Let's Get Craic-ing!

Pre-script: This article was published in the March edition of "The Inkslingers".

I have been fortunate enough to visit the homeland of the Leprechauns recently.

The weather there was typically Irish – unpredictable – and the winter was frigid cold. But the sights were truly magnificent. That is not, however, what intrigued me the most.

It’s not St. Patrick’s Day if that’s what you think I meant. It is the craic that was most noteworthy as it is quintessentially Irish. Pronounced as crack, the term does not correspond to any specific translation or definition. But it can be roughly captured as 'fun' or 'general enjoyment'. There can be great craic going on, especially in pubs, or you could be a craic yourself by being good company.

Where the Sun Don't Shine

Pre-script : I know the title isn't grammatically correct but it just sounds better.

In the previous entry, I wrote about the things I miss about being in Dublin. Now it's only right to balance that with an entry on the things which I don't miss about Dublin. Here goes:

Baile Átha Cliath

I think I need to blog consistently again. I need to practice, I need to sharpen my writing skills. Hence this entry.

Anyway, I've been away for slightly more than 10 weeks (2 1/2 months). I was based in Dublin (in the Irish language is known as "Baile Átha Cliath", hence the title of this entry) the entire time, only being out of Ireland for roughly 2 out of those 10 weeks.

Of course there are many things I'd like to share, but for a start, I'll list a few things I miss about living in Dublin.

Satu Hari Di Malaysia

Tatkala fajar menyinsing tirai pagi.
Mataku celik, telingaku jaga, aku senyum.
Alangkah indahnya Malaysiaku.

Dari bendang terbentang
ke kota raya megah bergaya.
Malaysiaku maju membangun.

Indera Kayangan ke Bawah Bayu
Kaya bangsa, budaya dan bahasa.
Malaysiaku penuh kepelbagaian.

Lautan luas, puncak dunia, angkasa raya
Diredah, ditawan, digapai.
Malaysiaku memang boleh.

Tatkala suria membayangi titian hari.
Mataku melihat, telingaku mendengar, aku muram.
Adakah ini Malaysiaku?

Silence Silentius

Silence is a girl. She is the daughter and sole heir of Cador, a noble knight, and Euphemie. But the King of England disallows the inheritance of property by women as the king lost two knights over it. So Silence is raised as a boy, christened as Silentius. And a boy Silentius is to everyone else in hope that one day ‘he’ could lay claim to ‘his’ father’s property.

Upon reaching the age of 12, Silentius is confronted by characters known as Nature, Noreture (nurture) and Reason. Nature wants Silentius to return to a role appropriate to his biological gender. But then Noreture and Reason persuades Silentius to continue the way things are to avoid shaming the family. They also argue that Silentius could lose his current status in society. At this stage, he decides to remain Silentius.

But as the story unfolds, Silentius goes through many tribulations, mostly due to the evil deeds of the queen. Eventually, all secrets are made open and King Evan has the treacherous queen arrested and Silence is made his new queen. The king restores the inheritance of all women in England. Cador and Euphemie make a return to court and are forgiven. Hereon then, everyone live happily ever after.