Lousy food

It is always frustrating, to say the least, when the food I order is not to the standard that I expect. What more if it is from a well-patronized food joint.

The food is either tasteless and far from the original taste that kind of food is supposed to taste. It is just incorrigible that a simple dish like 'nasi goreng ikan masin' turns out to be either so stale or too oily and there was no salted fish anywhere!

The same things goes to seafood tomyam. Where is the sour and hot taste? Where is the seafood? All I taste is the sour taste of vinegar and not the lime. And the sea food - aha! only pieces of squid heads and tails.

The rice, it is terrible. I know and understand well that they want to make as much money as possible from their operation, but please once in a while try to look and taste your rice.

TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE?

A pious man once told me that an angel of blessing will visit our home and spread his wings over our house as soon as we plan to have a feast. But the minute we start counting how much money we could get from the feast, the angel will fold his wings and leave us.

To get the full benefit of holding a feast, the intention must be clear - to get the blessing of Allah. Of course the procedure mus be right too.

All people, irrespective of social standing, should be invited and not discrimiated in the seating. It is said that it is not mandatory for us to attend a feast if the host does not invite poor people.

The culture of giving money to the host after a feast is fast becoming a must for guests. The sight of the host standing in front of the house wearing 'baju Melayu' with pockets full of money is common.

I don't mind giving, but what I do not like is the fact that when the feast is heald at the middle of the month, when there is not much 'excess money' is present in the family. What then? Rather than being embarassed with coming empty-handed, many choose not to attend.

In a state that I won't mention here, it goes further. The host prepares a notebook and records down the names of guests and how much he/she gives. When asked, they said that it is for them to pay back to the guest when they hold a similar feast.

I have also come across a host who openly declares that they do not expect guests to give money or present during the feast. They think that their good intention of holding the feats will be nullified if they accept the money.

No matter what, all I am hoping is both the gusest and the host should be clear of their intention and not to go overboard in their action.

AN UNDERDOGS' SOLILOQUY

It is sad, or rather depressing to see good people go down or in the position to go down and not-so-good people go up and up the socioeconomic ladder, as if no one cares.

Being an under-dog siding party and altruist, I just can't help but silently pray that they will get what they are supposed to get pretty soon.

To those not-so-good people who are at the helm, please once in a while look down. You may fall flat with a thumping blow on your ego one of these days.

The power you have now is really not yours. It is just lent to you to see how well you manage it.

You may go around, making promises along the way. So much promise you have made that you have lost count of any of them. But, remember those whom you have promised will never forget.

They will curse you for going against your promise. Remember, the doa of a victimized person, there is no barrier between him and Allah.

You have also amassed wealth, abused your position for personal and relative gains. You may have also closed one eye towards someone who needs your help badly to continue what he has been doing.

Instead of giving them a helping hand, you poison them. You intentionally find ways to see they suffer, to see they go down.

Imagine how much money, time and energy they have put towards their venture. You came and made promises. You went home leaving your sweet promises along the way.

You cut short their opportunity and laugh at their misfortune.

You gather more richness with the passing time. For you know damn well that your time is numbered.

You don't care whose feet you step on, whose feelings you hurt, as long as you reach your goal, your unquenchable greed for more and more wealth.

Finally, let me tell you this - as always life is a cycle. Now you are at the top, tomorrow you will be at the bottom. And when that time come, there will be no one to help you up.

You'll be all alone. The physical materials you have gathered while you are in power means nothing anymore. Your children, well I wonder whether you have treated them well or not. Your wife too. Was she properly looked after?

To the underdogs out there please remember that you're never alone. Out there somewhere there will be underdog-lovers who will help you when you need it most.

The time is now, or at the latest very soon. You will, once again see the light.