The life and mind of Adeline Ong

Unlike other schools, the Arts school does not have an Arts Night where everyone is all dressed up in their finest and decides to go ballroom dancing. I guess we are just too artistic for that. I heard Mass Comm Night was great because Sharifah Amani and Alan Yun were there.

Then again, the graduating class from this year’s Drama and Theater department are stars and upcoming stars. So I guess we already have enough celebrities in our midst. We had our senior luncheon (well, at least that is what I am calling it.) at Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel. It was a small affair but it meant a lot for us. We celebrated our 3 years together, thanked our mentors and well just went crazy. But as we came to the end of the event, it suddenly hit me. When will I see this bunch again? 10 years from now…. perhaps never….

I am a graduating senior. Me?? I still remember the day I got my entrance letter to USM, I was doing Mass Communications in Taylor’s college. To return to Penang or not was my question. I was doing great in Taylor’s… Anyway, that is ancient history now. In a few months time, I will be donning the purple gown and receive my scroll (With the condition that I do not fail any of my upcoming papers)

But the world has not seen the last of Adeline Ong in the theater arena. I have just received a role in ‘F for Female’, which will be out in June. I am playing the smallest part in my life for a play reading this coming Saturday for a book launch. Then I might be doing some stuff here and there. Plus, I am considering taking teaching theater jobs. I am not sure.

However, I have truly discovered my actual passion. I love to teach. This is so weird. My first ever ambition was to become a teacher, an educator.. a person who will mould the next generation. Then again, I am not sure I want to teach at normal primary and secondary schools. I did a 4 month stint as an Arts teacher right after Form 6 (which was my first job in my whole life) and find it very weird. Now, I am thinking of lecturing or even freelancing. But if I ever want to lecture, I want to have a Masters degree first. Then again, where am I going to get the financial aid for that?

Life goes on and tomorrow is another day…. Will post up pics from the luncheon…

Oh yeah.. Before I go…

I have three new blogs on the ‘Other Homo Sapiens Online’ List.

Michy’s, Salman’s and May Kung.

Please feel free to browse and read their postings. Thank you…

Thanks again for peeking into my life….

There is a sudden rise in the interest of the Wicca religion or to put it simply, witchcraft. Witches no longer hold the role as villains in stories, television shows and movies, thanks to the creation of Harry Potter, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Charmed. However, it does not actually give much light to the actual religion because facts are fabricated and there are a lot of special effects involved to make witchcraft seem more interesting. There is too much fantasy rather than reality involved. In other words it is only creators cashing in on the curiosity of others. As you browse through the bookstores today, there is likely a section dedicated to this art. Even in countries like Malaysia the trend is catching on, bookstores have started importing books on this wonderful art. Many youths driven by their curiosity have at least dipped a finger if not the hold arm into this pool of religion that is surrounded by enigma.

It is funny how reality is very much different from fiction. First of all, witches do not believe in the Devil. So it is hardly possible that witches worship Satan. Satanists and witches come from different backgrounds and do not share the same religious ceremonies. Wicca is a nature religion based on spiritual worship, natural magick (in witchcraft, magic is spelt that way) and the wonders that are ‘nature’. It is a peaceful and flexible religion. It accepts the teachings of other religions as part of its own. Many witches throughout the world worshipped the sacred spirit at ancient sites.

Secondly, most witches are vegetarians. They are animal lovers and would never harm living beings for their spells. A witch would use natural medicine and used herbs, plant extracts and many other natural things for her spells. This means the famous ingredients in stories printed in fairy tales such as eye of newt, tongue of dog and wings of bat are more fabrications of the truth.

Thirdly, a witch can be either male or female. To call a male witch a wizard, sorcerer or warlock is an insult. Many are confused with these terms because it is the influence of the idiot box. Therefore, much research is needed to actually portray these devotees on television.

Furthermore, a witch would avoid cursing or hexing another being. This is a crime in witchcraft. As what people say, what goes around comes around. For a witch what ever she does will come back in three folds. Mostly, witches prefer to use their spells to help those in need of healing, calming, emotional well-being and protection spells. Like cursing, love spells are a big no-no in witchcraft because it is forcing a person to do something unwillingly. No religion should force someone to do something out of his or her own free will. Therefore in Wicca, it is believed that casting a love spell on a person with an intention of gaining from them is a forbidden thing.

It is unfair to claim that all witches are good. There are those influenced by the Dark Arts. These individuals are the ones that gave witchcraft a bad name. In any religion, there will be those who are sidetracked by wrong but influential beliefs. Therefore, claiming that witchcraft only produces the black sheep of society is a major generalization.

Not many people believe that witchcraft works. Some might dub it as bogus or merely just fantasies. However, in many countries, there is a lot of form of witchcrafts though they do not worship the same Gods and Goddesses or practice the same religious ceremonies. For instance, Malaysia has its own ‘bomohs’ as her neighbours have their own version of witch doctors. As seen in the title bestowed upon this profession, the witches are actually ‘doctors’, natural healers before the arrival of modern medicine and technology.
Even with its main role taken over by modern technology and atheist beliefs, the Wicca religion is still going on strong. It is like any other religion in the world today and is even recognized by the law. There is no saying what is right or wrong or even comment on how a religion should be. Whatever way a person chooses to view this religion, it is still a respectable religion. Even non-believers have to agree that this religion has been the core of wonderful stories and television series we received in modern society. Witches add the extra punch into a story whether as the hero or the villain as it stimulates the mind. It allows us to escape what is reality and indulge in our fantasies.

I went to Wat Chaiyamangalaram, or more famously known as the Reclining Buddha Temple at Burmah Lane with my family for the state Songkran- Water Festival. This is the first time I went to this festival. I have always read about them in the newspapers, never experienced it. So this year I was adamant about going.

Songkran, is celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm, nationwide, once a year on April 13th marking the Thai New Year. This celebration consists of four days of parades, prayers, beauty contests, traditional meals and colourful costumes.

Songkran is also known as the Water Festival by people the world over. This involves the drenching of passers-by with water from buckets, pitchers, water guns, balloons or whatever container you can find to hold water. This practise is not only allowed but some what obligatory. There is also the custom of smearing passers-by with rice powder mixed with water.

The underlying significance of Songkran is the process of cleansing and purification – the purging of all ills, misfortune and evil and starting the New Year afresh with all that is good and pure. Water is symbolic of the cleaning process and signifies purity.

Since this is our first Songkran, we more or less came to enjoy the festivities. I plan to get pictures so I never really put much thought into the water festival. So after eating at a nearby coffee shop, we went to the temple, watched cultural shows while waiting for the never punctual V.I.P.s. Then as the crowd got impatient, all hell broke lose. Water was everywhere.

Well, I was drenched with ice cold water. My mum was ambushed in the ladies, I mean what more strategic place can a water fight be than near the taps. My brother attacked people with water. Chaotic fun!! I wished my RC monkeys and friends were there to enjoy it with me. But there is always next year.

Next year, I am coming prepared. I am now saving to buy a super soaker, buckets, bags of ice and water scoops.

Cultural dancers

Ammunition

Waiting under for the festivities to start

With the drummers, waiting for the V.I.P.s

Me, smeared with rice powder

The War begins!!! Charge!!!

Arghhh!!! Water everywhere!!!

Mum and me after the experience

The scandal of Chris and Miss V has reached the ears of my fellow educators. They found it amusing though warned that I was suppose to be running a show, not a match making company. Hahaha!! I never thought that people from the faculty actually took the time to read my blog. Which means, sensitive issues have to be under wraps.

Anyway, I have been discussing with my fellow supportive detectives. Yes, I do have a team. You didn’t think that I work solo, did you? We have narrowed the list down to two. We have been at it for a while now, ever since I came up with the Miss V theory. However, I am beginning to place other things on the top of my priority list. Like my exams for instance, I need to graduate!!! So the trail is beginning to get cold and I am beginning to get bored of this Miss V business. The names on my list are still there but time seems to be running out. Exams will come and go. The next thing you know, I will be graduating. Aiyaya!!!

Two days ago, Chris tried to throw me off track for a while, by ‘confessing’ Miss V’s name. Yeah, right!! Nice try though. Failing that, he tried to trick me into revealing who I thought Miss V, was… Another good shot but no prize dear buddy. This is so fun….

To make things even funnier, my other friends have jumped onto the band wagon in search of the mysterious Miss V. Some even claim it is me… which is the most hillarious thing I have heard. I might take a lot of pictures with this guy but that does not mean he likes me in a romantic way. Jeez… He is a good kid and all but, I think I am a bit too old for him….

Despite the fact that some people trying to convince me that Miss V is not from the RC team. I am still standing my ground until more evidence or another suspect enters the picture. Maybe I should invest on a good tape recorder and a spy cam and some how ‘accidently’ plant it on Chris….

Yeah right, as though my resources cannot go to better use.

Speaking of resources, I am asking all of you to visit this month’s charity site. All you have to do, in order to support a good cause is to click the icon on the site. This page will link you to a few others just like it. A donation is given with every click, you do not pay anything, because the advertisers pay. Come on, it cost you nothing, well except for 30 seconds and using some of your energy to click the mouse. Please check it out, ok?

The Rainforest Site is proud to introduce its new owners, Tim Kunin and Greg Hesterberg, co-owners of EcologyFund.com. Long-time friends and activists, they bought The Rainforest Site in mid-August of 2001. Greg and Tim are dedicated to restoring and maintaining the site’s position as a leader in online activism and a dynamic force in the race preserve the earths endangered rainforests and other imperiled habitats.

Originally launched in May 2000, The Rainforest Site focuses the power of the Internet on a specific ecological need — the preservation of the worlds rainforests. Individuals from around the world visit the site each day to click the “Save Our Rainforests” button and help rescue imperiled land. In just its first year of operation, The Rainforest Site generated funds to purchase and preserve over 5,650 acres of endangered land.

Land preservation, made possible by funds raised at The Rainforest Site, is paid for by site sponsors and carried out by The Nature Conservancy, The Rainforest Conservation Fund, The World Parks Endowment, and The Friends of Calakmul. These organizations work to preserve rainforest land in Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Paraguay and other locations worldwide. In a addition a portion of funding goes to preserve old-growth forest in the state of Washington, USA.

Source: The Rainforest Site

Easter is upon us again. A year ago I spent Easter in Washington D.C. Had the longest bus ride in my life. It was 22 hours to get from Berea, Kentucky to Alexandria in Maryland. Bunked at Virte’s grandfather’s place. Very great man, Mr Fogarty. Then I spent the next 4 days going to the Mall in D.C. visiting museums and art galleries. I would not have changed it for the world. To think that I almost spend Spring break in college.

Sigh…. I really miss it a lot. Plus getting stuff from people. Chocolate bunnies and eggs. Ohhh… those good days….

Well for me, any celebration that involves chocolate is a big plus in my books.
But wassup with the bunny? That I do not understand.

Still had a great time today though. Went for lunch with my RC main cast, minus Astra and Prisca, who could not wake up in time.

Went to Temple of Fine Arts for a vegetarian lunch. Somehow it does not seem fun without Prisca and Astra there. It was way too quiet.

Taking attendance!! Sam, check… Michi, check, Chris, check….. Where are you lar Astra and Prisca??!!!

Me.. feeling relaxed and relieved. Do not know why but I love this picture. Then again somehow, the pictures that I actually like are disliked by many of my friends. Weird huh? Either different taste or I am just a bit retarded. But then again, do I care? Hell, no!!

Munch..munch…munch…crunch…crunch…crunch… It seems that my RC crew are always seen eating at every meet up. I wonder why? Perhaps, having a fat director like me, helps to build up the appetite… Hahaha… They have also recently complained that RC made them broke in the sense that they would hang out at Khaleel after every practise and show for supper and late night chit chats.

I wonder if Chris is sending text messages out to Miss V? He seems very occupied at lunch with his cell phone. Oh, Miss V.. please reveal yourself!!!!

After that we went to Gurney to get my mags. Not like the rest of them have a choice. I had the car keys and I am bored. However, poor Chris….. He was not feeling to well. Then Mich had practise for an upcoming exam.