I believe the difference between man and animal is the ability to reason. Our ability to think beyond our senses and to rationalize has brought us humans this far in history. It is this aspect of the human condition that I believe is the greatest strength of our species.

As children, we experience our surroundings for the first time with wonder. Do you remember that ? When everything was new and the simplest thing can make you happy ? Unfortunately as we grow up, we lose this sense of wonder and everything becomes mundane. Why is that so ?

My theory is that we start compartmentalizing everything we know into distinct ‘categories’, oversimplifying and stereotyping. When we experience something new, we think we’ve experienced it before and thus come up with our theories about it. What it should be and what it shouldn’t. Some may call it cynicism, but I’ll call it narrow-mindedness.

When things happen the way we expect, it ‘cements’ our idea about that experience. If it doesn’t, we get dissapointed and reject it because we don’t understand it. Or worse still, we make up myths about what the new experience is about. Examples ? Pretending that thunder comes from Thor’s hammer. Fire comes from the gods. Or that the world was made in 7 days.

Truth is, we have to admit that we don’t know so much about our world, and that we need to find out more about it. Socrates once said, “a wise man is he who knows that he knows nothing”. Profound words, my friends.

Let’s face the truth people, we are not as open minded as we think. Put aside all your prejudices and preconceived notions and your world will be a happier place. The only thing constant about the world, is that it’s always changing, and that all our old fears are probably misplaced.

So inquire! explore! make mistakes! ask questions!

Look at the world around you with new eyes. Take the time, and you will find that everything you thought you knew, you just took for granted!

This wasn’t actually drawn by me, but my girlfriend.

Yeah, I’ve been seeing someone new. I know, it’s a little too soon after my long distance relationship, but we’re taking it real slow and getting to know each other. Like all women, I don’t really understand her (especially when it comes to that time of the month). I guess I’m learning.

Well, she left this comic in my mailbox today, and I thought it was really sweet. Or it could be a trap …

About a year ago I came to this city. I was feeling a little lonely because I haven’t made any friends yet and I remember sitting alone in that room. No phone, no internet and no friends. Back then I only had a few photographs and memories of someone to keep me warm.

Now that I think of it, those memories are static. Everything is just as it were, the street we grew up in and the evening before I left for the airport. In fact, I was so certain that she was my soulmate. You know the guy that puts the girl at the center of everything ? I used to be that guy. Not until I freaked myself out and bailed on her.

I always wanted to work abroad and I wished she could have come with me. Unfortunately, that was never a choice for her. We were still together for 2 years even though we were seeing other people. But that changed when I left the country. Eventually she moved on, and I realised it too.

Today, I was doing the dishes and cleaning up after a long day at work. I felt a little of last year’s loneliness, except this time it’s not as bad. Things have changed so much for me , and sometimes I feel like I’ve grown colder. My youthful idealism and childish fears have given way to a safe middle ground. Perhaps the most important thing is, that I’m not scared of growing up anymore.

Except for the fact that she might be getting engaged. I don’t really believe it’s happening or that she’s serious about it. You know what I said when she told me? I told her I’d ride into the church with a white horse and kick open the doors. Okay, maybe I’m in denial, but how am I supposed to accept that?

I still don’t know how to feel about it.

According to Facebook, I’m single again. I’ve always been fascinated at how dramatic the relationship status displays:

“Jason Phoon has ended his relationship”
“Jason Phoon is now listed as single”

These items are accompanied with a broken heart symbol, mind you.

Some of you may know, I was in a long distance relationship for about 4 months now. It was sweet while it lasted, but eventually we both decided we needed to be near each other if we were to continue. I guess that didn’t work out when I decided to stay here in Australia and work on getting a PR.

Well, I guess we both found out that we’re not cut out for a long distance relationship, especially one which might not have a future. At least the breakup went as smooth as possible, not like we were fighting or anything. Seriously I can’t handle that, cause I’m still studying for an exam tomorrow.

Well, back to “girls are evil” comics again.

If your whole life revolves around your significant other, you have to rethink your priorities. If a guy/girl comes into your life and turns it around, what does that say about your life ? Does this mean it was empty and meaningless before she came into your life ? If your answer is yes, there might be something wrong with you.

I had a friend who asked his girlfriend to run away from home. He said he’ll take care of her and pay for her college tuition fees. All this when he was only 21 years old. Man, he couldn’t even keep a steady job for a month ! Fortunately the girl wasn’t stupid enough to believe him and she broke up with him a month later.

Or another one, where he used to say “I will love you forever”, and go broke buying stuff for his girlfriend. All with his parents money!

Or the one who said “My life is meaningless” after his girlfriend left him. Then he found another one and he said the same thing. Get a fucking clue!

Anyways my point is, if you can’t even take care of yourself, how can you take care of somebody else?

A girl ain’t gonna fix your problems and she sure ain’t gonna rely on you for security if you’re not independent (emotionally or financially). Somewhere along the line, a whole generation of guys have lost their balls and turned into so called “sensitive new age guys”. I have the right to call them that, because I used to be one.

It’s true, I used to be a needy, jealous, self-sympathizing, emotional black-hole of a person. Some of my ex-girlfriends can attest to that, and boy did I give them shit. I’m so sorry about that, and you girls would be so proud that I grew out of that teenage angst. I’m definitely in a happier place right now.

In fact, I’m more selfish these days. Apparently, girls like a little backbone in their men!

What I learned over the years is that, you have to fix your own problems first, think about your future, and focus on what makes you happy. The center of your life is you, not your religion, not your job, not your computer games, not your possessions and certainly not your significant other. Hard to accept, but it’s true. None of these things will fix you if you don’t’ want to fix yourself.

Which brings me to lesson number 2 of the manifesto:

2) the center of the universe is you

Everything else will flow from there.

I’m staying another semester here in Australia. I would actually graduate next year in March and by then I would have worked one year. That’s good enough to then apply for a Permanent Residence! Or at least give me time to look for a job that would sponsor me here in Australia.

I’m still going back to Malaysia in July though, for 2 weeks. I then finally get to see my girlfriend. I have mixed feelings about that, cause I’m only going to see her for a short while, then I have to fly back here. The long distance relationship has had it’s ups and downs, and we’ll see what happens after July.

Other than that, work, study and life here has been really great! Busy, but really great. One of my goals in the past few years was to be self-sustaining by the time I’m 25. I know, my parents paid for my tuition fees, but I’m paying my own rent and food! I’m sorta halfway there!

So I leave you guys with this quote:

“Hey ! Take it easyyyyyyy” - Nacho Libre

I’m not very happy with my blog right now. In my opinion, I haven’t blogged a proper confessional entry for what feels like months now. I have so many things I wish I could say, but I just don’t know how to say them. Then after some time has passed, I don’t feel like saying them anymore.

About my life, it’s really great in theory. I work during the day, have night classes and do my assignments on the weekends. Sometimes I hang out with my friends and just play computer games, or we go out for the rare adventure (which we really should do more often). Then I go back home and talk on the phone with my long-distance girlfriend.

Which brings me to my next point. Long distance relationships are tough! So many times I wish I was back home or she was right here, especially when we go through rough patches. Sometimes I feel I take her for granted, like not calling her enough or whatever. I really wish I could do more, but I’m just so far away. Doesn’t mean I don’t love her okay.

I have just 2 more months here in Brisbane, before I have to go back home after I graduate. I haven’t even been to Movieworld or Dreamworld! Can you believe that ? I could stay if I found a job that would sponsor me, or any other option I might have.  You know what really brings me down ? I want to stay and work here in Australia, but the one I love is back home in Malaysia. Do I really have to choose between both of them ? Do I actually have a choice ? I don’t know at the moment.

What I do know is, I’m going to go bungee jumping. And get a tattoo. Fuck yeah.