The verdict

Published
by
judsonlct
on August 9, 2008
in Random
. 2 Comments

For those who do not already know, I have left the University of Malaya (UM). I submitted my letter last week informing the university. I’ll be pursuing law with the University of London’s external programme in KL. Classes begin in September. I’ll be studying under a lecturer, Mr. Annath not a private college (e.g. ATC or Bricksfields).

Chemical Engineering (the only accredited programme by the UK) in UM may have been an opportunity many would have “killed for” but it is barely an opportunity for me. There is no interest in the field of engineering nor any trace of desire to be an engineer or pursue any field related to it. The following are explanations to the many questions I have been asked.

Argument 1:
So why did I appeal? I was requested to appeal by family and relatives, thus I chose the two toughest subjects to get - Law and Chem Eng. Plans have been made for the UOL external law programme prior to the appeal to UM as getting a good course in local university was almost impossible (considering my results, my education - STPM and my ethnicity).

Argument 2:
Chemical Engineering is a lucrative degree. You can pursue law later, or minor in law as a hobby. Engineers have stable job opportunities, esp. chemical engineers who have lucrative paychecks with oil & gas companies. Pragmatism (over practicality in general) is something I have a distaste for. I believe in learning for the improvement of self and for the pleasure of learning in itself, not necessary to be use for external result oriented gain whether material, financial or social. After some time attending classes, I realized how much I hate engineering - the math and physics are not for me.

Argument 3:
You never know what you want, you may just change your mind from law. Give chem eng a couple of years. Well, contrary to popular opinion, I’ve spoken to some successful people I have come to have respect for. One thing they all have in common is they know what they want and have had their minds set from the beginning. I find the “you can never know what you want” argument contradictory and fallacious. Also, based on the advice of engineers themselves, chemical engineering students mostly do not move too far away from the field of engineering.

Argument 4:
UM is a worthy university experience. Let me first state that this is not a personal attack on UM students. UM is not a bad university and it’s probably the best local educational institution in Malaysia. But I see no “university experience” benefit except for the library and the impressive debate team. I have long set my sights on leaving the country (not permanently) and doing work on an international level. The quality of education and UM’s reputation internationally limits the possibilities of it.

Taking the advice of some law students, I took some time to research on law, to see if it is something of my fitting. I also consulted some businessman and professionals to inquire about career opportunities in law. I love law, and law is a general degree that holds a wide range of vocational possibilities. I have concluded that it is the better direction for me. So from now on, life is more difficult. UM was the easier option financially, but it is a compromise of my values, ambition and principles. Thus, it is law for me.

Hiromi - The goddess of piano playing

Published
by
judsonlct
on August 3, 2008
in Music
. 4 Comments



This totally inspires me to pursue my passion for jazz again! There is no doubt my hobbies are expensive. From photography to vocals and jazz piano, none are free or cheap. Cameras cost thousands and vocal classes are far from cheap. :(
Oh, how I wish I wasn’t restricted by finance, which has always proven a big hindrance, a frustration, irritating enough to drive me nuts.

Are you a butthole virgin?

Published
by
judsonlct
on August 2, 2008
in Ethics, Issues & Politics
. 0 Comments

The doctor peeps into Saiful’s asshole and discovers that his asshole is still as virgin as Raja Petra Kamarudin’s
Malaysia Today

Lol. That was funny! Saiful’s butt-hymen was still intact. :P
Saiful is the apparent victim of the alleged sodomy case on Anwar Ibrahim. For an old report from the economist, click here.

Of Priesthood & Hollywood

Published
by
judsonlct
on July 31, 2008
in Media & Arts and Theology & Philosophy
. 0 Comments

Anne Hathaway was convinced that serving God was her destiny, after she got a calling from the almighty “to be a nun”…
The Himalayan Times

At Catholic school, St Thomas Aquinas… (James McAvoy) had no difficulty formulating his ambition. He would be a priest. A missionary. He’d go to Africa and save people. The world was there to be made a better place of.
Guardian

Apparently, two of our favourite hollywood heartthrobs considered catholic priesthood at one stage in their life. I find it most amusing that some of the the most successful actors had once considered giving their life for church work - especially one that demands celibacy. Of course things have turn out differently, and their reasons for leaving those ambitions behind are as follows…

But when I was about 15, I realised my older brother was gay, and I couldn’t support a religion that didn’t support my brother. Now I call myself a nondenominational Christian, because I haven’t found the religion for me…
Anne Hathaway

…he discovered the Catholic church didn’t allow the use of contraception in Africa or anywhere else, put that together with the Aids epidemic, mass starvation and the infant mortality rate and, as he sums it up now, “people dying f***ing everywhere”, and it gradually dawned on him that the Catholic church was not really the sort of company he wanted to work for.
The Guardian on James McAvoy

It is no surprise that the bi-millennial aged old institution (catholic church) has opposing views with western popular culture. An interesting observation is that the two actors, though were convinced of their calling of God had a culture of relativism (generally meaning, truth for a specific individual may not be for another) instilled in them. This causes one to reflect and consider the options between relativism or being an absolute religious conservative. Also, are the catholics right in defending their aging tradition - along with the orthodox, anglicans, fundamentalist and conservative evangelicals? It would seem that these groups of people have lost touch with society, becoming irrelevant. But on the other side of the story, it is these very groups of people that have made the world a better place. These institutions have setup hospitals, emergency health-care organizations, schools, missions, brought food to the hungry, uplifted the status of women, brought about some democracy and racial equality.

I’d rather not discuss criticism of the Catholic Church. They’ve done a lot of great work throughout the world
Anne Hathaway

Putting the above mentioned groups in the category of religious conservative, it would seem that they have played both sides in history - the good and the bad. As much as the church has done good throughout history, there is no doubt they have been bloody violent and cruel as well. From the endless crusades in the middle ages to the burning of “heretics” on stakes, countless abuses of money, anti semitic propaganda, violent inquisitions, genocidal colonialism and more; the history of the church is stained…

So, a choice between relevance or tradition? A difficult choice to make…

Of Character & Power

Published
by
judsonlct
on July 28, 2008
in Ethics, Issues & Politics
. 0 Comments

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln

Anwar Ibrahim is looking forward to contest in a Kulim by-election. It would seem that power would eventually be in his grasp. Just for thought, will he turn to be another Mugabe or will he be “incorruptible like Batman” (as acknowledge by the Joker) from The Dark Knight?

__________________________________________________

Robert Gabriel Mugabe (born on February 21, 1924) is a Zimbabwean politician. He has served as the head of government since 1980, as Prime Minister from 1980 to 1987 and as the first executive President since 1987. He is characterized as a violent dictator.

Of Elegance

Published
by
judsonlct
on July 23, 2008
in Random
. 1 Comment

Tagged by Sherman Kuek
10 (13) things / people / events that I think are elegant:
(in no particular order)

1. European medieval castles
2. Formal wear (esp. the evening gown)
3. Harvard Law School
4. Catherine Zeta-Jones
5. Scarlett Johansson & Keira Knightley
6. Some jazz and broadway (e.g. Herbie Hancock & Les Miserables)
7. The Ivy League and top British universities (e.g. Yale, Cambridge)
8. Intellectual/Critical discussions, forums or debates
9. Philosophy
10. Fine-dining
11. Ballroom dancing
12. Good wine
13. The Audi R8



A great weekend

Published
by
judsonlct
on July 21, 2008
in Random
. 3 Comments

I had an extremely wonderful weekend, spent with the lovely couple in the picture. My cousin Ee Soon and his wife Mai Leen were married on Saturday. It was an honour to be his bestman. I truly enjoyed their company.

Anyways, I’m down in UM, KL right now… to “try things out”. The verdict will be decided soon (between chemical engineering and law).

Care to guess Anwar’s length?

Published
by
judsonlct
on July 17, 2008
in Ethics, Issues & Politics
. 0 Comments

Let’s play a game! It’s called guessing the length of Anwar’s manhood.

“When I was brought to the hospital, I was stripped naked for tests and had my private parts examined,” the PKR de facto leader told a packed 30-minute press conference at his house hours after he was freed on police bail.

“They also measured the necessary parts,” Anwar quipped.
…

“They’ve already seen all my private parts. Of course, I refused to let them take my photographs. They (the photographs) could end up on YouTube very soon.

Malaysiakini

My goodness, don’t you think our government is getting too far? I wonder if Badawi, Najib and Mahatir were simply jealous/insecure and wanted to see if they measured up with the recent political comeback. (Btw, I wonder if I could be arrested under sedition for this, it’ll be funny)

But anyways, it’s hilarious (the stupidity of our government) - so, what length do u think it is? A mere 2 inches or a whopping 7, the perfect number? Put your number on the tagboard - we’ll do a poll.:P

Really tough choices…

Published
by
judsonlct
on July 15, 2008
in Random and Theology & Philosophy
. 3 Comments

Law or Chemical Engineering?

By some miracle, I’ve been offered Chemical Engineering at the University of Malaya - I know of friends who would kill to get this course. It is by NO means self-earned - my Stpm results fail by very far to qualify for this course (min. qualification is 4As). I chose it as my second choice because I did better in chemistry and chemical engineering is a highly sought after degree. Friends tell me of the lucrative opportunities that a chemical engineer has. This course at UM is really good and UM chemical eng graduates are highly preferable to others. It is a great and RARE opportunity. Few have it. I’ve even been a labeled a “lucky bastard” for getting this course considering my results. What’s more, I was given a tour of the university by Rebbecca Ow (who’s doing her doctorate at UM) just recently during my trip to KL. Worst still, I happen to be the Christian sucker who doesn’t believe things to be of random chance, but of divine intervention.

Opting for chemical engineering at UM would mean the following:
1. Comfortable financing
2. University experience
3. Good friends
4. Lucrative opportunities (offshore engineers get paid a hell lot of money)
5. Assured/secure career

The University of London External Law program which I have been pursuing thus far is without a proper university, classes are off public transport routes and it is a lot more expensive. A law degree doesn’t offer job security, has less lucrative opportunities, and is a lot tougher and longer to earn. Opting to do the Law degree in Subang, KL would mean very tight finance, a more difficult life (with no university facilities provided) and a demand for a lot of self-discipline.

BUT

My interest in science and math have waned… I have never picked up a science book voluntarily and enjoyed reading it. Instead I spent time reading history, philosophy, economics and articles on public policy. And I do enjoy it. I love reasoning with logic and being critical in thought. I spend hours reading critics on culture, biographies of great man, histories that shaped the world and columns on war, politics and economics.To put it in a phrase, I’ve develop a love for law.

So, Chemical Engineering or Law?

There is little chance of me being offered the course at UM by accident or mere chance. Yet I have little desire to be an engineer (so many friends have testified how it degrades the quality of life). Yet there may be good divine reason for offering engineering. Between pragmatism and passion there is this tension. Take the low-risk secure path or risk my future in blind faith?

Some may say “take the practical path - it’s only a first degree - that’s what you need to start a good career“. But is an amazing career what God wants for me? I have a strong distaste to the culture of choosing a course for reasons of getting a job/career. I strongly believe in studying for knowledge, not to find work - which is a sickness in Asian culture. I believe that choice of course based on economic/material reasoning is purely unbiblical. Yet, is there a reason I’ve been offered this rare opportunity (chem eng at UM)?

The questions is NOT which course I can handle better. It is neither which offers a more lucrative vocation. I believe I can tackle either one, and material affluence is not priority. The question is: What should I learn? What does God want me to learn? How would what I learn be applied to my future undertakings? Is the field of engineering what I’ve been called to? Or is the laws my calling?

Whichever it is, give me clarity, God. I’ll do whichever.

Girl Effect

Published
by
judsonlct
on July 13, 2008
in Ethics, Issues & Politics
. 3 Comments

The powerful social and economic change brought about when girls have the opportunity to participate in their society.

Girleffect.org

I like how the video ended. “It’s no big deal. Just the future of humanity”. Well, no doubt that my heart lies with people/community development.