Generation G!

I just sat for an hour long talk from an Aussie grad on a term Generation G, G being Generosity.
As I sat there listening to this mid 20's girl speak on a new upcoming generation that focuses on generosity and giving, it began to seem a little mundane that such a generation would surface long after Civilization. One concrete example she used was Madonna's Material Girl song back in the 1980's compared to Black Eyed Peas' Where is the love? hit a few years back. At the end of the presentation, I realized one thing, generation G is nothing but a sales gimmick. If you ever come across the term, be fooled not. Companies which take on the Generation G concept is said to be giving back to society. Generation G is simply a concept where companies, organisations and institutes suposedly give back to society as a means of gratitude. For example, for every TOMS shoe you buy in the US, a free pair is given to a kid in Argentina, this is what Generation G is about, generosity and giving back.

To me, its a business strategy to market yr products. What makes it worse is that it manipulates the very idea of giving back and charity. As I tried to point it out to the speaker that this might be a marketing/publicity stunt to sell their products rather than to do a deed, she came up with some mumbo jumbo... Thus the moral of the story is..

Never believe Everything you hear, this is an Aussie grad we're talking about and she refuted the obvious. Disclaimed an obvious fact that most listeners in the auditorium could rather clearly see. Fact is, we listen to a lot everyday, but it all boils down to the way you look at things. Personal perception is, to me, the most powerful tool that one can acquire, and its a skill that no lecture or book can teach. Being self opinionated and coming up with your own conclusions is an art form that not everyone has or wants. Some often to just listen and swallows, I prefer to regurgitate.

Point to self, there's Always more to what meets the eye.

Moulding the clay..

Past couple of weeks I have been spending my time with a bright group of kids in my former school, Helping them out with their debate and public speaking. And as days passed, I just had an overwhelming gush of memories of all that I experience when I was their age. As if it was still yesterday, the nerves, the triumph in victories, the agony of defeat. Mind you, these were a great bunch of students who knew how to blend work and play into one. I did my best to help them and they certainly didnt let up, giving it a good fight till the very end. Every minute they were eager to learn more, wanting to do better, the attitude and the commitment these kids showed in performing and debating really took me by surprise, but it was something I shoud've expected from the very beginning. Fun, laughter, the generation of ideas, the cooperation and understanding were beyond the realms of normality. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

I can still remember in my time sitting in a huge hall, waiting for my turn to be called up. All dressed up in my coat and tie, shaking knees and sweating palms, I made my way to the stage, and performed like there was no tomorrow. Basking in the lime light of a sea of students, I dazzled the crowd with my wit, passion and prowess. It took a lot of work getting to my public speaking finals back in 05, but every drop of sweat, every class missed, every minute spent in front of that God forsaken mirror rehearsing was worth it. There's a saying among the elit that it takes a great person to speak well, but it takes a smart person to speak effectively.
Needless to say I won that day, the Ecstasy of winning it is still beyond word. Till today, though I was not the best speaker in the world, but something inside me said- Thats the way boy, that'll do. Having experienced an unforgettable ride in my schooling days, I wanted the upcoming batches to feel the same way I did. And now after all is said and done, I hope that they too will have something to hold on to in the latter years of life.

To the debaters of Andalas 08 & 09, its been a great privilege to know you, and work with you all this time. Sure, it was disappointing to bow out to better opposition, but we did so with our heads held high. And remember, the journey doesn't stop here. The end of something, is the dawn of something else.
The one thing I have learned from all this with you guys, its never impossible to have fun while your heart screams with anxiety and fear. You guys have been great, laughing all the way from the beginning till the every end, and for that, I thank you.
It wasn't for your school, it wasn't for your friends, you did it, for you.

Many months or even years down the line, you will all look back at this period, and a smile will be carved across your face, just like it happens to me everytime I think about the good times i had. And deep down you will know, it wasn't about winning or losing, it was more than that, much much more. Keep the commitment, keep the focus, keep the laughter in everything you do. I came to teach and help you guys, but I learned so much more from all of you. I'm very proud of all you for these passed two years.

And finally before I rightfully excuse myself for the final time,
Dont cry because its over, but smile, because it happened! *winks*

Spent Hope.

I just spent 5 and a half hours watching one of the best tennis matches of the decade, an all Spanish Semi-final between Rafael Nadal & new kid on the block Fernando Verdasco. It was such an intense match that got tennis fans around the world glued to their idiot boxes waiting to see the outcome of a phenomenal match. And after being stunned by the quality of tennis, and all the praise heaped on the new star Verdasco,
my mind kept wandering back to a star of our own,

Datuk Nicole David.
To those of you who don't follow sports, nevermind. But, this girl, by far has surpassed all squash related boundaries and has been in the "Untouchables" league for more than 3 years. Back to back world championship winner, she has taken the squash world by storm. And yet, all the recognition she gets is the second last page of the sports section of any news paper.
This, to me is the biggest disgrace, not only to her but to the mindset of this God-forsaken country. Here we have a World Champion at our doorstep, but yet the due recognition we pay to her is appaling to say the least. She has beaten every single household name in the world of Squash, has been ranked world number one for so long that I can't even remember when she got there.
Big deal, She was conferred a Datukship title, Heck we are giving it to everyone these days.
I'm just very sad and disappionted that when we have something so precious, we choose to ignore it and yet we tend to go OH MY! at every other foreign powerhouse breakthrough.
Its time to think. Its time to wake up. Appreciate the grass that's on yr side.
WAKE UP!