Like Coming Home
2 nights ago, I went to the Council meeting of The NGO. It's my first one, in quite a long time. I haven't been focusing much on The NGO, since I retired as Council Member last year.
But I've forgotten how much I enjoyed the meetings, with this bunch. The Prince and his dedicated Council Members. Well, most of them are dedicated anyway.
Some of them are like family to me. Years of friendship and collaborations, under our belt. So many shared experiences of working together. So many bittersweet memories of joy and disappointments. So much laughter shared, yet with some of The NGO's stalwarts, their commitment is undying.
But much has been done in the last few years. And we've seen quite a few of our input and suggestions make it to the 9th Malaysia Plan. Took the Government 5 years to listen, but at least, the Abdullah administration is listening and executing. I must admit, it somewhat heals the frustration of waiting - when the fruits of your labour, finally arrive.
I like being in The NGO. We've never had an ambitious power crazy President - all the past presidents and the current president are great people and the sort of human beings, you're proud to associate yourself with.
And the Council Members have achieved much together and are committed to delivering our promises to our members and the participants of our industry. We're a quiet small group of 10-15 people of all races, but we're effective. And there is absolutely no politicking since inception till now.
And I realized one thing.
I miss all of this. I miss contributing. I miss the camaraderie. I miss how alive I feel when I'm in this group and how meaningful it is, for us to be here.
And although it's not time to return yet as Council Member, because I'm focusing on my business first, at least for another year - but I guess I do want to spend some more time, contributing to The NGO and to the industry.
I belong here and I'm welcome here. And I can't deny that. This is home.
But I've forgotten how much I enjoyed the meetings, with this bunch. The Prince and his dedicated Council Members. Well, most of them are dedicated anyway.
Some of them are like family to me. Years of friendship and collaborations, under our belt. So many shared experiences of working together. So many bittersweet memories of joy and disappointments. So much laughter shared, yet with some of The NGO's stalwarts, their commitment is undying.
But much has been done in the last few years. And we've seen quite a few of our input and suggestions make it to the 9th Malaysia Plan. Took the Government 5 years to listen, but at least, the Abdullah administration is listening and executing. I must admit, it somewhat heals the frustration of waiting - when the fruits of your labour, finally arrive.
I like being in The NGO. We've never had an ambitious power crazy President - all the past presidents and the current president are great people and the sort of human beings, you're proud to associate yourself with.
And the Council Members have achieved much together and are committed to delivering our promises to our members and the participants of our industry. We're a quiet small group of 10-15 people of all races, but we're effective. And there is absolutely no politicking since inception till now.
And I realized one thing.
I miss all of this. I miss contributing. I miss the camaraderie. I miss how alive I feel when I'm in this group and how meaningful it is, for us to be here.
And although it's not time to return yet as Council Member, because I'm focusing on my business first, at least for another year - but I guess I do want to spend some more time, contributing to The NGO and to the industry.
I belong here and I'm welcome here. And I can't deny that. This is home.
posted by Stingrayz | 11:48 AM
28 Comments:
there's no place like home :)
Voice:
Yep. But you don't choose where home is. It chooses you. :)
there's no place like home. but wats stopping you from contributing stingray?
hi..how have u been?
Sooz:
Hey Sooz. :) Haven't had a visit from you here, in ages. Welcome back! :)
I've been okay, thanks. How about you?
I resigned from being a Council Member last year, to focus on my business - as it was just starting out. And it's still early days yet.
I was on the Council for 4 years, under 3 different Presidents.
It was taxing, time-consuming, draining and frustrating to get the Government leaders to listen and initiate the policy moves that would benefit the members of the industry.
If you are mandate-driven (like I usually tend to be when I was a Council member), it will consume much of your time and focus, lobbying to all levels of Government.
I'm the sort of person that doesn't sit still until my mandate is achieved or the promises are kept.
And I'm happy to see that many of our promises have been kept by what's come out, in the 9th Malaysia Plan (although it took 2 years longer, than I thought it would)
But dealing with one's own business takes up a lot of time and focus and I didn't want to stay on Council as a "seat warmer", without being able to give it the proper time and attention, it deserves.
So, I temporarily retired from Council in May 2005 but have remained as an advisor.
But I still participate from time to time, when I have the time - but at my discretion, without the guilt of feeling that I'm not doing enough, as a Council Member.
But yes, I'm intending to return to Council, sometime before 2008.
Should have more time and space, by then, to be an effective Council member again. God willing.
Good to know the feeling is back. It was gone long enough, I thought. :-)
A home will choose someone who makes him/herself comfortable and at home there. It all starts with yourself, really :)
Anyway ... I think it's good that you are with a group of dedicated people, striving to make a difference to the country more than just taking care of their own personal interests, yes? Birds of a flock fly together, I think the saying goes.
Wherever you go, if you have a home to come back to, you're okay. Spread your wings, but never forget your roots :)
*wah..since when am I such a quasi-philosopher?? Hahaha!
Xena:
Yeah, it took a while, didn't it?
But then again, the frustration of ineptitude of the Government, is not the easiest thing to get over.
But yes, the break is a good recharge for the soul.
Voice:
Thanks. Yes, I've been really lucky to be stuck with the flock in the NGO.
They're good and sincere people - that's hard to find, nowadays.
And yes, my dear - you're becoming quite the quasi-philosopher.
Ada apa-apa perbezaan? ;D
The score, my friend was Japan 1 Australia 3.
Like you, I too was rooting for Japan. Unlike you, I really thought Australia was the underdog. Japan's football structure far more advanced than the Aussies.
It was a great match. So, you got 50% of your wish eh - the underdogs won, but it wasn't Japan.
Keropok:
Yes, I was disappointed when Japan lost to Australia. :(
But when I meant underdog, I meant underdog for winning the World Cup - not in the Australia match, of course.
On pre-match odds, Japan should have won. But that's the World Cup, I guess - it's full of surprises.
But oh well,... the team that took their opportunities better last night won! No point begrudging that.
I was quite surprised at the way Japan played last night. There were times where they looked like MALAYSIAN footballers, waiting for the ball instead of running for it! No wonder they lost the match. But it's not the end of the game yet for them which is a consolation...
But it did look quite hot on the field. Literally, German nampak macam panas sangat je.
Voice:
Actually, it's a good thing that they look like Malaysian footballers.
It means that we may qualify for the World Cup one day!
Stingray, I'm watching, I'm waiting... but I'm not holding my breath.
Even if we start on the right path, it will take more than a generation before mindset of players, administrators and the people at large to change.
Then add another 12 years for the team to really get competitive (AFC qualifying stages quite gruelling, unlike CONCACAF).
Speaking of which, if countries like Togo and Angola with their political turmoils and shoe-string budgets can upstage favourites Nigeria and Cameroon to reach the finals, why can't we, with all that has been put into the sport?
Even Trinidad and Tobago, with a population of less than 1.8m are there (OK, so CONCACAF have ridiculously gnerous placings - but you still gonnta be there to take it).
The list will be long indeed. Greed, arrogance, pride, stupidity and all the wrong people have raped, sodomised and totally corrupted Malaysian sports to the extent that we can't even walk straight anymore.
I remember in the late 70s and early 80s whn my father used to take me to the hallowed Merdeka Tournament in Stadium Merdeka to see the national team whip South Korea, Japan, Iran, and a host of other nations, often knocking 4 or 5 goals past them.
How the rest have progressed...
How far behind we have fallen...
If we really put all those rascals responsible to the sword, I wonder how many will come away with their heads still attached to the necks.
Brother Stingray, I do apologise for 'hijacking' this entry and for the discussion going wayward.
Got carried away. My loathing runs deep for those who screwed us.
I humbly apologise.
Keropok:
No worries. :) I can see your passion for soccer is strong.
But yes, I agree with you - it'll take a long time before things get fixed.
And much depends on getting the national and state soccer FAs, to be more performance-driven and less political/patronage driven.
Be it poor countries like Angola or rich countries like Japan and Korea - the fighting spirit within their team is ummistakeable.
To them, playing for country means defending the country's honour.
And why is it that we don't see it with our own Malaysian boys?
I like to watch Brazil because the guys there moved so gracefully in the field, even when they are up to their dirty tricks :D
And I would like to see how far S Korea will go this time.
And I have to lift my hat off to the poverty-stricken African countries. Is it no wonder that they have famous musicians, artists, writers, and perhaps soon to come, sportsmen, coming from their countries.
And too bad Togo is embroiled in some problems of their own, with the coach quitting and some financial issues pertaining to the players. But they still play pretty well...
But I never did finish watching most of the matches (lack of time)....so can't tell much bout the second half :)
Sorry, O/T
So the NGO has been instrumental in the NMP, eh? Is it confidential to ask, which area in particular? (:
Clarissa:
Yep, I'm a Korean supporter too, other than being a Japan supporter. (My football is looking East maaa,...)
Adversity and challenges bring out the best in people. Maybe that's why Malaysian football used to be a lot better - footballers were less comfortable, back then.
And as for the NGO, I think being "instrumental" in the 9MP is a bit of an exaggeration.
It was just 3-4 ideas that we lobbied for relating to science, technology and innovations - especially on the funding side.
Will tell you more over the next dinner. :)
good luck to you..i am sure, people like you is needed in the council. they probably need more people like you to contribute and concern about what's happening in the government and for the betterment of the country.
i am ok. been busy with work.
I will hedge my bets once I see the semifinals...thank god exams will be over by then. Not much mood to study for it also, with all that excitement...
And I have to say that the guys playing for Ukrain are real pretty :D
Or at least the ones I saw
Lets make it a chess session. you can tell me bout the NGO's contribution to the 9MP/NMP over a game or 2...actually we can talk about the 9MP and all the NGOS involved.
too bad we don't get to watch chess championships live on TV...damn. :(
cheers!
err...oops...did I say Ukraine?
I meant Spain {sheepish grin}
Sooz:
Aisey, so busy until got no time for dinner and dance, ah? ;)
Clarissa:
Yes, it is Spain, dear. It is the GIRLS from Ukraine that are HOT. ;)
Chess game? That, sounds geeky dear. Unless we modify the game and play something like "strip chess". ;D Lose a chess piece, lose a piece of clothing item!
Chess championships on TV would be good,....as a cure for insomnia! ;)
Ya...the geeky one will follow every move and the impatient ones will do 10 things before coming back to see the next move...the insomniacs will be thankful finally for a night of rest. Is that why they show golf championships on TV? :P...though yeth it does move a tad faster :D
We played strip poker in school before...but since it was an all girls school...no boys to watch *grin*
we can play strip chess if you bring along some hot women to play it.
Know any Ukrainians? :P
And I bet if we make them MPs strip for every stupid remark they make in parliament, we will soon be able to tell who's the real fool :) But then, I would rather not see them naked...
Hi Stingray, told you'd I'd drop by one day! Love reading your postings-could I add a link to your blog on mine? Your insight on certain issues interests me, I want my kids to read some of the stuff too! :) Thanks!
Clarissa:
You wanna play strip chess with Ukrainian women? You're assuming that they would lose, of course? ;)
As for the MPs playing strip for stupid remarks - I just had several ugly mental images of some of them,...aaarrrghhhh! ;D
Podgykat:
Welcome to the blog! :)
Feel free to link the blog. Although I wouldn't recommend this stuff to your kids - I'm sure you don't want them to grow up, complicated. ;)
Not all of it lah, Stingray hahaha! Momsie here will determine what I'd like them to checkout. Omigosh, I sometimes like your train of thought- I wonder what does that make me.(?_?) Hahaha... thanks. Have a good day.
Podgykat:
Yes - parental censorship (or maternal censorship, should I say, in this case ;)) and discretion is advised, when the young ones are reading this blog.
And yes, there's no doubting it, Mommy Podgykat - if you like what's written here - you like things complicated. ;D
smart ass reply : who says anything about me playing? :) I'll have them play each other...
so you are not up for any board games? All too geeky...including scrabbles and checkers? :D
Monopoly? Good simulation of Malaysian business environment...hah...though of course there is more chance involved in the game.
err..wouldn't it be time for someone to update the blog? hehe.
Clarissa:
Scrabble is good.
But Monopoly is not so reflective of Malaysian business - because no one ever seems to go to jail, no matter how corrupt they are. ;D
Voice:
Updated! :)
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