based on novel Q&A and if you googled it, you can find a whole wiki of it.

But, what interests me is this video where the actual inspiration of the book & movie came from.




The experiment of putting educational public PC on the slum streets of India really works and it's the effort of good samaritans like this, even really small can really help the poor and unfortunate, especially to the future generation.

Another article features Robin Raina foundation building new houses to all the slum dwellers in India without the Indian government help that shows how much compassion some people still have in this world. If only more people can come forward like this and have this loving mentality, then we wouldn't even have this economic crisis or even war!

Well, we can always pray and HOPE!

If you haven't watched the movie yet, then please do so before it's only available on ASTRO Box Office or DVD. Let's just hope all the box-office success that the movie will rake can go back into help erode the slums and poverty in India!

I'm also waiting for the actual special edition DVD to be released. I'm sure they will... Well, Amazon has it.. So, check it out today!

Shoo, fly, don't bother me!
I remember Mommy and Daddy running,
They were talking loudly, for it was so noisy,
I felt safe in Mommy's arms.
I thought I heard Mommy and Daddy laughing,
But instead they were screaming,
There were fireworks everywhere,
And with one loud thunder,
I fell asleep.



Shoo, fly, don't bother me!
You woke me up, I was in a deep sleep,
These people around me are still sleeping,
Where's Mommy, what happened to Daddy?
Wait, I think I see them sleeping not far from me.
Shall I wake them up?
How long have I slept?
Mommy! Daddy! Please come to me,
I can't move and I'm frightened.



Shoo, fly, don't bother me!
Please help me find my uncles, aunts and cousins,
They must be worried, looking all over for us,
It's getting dark and I'm all alone.
But somehow I'm not afraid now.
I see the place where I'm heading to,
Bright and beautiful, peaceful and serene,
There I see Mommy smiling at me,



Please uncles, please claim my body,
Bathe me, dress me, let me go to sleep,
Please aunts, help lay me to rest,
I'm happy now, don't worry about me,
I'll be fine.



Shoo, fly, don't bother me,
Shoo, fly, don't bother me,
Shoo, fly, don't bother me,
For I belong to somebody...

..by Mommy Nadyne..

disclaimer: some of the images are disturbing, but this is the reality in Gaza..

It's only the 2nd week of the New Year or the 11th day and I'm already suffering!
Well, the past week, I've been down with sore throat, dry cough, fever and massive shoulder ache.

This results in me being away from the office for 2 days last week, which is not the best way to start the New Year! The aching and coughing actually starts since we went to our family trip to SummerSet, Kuala Rompin during the long Christmas holiday weekend. (Read all about it on my daughter's blog!)

But I never went to see the GP, just the occasional Salonpas on the shoulders and Strepsils for the cough.

Unfortunately, that didn't really work out and finally my body caved in and gave way to all the viruses!
Despite my mind being active and raring to go, my body just won't let me...
I guess it might still be the NY 'hang-over'.. (yeah, rite!)

All in all, we had one of the most memorable New Year celebration. We had dinner at theEmpress, theCurve and watched the fireworks from our window at D'Rimba.
We as in me, Nia, Nadyne, Alma, Zul, Aimar, Acat, E'ah & Asna. (check out their video resolutions this year below!)



I just hope I will recover soon and start making waves on some of the projects that I have on my plate at the moment. 

But, I feel my sufferings physically is EXTREMELY TINY compared to the sufferings that our Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine are suffering at the moment. Well, it's not just Muslims, basically a lot of innocent people in Gaza are suffering, and the fatality and injury rates are piling by the minute!

The Awal Muharram attacks i.e. airstrikes from the Zionist regime of Israel which was apparrently strategically planned 18 months before by putting all these massive barrier walls (like you saw on Berlin before, but even higher and soo massive!), basically cutting supplies going into Gaza to the people of Palestine. They Israeli soldiers evacuate the Jews from their Gaza homes and then planned their so called 'counter-attack' on the Hamas.

Of course, you can just read and watch the news to see the cruelty and inhumane actions of the Zionist, and as usual, the US, the so-called police of the world condone and support these bloody attacks.

So, what can we do to help? These wars between Palestinians and Israelis have been going on for more than 60 years and what do us, ordinary people can do? Actually, there's so much that we CAN DO to help.

In Malaysia alone, there are many NGOs collecting donation for the victims of the attack. You can just browse through some of the popular news site, and there will pop up. Just one example is below:

So, here are the steps that people like you and I can do to help:

1. Donate your money - as little or as much as you can..
2. Sign petitions online - urging the world powers, especially the US to STOP THESE VIOLENCE in Gaza and take action against these war-mongers.
3. Attend talks or all the gatherings to gain awareness of the problem & show your support to Palestine
4. BOYCOTT US/Israel affiliated products. (click on the logo below for the full listings) - yes, it may be hard for some since we've been using some of their products for sooo long, but every little action does help!
5. 

Then, if all the 4 items above is too hard for you, the last but certainly NOT LEAST effort is for us to PRAY!
Really pray hard and sincerely for the safebeing of our brothers and sisters there. Pray that the sufferings will end and that ALLAH will show His Mighty Powers to crush the evil enemies, if not here, definitely in the HereAfter. InsyaAllah..

And to the martyrs, Al-Fatihah...
Wallahualam.

Ed