The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Mark Haddon

Simply put, this book is the among the most interesting and different piece of work i've read. It's written from the perspective of an autistic 15-yr old Christopher Boone who seeks to solve the mystery of who drove a garden fork though his neighbour's dog.

I was brought into the psyche of an autistic teenager, and see the surroundings thorough his eyes. it's truly fascinating and intriguing how an autistic person thinks - so literal, logical and factual. i wonder how parents of autistic kids feel about their kids not being able to bond and connect emotionally with them. While reading I was thinking, there is nothing wrong with autistic kids per se; they are just different in the way they see and do things, and how they process information - somewhat robotic.

good one. go read.

Perth June '06

hit by apathy

i used to be 'very involved' with the world.

i took active interest in 'issues' plaguing mankind. i used to be so angry at injustice. i used to outraged by things 'not right'.

but now? uhm...nothing.

i felt a twinge of guilt on monday morning. during assembly roger asked the kids how many of them know about the latest going-ons btw israel and palestine and only a miserable handful (literally a handful) put up their hands.

i belong to the majority, of course. after which i sought digestible bits of info to at least know enough. to feel blase again.

all these going-ons are happening so often and on such a senseless scale that it has had a dulling effect on me.

political struggles. bombings. death. destruction. masalah remaja melayu. masalah melayu. lazy kids. teenage angst. yesterday i talked to this 13-yr old being about her joining attending christian fellowship, and i realised this kid lacks islamic knowledge and is disillusioned at the lack of repectable and world-famous muslim role-models. and when i asked her it's fine to know about 'others' but you must make sure you know your own faith sufficiently to do comparison, she muttered "can't be bothered".

local or global *dare i say it?* i think i don't care anymore. (not that i don't do anything. i try to infuse values and spirituality in lessons, but ultimately she's her parents' responsibility and believe me, they are very pro-active and involved).

Man is his bestest enemy and what can you do to change that? the best i can do i doa for justice to prevail and hidayah for the misguided. i save my worries and energy for my close circle of trust and love and dear ones.

i'm not a superwoman and i don't want to save the world. i don't even like to discuss  'issues' cos it makes me angrier and there are no resolutions in sight.

tell me, am i a bad person?

 

 

 

 

ten years ago...

I’ve unearthed a musty-smelling, dusty and most probably mildewed-and-hence-useless video cassette tape (yeah..remember one of those?) marked NJC Kinabalu 1996.

 

Wow. That’s TEN years ago.

 

Augustine helped me turn it into vcd (to my surprise and his, it still works!) and I viewed it at my desk just now.

 

*chuckle* chuckle* *chuckle*

 

There I was, nubile and skinny 18-year-old Khalidah on a trip of many firsts. First mountain (Southeast Asia’s highest peak, no less), first time snorkeling; first of many outdoorsy trip to come.

 

Ok so the video lacks snazzy editing and effects; it even lacks narration, but it’s so raw and funny! Mr Azman’s the camera guy, and seeing us wrapped up like under layers of clothing trying to negotiate ropes and slopes with him singing in the background and asking us to ‘maintain’ is so comical.

 

*sigh*..that was invaluable comic and stress relief (wait..what stress? Over here I need the stress!).

Kinabalu Ten Years Ago