Thursday, February 28, 2008

Proud to be Malaysian...

Whenever some nice caucasian dude asks me (and trust me I do get it a lot, especially in Australia, UK or even Ireland)... So what are you? I mean, what race are you? What nationality? What...

I usually just jump in... I am a Malaysian or rather a Malaysian Chinese (or sometimes Malaysian of Chinese descent.

This is often followed by an ahhhhh... Malaysian eh... nice country, beautiful beaches, that... what do ya call it - Pet-rones towers -wish to go there someday...
The fact that I am Chinese would not even crop up after that...

When I was an undergraduate down-under, I got myself involved in the Malaysian Student Council, a loose coalition organised by the MSD of university based Malaysian clubs. This coalition is organised at a national (in Australia) level and by state level. I had the privilege to be chairman of one such state Malaysian Student Council - and until today still extremely proud of the team I put together - Chinese, Malay and Indians working together under a common identity - being Malaysian.

In addition, looking at the larger picture nationally - I am Chinese, my counterpart in South Australia is Malay, in Queensland, an Indian. All united with one voice - being Malaysian!

You would probably be asking now - why am I bringing all this up right now? It is simple - I have been stirred by the press. I am proud to be Malaysian - Which is why I am now deeply offended by an article in the papers by a reporter, who in one fell swoop declared himself an expert in race relations in our beloved nation. In his article, this gentleman noted that Malaysia ia "a country where “Malaysians” are still rare and society is populated instead by Malays, Chinese and Indians and something called 'others'.” What in interesting insight!

This article was on The Star - Anwar reinvents himself again. It is obvious that the article is trying to analyse and point out the weaknesses of one of our opposition leaders - that he has abandoned his "twin pillars" and move on to a ground that he will never win. But in the process he revealed the dark underbelly of our national politics - if he is right, our government has failed in its grand attempt to unite us all - slogans of "Malaysia Boleh!" rings hollow, "Malaysia truly Asia" a sham, "Masyarakat Majmuk & Muhibbah" a pipe dream, our Rukunegara an empty formula hanging on the darkened walls of failed schools and broken fields... It is probably the saddest thing my eyes ever have the misfortune of reading.

It is in the deepest recesses of my mind and heart that screams out - wishing that it is not true. That being Malaysian is being in a special society... where in the night market a Malay vendor sells halal char koay teow next to a Chinese dude selling Nasi Lemak, where Chinese taxi drivers speak fluent Tamil, Malay taxi drivers swears in Cantonese and Indian taxi drivers complaining about traffic in Kelantanese Malay vernacular... A society that worships our gods and deities side by side, where D24 Durian stalls have men (and women) of all races frantically digging into our King of fruits... A society that kawans hang together as heng tais... Where the people speak in funny incomprehensible English (such as Hey Joe, mana lu pergi? or Alamak! Like that si liao)

In short - a Malaysian society... Just as it was envisioned by our government leaders 51 years ago when they got together in Alliance to form a common National Front

Friday, February 22, 2008

More laughter...

Hahhahahahha... *grin*
This morning I received an email from a friend with two songs on youtube worth sharing. I tell you - this is funny S*** *grin*



Also comments on the ongoing 'Lingam Affair'



Apparently, these guys are comedians that perform at the actors studio in Bangsar - their website is at Comedy Court. These guys are geniuses *grin*

Friday, February 15, 2008

Plague on both your houses...

It is kinda sad to say that as elections approach, I have increasingly been feeling shortchanged - by the simple fact that I am in this electorate...

I yearn to be in the electorate in the United States - whose ideas, ideals and issues driven race - even in the choosing of the party nominee excites me. I yearn to be in the electorate of Australia, where an orderly transition from one party to the next shows a generational change... All sadly absent in this country

Choosing in this upcoming election - is almost impossible as I am now faced with the choice between the devil and the deep blue sea...

On one side is a government that has indeed brought success and development to this nation I love - but has lost credibility in my eyes - especially with the announcement of the dissolution of parliament - after outright denial that it would do so. Such a behaviour had indeed left me feel deceived.

But on the other side, is an opposition - that neither have the ability or credibility to govern. In my eyes they are neither tested to lead or show a slightest hint that they will be able to deliver except to rattle the bushes and be an opposition.

*sigh*
My mind is definately not made up - and I think so are many other Malaysians out there... so shame on the both of you...

Thursday, January 24, 2008

F8 at 1/250...

Although I am a dedicated Nikon user - sometimes Canon do come up with terrific adverts. This is one perfect example *grin*

















This is one thing that will bring grief to many aspiring photographers to come - to choose between a good photograph and face the consequences or let the photo go for the moment.

I think I choose the former a bit too many times *grin*

Monday, January 21, 2008

Shattered no more...

























I have gotten back the precious...

*grin* *GRIN*

Bone tired...

*sigh*

I really wonder what it the purpose of all this at times - all this work/activity. Today I woke up feeling bruised and battered, probably due to the absolute nutcase of activity over the last weekend.

I think this was the busiest end/beginning of the year that I have ever had. Weddings, events, launches & other challenges rolled all into one. It has made me muddle headed, a bit of a wreck and wishing to be sipping pina coladas in one of the quieter islands of the world - where the pace is slower, the sunsets beautiful and the risk of being driven mad by errant drivers minimal.

The need of clearing my thoughts - take a breather so to speak is now a primal need. I have started to mention names and products of the 3 different companies I am looking after incorrectly - and them being competitors just my life a wee miserable. I have named the wrong company twice, the wrong product thrice and the wrong leader's name at least once!

I need a break... for I am tired to the bone - but looking at my schedule, I see no reprieve... *sigh*

But you know, contradictory as it may seems, I welcome opportunities to help my friends to do things that are close to my heart. In my eyes - they are attractive little portable holiday islands that come my way... now to get that alcoholic drink to wash it down.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

On SMS Dynamics...

My smses are getting shorter?
Why?

Is it the absence of time? or rather the presence of more work?
Is it an increment of snappiness? or a reduction of grace?

I would love to think it is rather a switchback to a Nokia phone from an O2 phone...

1 phrase, 3 words...

No More Auto-Dictionary!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Random laugther @ 2am...




Hahahhahahhahahahhahahhahhahhahah!
Hahahhahahahah!

HAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHA!
So there!

*Note: Credit has to go to Dr Egg for her contribution.... *grin**

And then I found this... (also good and appeals more to my pharmacy side *evil grin*)



Enuff said... Then I heard this one...



I think its time for me to go to bed... *grin*
Cheers!

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Shattered...

Spanking New Car...
Proud Owner...

Sungai Besi Highway...
Runaway Rock...

Shattered!
*sigh*

Give me a break!

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Heavy thoughts for a new year...

Greetings to everyone out there! Happy New Year 2008...

This New Year's Eve was a rather anti-climatic affair - with some excitement (or rather poisoning) by oyster mushrooms - thus making my 1st act in 2008 a prolonged visit to the toilet *sigh*

However, this new year is different... really really different...

1) My best friend is MARRIED!!! Oh my goodness *grin* How did that happen? Well - all I can is that he is indeed a lucky man and I wish him all the best in the new journey ahead... I will definately be posting up pictures from the wedding soon! Promise!

2) A lesson on New Year's Day... For this all I can say is Sorry... I realised that I was extremely insensitive (albeit in ignorance)... even antagonists have families and my heart sincerely goes out to them for the traumatic events of recent days...

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Hong Kong Streets...

It was just recently that I have came back from HK - and whilst I was there for business (and not pleasure *sigh*) for just a day (and the night before) I managed to catch some pictures of the streetlife in this vibrant metropolis.

The following four pictures shows not the glittering towers of glass and steel but rather the gritty streets of the Kowloon area - where tradition and neon lights meet in equal measure...

A snapshop of a typical 'chinese medical hall' which can be found all along Nathan Road - in particular the near the Jordan MTR station.


Traditional Bamboo Scaffolding is still very much in use in the city centre - it is amazing how high these scaffoldings go!


Neon & Traffic along the busy Nathan Road - At night it is a riot of colours


A Bird's Nest store just across from our hotel...

Relieved...

Liverpool 4 - Marseilles 0

*Phew* *grin*

Thank goodness - we are past the group stages...

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Dubious Food?...

While slowly exploring the night scene along the Bund (Pudong side) in Shanghai in my recent trip - my eye caught what I would best describe as a 'dubious' food establishment...

In actual fact, according to my colleague, it is a famous HK dessert place - called Hui Lau Shan (or Xu Liu Shan in mandarin) - however the lack of maintenance on the sign makes it a much more sinister place.




I LAU SHAI??? OMG!!! (Hokkien for I am going to get the sh*ts)

Fear traverse down my spine, and a cold cold feeling crept up my back (which incidentally was a cold gust of wind...) Girding my heart, we trundled up the path to meet our destiny... Shakesphere comes to my head...

To Lau Shai or NOT to Lau Shai - that is the question...

*In actual fact, the food there was perfectly nice, perfectly hygienic & perfectly safe...* *grin*

Photograph taken at night, Pudong (South) Bund, Shanghai, China

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Here I am to worship...




It has been ages since I have committed a post to worship. Worship can come in many forms - praise & worship (singing), prayer as well as the things we do daily. In that vein, Lord, please accept my humble worship in the pictures I took of your wonderful creation...

Sunset @ Damai Laut Resort, Lumut, Malaysia

Light of the World
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes,
let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of life spent with You


The sun setting behind Thirasa from Imerovigli (on Santorini)

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely,
altogether worthy,
altogether wonderful to me


Late afternoon sun @ the 12 Apostles at Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

King of all days,
oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above,
humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor


Evening sky upon St. Mark's Square, Venice with the roof of the Basilica di San Marco a Venezia on the left and the Campanile on the right.

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely,
altogether worthy,
altogether wonderful to me


Dawn clouds over Genting Highlands from Awana Resort

I'll never know how much it cost,
to see my sin upon that cross. (Rpt x5)


Evening sun over a chapel on the cliffside @ Skaros, Santorini

Call upon the name of The Lord and be saved... (Rpt x8...)

Sunset over Middle Island on Stingray Bay (Southern Ocean), Warrnambool, Victoria

All I can say is that Lord, you are indeed the light of the world - and your beauty and the beauty you sculpted is beyond words and descriptions...

Friday, November 02, 2007

...the lure of the sea

I must go down to the sea again,
to the lonely sea and the sky;
and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.
-John Masefield

Photograph taken in Ayodya Resort, Bali, Indonesia

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

...Roses

What's in a name?
That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet
- William Shakesphere, Romeo & Juliet

Photograph taken in Hotel G, Galway, Republic of Ireland

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

...Thin Gray Line...

Alrite, alrite - I shall admit it...

Yours truly, the rabid cow is a sucker for... yeap - you guessed it...

Fairytales
Indeed, I think I have a remarkable appetite for fairytales and a remarkable capacity to want to believe in them.

It was rather unsettling - as you know most 26 year olds usually consider themselves beyond the age of fairytales... but I have had almost 8 hours to think about it as I travelled between Paris and KL just earlier today (yes - I am back in KL).

Flying Singapore Airlines for the 1st time in yonks - I was treated to the new Krisworld entertainment system (which is miles better than MAS Select!!!) of which I happen to choose the movie "Stardust"

It was a simple tale - one of which I could predict the ending from a mile away... a story of a hapless hero becoming a seasoned prince in shining armour, falling in love (not with the lady he intended to marry) with a heroine-damsel in distress... escaping from evil princes, dark witches... running into honourable buccaneers... with magic, warped realities and falling stars thrown in with equal measure...

In all honesty, the simple story somehow affected me deeply. The clear delineation between evil and good - no grey areas, just black and white that is ever present in fairytales seems to appeal to me at the moment (or rather all my life).

It is this almost far-fetched simplicity that makes fairytales... not the unicorns, flying ships or hidden princes... not the beautiful princesses, perpetually honourable handsome princes and impossibly tall palaces and castles. The essence of fairytales that set them apart from reality is the fact that good and evil are so tangible and clear cut. Reality is so much different - half of the time I question whether my actions, be it at work, in my family, in romance and relationships are right or wrong... it seems that my life is painted more grey than anything else, with murder, pillage and plunder the black band on the far end, prayer, church and respect the white bar on the other end.

Watching this refreshingly simple tale made me wish and pray that one day that the life I choose to live will have more black and more white - with only a Thin Grey Line seperating them. That this confusion I seem to be always in on recent days be in the past.

*sigh* Fairytales...
If only...



If only life was that simple.

and everyone can live... Happily Ever After

The above pic is actually taken in my office of one of my 'castles' to test out my new 50mm lenses :)

Sunday, October 21, 2007

More travelling...

Greetings from Changi Airport - in transit on the way to Paris CDG... this time in a way for work (or rather babysitting) @_@

Hope I can put up pictures (as I always promise but fail to deliver)... *sigh* I don't know why but a sense of foreboding depression seems to have crept into my outlook as I look into the faceless mass of travellers in Changi...

A nagging questions begs to be answered...

Everytime I came into an airport the feeling is different - as well as the outlook, the opinions and the state of mind. The last time I transited Changi - it was almost 1+1/2 years ago on the way to Frankfurt. I realised that since my dreams have been amended, my prose of life have been edited... my outlook irrevocably changed, my heart have shifted...

The only thing that seems the same - is that I have yet to find the purpose of my life...

Man, I am bloody depressing...

:P

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Not Another Traffic Post...

Really... this is not another traffic post :)

A close friend of mine, Fergs (GCB) happen to mention today that my blog is starting to sound like roadkill central - so I will take up his suggestion to post some piccies up.

Well, now that I went back to my photos - I realised that there has been a tremendous backlog of pictures I have not yet 'processed' - reaching back to January!!! So here is some pictures from June-July 2007...


Street Fellowship
The WAJR cell visited the Street Fellowship on Petaling Street (or rather very close to Petaling Street)...

The Street Fellowship in Petaling Street



Reena leading worship in 3 languages (or rather 4 languages if you count dialects)


God's presence was in the house!


"You are my everything... You are my Lord..."


YJ sharing...


Cell Leader FY leading Word Study


Nightscapes in KL & Putrajaya
This is a random selection of nightscapes around Putrajaya and KL taken between June and July 2007...



The fountain located in front of the Putrajaya Mosque


One of the bridges leading to the administrative centre of Putrajaya


KLCC Fountain at dusk

Friday, October 19, 2007

Everything...

Well, its 2:08 am but I am still wide awake - the aftermath of too much coffee and a drink with my very old frens Yin & Su-Li...

Checking my email just b4 bed - I came across a site that is worth visiting - Godtube with a video that touched my heart tremendously...

It is from a song called 'Everything'... and I would like to thank God for allowing for such creativity to spread his message as well as people like Reena (which I got the mail from) for spreading it...

It truly touched me.