La Mother Tongue

"One should respect his motherland, his culture and his mother tongue because they are giver of happiness".

Rig Veda

The skirt of the world is woven from the many languages of the world. The skirt in itself is patched like a gypsy's skirt representing various ethnicities that fabricated it in the first place.

Each patch signifies a language , a people, an identity. Your mother tongue gives you your identity.

I'll admit, I initially had no intentions of knowing my mother tongue at all. It had no relevance or importance to me for the first 17 years of my life. Upon leaving my comfort zone and venturing into different grounds, I suddenly realize the importance of knowing your mother tongue.

It becomes a SECRET LANGUAGE. As the minority race, knowing your mother tongue enables secret messages to be passed from a pair of lips to another, undecipherable, sometimes even by their own people. It's awesome, for jokes, complaints or just to annoy another of a different skin tone. Though it may come across as rude sometimes, even racist, I guess there's a degree of wisdom that should be used. Don't speak it if there are other races around in the conversation, though I beg to differ, I fall into temptation many a time myself. ;)

It is the avenue for ANGER. Face it, English just doesn't cut it. Every swear word in English is so watered down and common. When you're mad, you really want others to know you're MAD. That's why I find my Chinese friends converse with me in English but when they're mad, they move over to Cantonese. Similarly, saying 'Get lost' in English is not as passionate as Tamil. Ever watched a Hokkien or Spanish drama? Watch the scenes of anger and bitter hate and you'll get my point. (You do not want to be scolded in Hokkien.)

It is the language of PASSION too. Have someone read you a love poem in Tamil with feelings and all, you'd fall in love. Hearing Bible verses read in Tamil is amazingly wonderful. You might not understand the true meaning of the words but the sounds and syllables of each and every word has expression. A language based on sound is sweet to the ears. What about Bharathiar's patriotic poems! The flare and rhythm within the words still ignites the fire of many until today.

Despite all reasons mentioned, the most important reason one should know their mother tongue is because it makes a part of you, you.

Never forget your roots.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALAYSIA!

Woe to whoever who calls me a drama queen, I've found my king.

3:58amRishen

but i thought u LOVED me

WAILS HARDER

the floor's wet

running out of body fluid. blood substituting tears

DIES

looks like i got the honour

Sugar Sweet

My Perspective:

One fine Saturday marked the beginning of the 19th year of my life. I was happy. I had an awesome lunch, fabulous dinner, great presents and wishes from many friends.

Except a particular bunch.

The Indians: Pav, Leen, Sha, Kugi, Azlin

The Wannabees: Joel and Jonjon

The Baby: Kutty

Once morning was over, and turned into noon, I decided this bunch had tuition. Upon reaching the evening, I thought they were up to some conspiracy.

By dinner, I was disappointed. The people I spend a lot of my time with everyday, the ones I have recess with did not wish me.

Come 11.30, The fatties began wishing one by one. But conveniently, Albert, a participant, messed it up a bit, and called me at that time. He also messed up on hinting some Monday Surprise.

Monday, I arrived at school and stuck my tongue out at them. Later I collected my hugs. Expecting something for recess, I received a small kuih with a humongous candle on top.

Amazing.

Whilst I cut the pathetic kuih, these ding dongs pull out the real cake.

Now let's have the perspective of the Conspirators:

The mastermind of the plan Pav Kurup wrote this message:

Pav Kurup 13 August at 21:17 Reply

Dear ALL!

It's Rowie's birthday tomorrow, and if we're going by the initial plan, then NONE of us is going to be wishing her a happy birthday or what not during the entire length of tomorrow, except till AFTER 11.30pm. Closer to midnight, if you prefer!

Let her think we've all forgotten. Let her pretend like it doesn't affect her. Because we all know how Rowie would react on the outside. "Oh, so what? It's just my birthday. Nothing big. So what if they forgot?" She'll put on that strong facade, when we KNOW it's affecting her.

BUT THEN we greet her late at night. Almost a whole day after her birthday has passed.

And then comes Monday.

I was speaking to Albie just now, and the way he celebrated HIS friend's bday today inspired me.

Apparently, Rowie's not feeling all that geared up to be going to school anymore; she'd rather study at home and all that jazz. So in the event she fumbles with the thought of skipping on Monday, Albie will subtly drop her some hints, making it seem like he knows we're planning something for her.

So then she'd go to school on Monday, EXPECTING SOMETHING.

And all through the morning, we'd do nothing.

Then during recess. We'll have to rush down before her. And when she drags her feet to the canteen, we'll all burst into song. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

And we'll move aside to reveal... covered in candles and colours, a tiny little KUIH.

Preferably a kuih lapis, because it's so colourful and cute and all that. Hahaha.

But that's beside the point. After MAKING her blow out the candles, we'll MAKE her cut the kuih into EQUAL PARTS for all of us. And we'll make a big fuss out of it, and turn her brown face red in the process.

And while the big fuss around her and the kuih is going on, someone ELSE will bring out the REAL cake. And REPEAT THE PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN.

So basically, we're going to ignore her on her bday. IF SHE HAPPENS TO TEXT OR CALL ANYONE OF YOU, IGNORE. And then on Monday, just when she thinks the "surprise" (kuih) is over, we bring out the REAL thing.

How's that? Any other suggestions?

The part with the kuih was inspired by Albie, and I think it's a splendid idea! What say YOU guys?

*******

To my darling sweethearts who planned and executed this whole entire plan for me, THANK YOU! I love you guys loads. Indeed its crazy to actually purposely forget someone's birthday, and all that guilt... YOU GUYS ROCKED MY 19th!

Again, thank you all so much. It'll be a super memorable gift, just the thought of forgetting. You guys are amazing.

Amazingly forgetful too. I love you all. Aaaaaaaaaahhhh.

My Sugar Sweet Birthday.

This one I won't forget.

The Inauguration of the President of the Lavatory.

"I hereby declare with all my heart,

I shall strive my best to do my part,

That in every single toilet bowl,

You'll find it sparkling, as good as gold."

"May every brush be used so well,

Till its first color you can't tell,

And every plunger worked to dust,

That monthly replacement is a must."

"You will never find rust or grime,

If you do, we are to be fined,

There shall be no home for mildew here,

If so, my retirement is near."

"The lavatory shall smell lovely,

Of lemon drops and sugared strawberry,

The tissues shall be scented so,

Of roses, tulips and mistletoe."

"Oh lavatory users, believe in me,

Smelly days are bound to flee,

My promises are never void,

For every worker shall be toiled..."

With this he waved his hand so grandly,

Slipped on pretty tiles slippery,

Bang! On the sink he hit his head,

Said a worker," That's enough said."

Pretty much nonsense.

The following is just a mish mash of nonsense cause I feel nonsensical now.
Excuse me.

And nothingness fell on the ground, with a thud,

Thy silver platter clangs,

Then breaks into severe pieces,

Then flies across the psychedelic room.

Splinters spread across the marble tiled floor,

One cuts my arms,

A gash,

As deep as the Grand Canyon.

It hurts.

Because she drives me crazy.

Kackles and kalamity, for her righteous love for language,

Obstinate in every way to prove herself noble at heart,
Her every manner proves why truancy is fair.