Penicillin revisited.

"Without Fleming, no Florey or Chain, without Chain no Florey, without Florey no Heatley, without Heatley no Penicillin." --Prof. Henry Harris.

And yet it seems Fleming alone is mainly credited for the discovery of Penicillin. "Being scooped" as it is colloquially referred to amongst people in science, has been commonplace ever since scientific research has existed. Investing all that you have, emotionally and mentally, and not be rewarded for it may be utterly disheartening to anyone, but a true scientist is able to rise beyond that disappointment and celebrate the scientific achievement. After all, isn't that what every scientist's objective should be? To advance science for the greater good. And that is exactly what Dr. Howard Florey did. A true hero indeed.

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1945/florey-bio.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5931574/Breaking-the-Mould-BBC-Four-TV-review.html

Yes, we are a generation of iPod-loving idealistic activists. More importantly, we are Malaysians.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/hafiznoorshams/34819-a-generation-of-activist-idealists

Nepal, here I come.

Planning my trip to Nepal. Anticipating to be mesmerized by its beauty. Eager to etch a million memories.

Origins of The 'Malays'

And so with all the ruckus in Perak recently, I began to wonder more about BN, its true agenda and the "Ketuanan Melayu" concept. Here's an excerpt from a very well written article documenting the origins of not only the Malays but of all civilization in Asia and the rest of the world.

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

"Genetically speaking, the Austronesians would have been a ‘superior race’, as they were a mix of Dravidic, Mongoloid, African, Arab, Persian, Hindi, Gujerati, Tamil, Portuguese, Dutch and other blood.

However, incest brought degenerate descendants. And the more varied the bloodline, the healthier the offspring. Perhaps this is what ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ is all about. This is the only superiority one can think of.

Genetic superiority because of having bloodlines from around the globe. This by the way, is reflected in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia. Circa 15 percent of these languages is Portuguese, Dutch, and the rest, Sanskrit, Tamil, Arab, Persian, Hindi, Tamil, Chinese, and so on.

All these word origins are explicitly described and detailed in the third edition of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka dictionary. These references were completely removed from the fourth edition onwards.

The conclusion? The people Malaysians call ‘Malay’, are actually only a tiny sub-component of the much larger Austronesian group. And all Austronesians are the end-product of extensive inter-breeding between the Taiwanese and Dravidic Indians.

All this has finally been irrefutably proven by independent DNA testings from world-class faculties." -Michael Black

Read more at Malaysiakini.com

The silver lining...

Hand in hand
Gazes interlocked
The spell of love was cast.
Days spent together
Hours of endless laughter
Your hearts grew fonder, the bond stronger;
But time had yet to play its turn…
And with one goodbye, the distance crept in
Two blossoming souls were torn apart
Both holding on
Both staying strong
But sometimes everything you have just isn’t enough
And the dream is shattered…

Who do you blame when the sun that lights the path, burns all in its way?
Who do you blame when the wind that whispers her name, blows your dreams away?
And how do you keep walking on a path paved by memories of a time gone by?

Like a winter storm
Cold and testing
These times shall fade away
The dark clouds that are casting a shadow
Shall soon part
Just look for the silver lining
And the beauty of your soul will draw in the sunshine
Filling your heart with its warmth

Once again you will love
Unconditionally
For you cannot love any lesser
Your heart knows not any boundaries
And once again
The depths of your heart will be filled with a love so pure
So beautiful…
The sorrow of today shall become a faded memory.

Longing for a place called home...

Its been so long since I updated my blog and today I just feel like writing. I've already published two posts, and yet I feel like I could go on and on. Tis the day to pen my feelings. Just finished reading The Notebook, undeniably a very sweet story. Had it been true, it would have healed and broken my heart simultaneously, and yet it still did.

Romance is in the air, undoubtedly. I blame it on the winter. And I slowly sip the wine. Remembering days just past, reminiscing the past few years of my life, thinking about the days to come. What does the future hold? I do not have a clue, but a handful of suggestions if only time would stop to ask me.

Its hard coming back to a loneliness you do not understand. The days spent at home always fly by and this time there was a wedding to attend. A beautiful wedding that brought along with it a myriad of unforgettable moments. New bonds were formed, others strengthened. And with every bond you learn how to love a little more, how to live a little more. Like actors on stage we played our parts flawlessly. We sang, we danced, we smiled and we cried. And before we knew it, the curtains were drawn. Fin.

And I was aboard the A380. I hate goodbyes. But how do you say goodbye without aching inside? I wish I never have to leave. Even after 6 years, leaving the ones you love doesn't get easier. Instead, it has become much more difficult. Maybe its the realization of mortality? That nothing or no one lasts forever. Yet, I have left. Away from the place I call home. Building a life for myself, a name of my own, in the shadow of their love.

But right here, right now I long for a place called home. Where memories of yesterday are as fresh as the morning dew, where time is frozen at a simpler, more innocent junction of life....

Ranjeeta weds Sukdeep: 12.28.2008

"It was the wedding of the year" says my darling brother-in-law, albeit modestly. After all, it was his wedding and it may seem pompous to say so about one's own wedding, but indeed it was the wedding of the year, or of the past 10 years if you ask me! They had been waiting for years for this day and it was finally there. The stars were aligned, and the heavens joyous when two souls became one on that blessed day. I couldn't be happier for my dearest sister. Not only has she married the love of her life but she has also brought such joy to our family by bringing Sukdeep into our lives. May your lives be forever filled with love and happiness and may the heavens always smile upon you every step of the way.

2009
So swiftly another year unfolds
Another 12 months to fill with memories
365 days waiting to be explored
Hours to cherish
Countless minutes that will build or break dreams
And seconds that tick by relentlessly

And as I watch another winter pass me by
I wonder
With curiosity, with earnestness
What will this year entail
Hopes brewing inside me
Dreams waiting to leap into reality
Maybe this will be the year...
Maybe it will.

A new beginning for Malaysia

Things to do:

1. tattoo
2. climb a mountain
3. travel to all continents
4. visit the pyramids
5. earn the title Dr.
6. learn a new language
7. visit Aberdeen
8. listen to ‘Dogwood Days’ live
9. publish my poetry
10. publish in Cell or Nature
11. meditate
12. embrace Buddhism
13. India
14. make a difference
15. …

Things done:

1. visited at least one of the worlds’ seven wonders.
2. watched a play
3. watched a ballet
4. been to a concert
5. learned how to play an instrument
6. had a song written for me
7. fell in love
8. fell out of love
9. been to Disneyland
10. met a famous author
11. been to a symphony orchestra
12. know how to swim
13. parasailing
14. solo camping
15. rock climbing
16. cross stitch
17. wrote poetry
18. visited three continents
19. been to a drive in theatre
20. ate a centipede
21. been captain of a sport that I couldn’t play
22. choral-speaking
23. debating
24. been in a mock company
25. volunteered
26. shadowed
27. TOEFEL, IELTS, SAT, MCAT, GRE
28. know how to cook
29. have a favorite band
30. India
31. had surgery
32. been fat, and lost weight
33. had a boy cut
34. colored my hair
35. had more than one piercing
36. smoked
37. alcohol
38. lost in a crowd (more than once!)
39. slapped (both at the receiving and giving end)
40. cried in public
41. kissed a stranger
42. vomited in public
43. inebriated beyond belief (I lost count)
44. yoga
45. prayed
46. had hair removed by every possible manner
47. diamonds
48. …

Alternative sources for Malaysian news

As I grew tired of reading the propaganda laced government controlled local Malaysian newspapers, I stumbled upon these two sites. Both sites host interesting articles on important issues with honest opinions.

www.malaysiakini.com

www.othermalaysia.org

Read away....
You'll learn so much more about Malaysia that you never knew and all that you wished you knew.

Another year, another page

Another year, another page
Another bloom, another cage

We’re walking the same paths
Singing the same tunes
Building the same dreams
Confronting the same fears

They’re fighting the same wars
Dying without a cause…

Lives marred and faces scarred
Killers born and lovers torn
Hopes detached and woes attached
Where have we come?
Where are we now?
Where is He now that men have veered?
Where was He when our souls escaped?

And we keep walking…

We’re hoping for a change
They’re begging, they’re deranged
Amidst the bombs that light their skies
The clouds of dust that line their eyes
Humanity has to prevail
Life is lost
Hopes ablaze
Laughter drowned
But the rooster crows

Yet we are still walking…

Preoccupied in our miseries
Of nothingness
Ambiguous
Indifferently
We lead our empty lives
But if everyone cared and everyone shared
And nobody avenged or despised
This could have been a better place
For another year, another page.

In unison

You pluck the strings

I press the pedal
You strum the chords
I caress the notes
You sing your heart
I mime the words
I pen my thoughts
I guard my dreams

You play your part
I act out mine
You know your lines
Mine are engraved
You never falter
I barely fail
You sail like the wind
I float away

You are the black
I am the pale (white)
We make the chord
We form the scale

You give a hand
I share a smile
You lay the flowers
I say the grace
You see the sun
I see the moon
We feel the love
We know it's true

Kurt Cobain: A personal tribute.

And they say Cobain killed himself. Certainly the evidence seems to tie into this claim; he was overly intoxicated, he hated what had become of his life and his music, he was against idol worshipping: an unavoidable outcome of being a legend, he shot himself in the mouth with a handgun. After all didn't he warn us about this through his music.... But consciously that is not what an avid fan would want to believe. Maybe there is more to it than meets the eye? Maybe he was murdered? And so claim the myriads of articles and websites and blogs disparaging Courtney Love and casting the blame on her shoulders. But does it really matter anymore? We all agree on one fact: he was a troubled prodigy. He gave us punk rock, he gave us the anthem of a generation, he gave us heart rending tunes, he gave us a passion. To some he opened an avenue to channel emotions in from anger to love, others he inspired from his journey from Aberdeen to the Billboard Top 100. To me he made me understand the pain he felt through his voice....

Having just read a collection of his JOURNALS, despite reading a commentary that I couldn't agree with more..."...and if Kurt were alive, this is the exact commercialization of emotions that he was against..." How true that claim is! To admittedly be a fan and to pry into his private life seems contradictory but I confess I just wanted to know more about the person encapsulated within his tormented soul. How would that make a difference, I dont know. Maybe getting an insight into the real Kurt makes fans like me feel a deeper connection with him or perhaps its merely to curb the insatiable hunger for extra information - an attitude that has become a stigma of our society today.

Kurdt hated rapists. Kurdt hated the KKK. Kurdt was anti corporations. Kurdt wanted to be a sincere artist. Kurdt suffered from a chronic GI condition. Kurdt was hooked on heroine. But perhaps the most significant trait to me is - Kurdt was a compassionate writer/lyricist/poet. He had an immaculate command of the language. He penned thoughts in such an abstract yet coherent manner. He had a sense of humor, he was troubled, he didn't trust the world as it was filled with fakers, he hated rock journalists.....

Reading a journal is no way comparable to a book. Uninformed are those who compare this read to that of a work of fiction. Rather this is an act of delving into another's mind and soul. Being one who gets personally affected after watching a provoking documentary, a true story inspired film, reading biographies, listening to heart felt lyrics or reflecting on poetry; I was deeply affected by this intimate collection of stories, letters, cartoon quips and lyrics that were jotted down by Kurt himself.

"Punk rock = freedom"

Sadly the founder or Nirvana himself never attained detachment or fulfillment or freedom.
Confounded by the perplexities of the music world - punk rock had been branded "alternative music" by then to increase its popularity - he thrived to alter negative images of him and his band portayed in megazines through these personal rantings. He had lost his passion. He was in indescribable pain. He branded himself a loser. Heroine controlled his life. He wanted to die and he did...

Remembering "Boddah" his childhood imaginary friend, we can't help but wonder what exactly he did, or was done to him. May his soul rest in peace, with our love and empathy.

No Reservations

It was one helluva hectic day. I had been to Buffalo, NY (3 hour bus ride, 1 1/2 hour plane ride) and back in 15 hours. The purpose of this torture: a 30 minute interview with my Pre Health Committee at my alma matter. You see I am applying for Medical School admission for the 07/08 intake and its part of the requirement for the Pre Health Committee to interview me prior to writing a cover letter to be sent out to all the schools along with my recommendation letters. To say the least, it wasn't the most pleasant of experiences. But the upside of my trip was that I had the chance to meet up with several awesome people in Buffalo. A hug and a kiss can make all the hours travelling worth it.

Back at home, dealing with all the criticsm bestowed upon me by the interviewer I just wanted to relax. No food in the fridge, but that's ok as I am not hungry. Satiated with the criticism mostly, I turn to my most loyal companion - the tube. HGTV has beocme my favorite hangout but the shows tonight are repetitions. As I scroll down the guide, I come across the TRAVEL channel. There was a show playing about Malaysia. Brilliant! I miss home awfully, so this should be helpful in reconnecting to all things familiar. As I tune in, I am not mesmerized with the place I call home but by the host: Anthony Bourdain. Standing tall and lanky, with a ciggarette in one hand, a wedding band adorning his thumb, and numerous tattoos ornamenting his body this is the host of the show. He is a chef, a novelist, a restauranteur, a travel enthusiast, unrepentant smoker and drinker and ex-heroine addict. And I am at awe with his persona. There's something about this person that is just so attractive. The balance of yin and yang you may say? His language is perfect yet flawed. His demeanor is respectful yet provoking. I watched as he explored Malaysia, its food, its culture and its natives. I have just found my new crush.

As I lay and think of you
All things cherished come into mind
Music
Love
Even coffee…
For that’s a love we share
An addiction we can’t deny

But it’s more than that….
Maybe you are my real addiction?

One that makes me happy
With a small gesture
A message
A smile
Enough to keep me going
Till I hear from you again
A smile
A sense of satisfaction....

But is this a heart shaped box I am trapped in?
My alcove of comfort and solace….
Hidden in the trenches of your sadness
My love emanates…
Innocently
Curingly
Until your pain and misery relinquish

But what if we never know what it means
And What if it isn’t what it seems
If we just kept it aside
It may one day be too late to decide…

As the seasons change
And pages begin to fade
I’ll remember the feel right now
As I lay and think of you…and explore our “when and how”?

A lesson to learn

Is it the end of an era or the beginning of something new?
Is the glass half empty or is it half full?
How can you smile when all you feel is sadness?
How do you embrace optimism when floating in a sea of pessimism?
How should you move forward when your shadow is lost in your past?

But you have to keep moving ahead for nothing lies in the past
It will taunt you, torment you and keep pulling you back….
Forcing you to cower in the comfort of all things familiar….
but at the end it’s a chasm
A pit of things that were and will never again be
Times that were and will never again be
Memories that were and will soon fade away, one fragment at a time
Until all that’s left is vagueness in the mind….

For even the sun, as it sets, doesn’t weep on leaving the horizon
He shines his rays, gloriously till nightfall
Hopeful, knowing
Tomorrow awaits my glow

But how do we move forward with chains in our feet?

Liberate yourself
Free your soul from all attachments for there only lies one truth
We came alone and so will we leave
One life, one soul, alone
Dust to dust, ashes to ashes…

Happy Birthday Didi - 11/29/2005

Mirror of my life

Its 1 a.m. and yes I should be fast asleep, rejuvenating myself for yet another hectic day at work - elaborate experiments wait to be executed, cells to be cultivated and journals to be updated. But I have other things on my mind, boggling me. Every now and then I get bouts of sheer pandemonium about my existence, my life, my very purpose on this populated land we affectionately call home. In the past, I have been very restless about my future that seemed to be changing like autumn foliage. But today, firmly secured with a rather rewarding (mentally) job I am at ease. I can feel a sense of poise emanating from within but not in all aspects.

Three complete years after I walked away from home, I still yearn for where I belong.

"....I long for the sense of belonging to a place called home."

But...my journey to fulfill my dream has just begun. How will I make it till the end? Life is to be savored along the way - so is my belief. With only one of the myriad of things that make my life complete, I struggle to hike to the end of the path, reassuring myself that it is the product of my patience and perseverence which will pay off someday. However, there is a caveat: the fruit of my labor is not going to return the forgotten friends, forsaken ties, lost moments...

I realise this completely today. But was I aware of this then? Or maybe I was blurred with other visions of immediate gratification....

A friend like none before

It was like losing a prized possesion
a treasure
walking away from all i knew
the love, the warmth
and you
a friend like none before.

A protective arm
an affectionate smile
a reassuring hug
an attentive ear to pour my woes to
all this and a little more i had in you.

We cared for each other being miles apart
We walked together but in paths diverged
and eventually
all we saw were silhouettes
of you
of me
of morning walks, evening drives and coffees sipped
while the crowd drowned us
distanced us
and all i had left was a hand clutching a pendant...

A piece of my heart has since been carved
with those handful moments
adorned
with the bitter truth
scarred
of realisation
of never having having your shoulder by me again
ever...

A piece of my heart has been carved
by you
unknowingly, unrealisingly
you left footprints in my mind.

A path often revisited
when loneliness creeps in
when the dire need to be heard arises
when my heart longs for a dear friend
it weeps
silently
for paths veered
for a bond that's in eclipse
vanishing
into the unknown
for a friendship that could have given so much more
joy
comfort
togetherness
for a love fostered
for eternity,
long after the memories fade
if ever.