State of Affairs

One of the writers I enjoy reading is Malinda Seneviratne.. His mother Indrani was a teacher of mine, and one of the people who encouraged me to keep writing and keep doing what I believed in. She also helped me when it came to my college applications, constantly pouring over my numerous essays and fine-tuning them to suit each university. One of my favorite memories of her and me is watching Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo and Juliet".. It was such a novel idea to her, to take such an age-old love story and modernize it in such a revolutionary way.. But I digress...

Today's article is about how the undergraduates in Sri Lankan universities are protesting something or the other at their Universities... When you really think about it, we have way too many people in kinds of government and local offices, from ministers, to deputy ministers, provincial counciliors to so many people in between, too many people leads to efficiency as anyone in the private sector will tell you. How can this country run when you have a minister for Minister of Water Supply and Drainage and a Minister for Water Management?? What is the difference.. and when you ask one person, they claim they are not responsible, then you ask the other, and you get the same response.. so stupid!

It is so sad that this country will never develop when we have inefficiency like this. I guess it wouldn't matter if the ministries and resulting deputies were working for the people, but instead we have a bunch of ignorant people working for the money rather than the country.

I went to an international school and people constantly give me grief about it, saying by going to school that caters to many foreigners, one doesn't develop a love for the country. Quite ironic, considering most of the people working in these government institutions are from very local schools... I ask you, if you loved someone, would you intentionally try and hurt them? Make them feel like they are not worth the very ground they stand on... Honestly, I don't think they love anything or anyone except their paysheet and the extra 'perks' of the job..

My mother always says, "Too much power in the hands of small-minded people is a dangerous thing" - it is so true for this little country.

2AM Wake-Up Call...

Waking up at 2am is not exactly what I call a pleasant weekend, but I will make exceptions. Tomorrow, I am off to St. Jude's in Gampaha. It is their annual Feast, and every year, my mum and I along with a bunch of family friends go up there and help the church by selling candles.

St. Jude's was not Judas, the man who betrayed Jesus. Rather, he was a great man with lots of faith. He is often pictured with a club, because ironically he was beaten to death by one.

Why do I go there? I am not Catholic but I do have a lot of faith. Some say, by going to different places of worship, you even out your chances of getting your wishes to come true but for me, this is not it. I go to the temple, I go to the Tamil Kovil, I go to church, not for anything else but spiritual fulfillment. Its honestly quite relaxing and it helps me clear out my mind.

St. Jude's in particular has helped me in a number of occasions. Once I bought some medals from there and kept them on me. This was during the time, I had my infamous fall down a 12 foot ceiling and landed in a store room, where there were many tables and chairs.. However, I happened to fall into the one little spot where thankfully nothing was there, hence sparing my nose, my face not to mention my LIFE~!

Next mini-miracle.. I was going through a bad patch and trying to decide between a 'good' decision (in my mind, but it was truly a bad choice in retrospect) and a actually good decision.. and at the same time, I was praying and lighting candles. I swear to you, everytime I asked for the 'bad' decision to come through, the candle would not light, even if I held it next to another flame. But if I asked for the 'good' decision, it lit up at once..

Coincidence?? I think not...

I am not the only one who seemed to have miracles happen to them there. I have met so many ladies who have either got cured of cancer, or any other diseases after going regularly. Maybe faith heals, or maybe its a miracle, who knows..

Anyway, its always nice to get out and do something for someone else. Its quite fun.. Good food, catch up with good gossip and have a fun time.. that's always a blast..

If you do happen to come, do come see me at the candle stand...

Land of Smiles?

You always hear that Sri Lanka is the land of smiles, or the land of friendly people. These people who say that OBVIOUSLY haven't gone to a government department to get anything done.

Yesterday, i FINALLY recieved a notice that I had got my good friend's package from the US. I had been waiting for this thing for the past month and she had sent all kinds of goodies for my son and me :) haha.. anyways, happily, I thought since I was in a rush, I would go to the post office and clear it.

Just to inform anyone who's reading from abroad, when packages come from abroad, it has to be cleared through customs and then the post office informs you that you have received something. Inconvenient but these people need work, i suppose.

Anyways, off i went. I was in a relatively good mood, considering my morning was not that great and we had a wedding to go to in the evening so everything was ok. There was a bit of traffic but nothing that wouldnt kill you. Usually, I get these things cleared by someone from office because i know that govt. offices have a bad rap, but hey, being the impatient person i am, i thought "if he can do it, why cant i?"

So I come to the formitable office, its HUGE. Tax rupees at work? As usual, people are hardly working, than working hard. A sleepy security guard tells me, to clear packages, I have to go upstairs. So up the heavy, really long staircase I go. I wonder, if people get BIG packages, how do they come down the stairs? Anyways, I finally get a very crabby looking guy, who looks very creepy. I make small talk to put the guy at ease and he just gives me a weird look and continues to get me to sign about 3 forms - same form but 3 copies. Then he asks for my ID (can you hear the dum daaaaaammmm)

Now, my ID has my home address along with my maiden name. Unfortunately, this package came to my married name and my new place. This guy kept INSISTING i was not Amrita ******* whereas as you know, i very well am. I told him, do you want me to tell you who the package is from? He was like, if this is your married name, bring your marriage certificate?? WTF? i can believe in security but come on? I said, is there any other way i can prove this package belongs to me. I even asked should i call my friend abroad, he can confirm the number with the number entered in her papers. And he kept saying no no no. So, I got pissed off and told the guy in very colorful language (at least as colorful as my poor sinhala could be) and came home a very sad and angry customer.

Then I got inspired. I called the superintendent and proceeded to be a pain in his ass, and you know i can be that way when i am totally pissed off. I told him, i should have paid his guy some money and I am sure he would have given my package, and this is what happens if you try and do things the honest way. He kept insisting on security, i was like, look check the package if you want, its all kids stuff... anyways, after an hour of bugging this guy, he was like ok, come meet me and we can clear your stuff.

FINALLY! So hopefully today is the day i get my stuff.. Wish me luck!

SL may have won the war, but it hasn't stopped the buck