Reading is beautiful..

"Lackadaisical", was the word to describe me if you knew me years ago. As well as not owning results that was newsworthy. What happened after high school, was to face the tragic of watching my friends pursuing into the science field while I turned another way from it.

Things only started to change postively when I enrolled in university, but it was considered a minimal change as I still failed a subject due to my playful nature. Only till my second year I decided to make a change in my life and my hardwork was paid off. A letter from the dean was sent to my parents, announcing the excellence of my results. I remembered receiving a call from them immediately and they even pinned the letter at the board next to our dinner table.

Later on, I read a quote saying "knowledge is power, its something that can't be taken away from you." 

Till then it sparked a desire in me to start working on something besides my academics. Unfortunately, I failed (badly) my previous resolution to read 12 books. However, this year I was strict and had ample time. Hence I am now only short of 3 books before the year ends.

The reason I am writing this, is to clarify my recent encounter with peers that do not understand the few reasons of me shutting myself away from social media, chatrooms and outings.

Firstly, I am not being "emo" nor a loner. I'm pleased with the company of my new "friends", alongside with my journal, they are patient friends that do not demand for a "social-liked" answer. They don't judge me, they educate and inspire me to be self-motivated. Whats more the reason to not hangout with them?

I admit they made me cry at times, but then I grow with every book I read. They too, gave me headaches, as you know sometimes its hard to recover from a bookhangover..

Back the "why" question. My post here is to encourage my friends to read, (though Im not sure how many of you have survived reading to this line..) An average number of books read by Malaysians is -2. Its shameful to admit that reading is far from being a Malaysian culture. From my observation, its mostly seen in urban areas.

This sharing comes from a personal experience. Reading helps me to be a person of empathy, to be in a persons' shoe. Besides, the knowledge built my confidence and expand my thoughts. As I mentioned earlier, books are very patient things, they have their magical ways to persuade your perspectives. Don't believe me? I dare you to try so.

Also, reading helps boost my self-confidence and you can say its a type of mental improvement. As at the end of the day, compared to wiping my screens on social media. I find my day much fulfilling and my time was well-used if I read.

It also undoubtedly cured my ignorance.

Another mention of the benefits is that, English is not my first language, nor I am as good as native speakers. Thankfully, reading is one of the solution to close the gap. I believe if I keep myself onto this track I will be able to reach their proficiency someday.

I can go on and on with the reasons to read. Yet, I am still new in this discipline. So, I will hold my sharing up to the accordance of my prior experience. I never intended to boast, nor put myself on a higher level when I write this. I am far from being smart and knowledgeable person. If you are my friend, I believe you are not a stranger to my nature who likes to share. Thats why, this #tldr post.

I would like to thank both my best friends, Suzie that actually made me read. Even it is a Twilight series but hey, at least it worked as a starter 5 years ago. Till today she still encourages me to read. Secondly Meagan, who shares the same passion and never judges whenever I read. *Whispers* "Its time to read again, homie."

And of course, my parents, who sets themselves as an example (though it took me 10 years to see it as one) and being supportive by recommending and buying me some good reads.

Last but not least, B1RM that sponsored my will to buy those expensive books on shelf. Sadly is my last opportunity to receive the voucher, but fear-not. Ebooks is now my new life & money saver!

Once again, I hope this post will turn out the way I wished people would interpret it. Which is in an open-minded way rather than being judgmental. As from the start, it was my intention to encourage others and understand my change.

Speaking of judging. Constructive criticism, grammar Nazis are all welcome in response to this post. I hope you have had a nice stay! Before I end this long-winded post, please allow me to end with this favorite illustration of mine.

Thank you and have a nice day!

Who am I?

Who am I?

I don't know. I'm someone from the internet.

I'm a restless person. I work and then spend all of my money. I love nature-typed of travelling. The country I wished to backpack next is Vietnam and Cambodia. Place will be Kanchanaburi. I can speak three languages; my national language, English and Mandarin Chinese. My Korean is only so-so, my wish is to achieve TOPIK4 by next year. I'm around level two now because I used to live in Korea for a short period of time. My favorite Korean food is Yuk Gae Jang and Issac Toast. 

There was a time of my life I tried suppressing my love on KPOP because people looked down on me for that. People could easily detect me as a KPOP-er because I have bright-coloured hair and I love to dress up in Korean Street fashion. 

I'm still a student and I wished to go back to Korea after I graduate. Then work and travel somewhere really far away before I settle down. I liked talking to people especially strangers because I believe everyone always have something interesting to share. Recently my new(regained) hobby is to read. People don't seem to believe that I love to read about war and history more than romance. 

I don't watch drama series unless people made me to. I preferred movies because I won't spend too much time on it. I'm a risk taker but I am very timid at the same time. I'm not afraid to explore new places and experience but I run for life whenever I see a lizard or if a dog barks at me.

My thoughts on being single is both a curse and blessing to me, at least for now. I tend to be very quiet and self-conscious whenever I'm around someone who speaks better English. I wished to be skinny but I loved eating and pampering myself more. If my friend chooses to eat pizza but I actually wished to eat noodles, "Pizza it is." will be my answer.

I always go with the flow. I keep my opinions to myself when I realized people love to speak more than listen. I love being alone even I'm an outgoing person. I have a rather funny past. I love to share: food, experiences, knowledge, humour and anything I can. I can't stand someone that litters. I admire people with passion.

I love things that people love. God, family, friends, music and freedom. I think life is too short to waste. I always wonder where I am going and what will I do next. I am the person who always ask who I am. 

Well, I guess this is me:

 

Someone who posts on the internet and then regret it later...

The Railway Man

This book is based on a True story of Eric Sutherland Lomax, a train enthusiasts who joined the British Army at his young age to Malaya. Later when the Japanese had taken over Malaya, he was held captive as a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in 1942. He was transported 1,200 miles up north Thailand to start work on the notorious 300-mile ‘death railway’ that the Japanese were constructing. The book also describes his tormendous (torture+ tremendous) experiences before, during, and after World War II.

Death Railway during World War Two

It’s a read that brought me to tears. A painful yet sympathy type of tear. Eric Lomax’s life experience had taught me forgiveness. Which is could be both easy and difficult at the same time. Even though war had ended for years, there was no peace within Eric. He could still remember how his Japanese torturer, Takashi Nagase questioned him. Using sharp-knife words like "you will be killed shortly" to threaten him repeatedly. Compared to the physical, he was still wounded psychically. They drowned and forced him to admit things that he was not guilty of. Previously, I learnt a little of torture when studying human rights. The method is called waterboarding, a water torture that makes you feel like you are drowning. (You can check out the video, it demonstrates how a person experience waterboarding.)

Takashi Nagase (left), Eric Lomax (right)

The truth is, it’s not easy to forgive someone, for how much hurt they had impose on you. Sometimes it even involves death like Eric’s case. But "Remembering hardens hate." It’s not possible to move on if we kept on carrying this weigh of vengeance. Perhaps, we should choose to forgive if the person for our own good or both parties. Just like Eric Lomax and Takashi Nagase. 

However, it does not indicate we should blindly forgive someone as well. For over 40 years, Takashi Nagase had shown his sincerity and repentance after the war. Building up temples and museums, reminding people the cruelty of war caused by his own kind. Knowing that he was leaded by the wrong mandate, Nagase had seek forgiveness from Eric and of course Eric had given him the forgiveness that he (they) needed to move on. Finally, through the encouragement of his wife, they both met at Kanchanaburi. Where they initially met and later became great friends. They both passed away at the age of 91 and 93.

Nonetheless, it’s amazing how the same place we lived now Malaysia, was the same ground called Malaya before, where the torturing occurred less than a century ago. We were so close yet so far away from it. I’m so grateful that we were born in this generation, where suffering and war is taken away from us. It took 2000 years for humans to curb slavery and maintain civilization. We are so lucky to not be sheltered from it. Which prompted me to wonder why some people would complain when their parents asked them for a little help with chores, I admit was one of them too. (Time for a change.)

Malaysia before, With Romusha building trails

Malaysia now, where we enjoy comfortable trains

As I seen this phrase somewhere before, “reading a book should be a conversation between you and the author”. I have to say, I had a great conversation with Mr Eric Lomax. He is a true war hero whom inspired me and taught me a valuable lesson about forgiveness. If you ask me, I would recommend this book to my friends, it's a beneficial read! You can learn alot about war and life values. Well, if you are lazy to read, you can always check out the movie: The Railway Man and share your thoughts with me. 

That's pretty how I spend the first few days of my holiday. Hope you enjoy my blogpost. :)