“sehr sub”

Isn’t it amazing that the George Carlin - gross and mouthy comedian of the 70’s and 80’s…could write something so very eloquent. He is a genius at writing about the ironies and contradictions in our society.

A wonderful Message by George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We’ve done larger things, but not better things. We’ve cleaned up the air,but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

"What you possess in the world will be found at the day of your death to belong to someone else. But what you are will be yours forever."

Henry Van Dyke

American Author and Clergyman

We are all qualified to be one : juggler.

I am really impressed with anyone who can juggles. I juggles my family, friends, career, and I often miss the "me" ball. It’s not easy to keep all the balls in the air, simultenously.

I’m so thankful that I’m blessed with understanding family. But that is no reason for me to take them for granted. I admit that I haven’t get around to buy gifts for my brother, dad, sister & coming along is my mom’s birthday. I haven’t had time to buy my friend’s birthday present, and I, out of all people, really believe in giving birthday presents to those I care about. I seldom had time to spent with these important people of my life, so one of the reason a birthday gift is a must is to make up for all those time I missed. And I don’t even have time for that "making-up"!!!

Yesterday, I reached home at 6.10pm. I did the laundry, swept the floor, re-arranged the dishes and finished at 8.20pm (uh, plus 10 mins in the shower). I was supposed to socialize (exchanging daily stories) with my housemate, but she went to see her friend and I had all the time to myself (which I sometimes find a bit boring, being alone in that semi-fulled apartment). Later I ate the pisang goreng I bought earlier that evening & crashed in front of the box, watching the Buletin Utama while sms-ing my mildly-stressed boyfriend, discussing about the reasons of my low energy level (He said it was the almost all-time air-cond environment & my very small amount of food intake.hehehe…he could be right..). Then, by 9.30pm, my thinking mode was nearly off and my eye-lids failed to stay open. I didn’t even have the energy to wait for Mina or for the Desperate Housewives. And this morning, when I opened my eyes, Mina has gone to work (uh, I think I saw her sleeping beside me when I woke up in the middle of the night-ok, it was not really a "wake-up", it was rather opening my eyes for a mere seconds and off to dreamland again).

So, yesterday, I missed another ball, the friend ball. I hardly had time (and credit also) to call or even sms my friends. Everything is done in a 1-min routine (check mail in 1 minute, talk in 1 minute, everything that is a non-work related is supposed to be done in a minute time) so that I can maximise my time at work, doing my work.

Sometimes, I think that I’m being unfair. Unfair to my famiy, friends and even to myself. I’ve already committed the whole day to work,so I should be able to spend that quarter of the night for friends. But, sometimes, my job demand me more times, even to the extend of weekends. Rejecting the responsibility means I’m not a committed employee, but what about my responsibilities to family and friends, and myself?

Often I have to rush myself. Rushed myself at work so that I can finish them on time. Rush to home so that I can have time to spend for my love ones, for 2-3 hours per day (since I need my 7-8 hours of sleep). I’m a slow-paced person, a Type-B person. Yet, I have to do everything fast. It tires me so much. So much. And I guess, the guilt that comes from those balls I missed add up to the exhaustion.

I need to get my balancing right. But I need help. I’m not saying that working is bad for me, but I need to set my priorities right. I’ve been thinking about that color-coded calendar for so long now. But I never get to do it. I’ve counselled students on procrastination and such,but I myself is having the same issue. hehee..I’m only human. At least, I know what they’ve been going through, the effort it takes to actually begin something. Hey..Have I said it? I’m only human.

oops..i wish to write more but it seems like my break is over. good Luck, arfah! Go on with your color-coded calendar plan. =p

Are you considering having children? To determine whether you are truly prepared for the experience, we suggest you take this set of simple tests…

** MESS TEST:
Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Now rub your hands in the wet flower bed and rub on the walls. Cover the stains with crayons. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.

** TOY TEST:
Obtain a 55-gallon box of Legos. (If Legos are not available, you may substitute roofing tacks or broken bottles.) Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream (this could wake a child at night).

** GROCERY STORE TEST:
Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop at the grocery store. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage.

** DRESSING TEST:
Obtain one large, unhappy, live octopus. Stuff into a small net bag making sure that all arms stay inside.

** FEEDING TEST:
Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a stout cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal (such as Fruit Loops or Cheerios) into the mouth of the jug while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on the floor.

** NIGHT TEST:
Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8 to 12 pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 8:00 PM begin to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00 PM. Lay down your bag and set your alarm for 10:00 PM. Get up, pick up your bag, and sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more and sing these too until 4:00 AM. Set alarm for 5:00 AM. Get up and make breakfast. Keep this up for five years. Look cheerful.

** PHYSICAL TEST (WOMEN):
Obtain a large beanbag chair and attach it to the front of your clothes. Leave it there for 9 months. Now remove 10% of the beans.

** PHYSICAL TEST (MEN):
Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store. Go to the head office and arrange for your paycheck to be directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home and read it quietly for the last time.

** FINAL ASSIGNMENT:
Find a couple who already have a small child. Lecture them on how they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet training, and child’s table manners. Suggest many ways they can improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run riot. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last time you will have all the answers.