Oppositely Dominating

When at home there are many things in common between us and the masses, thus we tend to highlight our differences. When abroad, away from home, the differences between us and the masses loom large so that  in meeting fellow countryman we can easily strike a conversation. We focus on similarity, brushing aside the very difference that we would be highlighting if we were home.

But, there are places in which that is not the case. We tend to be indifference or even avoid contact. Another similarity could be at play here, or could it be driven by another need? London seems like one such place.

Whitechapel's Fish and Chips

What is it that make you frequented an outlet? One is preferred over another. This restaurant serving traditional fish and chip in Whitechapel, London obviously is an answer. The treatment you get is one that can be remembered and cherished.
He is cheerful, treats every customer as close friends that needs attention,. It makes coming to his place an enjoyable experience; enter with a hungry stomach, leave with your spirit uplifted.
"Take a seat, i'll bring it to you," he said respectfully in casual manner.
While you are at your seat other customers enter the premise. All are greeted as if they are long lost friend, and they enjoy being treated that way and reciprocate. The shop may be have been operating there for many many years, serving local customers that the owner knows well. But he must have known so many to be at that level of interaction with them.
If I were in that area again in the future I would definitely not miss coming to that outlet serving that traditional fish and chips.

Testing Patience

The computer hangs, the smartphone gets infected, the ATM machine announces it is 'temporarily' unavailable for service, the traffic jams, the junk e-mails, etc. etc. Modern-day necessities and everything that ride on them. At times, it's testing your patience. Those times are when they are taking a leave of duty, not functional. Being so used to the prompt response, available on demand situation, we forget that we used to wait in line, patiently, waiting for turn at the phone booth, at the bank counter, for busses and trains tickets.

Korea Once More

There are times when you thought there'd be no more occassion for you to be at a place you once been to quite often. That thought is there just because you have changed career and moved elsewhere. But things are interrelated and the interconnection seemingly could never be severed. In fact, why should that be? Previously gathered knowledge should be retained and put to good use. Networking should be maintained. Friendships and human relationships should not be driven by 'official' needs of the vocation of the day, and be forgotten once the need is no longer there.

Hence, Nakamora once more was in Korea last week. It was for the second time this year with more places to see and new people to meet, as well as old friends with new jobs. The three-hour bus ride from Incheon to Daejeon, the exploration of Joengup, of Ulsan, and back to Seoul by the 300 km/hour KT train are all new experience.
Best of all have been meeting 'old' friends and knowing that they still recognize you.

e-Card

It is the end of Ramadhan and Eid ul Fitr, or the first of the month of Syawal is coming. Few days before this the mailbox used to be brimming with cards wishing every happiness for the joyous occassion. It is different this time around however. Perhaps e-cards and short messaging system truly have taken over the role of printed cards; or perhaps all those before were actually for the seat of the receiver ;-)

The Basis of Optimization

(It is true that developing something is easier than maintaining it. The long lull of this blog is a living proof of that saying. Anyway, Nakamora is back to tend his plot in the blogspace.)
The first agenda of that meeting in the morning part of the first Friday of every month, without fail, is the tazkirah. Tazkirah is a short talk to advise and remind each other of our role in life and the way we should go about it based on Islamic teachings. It was Nakamora's turn this month, and he decided to put extracts of it in this blog as in the subsequent paragraphs.
Today is the 14th of Ramadhan, the month having the most fadhilah among all of the months in a year. Let us take advantage of it and maximize the benefits, for we do not know if we would meet the next one. Let us pray that we would.
We are reminded of the words of wisdom of Imam Al-Ghazali that the farthest distance is the past, for it won't come back; the closest to us is death; the biggest is nafs; the heavisest to carry is trust; the easiest to miss is prayer; and the sharpest object is the tounge.
My tazkirah is about life in general. Looking at life somewhat philosophically, we can say that what everyone does in life is optimization.
We optimize our time so that we have some for other pursuits.
We optimize our spending so that we have disposable income for other discretionary spending.
In short in everything we do we optimize against some objective or cost functions.
What is different between individuals is the basis of the cost function - the world here or the Hereafter.
We are also reminded of the 80-20 rule - that 80% of problems are caused by 20% of all causes, that 80% of profits comes from 20% of the operations; that 80% of impact is the result of 20% of activities; etc.
We seem to adopt the same 'inverse' rule. 80% or more of what we do is for the world here. The world here, in terms of duration is incomparable to the Hereafter, let alone 20%. This is because the basis of our objective function is the world now.
Let us therefore apportion our activities appropriately to reflect the actual ratio of that durations. In fact we ought to continuously ask ourselves: with respect to the Herefatre, is the thing I do now, the best thing to do for the moment; is the place where I am now the best place to be;is what we spent on the best value for money, etc.
Before leaving for a long journey, we make preparations. The level of the preparations is commensurate with the duration and distance of the journey. Going to Europe, Amercicas, or Africa require more preparation than going to countries in this region, that are all within about 6 hours of flight time.
Prepartions to go to places we are unfamiliar with is even more elaborate. We learn a word or two of the language of the place, and we change our currency.
The Hereafter is so unfamiliar. We have not been there, and those who went there never come back. But we are told about it the al-Qur'an. Therefore, the preparations to go there should be the whole lifetime. The currency is not what we have now, but what we do with what we have - our good deeds. All will be accounted for, no matter how small. From al-Qur'an
[99:7] "Whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it."
[99:8] "And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it."

Hardcopy or Softcopy

Both have their respective merits and demerits. Hardcopy? It is hard to imagine magazine, newspaper, and book racks disappear from bookstores. The feeling of touching the paper, weighing the book, and skimming through the pages are still influential in making the buy or not buy decision. Glancing at the frontpage of newspapers lined up infront of small stores bythe bus stand from across the road also has similar influence.
Imagine reading an e-book or e-newspaper or e-magazine in a bus, or train (or even while driving). That electronic reader called notebook must be there with you, with battery that lasts long enough.
But where would you keep all those 'expired' magazines? Old newspapers have buyers. Perhaps keep only selected ones that could be useful for future reference.
Future reference? In hardcopy they may not be easily retrieved, especially if you do not have the tendency to be like librarians, cataloguing all your collections.
For a long time to come, one would neither replace the other. Not all inventions make existing methods or goods obsolete.

Trade and Language

Malay Spoken Here. That sign in the title may not be written anywhere, but approach the shop, browse around and enquire a thing or two. After a while the shopkeeper will urge you to buy.
"Oh, from Malaysa. Apa kabar."
"Belilah. Murah saja."
"Enam Ribu Won."
Yes, that conversation was in the Itaewon district, a well-known shopping area in downtown Seoul. That conversation also bears testimony to the shopping penchant of most Malaysians, Malays especially. Well, it is good for the economy.
In addition we might say trade is also a way for a language to expand, and to some extent, we see that taking place. The language, albeit a broken one, is spoken at almost every shopping or market place Nakamora has been to. Of course, the level of conversation is limited to low level transactions such as souvenir shopping, but everything has a beginning, and every beginning usually is a humble one, isn't it? The influence of toursim on language cannot be ignored.

Jeju - The Honeymoon Island

It's not always you get the opportunity to get to Jeju, Republic of Korea - the honeymoon island. One, it is because you have had your honeymoon elsewhere. Two, getting there and stay there for a holiday can eat a chunk of whatever disposable income you have.
He was there many years ago. A beautiful island, the shape of a potato. Just months ago he got another chance to be there, on business trip too. Hence there was an element of cost-sharing between his own pocket and the business concern. Since mixing business with pleasure is not a sin, he extended his stay for an extra day or two.
The trip this time was a stark difference from previously in most aspects. The host, in last trip, took the trouble to purposely include sightseeing as part of the unofficial agenda. This time around, it was not so. Thus Nakamora has to be 'unguided.' But that was not strange to him. He likes to explore and discover. Explore and discover he did. But the discovery was not that pleasant, unfortunately.
Most of the taxi drivers do not speak the language of tourism. Most of the interesting spots are indicated in English in the map. Show that to a taxi, and the driver has no idea where and what it is.
To get to Bagdad Cafe, a joint written as a halal eating place, Nakamora has to get a staff manning the Tourist Information counter at the airport to write it down in Korean on a piece of paper. This is to be shown to the taxi driver. Apparently, he was not the first one using that approach. Other tourists, travelling independently, did the same.
Perhaps to see jeju, one needs to join organized tour, or else, plan the trip well in advance and get to the tourist information counter to get everything written for the taxi driver.

Seesaw

When I was little I used to see kids playing seesaw by the playgrounds. The ends of the seesaw normally are so worn out. The grass there are trampled upon all the times. Modern seesaw that I saw put enough asphalt around the area to maintain the nice looks.
What I hate most is when I have to oversee my little brothers playing seesaw. Once one is above the other tried very hard to rise as well. Using every means including reducing body weight by exhaling air out, kicking the ground to push him up even though that is out of the rule of the game, etc. Then, the game continued. One went up, the other went down, as both can't be up at the same time. As the overseer I suffered. My head has to be turned left and right and up and down, so that I can see where they are. How I was very happy and relieved when they eventually both got hungry and asked me to take them home.
Nakamora just listened. He knew his friend likes to ramble. He doesn't care whether Nakamora has any idea at all about he said...

Just Ask Why

Everyone is familiar with the five Ws and one H. Well, almost everyone.
His friend starts mumbling again; and all Nakamora has to do is listen and comment when appropriate. That is the basis of their friendship. So, he listens.
When I was small I was asked only one question by my father: why. Why this, why that, why not this, why not that. Yes, it is just one question, the same one, but different materials; and I have to answer or made up the answers. After all he wouldn't know as long as the answer seemed logical. The hard part of course is in knowing what is logical and what is not, and to follow through my previous answer. Sometimes I was trapped by my own answer when his follow-up question is combined with my previous answer, and it did not sound right.
Can you give an example, asked Nakamora.
Why is the sky blue? I can answer it is because of the reflection of the ocean. He would then asked, why is it red in the afternoon or morning when the ocean is not changing color? See what I mean? How would I answer that?
Hmm.. your father must have been using the Socratic method to teach you.
I don't know that. Perhaps your father learned of the method too.
Not likely, he said. My father is not the educated kind.
Then, he must have discovered that independently of Socrates.
Perhaps...

Receding Mist

Mornings used to give refreshing sights around the place. So as after raining. Looking through his window Nakamora can see mist hanging in the air, almost blanketing the top half of that little mountain, adding welcoming contrast to the greens around it. The clear sky looks happy too with the mist around. Nice paintings indeed; a lively one that comforts the eyes.
It did not take long before modern machinery, driven by modern men with capitalist instinct, tore down the painting. The mist is receding. Soon it would be gone altogether. It can no longer be at the place it used to hang around. Men has claimed it to be theirs.
The morning scenery is now something else. There is still contrast, but an irritating one. It is unfortunately a typical picture that can be seen anywhere in the country. The onslaught of development is painting the same picture everywhere. A picture painted not by needs, but by greed. He tried to place the need in men that lead to that destruction in Maslow's pyramid of needs, but failed. There must be some other motivators...

Do Not Give Up...

He must be a Pakistani. Where does he stay, how long has he been selling that, where does he get all the wares he is peddling around?
That guy, with the bags of local version of the potato chips, made of a mixture of flour and fish, must be local. That boy, going from table to table, with a receipt book in one hand and a laminated A4-size document on the other, must also be a local.
Almost every time when Nakamora is at the restaurant the Pakistani and the local potato chip guys are there doing their rounds. The boy, or some other boy doing the same kind of thing, is there only occasionally. Perhaps similar sights can be seen at other eating places too.
This particular night, however, Nakamora bought something from that Pakistani guy. Normally Nakamora only responded with a smile as the guy approaches his table with overtures inviting him to exchange his money with the goods. It has been like so for countless times; but the guy never gives up. It seems that to the guy, every time is the first time. Well, perseverance pays. If you do it often enough, there would be time when it pays off. After many trips, many encounters, the guy succeeded in making Nakamora parts with his money.

Have You Time to Spare?

Everyone has 24 hours daily, and we used it all. So, how is it that some of us have spare time? Nakamora asked himself, since he thought he hasn't got any.
Spare something means setting a portion of that something aside to be used in future, when the one we presently have is exhausted, expired, or rendered useless, like spare tires and spare parts. Can time be such a thing? But then, we can always re-define spare time. Expand the scope of definition of spare or change its context, can't we?
Doing something not because of necessity, but driven by interest or hobby, a digression from normal routine and chores, can be said to be doing something in spare time. Strolling in a garden near a lake, watching movies or dvds, listening to music, tendering potted plants, or watching fishes swimming back and forth in an aquarium are possibilities; and people do that.
One could be sitting on a bench, looking at other people spending their spare or leisure time and play around with a camera...

Night Shift...

The sight is much more clearer in life than in the photo. A lone watchman sits on a plastic chair, reading something, under a street lamp. That is one of the night-time jobs among several; and may be one of the most passive in terms of physical movements.

Nakamora wondered what is it that makes them stay awake? How do they finish the job? What are they thinking, as it appears that they have plenty of time for doing that, don't they miss the daytime activities when they have to make up for lost sleep at night? Nakamora wanted to ask a guard. Perhaps someday there's an opportunity to do, so in a tactful manner.

So, Where Are Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, and...

When there are so many streets bearing the same 'first' names it is hard not to notice them. That was what happened when Nakamora walked the streets of Hanoi Old Quarter. His mind could not helped but wonder, could all the 'Hang' in the histrory of Malacca back in Malaysia be related to the naming of these streets? Vietnam, after all is part of Indo-China.
Nakamora left the city for home with that questions playing in his head...Apparently, Nakamora is not the only one asking the same question. There are others too, for example who is Hang Tuah?

Tips on Crossing the Streets of Hanoi

The streets of Kuala Lumpur is hard to cross. Well, try the streets of Hanoi. Pedestrian bridge is not seen anywhere. Zebra crossings and traffic lights are frequently over-ruled by the motorcyclists, and the taxis too. By the way, Nakamora noticed that there are not many private cars around, most cars operate as taxis.

So, how do you cross a busy street in Hanoi; and most streets are busy. After observing the locals, Nakamora tried the same way. It worked, but only after some practices and with loads of confidence.

Just move across the street, do not stop, but vary walking speed appropriately so that both you and the motorist have space to move ahead. Eye-contact is essential, even momentarily, or even by the corner of the eye. The trick is make sure that the motorist notice you and acknowledge your presence. He/she would steer accordingly to avoid being in a collision course.

Walking along the streets of Hanoi is interesting too. The temperature is nice, around 24 degrees Celsius at this time of the year. If too tired, then just take a taxi. But beware, you could be taken for a ride. The taxi driver may choose the longest route or drive as slowly as possible or both to maximize the fare. The alternative is obvious - trudge along, drag the weary feet. That cost may be higher compared to paying extra.

A Mouse by the Windows

Context gives meaning to words. Every word has different meanings when used in different situations. Within the context there is the philosophy that the word represents. Thus, words are mere labels, if we can say it that way.
Context is also connected to culture, as words are manifestations of culture, to certain extent. So then, what are 'mouse' and 'windows?' What do they represent? They both refer to everyday 'objects' and IT 'objects'; but they hardly sound scientific and technical.
Is that a manifestation that IT has already became an everyday thing? or is it a manifestation that that particular culture has extended the use of its everyday words as technical terms, used worldwide. Is that a manifestation that using its own language in science and technology has somehow over the years makes common, mundane words become acceptable as a technical term? May be so.
'Barn,' which is the unit of the cross-sectional area representing the 'probability' that neutrons would interact with a particular atom, also has its roots in everyday word. A barn, is an area the size of 10E-24 square centimeter.

It's Only Words?

Many English words have multiple meanings depending on the context in which they are used. Take 'plant' for example. It can mean an industrial plant. It can also mean biological plant - the tree that we plant.
See, we have just used another meaning of the word. It can be a noun, it can also be a verb.
When the context within which the word is spoken and the word is received is not the same, then mismatch in interpretation also arise. Because of that it is easy to label the same thing differently, depending on context defined by the user to justify the use of the label.
Take 'terrorists' or 'terrorism' as examples. Someone's terrorists are another warriors. Who is right, who is wrong? Or does that matter as long as everybody can live in peace and make the live of others matter.
From current events it appears that the lives of some people including their children are cheaper than others. Thus, the world stood in silence, helpless or hopeless, while bombs inflict countless damage - body and soul - to another fellow human. The real atrocities rage on, and somewhere else, another kind of war is going on. The 'war' on the right to use certain words and wordings...