courtesy?

my mother used to say, "mind your manners, emma". where ever i go, my mother's word would ring at my ear, reminding me of my manners. there are a lot of manners that we should know and practice in our everyday life. there are manners at the table, manners with the elders, manners with friends, and a lot more. my mother used to say, you manners displays who you really are inside. in my opinion, this is true. your courtesy is the one that people would be interpreting and judge throughout your appearance. and this is so important as this would give a good impression on others.
for example, a malay courtesy that my mother used to remind me of, is to greet the elders and shake their hands. by doing so, it shows that we are aware that there are older people around and they are suppose to be given special attention. when walking by an elder person, the young ones are suppose to bend their back a bit, and not walk with their back straight in front of the elder. this is not to give your back to the elder, but to show respect to the elder and not to be said ego.

Culture. Is it that important? What is it actually? Culture, as in the Longman Contemporary English dictionary, is the belief, the way of life and also art, and the custom that are shared by and accepted by people in a particular society. Is that so?
Malaysia`s unique and diverse heritage and culture, prominently are the Chinese, Malay and also Indian. These three groups are joined by various arrays of tribes, many of them living in the coastal area of Borneo. Even though each of these cultures have their own traditional and also community structures, they have also blended together to create Malaysia which we see today. Those other cultures in Borneo consist of Melanau, Kadazan, Bidayuh, Kenyah, Iban, Dayak, and many more. Cultures are important to each and every one of them and each and every one of them is different in their own ways.
Malaysia`s is the only country with had a diversity of culture, colourful set of people and various types of religion. Our country provided us with peace and harmony, giving us the opportunity to interact with each other better. Kesopanan berbahasa budaya kita. Does it make sense? It does. By being polite when we talk, we give a positive impression to the listener. As first impression is important, the manner of one is included. When one poses negative manner, he gave the impression that he is not polite. Thus, answering the question on the importance of politeness in communicating.

This wasn't the 2010 I was looking forward to. It really isn't.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS IN THE WORLD ARE NOT SEEN NOR TOUCHED. THEY ARE FELT WITH THE HEART...

Looking out of the window, suspended as it were, from the seventh story by the sheer engineering of steel, cement, and bricks, I look out across my college campus. The grey parking lot, with the little white stones and the greenish trees, the students that wiggles their way between buildings and trees leading to the 9 story building, the 3 story annex building—all this I see. When my eyes simply stare out at this scene, gazing at “nothing” and losing all distinct visual focus, the world seems to be crawling. To be alive. The bobbing heads and steady tread of the college students, the movement and shine of the cars in the lot below, and the flow of traffic in the distance all combine to give the sense that the world is respiring. It inhales, sighs, and twitches. It shrinks and expands. It sweats and craves moisture. It was as if I were inside the body watching it maintain it equilibrium and homeostasis. As if it is breathing. What would mother nature do if she know how damaged the earth have been. Because of us.

Yet as simultaneous and unified as these events appear to be, each entity is separate in its immediate purpose. All of the damage have made the earth suffer.

I blink and the individual cars, people, hills, and freeway overpasses each come into focus. I have to save the earth. I need to.