31 December 2007

I thought it be apt to make a post on the last day of the Year. Well at least on the Gregorian Calender.

People say that the Last day of the year.. or the First day of the Year marks the day where there is most suicides.

Probably cause people reflect on the past year and see what crap they've done and regret it.

But they forget to see the future and try to fix it. Perhaps the future looks so bleak to them they don't see it anymore.

Anyway.

For the year 2007 was interesting. I passed my CLP. thank goodness. I started being a chambie. I have my sayang. but My temper flared. and I'm feeling Lazier than ever.

Sad.

and I think my eyesight is getting away from me.

Oh and that AGe is horribly catching up on me. GOSH!

but lets do a short recap on the year.

January - Eric Clapton and my trip to Singapore
February - Chinese New Year in Penang with loads of Firecrackers
March - Climbed Mount KK
April - Got my Potato
May - Registered as A Voter ( note: VERY important!!)
June - Studied for CLP ( give me a break not every month can have an exciting event...)
July - the CLP
August - Fireworks Festival, Went down to Singapore again! shopped till I dropped.
September - PASSED CLP!! ( also important!)
October -Phone stolen from my room.... oh yeah Sister got Married.
November- Sharted officially as a Chambie
December - Comic Fiesta!

that's it!

Only a couple more hours till the end of the 2007 year.

I'm naturally sleep now.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

and Seasons' Greetings!!

Fiona's Apple Tree.

this is My Apple Tree.

Okay. so the Story comes from my dear friend Joy. I think it was her that told me this story.

Quant, ( that's what she calls me) all the girls are like apples on a tree. But the difference is we (meaning me and her) are on the top of the tree. We have the best sunlight and we get all the nutrients so we're the BEST apples on that tree.

( I don't care if in reality the best apples aren't from the top of the tree okay!!)

The Apples on the bottom get picked easily. Because they are easy to reach. So People don't have to put in so much effort in getting them. But for us 'TOP APPLES' it's more difficult as people (meaning boys) would have to exert more effort in obtaining us sweet apples. Climb a ladder. climb the tree. it doesn't matter what matters is that it takes more time.

So it doesn't matter if it takes LONGER to be picked. It just means that the people picking are realising that they're getting a Better quality apple, thus it takes them a while before the top apples get picked. But they get picked nontheless. And becuase they used so much effort. They'll appreciate those apples more.

And that's the reason why.... it took us so long.

and you know what Joy?

i'm glad you waited for that special someone to pick you. ^_^

all the best.

muakz!

The Chinese, their houses have no windows.

EDITORIAL 5: MY TAKE - RIGHT HERE FROM KUALA LUMPUR, DEC 20TH, 2007


THE CHINESE, THEIR HOUSES HAVE NO WINDOWS

I looked out the window.
And I saw

Thousands and thousands of Malays in the Bersih Rally. They were fighting their own kind for a cause they believed in. And they risk being ostracized by their Muslim brothers. And they risk much.

I looked out the window.
And I saw

Thousands and thousands of Indians holding the picture of Gandhi in the streets. All were teargassed and many beaten with batons. At Batu Caves, they were locked in, pumped with tear gas and sprayed with chemical water. 80 are awaiting trial. 31 are charged for attempted murder of a policeman that attacked them. All their leaders are under ISA. The one that got away fled the country.

I looked out the window.
And I saw

Thousands and thousands of Chinese closing their doors. Minding their own business. Watching the soap operas. Playing mahjong. Going to the gym. Planning for holidays. Eating bah kuet teh. Enrolling their children in private schools. Going for line dancing. Changing to a bigger car. Perming their hair brown. Going to the movies. Shopping.

The Chinese. They don't look out the window.
Their houses.
Have no windows.

______________________

It is because of 3 generations of 'keeping quiet' that we are in a political quagmire of sorts today.

My story may not be the same for others, but it is no doubt a story of 3 generations of political oblivion -a saga of unremitting circumstances that has 'trained' us to look the other way - to economic wealth, education and religion. Politics because a 'dirty word' in our home; as a Chinese we should disengage ourselves completely from this 'unproductive' activity.

This is my story.

My grandfather took a ship to join the gold rush in San Francisco around the turn of the last century. Halfway on a Chinese junk, he got sea-sick, so he jumped ship at Singapore. Traveling up the hinterland, he focused on survival. Hungry from famine in Southern China, he vowed never to be hungry again. Politics was the last thing on his mind. Keeping his belly filled was his only priority. It was an obsession that dictated everything he did.

My father worked for the British. One day, forced by the Japanese to do 'national service', he was selected to look after food supplies. The family was starving during the war, so he stole rice under his care and hid them in sweet potatoes when he cooked rice. Our neighbors always thought we were eating sweet potatoes we grew on the fringes of the jungle, when in actual fact, we always had rice.

My grandmother sews clothes for the women day and night to survive and got paid in Japanese currency. When the war was over, these Japanese notes - which were unnumbered - became valueless. The family again struggled to bring food on the table. It was a litany of hunger and fear in our house.

When it came to my generation, my father thought education was the passport to economic freedom for us. He refused for us to be a contractor like him and forced us to study. In university, he forbade me to get involved in politics. He went as far as to refuse for me to study law so that I would not get involved in politics. I was forced to study a course I did not like because he wanted me to be a banker.

Needless to say, I made the same mistake when it came to my children. I told them also the 'passport to heaven' was also to study. But I refused to dictate what they should study but instead asked them to study what they liked. I ensured they got the best education. I also reminded everyone that they do not talk about politics on the dinner table.

My story is not uncommon; such is the struggle and saga common to thousands of Malaysian homes.

We are cajoled by our parents to look at bread-and butter issues. We are told that politics are not for us. We are told that our 'houses have no windows', so mind your own business and close the door. We are told that if this country is not good enough, you must get a good education and emigrate.

The Chinese? We are told this is not our home. We have no home. We are the Jews of the East. When trouble starts, we ought to look the other way. If it gets worse, we emigrate. Money talks. So long we have money, some country will take us.

100 years of ignorance. Is it blissful? No. It is tragic.

I got this from a group in Facebook which i find very interesting... The only thing very interesting about this group is that although it MAY be fueled by some opposition group of BN or not. it just encourages Malaysians to have.. a good look at things around us. And see that perhaps.. it's time we need a change. A change for things in the future.. a change for our selves.

As i read that article posted by Casey Tho. ( at least I think it was by him) I realised that yeah. that's exactly what was happening. But I don't know, is it because of our way of life that makes us feel that way? to dissasociate ourselves with the country?

I believe, that no matter what, Malaysia is always Malaysia and it's always my home. But i never knew that the Chinese had such a mentality where we strived to make more and more and more money so that when there's political turmoil... we'll just 'run away'

And like the article, it really reflects on how we feel towards our Country. Like we don't belong.

I was reading the Federal Constitution the other day, as i had to do research on numerous things regarding the definition of 'Malay' and 'bumiputera'.

Lawnet defines bumiputera to be a native.

Whereas a malay, in the federal constitution, interpretes a malay to be one of the islam religion, speaks malay and and conforms to the Malay custom.

in the Federal Constitution, A Native is in relation to Sabah and Sarawak. and lists down all the various ( I didn't know there were so many!) natives of Borneo.

It's been I don't know.. 50 years? Since we became Malaysians. All of us. Everyone that was born in Malaysia. Our parents and ourselves, and our soon to have children. ( hopefully) yet! we do not consider ourselves fully Malaysian.

I know i love being a Malaysian. honestly i do. I love Malaysia. I consider myself as a Malaysian and all my friends as well. But you know what? Deep down inside.. we know. we really know that not everyone considers us as Malaysians.

When even the politicians, Ask us to 'go back to our Country where we came from' I feel very sad. Why aren't we wanted in our own country? Why are we treated as foreigners in the place where we were born in? Why do other people treat us like pariahs, like we don't belong, when all we do is work hard for the country?

We are then chastised for not having loyalty to our country. Can you expect any different? I know many Australians whose parent's migrated there, but have children there, and they deem themselves as Australians. Why not us?

Thus when I read the article. I cannot blame the Chinese for having the closed windows mentality. I really can't. No one wants us here. Some even threatened to have 'Chinese Blood on his Kris'. Can we be blamed if we follow on with our lives, and do what we're supposed to do. Run our businesses and carry on with our lives? Turn away where it doesn't benefit us?

We have been forwarned over and over again of MAY 13. Which Chinese would be foolish enough to start a racial riot? It would just give the other races more hatred and reason to suppress the Chinese.

I want, at least for my part, to live in a country where I don't have to state if I'm Chinese or not in my applications. I want to live in a country where I don't have to fight with other Chinese for any position because, that's the only equal level field.

I grew up in a school where I was thrown in a 'back' class, whereas my place in the 'first' classes were reserved for the quota system. That made me rebel. I felt that I didn't want to study anymore. It was useless. Kids who were Indian, Malays, and even Chinese Boys, who had worse off grades than me were in the class where I rightfully belonged. I on the otherhand was thrown away like yesterdays' leftovers.

I love my multiracial friendships that I created in my classrooms. I don't deny that. They had a reason to segregate the classrooms so that we had a equal opportunity to have a group of multiracial and cultural friends. But it still bites that I was treated as a 'stupid kid' cause I didn't make it into the top classes. It wasn't fair. I had good grades. I just didn't have good enough grades as a Chinese Girl.

but you know what? the Fact that I have to say.. i have multiracial friendships is just pathetic. i have friends. And that's really the only thing I need to say. I don't NEED to say they are of different races. They are all Malaysians or from Other countries, they are People I care about. I don't care if they talk a little differently, think a bit differently and dress a bit differently.

That's what Matters.

I highly doubt that the Chinese will start a riot on the streets. Highly unlikely and HIGHLY Dangerous. Most Chinese, in Malaysia and perhaps all over the world.. hold passports and Visas, and most likely PR's and friends in other countries, who when turmoil begins, will book the first flight out. Money, cash, things that can be pawned. These are all the thoughts of the Chinese.

Look at Hong Kong, when the time came everyone went off to Australia and Vancouver.

Look at Indonesia. They flew all over the world when they were killed by the masses.

Malaysia? i don't expect any different. But perhaps. Maybe, just maybe. It'll be different.

I hope.

Jailhouse drama.

You know... when you tell people that you're doing law. * as technically I'm still a student of the chambering kind* they figure that you're a lawyer.. which I'll be.. soon enough..

and of course out will come all the 'bad' lawyer jokes.. i don't mind that. And of course they will then say. ' if I'm in trouble i'll give you a call right?'

So i'm not really gonna explain to them that i'm a corporate lawyer and I know nuts about them landing their butts in jail.. but hey.. how many of our friends actually land their butts in jails??

well..... to my amazement and utter shock, i never expected anyone to seriously be in trouble! I received a call at 2 am in the morning. With my friend saying.....

"Hey. I need a lawyer. I'm gonna kena lokap. "

i'm like what the heck!!??? I was fast asleep but he didn't seem very worried so I went back to sleep. Mind you... he said he was in Camerons.

When i woke up i called my other friend who introduced us. ( please note I only met him twice) and asked her.. what was his full name. ( yes. I didn't know his full name. or where he stayed.. or any other information except that his family is in Penang??)

So there I was.. getting ready for Comic Fiesta, which I was already running late..... Everything in a mess. and i have a friend who might be rotting away in lokap waiting for me to bail him out.

STRESS OR NOT?

tried calling his phone. it went to voice mail. Woke up all my other friends to find out Cameron's Police Numbers.. and to find out that no such person was in the jail.

-_-

Mengada betul.

then i receive a MSG... from him saying he's ok. and that his phone is low batt.

Thank you.. but I don't really need this kinda stress.

That's the reason i'm in Corporate.

Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

Mr. Magorium, I have to say, is 243 years young, and has a pet zebra, and is an avid shoe wearer.

Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium makes you believe that magic is alive and well in the air.. and that you are not just a 'just guy' that a pencil is 'not-just' a pencil. Henry Weston is this 'just-guy' and because there is such a just-guy around.. the Wonder Emporium, i.e to the just guy, just a toystore.. the wonder emporium turns grey and POUTS! :P

yeap. it throws a tantrum!

now how can a Store throw a tantrum?

Well if it's a store with a door that goes to anywhere with a turn of a knob, ( ala Howl's Moving castle) and where the toys come alive and plays with you instead of you just playing with inaimate things.. The store is about as old as Mr magorium himself.

But you see.. Mr. Magorium tells us he is an AVID shoe wearer for no reason.. the reason we find out is that when he first found his favourtie pairs of shoes.. he bought enough of them to last him all his life.

and. .

he's already wearing his last pair. ( with a hole in in mind you!)

I enjoyed this show very much. not because it's silly and there's a zebra.. and thhat bouncy balls enjoy escaping from the show. Or even that there's lemur, or Eric's numerous and flamboyant hats. Although those were enjoyable too!

but because it reminds us that when we were a child, nothing was just 'just-a' everything was a 'what-if'. only when we grow older we lose that 'what if' in us that makes us look at the world with jaded eyes, and we forget that sometimes.. it's not just a block of wood. ( you'll get it if you watch the show)

Yeap. At least what i really enjoyed about the show was how it gave me renewed enthusiasm about life and how life is supposed to be lived.

It's not about believing in magic. It's not! but don't you remember the times when you 'pretended' that you were in a castle.. or as a princess, or as a space invader alien, or a astronaut, or even a mighty warrior, or exploring the jungles going through sentries.. all with just bedsheets and some tables and chairs? mebbe some boxes too?

Don't forget about that little girl/boy that's inside of you who smiles at every new blossom, or chuckles loudly when the guy in the next toilet cubicle lets out a loud fart.

Sure Mr. Magorium.. passed on. and sure the Whole shop was Black and gloomy. But that's still part of life. and then we move on. we start again. we discover the happiness in life. and the show is Molly Mahoney's and she'll never be as great at Mr. Magorium. ( yea and her dancing is quite horrible too) But that's not the point.

What's the point? well.. lets just leave that a secret. You'll understand the point when it comes to you.

Muaksz~

"I've been stranded on Federal Highway" and hopefully not caused the jam.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE BEST AND MOST FAMOUS GROUP IN MALAYSIA.

THE "I've been stranded on Federal Highway" and hopefully not caused the jam. GROUP

oh.. you know who we are..

we're the bunch of people you curse and swear at when you think ther'es a jam.. but mor often than not.. we dont' just cause the jam.. we add to it!

*not me. I parked safely and did not even cause one car to even slow down!*

Yesterday a very good friend of mine, PeeGee... decided to join this exclusive club, so she willed her car to break down in the middle of FedralHighway where there was a standstill jam. *as above*

I dont' have a picture of her in her car.. but if you were driving at or about 7.45 ish to 8 ish near Brickfields, you would have noticed her at the side of the road. Just begging to join this club.

Well.. thanks to her ingenuity and quick thinking... she's the VICE PRESIDENT of my club. Of course not many people can say that they've been actually stranded on Federal Highway.

Sure.. threatened to be stranded.. cause you know... someone threaten to kick you out of their car.. for some PMS-ey reason.. or the Bus Broke down.. or your Tyre pancit for some weird reason.. or you know... no petrol.. or.. soemthing in your car ssnapped.. and you have no freaking clue what happened.... ;)

Those kinda things.. that just happen to you...

I'm sure the radio reports aren't about you. Nope. I'm sure they didn't say a car has been stalled /backed up and is causeing congestion from subang heading towards KL, or from Angkasapuri heading towards Bangsar. or even the whole Subang to PJ.

Or Have they???

but worry not.. you are not alone... we share your pain. We are here to help you get out of that embarrasing situation where cars slow down and give you the evil eye... or when people slow down and take down your car number so that they can benefit from your misfortune.. the number? 1188?? 3158? yeah... let us share your grief. No aunty can take your 4D luck from you. ^_^

no worries. we are here with you. unless you caused a massive jam.. then... May God be with you!

Muaksz~

"Silence! I kill you!" Ach*phlegm*med the dead terrorist

You have to watch this puppet show by Jeff Dunham. My cousin, Sean Chin.. showed it to me a long time ago.. and I thought it was hilarious.
Jeff has a few other puppets as well. There's a Jalapeno Head on a stick. He's funny too.He always insists that girls love him.. cause he has a 'stick!' and Swweeeettt Daddy D who says that Jeff is his hoe, as well as Peanut and Walter, the really sour guy with lots of gas. There's also this trailer park dude named Bubba J. Ahaha. Typical RedNeck Jokes!!

He cracks me up. Yet I still think 'Silence! I kill you!' rocks. hehe.. watch it and let me know what you think of it. I think it's hilarious... of course no racial slurs or anything to be poked at.. he's after all not Muslim as he's 'made in China'.

It's hilarious.

watch it! it's worth the 10 minutes to cheer you up... especially on a Monday Dreary Morning.

Caution. Watch it when the boss is not around!