I never understood how men can have sex with women they don’t even like. I can’t imagine myself doing it with a man I don’t like in that way. Grotesque. *shudders*

So one of the books I’m currently reading explains about evolutionary biology and psychology, and how male brains are structured. Apparently, male brains are made up of compartments with no relation between each compartment. So sex to them is just the act of doing it. And the reason why they can stomach doing it with someone they don’t even like is because their emotion compartment is in another part of their brain. The driver of this is so because males’ ultimate goal in life is to pro-create and to spread their seeds as far as they can sow. Back in the Neanderthal days anyway.

NOW I understand why they can do it. But I don’t accept it because accepting it kind of absolves them of this type of
behavior, doesn’t it? Sure, this is how males operate but no, it is not acceptable. At least, not to me.

*Back to the book to find out more interesting bits*

• Be Inspiring
• Make It Easy
• Keep Promises
• Be Respectful

We can choose one of the 4 taglines/values to be printed on our business cards.

Recently, we were compiling my section’s members’ details to get our cards printed so Mich was tasked to collect the info from us.

After she was done, she shared that the taglines each of us gave her was a spot-on description of our character.

For example, I chose Be Respecful and Mich said “That is so you!” because I have very strong feelings about showing respect (to people who deserve it) and being shown respect in return.

Then we went on to discuss about our other colleagues’ chosen taglines and analyzing what each of them would choose.

It is really interesting how such a simple exercise can lead to such insightful findings about the characteristics of the people I work with

Letter to bloggers and media practitioners on May 29 :

Dear Blogger / Media friend,

At 10:30am today a group of more than 20 Malaysian social media users gathered at the entrance of the A ‘Famosa Resort in Melaka for a public awareness campaign.

They were approached by the Deputy OCPD of Melaka about 10 minutes after they arrived at the location. The senior officer courteously advised them to vacate the area (a public space), but allowed them first to attend to members of the press and photographers.

There were third-party individuals present at the location who were brash towards the group, asking for their personal details and recording their vehicle licence plate numbers. However, there was no untoward incident as the group did not engage them.

Though they were only allowed to stay for about half an hour, the group was grateful to the police for their consideration and protection. Individuals who attended the campaign drove from Kuala Lumpur and Melaka. There were those who were on their way from Singapore, Johor Bahru and Penang, but detoured after being told that the group had been instructed to disperse.

Individuals who attended today’s event brought with them posters and banners appealing to Malaysians to bear responsibility and care for the welfare and dignity of wildlife living in captivity. Their presence at the A ‘Famosa Resort came a week after a YouTube video caused a public outrage on social media platforms Facebook and Twitter.

Several local media have published reports on this matter, as well as foreign news sites such as the Jakarta Globe, the Straits Times, France 24, Viet News, Himalayan Times, China Post, Sydney Morning Herald and Brisbane Times.

According to a Malay Mail report, the A’ Famosa Resort could lose its licence to keep captive wildlife on its premises following public complaints regarding mistreatment of animals. However, the power to shut down the facility rests in the hands of the local council and State government.

Meanwhile, the New Straits Times reported that Perhilitan had issued a directive to A ‘Famosa Resort to cease all animal shows, particularly those of endangered wildlife such as the tiger.

Feedback from social media users clearly indicate a great sense of shame among Malaysians who are becoming increasingly aware that there are animal parks in the country that do not treat their animals humanely and with respect. Worse is when the parks are popular destinations for foreign tourists.

“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated” – Mahatma Gandhi.

On behalf of concerned Malaysians on Facebook and Twitter,

Juana Jaafar

Dear UpdateBlogger / Media Friend,

On 18 February this year a disturbing video was uploaded onto YouTube by a concerned citizen. The video, shot at the A ‘Famosa Resort in Melaka, showed an insentient tiger being forcefully postured to pose for a series of paid photo shoots.

Video : http://bit.ly/bMoRcm

The video, which recently made its rounds on Facebook and Twitter, caused an uproar particularly among Malaysian social media users.

As a result, these social media users mobilised their friends and followers online to write to the management of A ‘Famosa Resort expressing their discontent and demanding explanation regarding the manner in which the tiger was treated. Letters were also sent to the media and some were published.

A ‘Famosa representative, Eric Ong, responded by saying the tiger was simply “lazy” and that it was in the tiger’s “nature” to behave inertly. He also denied any possibility that the tiger was sedated.

By and large, Malaysians who have watched the video find it difficult to accept that the tiger was naturally insentient. They are also disturbed by the manner in which the tiger was treated and that it was exploited for paid photo shoots.

A random group of Malaysian social media users have since established a Facebook Page called “Stop Animal Abuse at A’ Famosa!” to raise public awareness. The Page has garnered support from over 5,000 Facebook users to date. The issue is also widely discussed on Twitter under the hash tag #TolongTigers.

These concerned Malaysians are planning a “Public Awareness Campaign” day-trip to A ‘Famosa Resort on 29 May 2010 at 10:30am to advocate better treatment for wildlife living in captivity. They strongly believe that the livelihood and dignity of wildlife living in captivity is the collective responsibility of all Malaysians.

Page : http://bit.ly/agMMXu

Event : http://bit.ly/ch8Rmb

Please help create awareness among your readers by highlighting this issue in your blog / publication. Your support at the A ‘Famosa Resort this weekend will also add great value to the cause. Hope to see you there.

On behalf of concerned Malaysians on Facebook and Twitter,

Juana Jaafar

Note : Join Facebook page “Stop Animal Abuse at A’Famosa“

There’s this guy who sits near my workplace and he has a picture of his cat* as his wallpaper. So each time I walk by his workspace and he’s away from his desk, I see this picture of a mostly white cat with black markings. Heh.

It’s still so rare (for me) to come across males who actually like cats that it’s still a novelty for me.

*I’m quite certain it is a picture of his cat and not some random cat pic because it’s a normal picture of a regular domestic cat and not one of those fancy purebreds in fancy photo style.

It’s like the ultimate insult to my intelligence and utter disrespect for my being.

I got home yesterday. Had my big Ikea bag with stuff and my computer backpack on me, went to check my mail in the letterbox and was opening the entrance door to the elevators.

At the same time, 3 men came out of the elevator and headed in my direction (they were going out while I wanted to get in). Three men – one Malaysian Chinese (I think, but definitely Asian) and 2 mat sallehs.

So I opened the door and before I could go thru, this pathetic excuse of the male species (the Msian one) strides thru the door without even a glance of acknowledgement at me! His mat salleh friend #1 had a bit of courtesy to look apologetic and he muttered “Sorry” while he too walked thru the door before me while mat salleh #2 was the only gentlemen among them who actually stopped and let me go thru first.

On several occasions, I have heard/read of accusations that Msian/Asian women prefer Caucasian men because they (the women) don’t think that Msian/Asian men are good enough for them. Well, yesterday’s experience was just one of many ungentlemanly episodes that I have experienced and you know what, all I can say to the men is, it is true! And men, don’t whine about or blame Msian/Asian women for preferring Caucasian men because you can’t/won’t/have no clue how to be gentlemen!

After having doors literally slam in my face (of course, the dude in front of me doesn’t think of holding the door open for people behind him), all I can think of to say to the man above is “Moron @$$hole, you think a ghost opened the door for you issit?”

When I played it back to him, he said “Oh no, so loud! I sound like a monster!”

I recommend women to do this. It may not help solve the problem, but at least the men are aware how loud they sound.

Hehe.

How?

Of course, the basic tenets of family still hold but we’re not bound in totality by it anymore these days.

Phew.

And I am so grateful to them for not highlighting/pestering me why I don’t eat meat or asking me the ever dreaded “When are you having kids” question.

I like my HK guests

This is what I replied to a friend who said “Why not have babies? I know I would be happy to have one now.” (This came from a guy 3 years my junior, mind you).

Why not babies? Coz :
1. Babies are expensive.
2. Babies are too much work.
3. Babies cramp my lifestyle.
4. Babies just suck the energy out of you.
5. Babies are noisy and need to be fed every few hours and crap shortly after, resulting in the need for multiple diaper changes throughout the day.

Recently met up with a couple of friends who have children of their own and listening to their problems with breastfeeding and all that is enough to turn me off having my own.

I seriously salute working mothers who have the energy to go to work and come home to take care of their kids. Not to mention the discipline to eat well to supplement their milk production and to express their milk at work.

People say motherhood is the pinnacle of a woman’s life (is it?) but I am not getting it.

Sounds like more trouble than it’s worth. Doesn’t help when society implies that it is a woman’s DUTY to bear babies. How come society doesn’t say that it is men’s DUTY to remain faithful to their partners and not be led by what’s in their pants?