Do not expect me to form a solidarity with you on the basis of race. I don't even make an effort on this matter. Its just my  second nature. I often find this to be bothersome when I am hired at a new place to work...finding the Indians and the Malays trying to get me to be in their secret society of sorts.

Call me an elitist, but I often find this kind of behaviour among Malays or Muslims who are no where near the practicing/aware state in their faith, be it the blue or white collar workers.

Among the Indians, this type of behaviour also transcends "class".

I do not appreciate this. I do not function this way.

If you watched "Lost in translation" - you will understand how two people who connect on the basis of what they share so much in common left in a very foreign place. The movie is more than about that, but thats one aspect you see in the film. I understand if people feel the need to connect people of the same kind in order to alleviate the sense of alienation.

But if you have lived all your life in a multi-racial Singapore, have gone to school and lived among different kinds of people from different religions and cultures, I do not see why you must feel the need to exclisively feel connected with "your own kind".

I feel the instant connection, love and brotherhood with a fellow muslim, from any race, from any school of thought, on the basis of faith and that thing called spirituality. Not mere lip service.

 So that means,  I dont form that automatic solidarity with you on the basis of just being just a muslim per say.

But it does exisit, that clique with people in any given situatoin, be it at work or a social setting. But it just doesnt happen with me blindy. For me its the overlaps and parallels between me and another person that makes us connect and develop that solidarity.

So just because you are Indian, don't expect me to be all buddy-buddy with you just because you are one. And just because you are muslim, do not expect anything  from me.


My criteria is knowledge, objectivity, constructive critism, and honesty in a person to be in my secret society.
We are not in a war torn place or going through oppression (nothing very apparently in the least) here in Singapore. My opinions are entirely within the context of Singapore.

If you are my friend and if you are someone I know personally, I will be more than happy to be that extra step or that bridge you need to have a break...regardless of race, creed or religion.

Thought of my Kochumma today...this morning as I was reciting my "Yaaseen" and our days reciting the Qur'an together. She would make me sit with her and go over the Arabic to get her reciting right. Right before I left she did a transliteration of some of the surahs she wanted to memorise.

I miss her.
We don't always see eye to eye in many matters. We connect spiritually and that just makes up for everything...everything that makes us poles apart.

Sometimes in my private moments I travel to the kitchen at her home, at the veranda sometimes, reading or watching the monsoon rain...She doesnt watch the television much, seeing her annoyed everytime I turn on the English channels [according to her]. Who could blame me, I never had HBO in Singapore. I was on a roll with Hugh Grant movies. I never thought I'd become such a fan.

I just wish my family, the rest of them were a lot easily accessible.

Manufacturing is not the best environment to be in. I feel the pressure at work building up. I am worried about meeting expectations. Doesnt help at all when I am always compared with the previous engineer who was apparently very very good.

*sigh*

Can I make it through this one?

All over town I read the headlines on the NewPaper about all our hopes pined on (imported) the table tennis player Hong. I don't know if I can consider her win [should she win it unlike some (imported) badminton player who loses to Thailand *pathetical ly* after beating the defending champion] ought to make history in Singapore.

India Film Festival going on now and I caught my first film last night. Bhopal Express. I remember reading a piece written by Arundhati Roy on the incident. It was a piece on the war on Afghanistan and she made mention of the Union Carbide staff to be brought to jusitce ...

Nashrudin Shah was brilliant and a cameo by Zeenat Aman 30 kilograms and a coupla kids later..

Still havent been assigned a placed to sit permanantly at work. They are still trying to "figure out" my roles and responsibilities. I seem to have 3 bosses at the rate my orientation has been going. But its been good. I have the relentless desire to learn...the environment is nurturing as well.

Its Rejab. The countdown begins to Ramadhan.

Shiekh Nuh Ha Mim Keller is coming to town next month! *wide eyed and totally thrilled!* Shiekh Nuh! Ok ok ...we are getting there. Getting the coolest speakers to town to guide us on the deen. If Gai Eaton is next, it will be like a dream coming true. If only...

This week's been very busy! I need more sleep!

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I read this a while ago. Thought I'd include it in this post.

"If God had so willed, He could have made all of you a single nation. But He willed otherwise in order to test you in what He has given you. Therefore try to excel one another in good works. Ultimately you shall all return to God. Then He will show you the truth of those matters over which you dispute."
The Quran, 5:48

Happy Independance Day to all my Indian friends. As I always say, India will always be a home outside of home for me. There is more I have yet to understand about the place and I hope to get to know India over the course of my life. I know I will always long to go back ...everytime I make travel plans.

August 15th - Independace Day of India.

grrr. I have a nagging headache now. Been having it all afternoon. The kind that tells you tales of signs of a flu in the making. My head feels like a ton and I cannot think straight.

At the zoo this morning, with an old friend and a young friend who runs real funny. Was nice to catch up again, just to meet for a while Pinks.  I am happy things are going well for you and family ...glad to see you always.

I cannot believe I missed the openning ceremony to the Olympics. I am so outa touch. I could forgive myself for missing out on the swearing in of the new (uncontested for)Prime Minister...but the Olympics???

It appears like I would be missing the encore telecast as well...alas alas.

Oh this headache is annoying.

///

On another note, after reading mlle a.'s note.  I think I should add that I do not take everything Micahel Moore says for the truth. He does show some gory realities of America, but I also do not agree or rather, accept his interpretations of some of the issues he presents in his movies. I am not very politcally aware (am from the politically and culturally apathetic Singapore after all...), but I am trying. 

Had a great week ya'll...more updates and blogging later. For now...here's more Rumi!

"Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about. Ideas, language, even the phrase 'each other' doesn't make any sense." -Rumi

Listen to "Ye Rishta" from the movie Meenaxi-A tale of 3 cities, like a ritual, everyday.

I am still not getting the "groundedness" or feeling "centered" since I got back. I still haven't got a spot of my own at home. My confort zone. There is alot of stress around me.
At least the socialising bit has begun, glad for that. Still one needs the stability constant.

I have yet to do my Bukit Timah Hill routine since I got back. It used to be my own time alone...all two hours of it. I should get started on that one. *sigh* It used to be so easy from my old place, would reach there in a matter of minutes. Now I am restricted to just one bus and a longer journey. *grr*

Louis Armstrong's La Vie En Rose...trying to recal from which movie I first heard this one from. It was in French. Was it Amelie? Anyhooo...I wish sometimes, I could just lounge at a club, that plays jazz (anykind)...alcohol free, just good tea, cake, coffee, books, cyan coloured walls, yellow bookshelves, deep brown coloured furniture...what colour is good for cutleries?