28/09/08

Read the article below (extracted straight from here), and tell me what you think...

Devout muslim sues Tesco for religious discrimination after he was made to carry crates of alcohol

A muslim is suing Tesco for religious discrimination after having to carry crates of alcohol as part of his job.

Forklift truck driver Mohammed Ahmed, 32, worked in one of the supermarket giant's warehouses for eight months before quitting 'in protest', an employment tribunal heard.

He claims he was forced to leave because handling beer, spirits and wine is against his strict Islamic beliefs and that he was victimised when he asked the company to give him another role.

Mr Ahmed, who was raised in Saudi Arabia, told the tribunal he had no idea his job entailed handling alcohol when he started work at the distribution depot in Lichfield, Staffordshire, last September.

When he realised it did, he asked to be found different work but alleges that one of his supervisors told him: 'You do the job or go home.'

Mr Ahmed also claimed his line manager was 'aggressive' towards him and another supervisor angrily told him: 'Do not take the p***.'

The situation allegedly worsened in November and December when extra alcohol arrived at the warehouse in readiness of Christmas, the tribunal in Birmingham heard.

Mr Ahmed claimed he eventually lodged an official grievance with the company in February but was 'victimised and harassed' as a result.

Asked why he took so long to raise a grievance in the first place, he said: 'Many meetings were being held in the meantime to discuss the situation.'

The tribunal heard that since the case emerged Tesco has ensured its induction process makes clear that handling alcohol is part of the job.

But Laura Canham, the company's solicitor, said it was still unrealistic for Mr Ahmed to say he had no idea what his duties would be.

Mr Ahmed claimed he had never visited a Tesco store and was not aware the company sold alcohol.

But he admitted having shopped in other supermarkets - including Sainsbury's, Lidl and ASDA - and noticing alcohol was on sale there.

Miss Canham said: 'He was advised at the outset what the job would entail. At no stage did he raise the fact he could not handle alcohol.'

She told the hearing managers did all they could to help Mr Ahmed, adding: 'They went to see if there were any other roles available for him.

'He applied for a maintenance job, but he was unsuccessful. All other roles, in some form or other, also came into contact with alcohol.'

The tribunal was told Mr Ahmed also gave out 'mixed messages', at one stage suggesting he was allowed to handle Budweiser beer.

Miss Canham denied the company discriminated against him and said: 'It would be reasonable to expect him to be aware of what Tesco did.'

Mr Ahmed, of Derby, who is suing the firm for racial discrimination, victimisation and harassment, is set to learn the outcome of the case later this week.

He said: 'I was asking for my rights. I am not saying I am a perfect person, but there was a conflict with my beliefs.

'It is in our religion that we are not allowed to handle alcohol. In the UK there are equal opportunities that should protect me and my beliefs.'

Saudi Arabia's enforcement of strict Sharia law regarding alcohol is among the harshest in the world.

Sentences include several months' imprisonment for simply drinking beer, and it is not unknown for offenders to be given lashes as well.

A spokesman for Tesco, whose £63 million Lichfield depot employs around 1,000 people, said: 'Cases like this are very rare.

'Managers are trained to be culturally sensitive and have an "open-door policy" to staff for issues like this, as everyone is welcome to work at Tesco.'

I read and read it again three times just to make sure I didnt not misunderstood any part of the article.

I dont know whether to laugh or to cry...

Running Out of Time - Simple Plan

The perfect song to describe the political situation back home?



But I still miss home...

Karaoke (Part 2)

Papercut - Linkin Park



Breaking the habit - Linkin Park



Welcome to my life - Simple Plan



Untitled - Simple Plan



Shut Up - Simple Plan



Crazy - Simple Plan



Addicted - Simple Plan



Your love is a lie - Simple Plan



I'm just a kid - Simple Plan



When i'm Gone - Simple Plan



Perfect - Simple Plan



Cant you see I'm a fan of Simple Plan???

Karaoke

Enough about feeling sorry for myself. Time for Karaoke. All together now!

She's so lovely - Scouting for Girls



Heartbeat - Scouting for Girls



Rockstar - Nickelback



How to save a life - The Fray



Grace Kelly - Mika



Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis



In the end - Linkin Park

I am the Kacang ('cont)

I feel the need to redeem myself after the previous post of me bashing.

For the longest time i've been wanting to talk about the kacang issue but in many occasion has decided against it. Because you see, there are a lot of you who fail to see the other side of the coin.

You hold on to every single word that I said and judge it against your own life. Essentially, many people fail to see the people lead different lives and (lo, behold) have different priorities from you.

Say for example, a lot of people do not understand the difficulty that Des and I went through with him working in shifts. They fail to see that the weekends that they all look forward to to rest and relax with their partners is not something that happened on a regular basis for us. They fail to see why I cannot commit to a weekend holiday in 6 weeks time purely because we have no idea whether either one of us is able to make it (no weekends off luxury remember?) And I particularly hate it when they are quick to come to a conclusion and ignore the reasons why I want to go back to have dinner with des every single day of the week.

I dread it when Friday comes and colleagues asked the mandatory 'what you doing over the weekend'. My answer? 'Nothing really'. Weeks and weeks to come.

Am I safe to think that for those who have never dated people who works in the service industry will never understand? I've given up trying to explain what I feel lonely even though I live with Des. Dont get me started about 'if you feel lonely, why dont you go out and do something?' Especially from people who are single and lead a 'young and adventurous' life.

Dont get me wrong. I'm happy. I like the way things are. Its just tiring to try to explain to people that it is ok about the fact that I dont necessarily feel and do things the way they do. I want to go back home to have dinner with Des every single day because I want to. Its not clingy, its because you people fail to realize that its only the dinner that I get to see Des. I dont get to see him for the rest of the evening and night.

Furthermore, we're married. We're not dating anymore. Things change. So what if yours didnt. Mine did.

Remember what I said about the other side of the coin?

I admit that there are times that I feel absolutely horrible and goes around asking friends if they have any sad news to share. I need to know that the world does not revolves around me. And you know what they say? 'I'm happy, and I want you to know that'. So much for being a friend. I think its particularly sad that you are happy because you dont want me to see you sad. They probably go on thinking 'Oh no, I have to be happy, I dont want Agnes to see me sad', for all the wrong reasons! Well, i think its pathetic that you're happy not because you truly are, but because you only pretend to be.

Remember what I said about people trying to teach me a lesson? Sad. But funnily enough, I just have to admit that I am guilty myself. There are many times that I'm just saying/doing things because I knew that provokes an action from you. How? Simple. Cause I know how judgemental you are, so I just need to drop a few hints here and there and bom! Response received and enjoyed.

We're not that different you know. If you look at me and you hate me, its only because we're the same. Believe it.

I'm pathetic. I know I know. I contradict myself ALL the time. Now i am the one who is trying to convince you all that I'm happy happy house, happy house happy house. I guess I'm just happy to finally find the energy to drag myself up on the bed and to type my thoughts out. I wander if its because of the overdose on the reality tv show that I've recently discover online. Hmm, I guess these sudden outburst of emotion is due to my emotion jar is almost bursting already. I miss you all from the hill. I truly do. Because you guys understand.

But then again, life goes on...

I am the Kacang.

A friend posted 'Abandoning the monk after the ceremony' in the MSN status today. Whether he means me is irrelevant.

Anyway, his statement makes me think. Think about who I am and think about how others think.

For as long as I can remember, I already knew that I'm the type of person who will look when I need. Obviously, this wasnt my best trait. But I think the difference between me and the others is that I already KNEW i am one.

The point is, I acknowledge the importance of thanking the very person who has helped you. But I dont see the point of being indebted to the person for the rest of my life, especially when it wasnt over life and death matters. Say the monk and ceremony example. Yes, it is important to acknowledge and thank the monk, but I dont think that we should spend the entire ceremony thanking the monk and making him the centre of the attention when the ceremony is supposed to be about US.

Let me stress that we should ALWAYS thank the monk. But then, it doesnt mean that we should be made to feel as if we owed him our lives. How selfish for the monk to think that way. Especially if it is his JOB to do it in the first place! I mean, dont you think there is a line to be drawn? Certainly, the monk shouldnt expect to be invited to every important celebrations for the couple in their lives after the ceremony! (Ok, maybe they will, but then, it should still be the perogative of the couple, and it shouldnt be a MUST).

Coincidently, I spoke to Des about this matter a few days ago (no, not about inviting the lady who officiate our marriage to our wedding ceremony, but something similar). And boy, am I glad when he shared the same thinking as me. About the importance of thanking the person but yet felt that we would have repaid the indebtness.

For as long as I've realized that I'm a kacang lupakan kulit person, I've tried very hard not to be indebted to anyone. I mean, there are many times I've asked and yet did not receive anything in return, but I can frankly say, I did not harbour any hatred at all because 'do what you want others to do to you' right? The same way I've not responded to people's calling, I wasnt expecting people to answer most of the time. Cause everyone else is just the same. Perhaps, I'm just looking for those good souls (whom I've always make fun of because they were 'too good to be true'), but trust me, I dont hold you in fault when you dont answer. But then again, thinking back, for those of you who delibarately avoided me, doesnt that make you the same? I always laugh when people tried to conciously teach me a lesson, for doesnt they realized that makes them the same???

Oh well, I guess people always forget that. Dont you see, the more I avoid being indebted to you, the more I'm trying NOT to be a kacang lupakan kulit. If I'm not indebted to you, how can I lupakan you? Gettit??? I'm trying, I'm trying...

For the past few weeks, a certain issue has been dragging in our lives. I am sure it was a combination of a few other factors (one being very prominent) that dictates our action. It would be fair to say that we werent exactly thinking in the right mind for now. Well, if you're living our life, I'm sure you would too! (Nevermind, I'm not telling you what it is...)

Anyway, moving on. The point is people should not hold themselves too high. Yes, I do ask only when I need, but then again, one shouldnt think too highly of themselves. I'm not the greatest friend one could have, but people needs friends just the way they need something for themselves. Just so happen, I need a different type of friend right now. Certainly its no fault of mine right?

I used to be those people who dont understand how friends can move on and finds it hard to accept that things change. Yup, believe it or not, I'm the kind of person who wants friends to be together forever and ever. That was when I was 5 years old, the girl who always cries when her best friend threatens not to befriend her anymore. But she always take me back. Probably because she thinks I'm pathetic. Fast forward 20 years alter, that was probably the reason why I dont have a best friend and accepts the fact that friendships exist to fill up a hole.

Dont get me wrong. There are people that I would still love to keep in touch with. But I accepts that people move on and I certainly wont hold my friend hostage lest they decides to experience different things and meet different people.

I remembered there was once I had a horrible day at work during my time up the hill. It was lunch time and not many people were in the office (which is a good thing because I dont have to layan so many people). Feeling absolutely horrible, I stood up and walk to a temp clerk that was sitting across me and squatted next to her without saying a word. She looked at me and ask whats wrong (we talked before, but mostly in the office. We werent close, but we werent enemies either). Without saying a word, I suddenly burst into tears and i could sense her suprise and she passed me tissue without saying a word. Two minutes later, I dried my eyes, stood up and walked to the toilet to freshen up. We never spoke about the incident afterwards, but I'm glad she is there (obviously she doesnt CHOOSE to be there for me). Dont get me wrong, I thank her for the tissue back then. But at times when you really need a good cry without the shoulder and explaination, I think I'm a friend enough for her to be there for me when I needed someone to cry to. Afterall, I dont need her to explain, I dont need her to talk me though, I dont need her to pity. I just need her to be there. And she did. A good friend would have asked too much question, and I dont need that for that moment in time. (I then turn to a 'good friend' (Des, that is) later after work and that was when the questions, anger, crying, consoling begins).

If you say I take more than I give, you're probably right. But then, I think its only human to do such a thing.

I cant help being the way I am. For I am moulded the way I am when i was 5 years old. And I think it is most liberating to be able to accepts who you are than to struggle to change yourself. I dont make excuses for myself, and I certainly dont apologise for it. (yes yes, I do apologise when i've wrong someone, but I dont apologize when i dont act according to your standards, you get the idea). I just think its sad that if I'm 30 (yes lah, I know I'm not yet, but soon to be lah) and I dont still know who I am.

And I do admit who I am to those of you who know me. Just dont try to change me. Dont say I dont warn you...

Short talk - Karma

I've had my fair share of idiots and bitches encounters in my life. And i do realized that at times of my life, I've been a bitch myself too. So if what comes around goes around, isn't it safe to say that for those people who says that i'm a bitch, have been horrible to others some point of their lives too? Isn't that what's karma all about?

Nine in the afternoon - Panic at the Disco

Lyrics

Far Away - Nickelback

Lyrics

Black and Gold - Sam Sparrow

Lyrics

Without You - The Feeling

Lyrics

11/9/2008

I wanted to say 'I Told You So', but I could go on and on.

In fact, I could even say 'This is exactly what I predicted', but no point crying over spilled water.

What is the point? Lets just concentrate on cleaning up. Damage control they say.

I've never agreed with the arrangements, but I did. And so, its clean up time.

Learn from mistakes you'd say?

Not a good advice when you're surrounded with many similar glasses filled with water to the brim, propped up high on a piece of old wood. There really isnt much you can do, except to pray that it doesnt tip over and spill the water, just like the first glass.

It would cost a bomb to replace the wood. Especially when you will not OWN it.

What can we do? Prepare for the worst. Get as many newspaper as we can and put it at the base of the wood. Hence, when the water spill, it will be absorbed by the papers.

Towels you say? Nope, cause we can only afford newspaper for now, and it will be a one off cost. We will not be able to afford towels, which in this case, would be better cause it can be dried out and reuse again. Sadly, we cannot afford the towels.

I'm not too worried for now. It is only ONE glass of water. But when this goes on a regular basis, it will really hurt us.

To make matter worst, we're walking on eggshells. See how difficult it is? We've already got the eggshells to worry about, now we cant even use the wood to balance ourselves, in fact we're to tread around it carefully.

Double whammy you'll say?

Life is like that lor. What else can you say?

Previous Random thoughts

I was looking through my old emails and I came across this...

What kinda of person am I?

I am:
The type of person who enjoys watching hours of television
The type of person who gets irritated at lame jokes
The type of person who enjoys the company of close friends
The type of person who is fine being alone
The type of person who dreams a lot
The type of person who asks only when she needs

In a conversation, we find ourselves debating whether a friend of us is happy.

"Well, I think she is happy".
"She seems to be in her own world most of the time".
"Well, I think she is happy to be in her own world most of the time".
"I don't think she is happy in her own world".
"Does it matter?"

Does it matter whether she is happy or not in her own world? Maybe she LIKE being unhappy in her own world. It is HER own world, why would we care whether she's happy?

Should we care?

Is it our responsibility to ensure our friends are happy? I don't know.

A classmate of mine committed suicide recently due to depression. I am not close to her, but I could imagine how her close friends blame themselves for not able to help her. But then again, she is in a better place right now, no? And obviously, in her state of mind, no amount of counseling would do her good because the wall she build herself is strong enough, so she believe.

I certainly don't put the responsibility to my friends to make sure I'm happy. Though I admit I DO rely heavily on him to make me feel better whenever I'm down.

I know, I know. I only say such a thing because I have him. If I don't, perhaps I will say things like them as well.

I guess after seven years of being together, things do turn into another direction. The expectation is higher and the anticipation is less. Together forever happily ever after? Yea, seven years does seems like forever.

Am I happy with him then? Yes I am. But then again, I just don't know why I get easily irritated when I read about people flaunting their partners and their act of love. Why? Cause I feel equally as happy, and not a slight jealousy with them, and yet I feel such a way.

I'm truly puzzled.

Perhaps, its my low tolerance towards other people happiness. Yes, I don't know why, but I thrive on other's misery. It reminds me to get my ass off Cloud Nine and to come back to live in Reality. He always say "Why do you always look at a glass half empty?"

I cant help it. The higher the expectation, the higher the disappointment right? I guess I could not handle any hurt anymore, and has build a wall around myself. I am a pessimist, I just cannot help it.

And I think, one day I'll just drown myself in my self-created misery and die from depression.

That is if, the Great Big Plan does not work, I'm left family-less in this world and he leaves me. Count on it.

Oh wait, there IS always 24-hours notice, maids and artificial insemination. HAHAHA ;-/

Please do take the above post with a pinch of salt. It is just one of my ramblings back then that was unedited (and obviously not posted at that point of time).

The point is, I miss these abstracts of my mind. Many a times I tend to type away my feelings just to pull back at the posting part. I feel that it is not right to put it up at that time due to sensativity of many issues. Especially when it involves people in my life and the last thing I want to do is to post up conversations that I've had just minutes ago.

Hence, these memories often get stored and forgotten, only to be dig out months later and be reminded of what happened back then. And I smiled at the thought of the scenario, glad that it is over and happy to realize that I've turn out all right. There were happy times, there were sad times, there were angry times and there were times I want to forget. The Angry times were the reasons why I never kept a journal, for I feel that my hands are too slow for my mind and I dont need a book to remind me what happen (actually, it is mostly because of the writing, I ended up scribbling things that I dont understand).

I've also come across an incident two years ago (not with reference to the above post) that left me crying and sobbing in Des arms while sitting on a floor with our back leaning on the door. We were supposed to go out after work, and I burst out in tears when Des came and pick me up. It wasnt the highlight of the day, lets just say. It was a difficult time, but it brings back a smile on my face as I am glad that the proud-and-stuck-up-idiot-who-lies is no longer in my life.

Anyway, so this turns out to be another completely random post that I was typing my mind out. I know I miss 512, and I'm still getting confused on what goes where. But I'm trying, and despite the lack of updates, life has been crazy around here. Well, it wasnt crazy crazy, and it was crazier a few months back, but oh well, I'm sure it will be better.

It has to be.