Jentayu..what a noble bird

Here is another song that resonate so well with my soul. It has a tinge of traditional Indonesian music whic I love so much..with the elegant sounds of the gamelan, and that certain kind of haunting melody..difficult to describe. I think it is a blood thing. I know that my maternal ancestry runs far into the Javanese Kratons..something my mother never really like to harp on because implicitly she seems to say, no matter how blue your blood is, it doesn't mean a thing. You have to be noble in your own right. Earn your own respect.

This is a story of perseverance and nobility.. values I grew up with only to be thwarted in my early twenties through the connections I made in life..but no regrets. Those were lessons I needed to learn.

Anyways, this melody makes me restful. For those who have meditated, I think they would know what I mean. How you are able to enter your heart core and just submerge yourself and rest and be surrounded by familiar and warm protective energy and just remain in complete bliss

A little background on the song:
This song was inspired by a poem written by our local legendary poet the late Usman Awang. You can have a glimpse of who he is and his contributions here.

Jentayu is a bird in an epic Legend of Merong Mahawangsa. and you can get some background information on this legendary bird and its role in the legend here
Here goes the translation of the lyrics:
Di paruhmu kemilauan sinar (Your beak luminous with radiance)
Menyepuhi sejuta rasa (glazing a million emotions)
Kemulian di hatimu (Your sublime heart
Bening budi terdampar di jagat raya (Still and tranquil, marooned on this mortal earth)

Di sayap taufan kau jelajahi (on the wings of the storm you roam)
Awan gemawan membawa rindu (Billowing clouds bring yearning)
Kasihmu menentangi kezaliman (of your love, battling vilainy)
Ketidakadilan (injustice)

Jentayu
Patah sayap bertongkat paruh (When wings fail, lean on your beak)
Jentayu
Patah paruh bertongkat siku (When beak breaks, your elbow waits)
Jentayu
Patah siku bertongkat dagu (Elbow crushed, lean on your chin)
Jentayu
Patah dagu bertongkat kuku (when chin fails..rise on your claws)

Pinjamkanlah hatimu (Lend your (magnanimous) heart)
Untuk semua (To all)

Pinjamkanlah syahdumu (Lend us you magnicifent tranquility)

You can also watch the video here.

Nostalgic gratitude

I chanced upon this video on youtube and it brought back hodge podge of emotions..black unhappy memories, helplessness, laced with hope, and love and the chance of a new beginning for me. You know how a certain song can just raise your spirits and lend wings to your feet, and make your heart swell to move forward. When I thought I had nothing left, and I just didn't know how to move forward, this song gave me all the hope that I needed. Convinced me that I am loved and not forgotten. And that everything is going to be just swell. It seems like everything is looking pretty bright now ..

I did a very rough translation on the words. Would just like to share it with you.
Enjoy the golden voice of this wonderful woman..

Every day I ask
That you always
Grant me serenity
Strength in my heart
To face all
adversities ever so challenging
Surely, there is meaning to all these

You give me hope
Answer all my questions
Face everything with tranquility
And a deep sense of gratitude
I pray that you always
Watch all my moves
Bless me...i need your grace


Oh God, light up my heart, my soul
to face everything
This adversity filled life
Oh God, I surrender everything to You
So that my soul is at peace
In your guidance, always

There were times when I feel
This life is as fragile as glass
Without patience
Will be broken to smithereens
Strengthen my heart
To go through all, oh
Strengthen me, make me steadfast

Warrior of the Light Online

Warrior of the Light Online

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One Flaw In Women - by Unknown

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.

They don’t take “no” for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They’ll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.

Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

ARE YOU A GENIUS?

I found this on ChongZeMin's blog, a 24 year old in LSE.
Very interesting indeed..take a look.
*
Which way is she turning

Purely to boost my flagging ego ;oD

Monday July 06, 2009

Born today, you are one of those rare and wonderful individuals able to live life almost entirely on your own terms without having any run-ins with others who expect things to be done according to the rule book. You are creative, energetic and always ready and willing to pitch in -- but those around you must resign themselves to the fact that what you do, and how you do it, will often defy description. You get things done in style, and you win rave reviews from the world at large -- except, of course, from those who are jealous of your freewheeling manner.

Caring and generous, you will always do for others what needs to be done, even when it involves some kind of self-sacrifice. You seem to know where you have to be and what you have to do without being told, and your ability to be efficient and thorough is not easily matched.

Della Reese, singer; Nancy Reagan, U.S. first lady; Janet Leigh, actress; Sylvester Stallone, actor; Dalai Lama, Tibetan spiritual leader; George W. Bush, U.S. president; John Paul Jones, naval hero.

The Story of The Plum

I received this beautiful note from a friend who left it as an offline message on my Yahoo Messenger. It is wonderful how God speaks to you to lift you up when you are sprawled on the ground. I would love to share this with you.

A plum once said, just because a banana lover came by, I converted myself into a banana. Unfortunately, his taste changed after a few months and so I became an orange. When he said I was bitter I became an apple, but he went in search of grapes. Yielding to the opinions of so many people, I have changed so many times that I no more know who I am. How I wish I had remained a plum and waited for a plum lover.

Just because a group of people do not accept you as you are, there is no necessity for you to strip yourself of your originality. You
need to think good of yourself, for the world takes you at your own estimate. Never stoop down in order to gain recognition. Never let go of your true self to win a relationship. In the long run, you will regret that you traded your greatest glory
- your uniqueness, for momentary validation. Even Gandhi was not accepted by many people. The group that does not accept you as you is not your world.

There is a world for each one of you, where you shall reign as king / queen by just being yourself. Find that world... in fact, that world will find you.

What water can do, gasoline cannot and what copper can, gold cannot. The fragility of the ant enables it to move and the rigidity of the tree enables it to stay rooted. Everything and everybody has been designed with a proportion of uniqueness to serve a purpose that we can fulfill only by being our unique self. You as you alone can serve your purpose and I as I alone can serve my purpose. You are here to be you... just you.

There came a time when you were required on this planet and hence you were sent. Let us be the best we can be. Don't miss yourself and let the world not miss you.