Perception

  A few days ago, when my father came back with a bunch of durian for bargain price, I stared to wonder: If durian ain't that expensive; If durian was as cheap as an apple, then would Singaporeans still see them as luxury goods? Would we still perceive them as the King of Fruits?

  Perception is our "'Eyes" in Life. In fact, perception forms from more than just sight. Our human senses harvest the many small fragments that ultimately form a perception in the form of a completed puzzle.

  Of course, opinions also differ with perception that distinguishes our thoughts of certain thoughts. Let us use durian for instance. While many such as myself perceive the scent of durian as fragrance, others might otherwise perceive it to be a stench.

  While some see the exterior of the durian fruit as a natural shell to prevent 'predators' from stealing its gold, some can even perceive it as a weapon; Something that can induce spiky pain and wound on its victim. This reminds me of how I used to tie a durian fruit to my father's unused belt and swing it like a flail... Then one day I accidentally swing the fruit to my cup, smashing it into a few deadly sharp shards not more than ten. Boy, my heart broke from a lost of personal property, but it was still so damn fun!

  How others perceive everything is a matter of their character, personality and environment. As for me, I tend to take many factors into my mind before I form a conclusion about something, and Perception is one thing.

  You may not know this, and it may sound weird more or less, but I actually have a... Umm... 'Spiritual' sense of smell. It is weird, I know. Maybe sort of an instinct. Although I take emotions into hand before deciding on my overall perception, sometimes, like everyone else, I have my own judgement and opinions just about everyone around me. The only exception is that I never take into account the common stereotypes in my judgement.

  I never despise Malays for the stereotype of being 'cheap', let alone the 'terrorist' impression found in many racists and anti-Muslims (Of which I hope they never, NEVER existed in the first place). I was never disgusted by the Bangladeshi citizens in Singapore just because they were always doing menial work for us in Singapore, such as collecting trash and construction. In fact, I appreciate these people for working so hard not just for themselves, and not just for their families, but for us to have more accommodations for our country.

  Anyways, what I mean by 'spiritual' sense of smell and hearing is something which may or may not be present in some or most of you. Maybe it is hallucination, or something extraordinary. Or maybe it could simply be very sensitive senses. Maybe at the cost of easily catching a cold or flu. My point is, when a certain scent from something comes to me, it seems like more than a smell. I will know that something is there, when others think it isn't. Then, guess what? It IS there.

  Part of my perception comes from this instinct. I remember pointing out a trash can out of sight when my friend was looking for one. I remember smelling curry chicken from where my mom is- the master bedroom- even three hours before she starts preparing to cook it. I remember how I was able to sense my friend's sadness in her after something happened at home, which she concealed from us, just by (Okay... This is gonna sound perverted or dirty...) her scent.

  Dog, ain't it? I know. Thank you, judges.

  Another perception-based concern is that the weather seems to play with my emotions. Like, perhaps I do have mood swings, apparently common among youths our age. When I am feeling sportive or playful, the sky is bright and sunny with dense white clouds.When I am feeling calm, a really cooling breeze complements my focus.  Feelings of nostalgia or sentiment that hits me in the morning results in a beautiful bright orange sunset. When I get emotional or moody, it starts to rain. Anger or any extent of hatred towards anything that annoys me, on the other hand, is accompanied by booming thunder sounds. However, I am still quite curious as to how lighting strikes have any relations to me, or my emotions. It could either be the weather is manipulating my emotions, or the other way round.

  So, I have talked so much about perception. Next, I will be talking about something that kinda relates to it: Discrimination.