Enigma

There is a saying that goes, “History is written by those who emerge victorious.”

History, as we read it now, is written by historians in the context of their own time. It is their interpretation of a dominant mainstream idea. As I see it now, history can be perceived in so many perspectives that the real truth may actually still be hidden, waiting to be discovered.

I’ve been reading a lot lately. And when I say I READ a lot, I don’t mean reading my Biochemistry or Genetics notes. BWAHAHAHAHAHA. No! I’ve been reading a whole lot of politics and religion, both in their fiction and non-fiction contexts. And with this I’ve been hit with the sudden epiphany that I actually comprehend so few mysteries of this world. XP

During my reads, I realize just how much religion is being debated about among theologists. In one book, the dependence of man on God is rejected. They interpreted the Bible by saying that ‘we are created in the image of God’ as in not how we look – but as in we were given godly power by the potential of our minds. In another book, sources centered about the apocryphal texts left out of the Bible. And of course there are many controversial issues regarding the significance of Mary Magdalene that has been deliberated a great deal about.

However, I’m here to clarify one thing - that my faith will not be shaken so easily. To me, there are very distinctive lines between blindly pursuing, ignorance and FAITH. There are many perspectives to how one’s viewpoint: for example – between a reckless defense and a brilliant attack.

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.
For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
James 1:6-8 (KJV)

Regardless of the different interpretations of the Word, I have faith in Him. And there are three absolute truths in which my faith will never waver.
1. GOD is very true, very real and very near.
2. Jesus is our Savior who died on the cross to save us from our sins. He changed the darkest day of mankind into the brightest light of salvation.
3. GOD truly loves us all.

Faith is an inexplicable and enigmatic feeling that only those who experience it can fathom the depth of it. It is mysteriously warm yet pure, real and true - with it one need not fear. Because ‘faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.’ Romans 10:17.

And to me, faith – is love. :)

"For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,
“The just shall live by faith.” "
Romans 1:17 (NKJV)

Malaysian Politics - It's Been A Long Time Since I Read the Papers. XD

The departure of the self-declared man of principles – Zaid Ibrahim - from PKR garnered much of media publicity, public attention and many more question marks about the future of our nation’s political maturity.

One and a half years ago, he was heralded as a hero, for voicing out his opinions and then later stepping down from BN in favour of ‘his principles’. He then resigned from BN for opposing the abuse of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and apparently joined PKR after “much consideration”.

All these current news about him departing from PKR to form a new party that will protect the interests of the public is shedding light on the true colours of his motives. He has proven that he is an egoistical politician – much like so many others – who speaks fiercely of protecting public interests when they are only vying for power. I expected him to be a better team player but I guess all of the rakyat’s expectations were too high of him.

He was trusted; he was given recognition as a leader in PKR but then now he’s just shredding off his own dignity together with the credibility of the opposition party. He’s singing the same song with a different tune – why want to dilute the opposition pool?

I assume true the speculations that he is nothing more but a Trojan Horse to PKR.

Despite talks about a ‘Third Force’ that he intends to start up, I personally feel that nothing in our political field will ever change for the betterment of the people if politicians lack the integrity to rule. Honesty in politics is scarce, but still the people are praying with every ounce of hope that light will prevail in every general election.

When is our nation ever going to mature and put an end to these endless tirades of politicking? Forget not how many thousands of taxpayers’ money we are wasting to sustain these political squabbles. Enough with the money politics and the sabotaging!

Where has all that genuine sincerity to build the rakyat gone to? Have we truly lost it along the years together with our patriotic enthusiasm?

“Politicians are all the same - it's all about massaging their own ego and serving their own interests.” – Edwrong, Malaysiakini.

We are definitely in need of a paradigm shift, and right NOW.

PLAY > STUDY. Yeaaaaahhhhh, baby!

Whooooo-hoooooo! I've been infected with the gaming fever during this exam season (note that: EXAM SEASON) as if possessed by a gamer's soul or something. I've been completely hooked on KINGDOM HEARTS: BIRTH BY SLEEP that this gaming marathon puts my previous gaming speed accomplishment with Tales of Legendia to shame. BWAHAHAHAHA.

Note that I took just 5 nights to finish Legendia. XD

AND HERE I AM, done with Aqua's part of the Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep story in just TWO DAYS. OMG?!?!?!

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
A must-play for all KH fans out there!

Small spoilers later in this post. BWAHAHAHAHAHA. Be prepared to get infected by my passion for gaming. XD

Well, KH: Birth by Sleep comes with a new concept - revolving around the three main characters: Aqua, Terra and Ventus. Goodbye, Sora, goodbye, Riku! (YEAHHHH!)

Terra, Ventus and Aqua.
The battle of Light vs Darkness revolves around them this time around.

(Although, I feel that Riku fans like me will hardly miss him. Aqua's SOOOOO like, the female version of him?) And yes, Manda. I know you're gonna say something about Chaos from Xenosaga. XD

In order to watch the final ending in which the relationship between Light and Darkness is explained, gamers are required to finish the entire game at least once with each character. We only get to play one character at a time, and then start a New Game+ with the next. Interesting, no?

Keyblades also get buffed-up-out-of-this-world powers in this title.
Imagine Keyblades = Gummi Ships? HAHAHAHAHAHA

Keyblades also have the power to cloak its wielder in armor. WOW. Could you believe how powerful Keyblades were before Sora's time?

But their armor bear resemblance to... *thinks*

...Judge Gabranth's from Final Fantasy XII. This photo is the Gabranth from Final Fantasy Dissidia.
Gosh. I would have thought both photos were from the same game if I didn't play either one. Or if the Keyblades were hidden. XD

So far I've completed Aqua's part of the story - in STANDARD MODE ONLY (my biggest regret ever. Should have done PROUD straight away) - and I'm head over heels in love with her. YEAHHHH. Take that, Vinny Tan! XD That's how a real woman should be! XD

Aqua in Cinderella's World

The reason why I love Aqua even more so is because there was a part in which Zack appeared at the Hercules Colosseum. KH gamers, what exactly do we do in the Colosseum? We FIGHT, of course - competing in all sorts of various cups and tournaments! So in Aqua's story, Zack appears as the semifinalist and we've gotta defeat him.

ZACKILOVEYOUUUUUUUU *fangirl shrieks*

And after doing so... HE ASKS 'US' OUT FOR A DATEEEEEEEEEEEEE *swoons and nosebleeds* *faints in a puddle of nosebleed*

SOOOOOOOOO Zack. SOOOOOOOO Crisis Core. *insert hearts here*

Oh Manda, you know of my crazy infatuation for Zack*ahem*Sephiroth. *dies*

BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Now I'm currently playing Ventus, in short - Ven in PROUD MODE. I AM VERYYYYY PROUD XD XD

Just 5 hours into playing Ven's part - and I'm already at lvl 22?!?! OH MY. That IS bordering on insane ya know.

Am halfway through his part of the story - and am disturbed by the startling resemblance he bears with Roxas. Or Sora, for that matter. I quote Aqua (when she saw the cute 4-year old Riku and Sora in Destiny Island), "Oh my, this boy is the splitting image of Ven!" And of Riku, I quote, "And this boy is as honest as Terra!"

Guess who I met in Radiant Garden? A 4-year-old Kairi!

Ventus, ROXAS - or Sora? Grrr.

... sorry. Am in a hyper gaming mode right now. In fact, the only reason why I'm online is because my PSP battery's dead FLAT. XD

Tee-hee~! Anyway, if you're into SPEED over MAGIC, playing Ven's really awesome. He literally - FLIES over enemies as if he were on roller skates, dude.

The sheer awesomeness of Ven's SPEED.

Ven made the whole fight with Vanitas seem like child's play IN PROUD MODE when it took me two tries with Aqua to defeat him IN STANDARD MODE. Honestly, I died so frequently using Aqua that it was almost discouraging at one point. IN STANDARD MODE. Sheesh. Despite all I said or did, I still love Aqua more. :)

And because I finished Aqua's part... there was a slight hint on how ROXAS came about at the beginning of KH2. Sad to say - I'm still entirely confused with the whole Kingdom Hearts storyline despite finishing KH1, KH2 and even playing a little of Chain of Memories. SAD TO SAY.

Birth by Sleep is also revolving around friendship and trust, a whole lot like Sora and Riku in the original KH. In fact, much of the storyline MAY SOUND FAMILIAR to those who have played the original KH.

Examples? Terra is consumed by Darkness and is tempted by the many Dark bosses. King Mickey who somehow always manages to show in the nick of time. But then again, Kingdom Hearts would not be Kingdom Hearts without these elements. Awwww. :) *insert love for KH here*

Even the Main Menu for it looks the same :) Sorry it's blur. Directly took a photo of it from my PSP. HAHAHAHAHA. That's how absurdly crazy I am right now about gaming. XD

The Main Menu in Birth by Sleep. Several new things added here - or else it's just like the original KH.

OOOOOOOOOH! Gonna play Terra next after I'm done with Ven!

Terra - a gamer's choice if you LOVE strength over magic or speed

Overall, one is sure to enjoy playing Birth by Sleep. I like its commands very much, which is more random and smooth compared to the stiffness of the battle system in Chain of Memories.

Other plus points about Gameplay? There are new features like D-Linking with 'friends' you've met along your journey that enables you to use their skills. Also, they have a Shooting system that's durable and fun to use. The leveling up system is fair. Although there aren't R2 and L2 buttons to press and the battle screen tends to get a little hard to follow at first, a little 'get-use-to' to the configuration solves the problem.

There are new worlds to explore and new Princesses of Light to rescue (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White!! XD) plus addition of other Disney characters like Lilo. Oh oh oh! And a whole new world known as the Keyblade Graveyard! XD There are also new geographical areas to explore in the 'old' worlds like Neverland and Radiant Garden. Some places like Destiny Island and the Colosseum still stay true in Kingdom Hearts fashion without much change.

The Worlds in Birth by Sleep. No more Gummi Ship.

The only down side is that when the battle involves too many Unversed (their version of Shadows), graphics lag a little. But that's all right as long as you don't game over because you can't catch up with the erratic movements. XD

On another PLUS POINT TO GAMING, I've successfully finished Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis! I love this game! I may replay it to get different endings. BWAHAHAHAHAHA! This time around, I successfully paired Vayne Aurelius up with Nikki. Oh oh oh. Here's a photo taken straight from my PSP.

Vayne with Nikki. My cute ending. Awwww

Look at their babies. Awwww. At least I actually got a good ending. XD I still remember my nightmarish ending with FFX-2 that was SO LAME none of the guidebooks actually mentioned it.

This post took 2 hours. And then my PSP is fully charged again! BWAHAHAHAHAAHA