...and karma strikes back

Dear reader,

Yes, I believe in karma. Okay, technically, I believe in 'reaping what you sow'; but karma's easier to say. A person can't just commit injustice after injustice and get away with it. Sooner or later, karma strikes back. That's just the way it is; non-negotiable, inevitable. Like gravity. You jump off a building, you plummet headfirst to the ground--doesn't matter what your race is, how much you weigh, or how rich you are. The only way to go is down.

But I'm getting a little off topic here. The reason behind this post is actually to share a song with you, dear reader. About time for another musical post, in my opinion. So, here we go. The song in question is called [surprise, surprise] 'Karma', by the Indonesian band Cokelat. Enjoy!

Cokelat

'Karma'

Sekian lama kita bersama
Ternyata kau juga sama saja
Kau kira kupercaya semua
S'gala tipu daya, oh...percuma

Kau buat sempurna, awalnya
Berakhir bencana

[chorus]
S'lamat tinggal, sayang
Bila umurku panjang

Kelak ku 'kan datang 'tuk buktikan
Satu balas 'kan kau jelang
Jangan menangis, sayang
Ku ingin kau rasakan

Pahitnya terbuang, sia-sia
Memang kau pantas dapatkan

Akhirnya, usai sudah semua
Ku dapat tertawa, bahagia...

S'lalu tampak indah, awalnya
Berakhir bencana

[chorus]

Kau buat sempurna, awalnya
Berakhir bencana

[chorus]

English translation:

Cokelat

'Karma'

We've been together all this while

Evidently you're still the same

You think I'd believe everything

All your deceit, oh...just like that

You acted perfectly, at first

It ended in disaster

[chorus]

Goodbye, my love

When I'm older

I'll come back to prove

You'll get what's coming to you

Don't cry, my love

I want you to feel

The bitterness of being abandoned, useless

Really, you'll get yours soon

Finally, when it's all over

I can laugh, joyfully

It always looks beautiful, at first

It ended in disaster

[chorus]

You acted perfectly, at first

It ended in disaster

[chorus]

And there you have it! Oh, guess what, my dear reader. It's footnote time! Please direct your attention to the crimson tinged phrases above; and then kindly redirect your attention down here, for I shall be a dear and write them again...riiiight here: 'Memang kau pantas dapatkan', which I translated as 'Really, you'll get yours soon'. This one was a bit of a challenge. I'm not too happy with it, to be honest. It sounds a bit funny, doesn't it? Translated word-for-word it means 'indeed, you'll get it quickly'...or something like that. However, if you, my dearest reader, have any alternative translations, give it here! I would be very glad with any improvement to this--currently--awkward-sounding line. Yes, Sammy-boy, I'm talking to you! You're my only 'follower', after all. *crouches in a corner pondering her pathetic excuse for a blog*

Right. Well. Moving on. Is it just me, or does this singer have a sort of Alanis Morissette feel to her voice? I can safely say that I'm an Alanis Morissette fan. My favourite song of hers is--oh, wait. That's a whole other post in itself. I suppose I should let you go now, no doubt you are at this very moment occupied in some pressing engagement, extremely busy doing something extremely important, or just generally full of activity. At least, I hope you are. You should be.

Oh, and on a side note, I'm starting school on the 10th of August! That's--let me see--a Monday. I still can't believe I'm looking forward to it as much as I am. I'm practically gleeful at my upcoming incarceration in the higher education system. I am a bit nervous, as well. You know, the kind of excited nervousness one inevitably feels at the start of a new school year. New classes, new pencils, new erasers, new books...old brain.

Ah, yes, I should end this post now. Forgive my rambling, dear reader. So, off I go! I wonder if I should buy some new pens...

Yours,

Figgy the Karmic

Jump Higher!

Dear Reader,

I've just realized...it's been almost a month since my last musical post. This just won't do. I must have my music! Plus, it's been a boring couple of days and I have absolutely nothing else worth blogging about. So, today I shall share and translate a song called 'Melompat Lebih Tinggi' by Sheila On 7. It means 'Jump Higher' in English, hence the title of this post. It was sort of the theme song for an Indonesian movie, '30 Hari Mencari Cinta' (30 Days To Look For Love) so the video clip is basically a movie trailer. 

The movie in a nutshell: three housemates, who are also the bestest of friends, make a bet with each other to see who can successfully procure a boyfriend first after being called lesbians by a really annoying, shallow, big-slut-on-campus type girl. The catch is, they have a 30-day deadline...and the loser has to do all the chores for a month or something. So, a classic I-have-to-find-me-the-perfect-guy-amidst-all-these-losers montage ensues.

The video clip is just a compilation of little bits and pieces from the movie, but with the band-dudes substituting some of the wannabe boyfriends used in the real movie. I love Sheila On 7! They just crack me up. And their lyrics aren't half bad, either.

Anyway...enjoy!

Sheila On 7

'Melompat Lebih Tinggi'

Kita berlari dan teruskan bernanyi

Kita buka lebar pelukan mentari

Bila ku terjatuh nanti,

Kau siap mengangkat aku lebih tinggi.

Seperti pedih yang telah kita bagi

Layaknya luka yang telah terobati

Bila kita jatuh nanti

Kita siap 'tuk melompat lebih tinggi.

Bersama kita bagai hutan dan hujan

Aku ada karna kau telah tercipta.

[chorus]

Kupetik bintang untuk kau simpan

Cahayanya tenang, berikan kau perlindungan

Sebagai pengingat teman

Juga s'bagai jawaban

Semua tantangan

[chorus]

Sebelum waktu memisahkan detikku, detikmu

Sebelum dewasa, menua, memisahkan kita

Degupan jantung kita akan s'lalu seirama

Bila kau rindu aku...

[chorus] x2

English Translation:

Sheila On 7

'Jump Higher'

We run and continue singing

We open wide the embrace of the sun

When I fall down,

You're ready to lift me higher.

Like a pain that we have divided

Like a cut that has been treated

When we fall down,

We're ready to jump higher.

Together we're like the forest and the rain

I am here because you were created.

[chorus]

I pluck a star for you to keep

Its light is calm, it gives you protection

As a reminder of friends

Also as the answer to

All challenges

[chorus]

Before time separates my moment, your moment

Before adulthood, aging, separates us

Our heartbeats will always be in rhythm

When you miss me...

[chorus] x2

Okay, footnote time! Kindly suppress your groans until I am safely out of earshot, my dear reader. Ahem. So. If you are Indonesian-speaking, you're probably wondering why on earth I translated bagi as divided. Well, my dear reader, that particular 'bagi' is probably a shortened version of 'bahagi', which, in fact, means 'divided'. You see, 'bagi' usually means 'give'...but I couldn't very well translate the line as 'like a pain that we have (been) given' or something like that. It doesn't make any sense! So, I deliberated that the songwriter actually meant the other 'bagi'; 'bahagi'. Then it's 'like a pain that we have divided (amongst ourselves, therefore we both share it and feel it less)'.

Well...I think that's it for this post; I'm all blogged out. Good news for you, I suppose, my dear reader. But please, don't break out into song just yet. I'm already cooking up an absolutely amazing post as we speak. It will blow your mind. Prepare to be mind-blown! 

Nyeh...not really. I have no idea what I'm going to write about next. Guess I'll just wing it. Sort of like I'm doing right now. Just winging it. Alrighty then, I'm gonna wing it on out of here. Until next time, dear reader.

Yours,

Figgy

[FiSPToW]

♫ ♪ Music and Lyrics...and Translation?

Dear Reader,





You should know by now that when I hear a song, it's not the music I listen to first, it's the words. I am quite fortunate to be able to understand two languages quite fluently: English and Malay. And, by understanding Malay, I can almost understand Indonesian. You see, the Malay and Indonesian languages share the same relationship as American and British English. The accents and colloquial terms are quite different, but the basic words used are pretty similiar.



Malaysians sometimes borrow Indonesian words, especially in poetry, novels or songs, because Indonesian words sound so much more poetic and romantic than our Malay ones.



Anyway, the reason I'm composing this post is not to deliver a lecture on the differences or similarities between the Malaysian and Indonesian languages. I'm here to share a song with you, my dear reader. It's called 'Juwita (Citra Terindah)' by M. Nasir. Here are the lyrics and the translation:





M. Nasir
Juwita (Citra Terindah)
Bagaimanakah aku gambarkan
Rasa yang membakar jiwaku?
Tiada kata yang tak cliché
Bagai habis bahasa bermutu
Sedang engkau teristimewa buat diriku
Ilham tugu Taj Mahal
Didirikan, oh…


Barangkali kita perlu
Melihat di sebalik materi
Kau wanita, aku lelaki
Ayuhlah kita *mengikat janji
Yang kau Juwita menolak segala dusta
Citra yang terindah
Cerita yang sakti

Chorus:
Ku serahkan nasibku pada cinta murni
Jugaku rasakan bukti
Patahkan, ku hancurkan badanku ini
Kau tetap menjadi

Oh-oh, oh-oh…*Pujaan
Oh-oh, oh-oh…Juwita

Kau segala-galanya

Kau Juwita menghidupkan jiwa yang lara
Menggoncang kalbu yang lama membeku

[Chorus]

Oh-oh, oh-oh…Pujaan
Oh-oh, oh-oh…Juwita
Oh-oh, oh-oh…Pujaan
Oh-oh, oh-oh…Juwita

*Sempurnakan cintaku
Juwita...Juwita...
Kaulah segalanya
Segalanya...
Kaulah segalanya
Segalanya...






M. Nasir
Juwita (The Most Beautiful Image)
How do I describe
The feeling that burns in my soul?
There are no words that aren’t cliché
As if language of good quality has been used up
Whereas you’re the most special person to me
The inspiration behind the Taj Mahal
Being built, oh…

Maybe we need
To look behind the subject matter
You’re a woman, I’m a man
Come, let us *make promises
That you, Juwita, push aside all the lies
The most beautiful image
A sacred story

Chorus:
I deliver my fate to a pure love
I have also felt the proof
If I break, crush my body
You will still be

Oh-oh, oh-oh…*The one I adore
Oh-oh, oh-oh…Juwita

You are everything

You, Juwita, brought a miserable soul to life
Shook up a heart that has long been frozen

[Chorus]

Oh-oh, oh-oh…The one I adore
Oh-oh, oh-oh…Juwita
Oh-oh, oh-oh…The one I adore
Oh-oh, oh-oh…Juwita

*Perfect my love
Juwita...Juwita...
You are everything
Everything...
You are everything
Everything...









*mengikat janji--make promises
Ok, so I translated this phrase as 'make promises'. But the literal word-for-word translation is 'tie promises'. I love this phrase because it implies that promises, like knots, can be tied; that they are binding. Just thought you would like to know that, my dearest reader.


*pujaan--the one I adore
The original [accurate] translation for 'pujaan' is 'idol', or 'sacrifice'; you know, something to be worshipped and adored. I thought 'idol' was a little heavy for the upbeat mood of this song and, besides, I believe in the whole monotheistic "You shall have no other gods before Me" thing. So I paraphrased.


*sempurnakan--perfect
The word 'perfect' is used as a verb here, not as a noun. Examples:
Verb: 'please perfect my love'.
Noun: 'make my love perfect'.
Interestingly enough, it's almost the same situation with the Malay word. 'Sempurna' means 'perfect', a noun. Add '-kan' to the back and it becomes a verb.





Alrighty then. I should probably go now, before I come up with anymore footnotes and bore you to death. Bubbye!





Yours,



Figgy the Philologist

A Random Story...

Dear Reader,





Would you like to hear a random story? For I am in a random-story-telling mood. Well, here goes...



Have you ever been approached by an individual with short-cropped hair, wearing a white shirt, plain tie and immaculately pressed trousers, often accompanied by at least one other, almost identically attired individual? Well, I have. Kind of.



Let me start from the beginning.





It was a perfectly normal day; the only remarkable occurrence being that almost the entire family [including me] was outside in the yard, enjoying the sunshine. My younger brother, Nethaniel, shirtless and perspiring heavily, was rambunctiously playing with the dogs. I was sitting on a rattan chair, situated directly in front of the side door, just in case the whole furry, panting group descended upon me and I needed to beat a hasty retreat.




My cousin, Linda--or Lini, as we all tend to call her--was pottering about the garden, doing something to the chilli plants, I believe. Or maybe she was starting a fire for us to roast marsh-mellows over, later in the evening. I don't quite remember that detail, but it isn't really relevant to this story. Moving on.



Our Indonesian maid, Julia, was near the front of our yard, collecting wood or sweeping leaves off the driveway, or some such thing. An industrious, bustling being, is Julia. She always seems to be busily employed doing something, but, to this day, I haven't managed to figure out just what that something is. Anyway, as I was saying, Julia was in the front part of the yard, and therefore she was the closest one to the Big Gate.




I espied the two aforementioned gentlemen from my rattan chair, which was quite a long way off from the Big Gate, actually. They were both carrying backpacks--though, to my everlasting regret, I didn't notice whether they were carrying them on the same shoulder or not--and were both about the same height and build, and they were both white...Caucasian, I believe, is the politically correct term.



My house is situated on a hill. Yes, very picturesque and interesting, my sentimental reader. But not if you're on foot, climbing your way to the top in the afternoon heat, hatless and in a long-sleeved dress shirt. There was a light breeze that day, though, if I recall correctly. So, it probably wasn't that bad for them. Oh, yes, I seem to remember their matching ties fluttering slightly in synchronization; or perhaps it's just my lively imagination at work.



However it was, I was fortunate enough to detect their impending arrival as they were still on the crown of the hill, ascending slowly, each holding what looked like a book in their hands. They were obviously from some religious group, bent on spreading their doctrine to all corners of the globe, on a mission to enlighten every unlucky native and heathen that they came across--or pursued, rather.



Without further hesitation, I jumped from my chair and proceeded to hide behind our car. The car, a Pajero, succeeded in shielding me from their otherwise penetrating gaze. I could still peek out from behind the fender without being seen, though. So I happily stayed where I was, leaving everything to Julia's capable hands.



The two strangers accosted Julia, and called her to come up to the Big Gate, which, incidentally, is kept closed at all times, for obvious reasons. Six reasons, actually. All of which came racing down the driveway at full speed, yapping and barking for all they were worth.



My cousin and brother, only now noticing the two closely-shaved gentlemen in earnest conversation with Julia, joined me behind the Pajero, giggling and 'shushing' each other like a couple of 8-year-old schoolgirls.



My younger sister, Daniella, was inside the house, and had come out to see what all the barking was about. We each gesticulated violently at her to keep quiet and to come join us in hiding. When she failed to comprehend our chaotic miming, I dragged her bodily towards the car and whisperingly updated her on our present condition.



Although we could see what was happening clearly enough, we were too far away to hear what was being said. Then, Julia suddenly turned around and called out each of our names in turn, her shrill voice almost drowned out by the incessant barking.



"Kak Lini!" A slight pause as she waited for a reply.

"Kak Bethany!" Again, no response.

"Daniella!" Yeah.

"Boy!" As a last resort.



That remote method of communication proving ineffective, she made her way up the driveway to seek us out, probably a bit puzzled by our sudden disappearance. As she came up to the side door, she saw the four of us crouching behind the Pajero. Using various gestures and hand signals, with liberal lifting of eyebrows and mouthing out of indistinguishable words, we managed to make her understand that we didn't want to meet these two strangers, and that we wanted her to make them go away. Julia dutifully walked back to the Big Gate to get rid of the two gentlemen, in the politest manner possible, of course.



After a short and, for the audience hiding behind the Pajero, muted conversation, the two gentlemen departed as suddenly as they appeared, apparently meaning to harass--I mean, enlighten our neighbours as soon as possible.



Later we asked Julia how she managed to dispatch them so expediently. She said she had informed them that they could not preach their doctrine here, as it was a Malay household. We all looked at her in disbelief. We thought perhaps she was making a joke. Surely they didn't fall such an obvious lie. Why, the entire time they were at the gate, there were six dogs barking at them. A Malay household indeed! At first we were incredulous. Then, when Julia assured us she wasn't making a joke, the funny side of the whole thing kicked in. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.



Alright, if you aren't a Malaysian, you're probably a bit in the dark here. You see, my international reader, Malays are prohibited by their religion to come into contact with dogs. That means they can't even touch dogs, let alone keep one for a pet. Let alone six.



And so, there it is. My [mostly] true story. With a few literary embellishments here and there. Poetic licence, and all that.

I sincerely hope my little anecdote manages to cheer you up, dear reader. It certainly cheered me up, just by remembering it.

Well, it's that time again, my dear reader. Until next time; parting is such sweet sorrow...or whatever.







Yours,



Figgy the Storyteller