Do you need a fancy pencil case?

Greetings. Wednesday 12 November 2025. 8.58am. It is a gloomy day from where I'm typing this. I wonder if it would rain? On the other hand, with no direct sunlight burning the skin, the weather is great for brisk walking or any outdoor exercise. 

According to the weather forecast, it is only suppose to rain from 5 - 6pm. Anyway, let's see. It is after all only a forecast. It is not accurate most of the time.  

I use to spend a decent amount on fancy stationary. Not that I use everything diligently. Most of the items go unused for years. This is human craving. Purchasing items out of want rather than necessity. Lucky me, I have kids in their teenage years and they had started using my stationary, so it gets used.

There is no doubt that those into stationary and fountain pens or even into arts, would ogle at a wonderfully piece of exquisitely crafted stationary. The smell of the leather, the tender soft touch of textured leather, the intricate embroidery, the masterfully crafted brass hardware, all reflected in the pinnacle of design. 

So begin my journey purchasing many of such bauhaus designs.

Unfortunately, it only recently dawned on me that some of these items, namely my pencil cases are not fully practical. It has flaws. 

Let me explain, my son has his SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia / GCSC) this year. I wanted to ensure that his stationary during the duration of the examination is complete, i.e. pencils, eraser, sharpener, pens, ruler and etc. So I took it upon myself to get this sorted out, in order to let him focus on just studying. During this excursion I went through many pencil cases or pencil boxes and settled for the most simple pencil case that my son got for free, as he holds the rank of "Setiausaha" in his "Koperasi Sekolah" and for his Persatuan Koperasi Sekolah he is the "Naib Pengerusi".

Out of the many pencil cases or pencil boxes that I have, why did I settle for this? 

This is the very definition of a picture speaks a thousand words. Just looking at the pencil case and I can know exactly what is inside.

Do you know what is inside this? Well it is empty. But there is no way you can tell without opening it. The leather is thick and a bit heavy so pressing the case will not let you feel what's inside.

Although the leather is soft but just feeling or squeezing it from the outside, you will not know what actual stationary is inside. You will still need to open the zipper to find out. 

And, it has a major design flaw. See the big gap. My son complains many times that pens drops out through this gap. Mind you this has happened many times.        

Looking at this, even feeling it from the outside, can you guess what's inside?

Surprised?

Now do you understand why the best pencil case for this task was the free one.

So my advise to all readers and also a note to myself, be diligent in the future. Don't be swayed by swanky looks and materials. Focus on the task ahead and its practicality. It would save you from many unwanted purchases. Cheers.   

Racism

Greetings fellow readers. Monday, 10 November 2025, precisely 9.13pm, Malaysian time. Merdeka 31 August 2025 has passed and long gone. 

The Merdeka theme for this years is Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni – A theme that beautifully captures the true soul of our nation. This Merdeka, we are reminded that independence is not merely freedom from colonisation, it is the celebration of our diverse cultures, identities, and dreams, flourishing side by side in unity. (I got this literally from the internet).

As great as it sounds, what does it mean for Malaysian's on the street?

Today, I am going to touch a topic that I have I never discussed before. If you see my blog it is more on things I enjoy or topics I would like to share. However, Today I would like to touch on this issue. It may not be a cup of tea for everyone and some may even shun from it but it is there always lurking. 

Thought my brief journey in life, I have came across racism sometimes subtle sometimes blatantly in your face. It is not only me but I'm sure everyone at one point or another has experienced it in one form or another. 

The question is why? Why does racism exist? It exist as we are afraid of what we do not know or what is different or unknown to us. That is the only reason. Let me explain, when we see a snake, what is our natural reaction? Fear? Squeamish? Disgust? That EXACTLY explains racism! The snake means you no harm. It was sliding along minding its own business until You bumped into its path. And somehow it became your enemy. Why? Who created the snake? Was it not the all mighty Allah or God that you pray to? Did the benevolent Allah or God created the snake to be belittled or hated or beaten with sticks or stones? Each wonderful creation of Allah has its purpose and we should be mindful of that purpose.

Racism may come in very subtle ways without you even realising it. From higher price quoted by restaurants when you buy food, name calling in a different language that is foreign to you, preferred race for rental of apartments, salary difference (do not confuse this with people who are properly qualified for the post), not mingling or sitting on the same table with other races during lunch / recess, not having good friends from other races and etc. 

Racism does not have a place in today's society but nevertheless, it thrives. Why? Simple, politicians deems it so. Divide and conquer. That is how they stay in power. As long as they manage to successfully divide the people, they stay in power and stay wealthy. 

Racism gets you nothing and gets you nowhere. When my family and many residents of Shah Alam was involved in the floods in 2021, it was not the politicians that provided us immediate aid and assistance. It was the rakyat. Our fellow Malaysians. No one saw skin colour and race. Everyone helped one another. Muslims gladly riding sampans helping to evacuate residents, Chinese were busy climbing roofs providing much needed food and drinks to residents, Indians were busy with providing a place to stay at Indian schools or temples. That is the Malaysia that I know and love.

Don't let racism rule your heart and lives. Life is so much better with a genuine smile on your face and love in your heart. 

American History X (1998) is a great movie to watch on this topic. It shows how racism destroyed the lead characters life and how the same race that he hated so much, saved his life in prison. Racism is one viscous cycle that never ends and that is reflected in the movie with the passing of his sibling only after the lead character sees the light and errors of his previous actions. The movie leaves you with your reflections and questions whether the lead character will turn back and become a racist after the passing of his brother. A real thought provoking and brilliant movie. 

The Malaysian movie, Pendatang (2023) is another great movie tackling this topic. It only goes to show that together we stand strong, separated we fall. 

I urge you, if you read this post, give a thought to another race. We are all created equal in the eyes of God. We all have our shortcomings, our own strengths and weaknesses. By being kind and humble, we loose nothing but have everything to gain.

In a 2005 interview with 60 Minutes, I think Morgan Freeman stated the best way to fight racism is to quit talking about it. Stop saying "black man" and "white man".

I fully agree with him. We are all Malaysians. There is no need to segregate by race. 

The root of all evil is money, greed, envy, gluttony, sloth, power, lust, racism and hate.

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist” - Charles Baudelaire.

With that I say good night fellow Malaysia. Have a good rest, pleasant dreams and wake up with a goal to make someone's life tomorrow a bit brighter.     

Rasulullah SAW sendiri bersabda: “Senyummu kepada saudaramu adalah sedekah.” (HR Tirmidzi). Maknanya, tanpa keluarkan satu sen pun, kita sudah boleh menyebarkan kebaikan dan pahala hanya dengan satu gerakan ikhlas dari bibir. Senyum itu mampu meringankan beban orang lain.  

(Pic from net)

                   

Illegible Receipts. Does it have a purpose?

Greetings lovely readers on this gloomy day.

Don’t get me wrong, it is a wonderfully pleasant day, I just commented “gloomy” due to the rain. Forecast states that monsoon season is reaching and we may be faced with more downfall as it is La Nina. So buckle up and take all the required precautions. 

Coming to our topic for today. On the issue of gloomy let me voice out my grievance on receipts printed out nowadays. 

Have you ever noticed that nowadays, even receipts printed out in the petrol station, shops and etc are barely legible? I am taking about not receipts that you have stored for years but even receipts just printed upon purchase. Why is this so? 

Well, it is printed on thermal paper and permanent ink is not used. It is sensitive to many things, exposure to light, heat , moisture and etc will cause the print to fade. 

I have many receipts from Shell petrol station, Popular Bookstore, Becon stationary, Mr. DIY and the list goes on, months down the road, most of the print are not legible. 

According to Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia, Public Ruling No. 5/2000, all records for claiming Income Tax needs to be kept for 7 years. So how? Show them stack of blank receipts?

That is my gripe. I was sorting out receipts for purchases made for Income Tax and 90% of my receipts are not legible. Even I could not decipher what was purchased. 

Remember the saying old is gold? The bygone era where things were made to last. I have ONE receipt that survived out of the bunch of failed receipts. 

What is your Food for thought on this receipt dilemma?

These are a tiny fraction of my failed receipts. 

Did the Britpop band Blur get the name from such illegible receipts? 

Notice the receipt on the left is upside down? You can tell from the stapler holes on the bottom right. Never noticed right that I purposely placed in upside down. 

The reverse of the paper where the company name is printed is clearly visible on the receipt on the right. But the details of items purchased is not visible. Are receipts supposed to be for advertising company or reviewing details of items purchased? 

The only sole survivor

Think I'd crumble?

You think I'd lay down and die?

No, not I, I will survive

Long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive

I've got my life to live

And all my love to give and

I will survive

I, I, I will survive  

LEGO Desk Calendar 2025

Cost of this calendar is less than RM60 as it is now April 2025, almost halfway through the year. Online search, the price varies RM40 to RM50+.

My wife received as a gift from a colleague. 

My personal thoughts, it is in no way a replacement for a physical calendar. 

It is mainly a novelty for lego fans. 

Why?

• It is too small to read (unless you place it close to you, within a feet or two).  
• As the calendar date and month is in white, the background colour for the calendar may not be contrasting enough read it clearly (unless you place it close to you, within a feet or two). 
• There is no place to properly write on dates for important events (unless you write on the back of the calendars which defeats the purpose as you want to see everything in the front clearly). 
• There are worthless small figure cuttings to decorate your calendar by month, which you end up throwing as not only is it pointless but it has no purpose unless you intend it to be used for some other purpose like decorating your diary or etc. 

So inclusion, this is my personal opinion, which may differ from yours. Get a proper physical calendar that you can view from a reasonable distance that you can write your important agenda on the relevant dates. It probably will cost less than RM10 for a proper calendar and just like lego desk calendar, you will end up throwing it once you welcome the new year.