Frontiers is One!
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Applying Science into Our Daily Lives
How do we apply scientific formulas or theories into our daily lives? According to Associate Professor Dr Hon Wei Min, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at UCSI University,
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happenings
Kuala Lumpur International Dragon Boat Festival
By Edrea Sun Since its inception many hundred years ago, the dragon boat race had traditionally drawn huge crowds in the thousands comprising rowers, supporters, foreign tourists, curious onlookers and locals alike. This time around the festival has come early and was held at the Kepong Metropolitan Lake Garden, the first ever water activity held
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Leisure & Lifestyle
Nocturne:Five Stories of Music and Nightfall
By Khoo Kok Kian Nocturne is derived from the French word, Noctunal and from Latin, Nocturnus. People usually interpret it as a music piece which is inspired by night. A very famous classical music piece by Frederic Chopin was also named based on this word. Kazuo Ishiguro, a prominent author, who is also penned The
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Talk To Us
By Conrad Edmund Bateman Mitch Albom once said that, “The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” In conjunction with a yearlong celebration of UCSI University’s Silver Jubilee, the
"Light UP Lives Charity"
Of yee sang, ang pows and bouncing bunnies
By Edrea Sunik
What does Chinese New Year really mean to you? Is it about family values? Is it still about tradition? Or is it just a public holiday where people throng the highways and cause massive traffic jams?
The famous ang pow
Every household will be busy by now, because Chinese New Year is just around the corner. From TV ads to shopping malls, wishes of “Gong Xi Fa Cai” and music can be heard blasting on loudspeakers.
As the many advertisements about any celebration, I wonder if the Chinese New Year ads this year have touched you? This reminds me of an old advertisement that I saw a couple of years ago but still affects me till today.
The story starts on a small group of elders in an old folk’s home. The discussion circulates around their kids living abroad and have not come by to visit them in a long while. Although proud of their children’s achievements, there is an underlying tone of sadness that on this special occasion, they are forced to spend the festivities at the home without those that matter the most.
There is only one occupant that smiles throughout the conversation. When asked, she simply says that “my son is nobody but simply my son”. A few minutes later we see a young man coming towards her and take her home for the celebrations. The rest of her friends, watch with a mixture of happiness for her and sadness for them.
Every Chinese New Year, I went back to my grandparent house although it was far. We made the trip every year to Penang but now no longer, as they have passed away. It’s sad that some people are just not appreciative that their parents are still around. Let’s me ask you this question, when it come to Chinese New Year; “are you going home because it is time to do so? Or you want to see your family because it is Chinese New Year?”
Based on the ad, it is a generalization that some people living abroad send their parents to old folk homes because there no one to take care of them. But they are some that do not visit their parents although just a street away. What happened?
There has been many more advertisement from the earliest PETRONAS ads till the latest Malaysia Association of Chinese Comedian (MACC)
Year of the bouncing bunny!
which tells the story of the three brothers sharing happy moments of their career. They reminisce about their mother who had passed away. They remember her sacrifices, her strength and her love. And they end up crying towards the end of the ad. It’s like a critic for us as some do not actually think about family values and traditions until it comes to Chinese New Year or any celebration for that matter.
We are very busy nowadays; busy working, busy parenting and busy socializing. It is sad when we do remember them after they’ve gone.
Chinese New Year is not only about going back to a place we once called home. We do it because we can share space and time with them – parents, grandparents and relatives. We do it because we want to fill the vibrations of loneliness that they send out. We do it because we need to be there for them although nothing much is said but we can still feel it.
So in the midst of all the yee sang, ang pows and bouncing bunnies, we at FRONTIERS wish you all a traditional Happy Chinese New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai! And may the traditions live on.
