Move for change and new begining

I have moved to a new blog...

http://edmundlow.spaces.live.com/

Long..long time...

It has been months since my last post as i am busy, like always... the excited Merdeka 50 event is a huge success as after months of training, at the final moment - with all the support from members, Group PICs and members >> we had won this battle. Despite all the obstacles and hardships that we encounter, we all able to rise and with strong bond of friendship, encouragements and faith that we know that we are doing the right thing for the sake of peace and able to encourage all Malaysians and inspire them with our performance. We did it!!! Everyone had achieved another victory in life, writing and creating their own history. Joy of victory cannot be explain or define by words. Although we know it is hard and made many scarifies... we know that is worth it. that is the true human spirit, the true side of our life.. Buddhahood> that able to overcome obstacles for the sake of mankind-- is the true votary of the Lotus Sutra. This compassion and unselfish kindness and bond with mentor cannot be found anywhere accept in Soka Gakkai. Seeing the growth of youth... it is priceless and all worth it.

Sensei said: ""Love for one's home is the driving force for kosen-rufu in the local community."
"The presence of people who brim with conviction and hope serves to illuminate those around them with the light of courage. That is the essential mission of Buddhists."

Have to admit... lately i didn't chant as many... i need to pick myself up again. advancing with strong conviction on my mission in kosen-rufu with sensei.

Project 50 peactice photo

From Project 50 blog...
Some selected photos of me and my own pictures...

PIC training in F1 on thursday night -- doing the easy walk fir senamrobik.

Group B5 flow 4... leaves

me giving brifing to my members...

The person in the center is Chee Chung.. and B5 on the right...

The black sea...

PISea demonstrating the wave...
black waves....

this is what i call a tsunami...



Last minute practice in lobby...

Emily in the center and other B5 members..watching video of past gymnatics performances...

fan from B5...

Some 2.1 formation...a prove of the unity spirit..

I will support u from you back... don't worry...

me and other PIcs demonstrating the Fan.

Chin Yen and I discussing on Formation A... The back is not straight lar ...
"挺胸kat but"!!

PIC training afer Saturday practice....almost 11 liao..


Group PIC briefing on stage.... all black..


The Flying fish.. by Selangor Gym Boys..

Me giving briefing... caught by the cameraman, haha..


Group B5 !!! 挑战！ 挑战！ 胜利！胜利！

Winning a battle....

The past week has been a whirlwind, ups and downs that pass trough like a roller coaster. Monday and Tuesday, busy preparing for English and Chinese discussion meetings, at the same time chanting for the success of Project 50 practices. While chanting, i remember a what Chin Yen said to all group PIC that we always must be caution that the practice so far had been smooth running. The Devil will surely appear on such meaningful event to test our spirit and courage. As the Daishonin stats: 魔不境初，焉之正法。The Devils will appear wherever the True Law spreads. So we must be careful and chant plenty of daimoku. So when I chant, I have this courage that is burning in my heart, and I ask for the devil to appear, as i will challenge You.

Then following after Tuesdays English Discussion Meet, I went to night duty in BK and didn't sleep all night. Then, Wednesday, like always, online for a wholeday without getting enough rest. At night I went to High School Div PIC meet. I have a very fruitful meeting with discussions done with other PICs, discussing on the new directions of HSD and suggestion to improve the meeting.

Then Thursday morning, I met my freelance employer to discuss on the design of the shop. That morning, I'm not feeling so well. So after that, I rush home and rest. I know that something will happened then... Its the same problem i had for few years now. Sometime, when i got fever, I will get numbness on my whole body and I can't controlled it. Worried about out PIC training at night, the numbness got worst. Luckily, my bro came home early that day. I tried to rest some more but the numbness didn't ease out. So I asked him to contact my mom. Then, I make myself to get out of bed and ask my brother to sent me to the nearest clinic. Then, the doctor gave me some antibiotics and calciums, asking me to relax and breath slowly with a plastic bag as it might be anxiety. Slowly, the numbness ease out and i really want to go for practice. My mother wouldn't allow it. With a letter form the doctor i admitted to the Hospital to check what's wrong with my body. This is not the first time such numbness happens.. So i had miss out PIC traning, and with my another PIC gone back to Penang， i'm very worry that my B5 members' practice on the weekend. Chanting for the doctor in hospital to discharge me on Friday or Saturday.

The doctor took some blood sample to be examine and I stayed a night int he hospital. Then the next morning the doctor showed up and told us(my mom & I) that my white bloods count are double of the normal rate. She want me to get antibiotic injections as she suspect that there must be some virus attack that my body creates so many white blood cells. But I felt very good already as i have no fever and very energetic. She then insist me to stay until Sunday.

When i heard the news, i got very disappointed as i need to go for the weekends training. So i chant for my good health and being able to defeat this devil. With a strong ichinen that i will recover for the sake of kosen-rufu, being able to win this battle with all my comrades, encouraging then and foster them to be capable youth. It generates a fighting spirit in me and the will to have a healthy body, so that i can freely participate in Kosen-rufu. Chanting that I will surely be discharge on the next morning and join my friends in IPA.
look! perfectly healthy...

Saturday-- doctor came and deliver a news, that my white blood count has gone down to 12 (normal evel is 11), but she still wanted me to stay for another to do further observations. I really want to join the practice and so, reluctantly, I'd contacted Chin Yen that I can't attend for both practices... Then I receive a messege from Keh Chong , that " Kosen-rufu is not the end of the river, its the river itself, its your spirit living in the life of Buddhism. Fighting no matter what conditions for the sake of Kosen-rufu. " 广宣流布不是河流的终点，而是河流的本身，使你活在佛法人生的脉动，这意味着为广布而生在任何情况也继续奋斗。”

staring out the window, chanting for the success of training and the rain to go away as gym boys need to practice....

With my mother encouragement and sensei guidance from New Human Rev. I chanted with the spirit that I surely will be discharge on Sunday, early morning and I can still join them. - I will have 100% good health and nothing is wrong with my body. - With a healthy body, I can freely enjoy and participate in kosen-rufu activities. I will be able to overcome this obstacles and complete my mission as Group PIC for making this event successful and the personal growth of members in life and kosen-rufu. I will win this battle and use this experience to encourage my members. This will be my stepping stone to deepen my faith and after this incident, this sickness will no longer bugging me. I will have a healthy body. - cahnting for the success of training and members and supporting group's good health.

Then on Sunday, I waited for the doctor until 11.30 and finally she deliver the news that I can be discharged. My body is perfectly healthy from all the examinations and my blood count is normal. Once again, I put on my battle gear (black T-shirt and track bottom) ready to surprise my members, catching up for the afternoon practice. With some help from the insurance agent, the discharge process is fast and i'm able to leave the hospital around 2.15pm.

Then i arrive back in IPA, great joy just flows in my body that once again, i come back to join my friends, in this familiar atmosphere. In SGM, everyone support each other like thier own family. My member done very well with Chee Chung. I'm very happy that I win this battle. Knowing that my body is very healthy and will overcome this problem. I need to take care of my health. The important lesson is that we need to have very strong ichinen "一念" . We can never be defeated by our karma. Karma is in our life, but how we look at it depends on ourself. Buddhism teaches about having the positive thinking and with our strong ichinen, we can change poison to medicine. Life is about challenge, youth is all about challenge. All these obstacle and challenge thrown to us will make us grow as a person.

Practice in IPA, here is only 1/2 of the performers...

Finally, i would like to thank all friends, comrades and family for all your support and encouragements. and especially Chee Chung for taking care of my members so well. Once again, I will join all youth members to achieve our goals in kosen-rufu and this Project 50. Fostering youths that contributes to the country, the society and be a victor in life.

" Walk the eternal and solemn path of truth and justice! Bring forth your youthful boundless powers of creativity, your vigours life-force! Abide by principles that lead to living a sound valuable youth! Your actions, sparkling with amazing dynamism! your heroic struggle, brimming with unshakable commitment! " Daisaku Ikeda

For more pictures of our Project 50 practices, please visit http://merdeka50sgm.blogspot.com/

Harry meets Transformers

Finally... Harry potter and the Order of the Phoenix!!! i watch it this afternoon. Much long awaited since the goblet of Fire. However, this time, to my opinion its not as excited as for those who had read the book will know the plot. So there is not much of a surprise. The scenery are all well known and recognizable now (as seen in previous ones). Story wise are very rushing and the whole story been chopped into pieces where too many breaks happens... there is something about the flow. All actors and characters have a very fair share of the spotlights cause by too many characters, so, too little lines and screen appearances. Then, i imagine Umbridge to be more evil and sarcastic. Next, the storyline doesn't really climb to the climax nor there is much big excited scenes. The magic spells in DA looks cool though. This time around, the soundtrack is very good, worth buying... maybe win it from 8tv. For harry potter fans, this movie is OK, not as interesting as i expected, i prefer the Goblet of Fire. No matter what, I am still a huge harry potter fan.
Yesterday, i had actually won tickets to the premier in Mid Valley from NtV7 the breakfast show.. :( it is because they informed me on the same day and their office is so far away... i can't pick up the ticket and so lose the prize. aih..... maybe better chance next time...

Last Monday, i had watched Transformers.. The movie is awesome!!! the fighting and battle scenes through out the movie are mind blowing and you will be amazed by the CG characters and how the cars transformed and fight. And the sound effect during the transformation and battle is really cool. The story is excited, funny and its a joy watching the film. it is a really really GREAT movie. Two thumbs up.. really really worth it.

Next.. Rattatouille...

challenges ahead

It has been 10 days since i updated this blog, being busy lately with all gakkai activities, attending meetings, preparing for discussion meet. Knowing about the 31 August Merdeka Event held by the government had invited SGM in performing, i got so excited, that once again i can gather with all the youth members and arm link in arm to face all obstacles and present a high spirit performance. Then on Tuesday, i receive a call by Chin Yen on asking me whether i am interested in becoming the group PIC for this event. After thinking and balancing about my trip to KK and this, i decided to become PIC. It is because I know, through this activities, as i challenge myself in all forms, i am going to grow stronger, building a solid foundation in faith and doing my own human revolution. Last December, i am the main PIC for JD camp, and also attended the Akademeia training camp and exchange meet. I believe this time, I am going to train up myself in encouraging members and together challenge our weakness in making this event a success and creating history once more. Preparing ourself for the coming 2010 National Cultural Festival.

Then Thursday i attended the first PIC meeting and we started training. This time around we are going to do our SGM famous Gymnastic again. it will be a big challenge and we need a lot of support from our daimoku. Time limit is also a big challenge as we only have 2 months to train before the actual performance. Taking up this challenge and mission, we are going to persevere and conquering this mountain! The government had arrange us being the highlight and the final performance of the night, representing our current PM, Dato Seri Abdullah, showcasing the growth and development of Malaysia. This had proven that through our efforts in contributing to the country to promote peace through culture and education in all these years has gain recognition from the public and government, that they trust us and giving us this honor. Then, i had also able to get 2 soka friends and a member to participate in such event. Creating history once more, just like Citrawarna, Commonwealth Games and SEA games.

Gymnastic in Renaissance of Peace - 2nd World Peace Grand Cultural Festival in Japan, 1983

"Because you are still young, you , the youth, have boundless possibilities; you can do anything you set your mind on.If you let this precious time pass by, idly frittering your days away or letting fear and insecurity hold you back, you will be the one to lose out in the end. I hope that you will lead a youth of undying value and boldly write the history of kosen-rufu with the heart of a lion king. That is the true path of Soka youth... A Buddhist sutra states:' if you want to understand what results will manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present.' (WND-1, pg279) Mr Toda said, ' our present struggles ill be decided by youth. Our future struggles will also be decided by Youth.' Youth are the ones who create history in every age. None are stronger or happier than those who deeply resolve to fight with the pride and awareness that they are my youthful disciples." Ikeda Sensei, in Flow 410.

Advance boldly...and put myself wholeheartedly in kosen-rufu. challenge and building a solid foundation.

nice postcards

lately i'm searching tru the net for some inspiration pictures for the kopitiam / Ipoh restaurant that a client me to design. Then i found this very nice Malaysia's postcard posted by someone who bought them from KLCC. These postcards are interesting in its theme. Hightlighting the colourful life of the olden times of Malaysia. the shops, kopitiam, street vendors, the people, brining back the memories of our childhood. Reminding us of journey of our 50 years of independence.

A very funny 'Far Far Away'

Went to watch Shrek the 3rd with Kevin & Bing yesterday night. Wow, the movie is extremely funny...you will laugh from beginning to the end. remember the scene where the king die for 3 times before he actually die. Pinocchio, Ginger Breadman, Charming, princesses and Merlin are my favourites. Not forgetting Donkey and Puss. And Prince Charming's stage performance at the end are very amazing together with the special effects. It successfully capture the humour and making each character stands out throughout the movie. Each movies is getting better than the previous one. Nice, very nice.

The animation technique has obviously improved. The movement, skin tone and lightings are very real., making the characters acting like real actors and the facial expression is nicely done. One of the must watch movies in 2007.


Coming up, waiting for...
Ratatouille, Transformers, Fantastic 4 the Rise of the Silver Surfer, Harry Potter, Surf Up (maybe)...

Unexpected benefit

This few days have been busy with Gakkai meetings and duties. After becoming a leader, responsibilities are getting heavier, more things to worry about -- members and the future of Gakkai. However, i feel amazing for living a fulfilled life everyday, doing something ..creating values each day. i admit that last time i use to be afraid or do very care of how people judge or look at me. Thinking about it is silly. If we pour our hearts into whatever is correct and being passionate about it. we doesn't need to care about what people think.
Last Saturday i had actually chanted 3 hrs during the youth marathon chanting. Felt extremely great after that, setting goals and renewing my vows. Coming back from the Ceremony of the Air, i can really feel the positive life force that just can't be describe.
I had high hopes for Youth members in Malaysia and KL. I will do my best to encourage them and also shakubuku my friends, as Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism is truly Mystic ( 妙 ).

然后在星期天， 参加了新干部学习会。 感受很多。在次看回SGM的历史和前辈们的奋斗，再次激励我真的，真的要为全人类和真诚的会友们的幸福而像师匠般舍命地付出。学会真的是全世界最温暖的家。全部会友跟随着大圣人的教义，先生的指导，目标和期盼， 为世界和平，广宣流布的大愿，奋勇前进。互相关心和鼓励，无论你到世界的任何角落， 不同种族不同肤色，会友们以尊重每一个人的最高及伟大哲学，跨越一切困难和物名，为世界人的幸福奋斗。就因为每一个人都是佛， 是NMHRGK 的当体。会友们的真诚与真心的付出，是世界上的所有的宝物无法取代的。每次这都会感动到我，而令我更积极的奋斗下去。我真的很希望可以和我身边的人分享御本尊的力量和学会这美妙的团体。

最令我意想不到的是昨天我去了原本定在星期六晚上在R3 Setapak Center 的站岗，因开少年部会儿没去了，改为星期天。我又带了Sai Yong 去。当时在SC 是有Academy R （KTAR students which are members) 的会议。散会后， 一位女子部 （Pei Ling) 就和SaiYong 谈天，正等着另一名男子部去看 Musical Cheng Lock. Tan Cheng Lock 的舞台剧。在Istana Budaya. 她有很多免费票， 因为她的舞蹈团有份参与。结果我就三心两意的跟着他们去。但是因为是要站岗而只穿了短裤和一件又旧又大件的polo Shirt。PeiLing 连忙向她的housemate，另一名男子部借了条jeans. 结果就这样踏入Istana Budaya. 好尴尬哦。一向来很注重重要场合打扮的我， 竟然穿成这样到Istana Budaya!? 我也无法接受，但为了看舞台剧，还是硬着头皮去了。所以我不应该这么在乎别人怎么看我。

当晚的表演总算不错，讲述 Tun Tan Cheng Lock 的故事和大马独立前的历史。 日本攻击和欺负人民的那一幕，令我深深感受到当时的痛苦。还有最感人的就是有几夫妇因被英军怀疑是共产党而孩子们被带走， 叫苦连天。场面凄惨，而那妈妈也因悲伤过度而死了。他们的演技抢完了主角们的光。而Louisa Choeng 的鸡婆管家角色非常搞笑。故事有点闷而节奏控制也很怪，前半部就谈情说爱， 后半部则紧张，不过还好。歌曲方面就别提了。整个表演没太大的惊喜及创意上的突破。 不过演员们，舞蹈员们都很落力演出和工作人员也付出很多心血， 是非常有诚意的舞台剧，令我们回忆起我国独立前的生活和历史。

beautiful scenery from Redang

capturing the beautiful moments of the wonders of nature. Feeling the magnificent creation of the universe. It is breathless and are beyond words to describe . . .


these few pictures were taken during my trip to Pulau Redang last year on the morning we are leaving back to KL. The sunrise are amazing. I like to call this picture ' phoenix that rises in the dawn '. if you look closer,you can see the phoenix's head and both wings. Its wings are in in two colours, one in golden feathers and the other in glide through the sky creating wonderful image.

The lion king roars on stage

This is the show that anyone MUST see in their lifetime. it is the most amazing musical in the history. Bringing you into Africa. this year mark the 10th anniversary and until today, all theater and tours are still full and have to booked in advance. I still haven't got the chance to see this musical. One day, one day will come...

the artistic designs, costumes and engineered puppets is amazing. Merging the actors with the animal, creating a duality performance that is humane with animal characteristics. My favourite had to be the cheetah. It movement is amazingly real with swiftness of a cat. It inspires me to pursuit my dream as an interior designer and stage designer.