FOR YOUR WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT

Ladies, forget about all the Swan Lake performances you have seen before. This version featured below takes the ballet classic to new heights. Enjoy!



Gentlemen, if the fine arts is not your cup of tea, this video below is for you. It was forwarded to Seniorsaloud by a guy, so you will probably enjoy this one better. I guarantee you will chuckle over it.

WHERE WERE YOU ON 16 SEPT 2010?

Another public holiday to mark on our calendar - 16 September, Malaysia Day. 47 years since the formation of Malaysia, and this is the first time we are celebrating it!

For me, National Day on 31 August came and went like any other day, but Malaysia Day held more significance and meaning.

I was out the whole day from 8.00am to 11pm. First was the 5th National Congress On Integrity (NCOI). The theme this year was "Truth Matters: Integration with Integrity".

In the impressive line-up of distinguished speakers that included recently retired Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram and former Oxford-trained lawyer Datuk Azzat Kamaludin, the speech that resonated most with me was delivered by Senator Dato Seri Idris Jala. He spoke on "Celebrating Diversity in Malaysia". I've never heard the concept of 1Malaysia explained with such clarity and conviction. If anyone could transform Malaysia from a regional centre of mediocrity to a global model of meritocracy, it would be this man.

For the benefit of those who missed the event, here are some key slides from Dato Idris Jala's presentation. They are self-explanatory. Click on image to enlarge.

Right after NCOI, it was on to Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia's (SABM) 1st anniversary celebration, which began at 6.30pm. It was an informal gathering of mostly university students and young professionals, although I did spot some silver hair among the crowd. The entire evening's program was coordinated by young people. As I listened to them share their stories of what being a Malaysian means to them, my heart swelled with pride and renewed hope. Articulate, confident, intelligent and driven, these young men and women are in the vanguard of SABM's mission to take the message of "One People, One Nation" nationwide through their road shows, CDs and publications.

Paid in Fiction in action. They are featured on SABM's 'Bangkit' CD.

The InorOut website was launched at the SABM event to encourage Malaysians to think, speak out and vote on issues that concern them. 

Doing my bit to spread the message via SABM's T-shirt "RACISM is so yesterday", and NCOI's "WE 'R' MALAYSIA"

DR M REBUTS MM LEE

I don't know why none of the local mainstream media carried this. Click here to read the Straits Times article. Lots of places where you can punch holes in what Dr M says. Too many "IFs", and not enough facts. But then again, even when all the facts are present, he is still capable of turning them into fiction. Remember when he grabbed world headlines with this claim below?

"If US Could Create 'Avatar', It Could Fake 9/11 Attacks: Mahathir" 

Most of the quotes in the ST article were taken from Dr M's blog Chedet. Click here to read the full text. I shall leave readers to draw their own conclusion as to which Grand Old Man is telling the truth, and which one is telling stories. Or are both guilty of some memory lapses?

"Amnesia is permissible, but trying to claim that it is because Singapore had been 'turfed out' for the present racist politics in Malaysia is simply not supported by facts of history." ~ Dr M.

WHAT IS THE BEST RELIGION?

Listen to the Dalai Lama's answer to this question. Then ponder on his words of wisdom. If only more people realized the truth of what he said, the world would have fewer bigots like Pastor Terry Jones. Beware of fanatics and extremists who give their religion of peace and love a bad name, whether it be Islam, Christianity, Hinduism or Sikhism. 

PHILOSOPHY FOR OLD AGE

Every now and then we need a reminder to live life to the fullest. The years do seem to go so quickly by as one advances in age. I remember ushering in the new year on 1 January 2010, and now it's already September.

How have we spent the past eight months? More importantly, how will we spend the rest of our years? Complaining about how life has given us a raw deal? Or feeling blessed that we can still wake up each morning and see the sunrise?

LKY REFLECTS ON LIFE AND AGEING

In an interview conducted last week with the International Herald Tribune and published today in the global edition, former Singapore PM and now Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew, reflects on life and shares his thoughts on ageing, marriage and politics.

Below are some excerpts from the interview:

On the pains and aches of ageing

"I can feel the gradual decline of energy and vitality. I'm reaching 87, trying to keep fit, presenting a vigorous figure, and it's an effort, and is it worth the effort? I laugh at myself trying to keep a bold front. It's my habit. I just carry on."

On his wife, Kwa Geok Choo, 89, who has been bedridden and unable to speak since suffering a stroke two years ago. She has been his confidante and counselor since their student days in London

"She understands when I talk to her which I do every night. She keeps awake for me; I tell her about my day's work, read her favourite poems. I tell her I would try and keep her company as long as I can. She understands. But I'm not sure who's going first, she or me."

On how he copes with his daily stress

"At night, I calm myself with 20 minutes of meditation, reciting "Ma-Ra-Na-Tha", a mantra taught by a Christian friend. I'm not a believer, but I find the sounds soothing. A certain tranquility settles over you. The day's pressures and worries are pushed out. Then there's less problem sleeping."

On his moment of greatest anguish when he wept in public

"The expulsion of Singapore from Malaysia in 1965."

On his legacy

"I'm not saying that everything I did was right, but everything I did was for an honourable purpose. I had to do some nasty things, locking fellows up without trial. Do not judge a man until his coffin is closed. I may still do something foolish before the lid is closed on me."

LKY combats the decline of age with a regimen of swimming, cycling and massage. He still keeps to an-hour-by-hour daily schedule of meetings, speeches and conferences in Singapore and overseas.

"I know if I rest, I'll slide downhill fast."

Click here to read the full article.