Comic exhibition in London brings ‘Art, Anarchy in the UK’

Comic exhibition in London brings ‘Art, Anarchy in the UK’
When someone calls you a banana… bake a banana cake!
Stowaway who survived Hawaii bound flight left for US mainland
Jangan buruk sangka terhadap orang lain
Meet the mermaids of Weeki Wachee (VIDEO)

Posted: 03 May 2014 06:01 PM PDT

LONDON, May 4 — The British Library in London is showcasing the art of comics and graphic novels in an exhibition called 'Art and Anarchy in the UK', which runs until August 19, 2014. — AFP-RelaxnewsA vintage copy of Judge Dredd is displayed at the 'Art, Anarchy in the UK' exhibition. — AFP pic

When someone calls you a banana… bake a banana cake!

Posted: 03 May 2014 06:00 PM PDT

Pictures by CK LimKUALA LUMPUR, May 4 ― What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Why, then, does being called a "banana" leave such a sour taste in one's mouth and stink up one's entire day?

Juliet, William Shakespeare's tragic heroine, must have never been accused of being "yellow on the outside, white on the inside" (a Chinese person who is of a Western disposition, i.e. unable to speak, read or write in Chinese), possibly on account of her alabaster skin.

Growing up, being called a banana was at best a light-hearted tease and at worst a form of verbal abuse. Children can be cruel. At school, my classmates who spoke Chinese ― be it Mandarin, Hokkien or some other dialect ― would taunt me for speaking English at home.

My fairly decent command of our national language didn't seem to count for much; the colour of my skin was what mattered, and I had apparently failed the shade of my epidermis.

It's enough to make a kid bitter before his time.

What to do? You learn to thicken your skin (no pun intended). Maybe it's true, that I'm not "Chinese" enough, whatever that means. But guess what? People care if you try anyway.

I remember persuading (okay, coercing) my Chinese-educated better half to help me translate investment jargon into pinyin (the phonetic transcription of the Mandarin pronunciations of Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet) for a talk I had to give to a group of Chinese entrepreneurs. I was probably rubbish, but my audience still kindly applauded.

It's not just Chinese either. I remember ordering in half-baked Deutsch at a Bavarian tavern, and learning the German word for "maybe" (vielleicht) was always a safe answer when the waitress asked you something you didn't understand.

I remember making a business pitch in what amounted to my rendition of Bahasa Indonesia in Jakarta and scoring a few laughs (not to mention the deal in the end).

People care if you try.

The thing I've learned is this: every time you learn a new language, even the rudimentary bits ― you don't have to master it ― you see the world in a new light. There are so many new adventures and experiences to be had. To limit oneself would be to see, hear, smell, understand and connect less.

Today I am still Chinese illiterate ― these beautiful, ancient characters are merely graceful strokes to me. I'm not complaining; even if I can't read or write in Chinese, I can still speak and understand enough. It's a blessing and a privilege.
But yes, I'm still a banana.

The strange thing is, as I have realised over the years, those who call us bananas are bananas too, sort of ― they are yellow on the outside and yellow on the inside (which makes them really ripe bananas, but bear with my metaphor).

Bananas don't even have to be ethnically Chinese ― bananas can be white, brown or black on the outside yet all remain yellow on the inside. Some years ago I witnessed an African salesperson at Akihabara Electric Town in Tokyo explaining the finer points of a smartphone to a tourist from China in pitch-perfect Mandarin.

That's when I realised that speaking Chinese doesn't make one the least bit Chinese (though it may well deepen one's appreciation of its values). Conversely, you don't have to speak a language to have profound love for the culture.

You see, everyone who has ever heaped abuse at me by calling me a banana has missed the point. I can't feel offended because, honestly, I'm not Chinese at all. I'm Malaysian, and damn proud of it too.

On the other hand, the term "banana" ― though it may sound derogatory ― fits perfectly. I love who I am ― I'm considering organising a Banana Pride Parade ― and perhaps one day these angry people will learn to love themselves too.

Till that day comes, I shall spend my time baking some moist banana cake for my friends ― both bananas and non-bananas ― because they are all fantastic people. Their hearts are big enough to love me for who I am; I only hope that they have appetites to match for I plan to have plenty of delicious banana cake to share.

Moist banana cake with crumble

There's nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked banana cake wafting through your home. The heady combination of cinnamon, caramelised dark sugar and deeply flavourful banana (make sure the fruits are ripe) can lift up your spirits on rainy days or when the world seems too chaotic to bear.

The cake itself isn't too crumbly (hence the joyful addition of the crumble topping). Instead it has a tender bite; closer to a kuih than a traditional cake. If you like something crustier, toast the slices in the oven for further 3-5 minutes.

Share this simple cake with those who love and support you; it's best enjoyed with bold, black coffee and plenty of laughter.

Cake batter:

125g butter
150g caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg, beaten
2 very ripe medium-sized bananas, mashed
200g self-raising flour
4 tablespoons milk

Crumble topping:

60g all-purpose flour
60g Muscovado or dark brown sugar
60g butter

Pre-heat oven to 180°C. Grease a 28 x 15 cm loaf tin. Melt the butter, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat before adding the mashed bananas and beaten egg, mixing well. Fold in the flour and lastly add the milk. Pour into the loaf tin.

For the crumble topping, squeeze the crumble ingredients together with your hands. Scatter the crumble evenly over the surface of the batter. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Remove from the oven to cool on a rack or plate before unmoulding.

Yield: Serves 4, or 2 with enough leftovers to reheat for breakfast the next day.

For more Weekend Kitchen stories and recipes, visit http://devilstales.com/weekend-kitchen/

Stowaway who survived Hawaii bound flight left for US mainland

Posted: 03 May 2014 05:52 PM PDT

The 15-year-old Somali boy who was carried on a stretcher after his ordeal in Maui, Hawaii, April 20, 2014, as seen in this hand out photo courtesy of Chris Sugidono, The Maui News. ― Reuters picNEW YORK, May 4 ― A 15-year-old Somali boy who survived a nearly six-hour trip from California to Hawaii stowed away in the wheel well of an airplane has left protective custody in Hawaii, officials said yesterday.

The teenager was "no longer in Hawaii" according to a brief statement from Hawaii's Department of Human Services. Officials would not reveal when he left the state or where he was headed, citing privacy concerns and the boy's age.

The boy has been in protective custody in Hawaii since he sneaked into the wheel compartment of a Boeing 767 that took off April 20th from San Jose International Airport.

His survival was considered miraculous, given the freezing temperatures and low oxygen levels in the wheel well.

The boy, who was hospitalised after the incident, told investigators he was trying to go to Africa to find his mother.

His mother, Ubah Mohamed Abdulle, said in a radio interview with the Voice of America that she had fled Somalia and was living in a refugee camp in Ethiopia.

She said she was divorced from her husband, who lives in Santa Clara with their son and two of his siblings.

"They were even told that I was dead, but they recently found out that I was alive," she told the broadcast service in a report published on Friday.

The boy's father arrived in Honolulu from California about a week after he was found in the jet's wheel well, according to Child Welfare Services. The agency would not give details about whether father and son were being reunited. ― Reuters

Jangan buruk sangka terhadap orang lain

Posted: 03 May 2014 05:50 PM PDT

MEI 4 ― Ketika di bangku sekolah dahulu, kita semua pernah diajar oleh guru sekolah agar tidak menaruh buruk sangka terhadap orang lain.

Baik kepada ahli keluarga, rakan sepejabat, rakan sebangsa, rakan seagama mahupun rakan sekolah. Menurut guru sekolah dahulu, kita semua harus membebaskan pemikiran jumud yang melihat orang lain sebagai musuh dan ancaman kepada kelangsungan mereka.

Baginya, pemikiran sedemikian tidak banyak bezanya dengan individu yang mempunyai masalah mental. Jelas guru sekolah penulis lagi, pemikiran jumud sebegini bukan sahaja akan menjejaskan imej diri sendiri bahkan juga kepada hubungan baik antara masyarakat dalam jangka panjang.

Oleh itu, tidak ada sebab mengapa kita harus menaruh buruk sangka terhadap orang lain melainkan kita sendiri tidak berasa selesa, tergugat akan kedudukan orang lain dan tidak mahu melihat yang lain untuk berjaya.

Hakikatnya, cakap memang mudah tetapi dalam realiti kehidupan semasa, pemikiran kita sentiasa terdedah dan dipengaruhi oleh persekitaran yang toksik dan negatif. Di luar sana, ada sahaja individu yang sedang menanti untuk mengeksploitasi situasi genting ini. Semuanya berlaku atas perasaan cemburu. Mahu tidak mahu, situasi inilah yang sentiasa berlaku di hadapan mata kita.

Justeru, apabila ada kumpulan atau orang-perseorangan yang bertopengkan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan sentiasa mengeluarkan kenyataan-kenyataan yang memperlekehkan peranan masyarakat pelbagai kaum di negara ini, ia ternyata satu perbuatan yang tidak bertanggungjawab.

Bukan sahaja kenyataan-kenyataan sedemikian dilemparkan secara tidak berasas tetapi juga mencerminkan mereka sebenarnya hanya membuat generalisasi terhadap isu itu tanpa melakukan penyelidikan terlebih dahulu.

Ini bukan kali pertama kenyataan tidak bertanggungjawab sebegini dilemparkan secara terbuka oleh pihak-pihak yang dimaksudkan tadi. Namun apabila ia dilemparkan berulang kali, maka ada baiknya kenyataan-kenyataan mereka itu ditangkis dan diperjelaskan secara tuntas bagi mengelakkan berlakunya salah faham atau buruk sangka.

Seharusnya, pihak yang mengeluarkan kenyataan-kenyataan berbaur perkauman dan agama itu mendoakan kejayaan pihak lain dan bukannya bertindak di luar batasan secara sesuka hati. Begitu juga dengan masyarakat bukan Melayu yang seharusnya mempunyai sikap untuk mendoakan kejayaan rakan-rakan mereka dari kaum lain seperti Melayu dan India.

Sebenarnya, tidak salah untuk kita mendoakan kejayaan pihak lain kerana ia sentiasa dituntut di sisi agama. Lagipun, setiap agama menuntut penganutnya untuk berbuat baik. Kita tidak sepatutnya terlalu taksub dengan kepentingan diri sehinggakan melupakan tanggungjawab kita untuk membantu rakan-rakan kita dari kaum lain. Kita juga tidak wajar terlalu agresif dengan pendirian terhadap sesuatu isu hinggakan boleh mencetuskan perasaan tidak senang hati dalam kalangan masyarakat berbilang kaum di negara ini.

Apa yang dilemparkan oleh kumpulan-kumpulan NGO dan orang-perseorangan terhadap sikap masyarakat bukan Melayuh yang diragui kesetiaan mereka, kita perlulah bersikap tenang dan bukannya marah secara membuta-tuli. Marah bukanlah jalan penyelesaian yang mujarab.

Sebagai seorang penduduk bukan Melayu, penulis tidak berasa marah mahupun membenci kelakuan kumpulan-kumpulan ini. Sebaliknya, penulis mendoakan agar mereka yang mengeluarkan kenyataan-kenyataan berbaur perkauman terhadap masyarakat bukan Melayu boleh diajak untuk berbincang dalam suasana yang harmonis.

Time to reflect: A visitor takes pictures of Malaysia's landmark Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur. — AFP picDalam keadaan yang genting sebegini lebih-lebih lagi isu yang membabitkan kaum dan agama, ia wajar ditangani secara berhemah. Sebagai seorang penduduk bukan Melayu, penulis tidak mahukan apa-apa. Namun, penulis berdoa agar Malaysia akan terus aman, makmur dan sentiasa diberkati dengan kestabilan politik yang berkekalan.

Cukuplah dengan sentimen perkauman, agama dan retorik yang hanya akan menabur bibit-bibit kebencian antara satu sama lain. Bangunlah daripada kerangka pemikiran sempit dan jumud yang hanya menilai sesuatu isu berbangkit dari satu sudut sahaja.

Bergeraklah ke hadapan dengan minda yang terbuka kerana dengan minda yang terbuka sahajalah, kita dapat menilai dan menyelesaikan sesuatu isu secara rasional.

Malaysia tidak mampu lagi untuk terus terjerumus dalam trend yang tidak sihat ini. Ini kerana, semakin lama dan semakin ghairah kita terikut-ikut dengan trend tidak sihat ini, tidak mustahil kedudukan Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara yang harmoni, akan terhakis.

Kepada mereka yang berniat untuk memporak-perandakan keharmonian negara, usaha mereka tidak akan berjaya. Ini kerana, majoriti rakyat Malaysia merupakan mereka yang cintakan keamanan dan akan memastikan keamanan yang telah dikecapi selama ini tidak musnah angkara pihak-pihak yang tidak bertanggungjawab.

* Pandangan di atas hanyalah pandangan peribadi penulis dan tidak mewakili pandangan The Malay Mail Online.

Meet the mermaids of Weeki Wachee (VIDEO)

Posted: 03 May 2014 05:50 PM PDT

FLORIDA, May 4 — With a total population of twelve, Weeki Wachee has more mermaids than humans.

Built in 1947 by a former US Navy recruit, the park is home to the world's only mermaid show. Around 260,000 visitors come to Weeki Wachee every year to watch one of three daily performances.

Originally opened to showcase synchronised swimming underwater, with the mermaid costumes added as a twist in the 1960s.

The mermaids of Weeki Wachee. — AFP picWhile the mermaids certainly look the part, they are human after all, and rely on oxygen. "Our mermaids breathe underwater through an underwater air hose that was originally developed by Newton Perry. The young women here are able to control the amount of air that they inhale and how much they exhale, and that's what keeps their buoyancy intact, because they're not wearing weights," said John Athanason, Marketing and PR manager of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Spectators also get a chance to approach the elusive creatures, while for the younger ones, it's a chance to touch their dream. — AFP-Relaxnews