My Malaysian Dream

Today, my country celebrates its 48th Independence Day and as we approach that milestone of 50, I could not help but ponder about the future of my beloved country. Malaysia has come a long, long way since the British colonial times to what it is now: a proud, speedily developed and self-governed country. Look at where we are now compared to other countries who had obtained independence long before us.

We Malaysians must honour and be grateful to the sacrifices our leaders have made into turning this country into one of the most peaceful and developed country in this region. We do not suffer from 'people power' riots, religious extremism, communism and extreme poverty like many of our neighbouring countries today. All credit must go to the people who had striven to protect Malaysia.

Every Malaysians must have a sense of duty to the country! I am sad to see that many among the young are taking everything for granted with little appreciation for the efforts our forefathers. These young people have come to expect that all the good things in life have been rightfully theirs but they did not know that before it was rightfully theirs, people had to fight for it. If people had not fought for this country, it would have been very easy for the communists to take over this country and make it into another Myanmar. I wish that all young people will wake up and open their eyes to see the value of our independence, our freedom. That they may not be indifferent to it when the time comes for them to take over the reins of this country. The generation of today must inculcate important values in the generation of tomorrow so that they will become worthy leaders and heirs of this country.

This is my Malaysian dream. A future Malaysia that is secure, that is still as peaceful and stable as ever before when Vision 2020 is fulfilled. It is all in our hands, my dear compatriots. Will you be willing to stick your neck out and brace the storms like our forefathers had or will you run off to another country to seek for better and greener pastures?

I wish all of you, dear brothers and sisters of Malaysia... a Selamat Hari Merdeka!

Thank you Mother Nature... Wooo-hooo!!!

Like many long-suffering Malaysians out there, I was immensely thankful for the powers of Mother Nature as she lend a helping hand in blowing and clearing the thick smog that has plagued us over 2 weeks. Heavy rain and strong winds naturally dissipates the fog and brought back our clear blue skies, the plasure of feeling the warm sun rays and the breath of fresh air! Good riddance to the haze!

Hopefully, the respective authorities and governments would work hard to ensure that this terrible haze must not be allowed to occur again. We, Malaysians, have suffered long enough and quite frankly, we are soooo fed up. Let's be pro-active and put a stop this danger to our environment, to our daily life and to our economy!

Bought a cool watch...

Well, I went back on my word about staying indoors till this haze crisis is over, but today seem to be slightly better compared to the last two days. So, i decided to go and hang out at KLCC and 1 Utama.

Well, the haze cleared a bit in my area but definitely not in KL. The haze is still quite bad so I did not venture out to the KLCC park but stayed indoors. I decided to catch a movie so watched Herbie Fully Loaded starring Lindsay Lohan. Well, what can I say about the movie except that it was a really fun! Herbie is just as funny as the old version, he hasn't changed a bit despite having a really totally makeover. Nothing has changed for this little diminutive love bug! ^_^

As for Lohan, can she look any better?? Seriously, despite her drastic weight loss, she is still far from looking reed-thin a la Calista Flockhart. I'm banking on her star to shine ever brighter and maybe an Oscar award for her in the next five years, that is if she makes the transition from feel-good movies to grittier and dramatic stuff like what Scarlett Johansson is doing now. One thing's for sure, Lohan is destined for greater works and she's only 20!!

Right after the movie, I headed back towards P.J. to I Utama to look for some cool things that I can write about for the Faces magazine. It's on what writers of the magazine buys each month. Mainly its on personal items like apparels, bags, watches and whatnots. Something that is cool or maybe just special to the writers. I saw some really cool stuff actually, 1 Utama has loads of them.

At a shop called 3Point6, I saw this funny T-shirt that graphically describe how to break up with your girlfriend. If I ever wear that, I can guarantee that I won't get myself a girlfriend ever... or any female friends for that matter! Cool as it maybe... it's certainly off the list. Then, I dropped by at this nifty little gift shop called Folio Designer Edition. A lot of really nice things there but what caught my eye was the timepieces that they have on display. One blue watch definitely caught my attention simply because I like its colour and it's simplicity. Most digital watches nowadays have so many buttons that its so confusing to operate them. All I want is a watch that tells me the time and I'm happy. I can't remember what the model of the watch is but I think its from O.D.M - which stood for Original, Dynamic and Minimal. I certainly recommend this watch. The watch that I bought is quite affordable too. It's retailed at RM79.90 but thanks to the Mega Sale, it's cut down to RM53.95. Here's a pic of the watch!

Well, thats all for today... till tomorrow then. Ciao!

Oh Gosh!! This is horrible... I could barely see anything!! 0_0

Just take a look at the pictures above. The top one is taken from my bedroom window this morning, and you can see that the haze is actually worse than yesterday... The 2nd pic is a view of the Subang highway (not sure what it's actual name is but I know it as the highway to Subang Jaya and Shah Alam. ^_^) from my balcony at noon. The constrcution work in front of my block have stopped its work since Monday due to the terrible haze condition. A little peaceful but the acrid smell of the haze is still horrible.

The air quality shows no sign of improvement. I've breathing in lungs full of smelly, dirty air even in the comforts of my own bedroom, living room and heck, I can smell it even when I'm in the shower. The haze is so strong that it's actually invading our homes!! This has to be the worst haze attack ever, and its no thanks to those darn Indonesians over at Sumatra. The perpetrators of the fires there had to be one of the most insensitive, ignorant and thickest-skinned people I've ever known! The authorities better do something about it and not let it get out of hand! No amount of apologies is gonna help if you sit around and do nothing! It's time to be pro-active and take control of the situation!

Meanwhile, on the homefront, I agree with The Star's Wong Sulong's comments here (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/8/10/focus/11727578&sec=focus)with regards to the haze situation. Like his friends, I too, sorely missed the sun's bright shining rays and the blue skies with its snowy, puffy clouds and the gentle breeze of fresh air. The haze really puts a damper to our spirits and I think people are feeling lethargic and depressed because of it.

Nevertheless, its really true that Malaysia should start doing something about the haze situation even if it isn't our fault that the haze ocurred. This haze will have a huge negative impact on our economy if nothing is done to address the situation. Ships and planes would be forced to be grounded due to poor visibility, resulting in delayed and cancelled flights which will result in thousands of disgruntled tourists and passengers which will in one way or another affect our tourism industry. This is very bad press indeed. Quick perogative action is needed to reverse the effects of this haze.

In the end, it all boils down to each of us as Malaysians to take the initiative to start protecting our environment. This haze could have been avoided if we paid more attention keeping our environment clean and healthy. Activities such as smoking, open burning and hazardous smoke from factories must be put to a stop. If we continue to let this haze occur in the future, all of us may have no choice but be forced to lug oxygen tanks whereever we go. One thing's for sure, I'm gonna start doing my part for a better, healthier air in the future for our future generation.

*Cough! Cough! Cough!* *Choke!* Oh hazy hazy days...when will it go away??

That pic above is the view of a neighbouring block of condominiums from my own bedroom on the 1st floor of a condominium. It is one of the worst haze attack I've ever known! Not an ounce of fresh air left... no thanks to the dry season and the open air burnings over at Indonesia.

Oh when will they ever learn?? This ain't the 1st time Malaysians had to suffer because of the haze. Goodness knows how many people are suffering from breathing difficulties and asthma due to this hazardous haze attack. And what the heck is our Meteorological Services and Department of Environment doing about it?? Zilch, I tell you! All they are doing right now is collecting daily data of how polluted the air is and not even doing anything to lessen it! Can't they do some cloud seeding exercise or something? Didn't they use to that before?? Talk about inefficiency!

Until this haze attack lifts, I'll be trying to stay indoors as much as possible. No point exposing myself to all that poisonous, carcinogenic carbon particles floating out there. Here's a piece of advice to all you busy, busy and outgoing, on-the-run people... do yourself a good favour and get a mask! Oh, and drink plenty, plenty of water! This haze usually causes people to have dry throats and lips. So, make sure you keep yourself hydrated constantly!

That's all for now. If you're interested for more updates on this hazy condition, keep tuned in to this blog, alright? Ok folks, gotta run... it's dinner time and it's another packet of Maggi Mee for me again! Oh boy... my hair's gonna be running thin in a matter of years... >_<

A New Start, Anew Life... Towards a New Future

Today, officially begins my new life as contributing writer to one of Malaysia's popular and long running free lifestyle magazine called Faces. I'm hugely delighted by the opportunity presented to me to by the editor of Faces magazine. It's not easy to be a writer in the lifestyle magazine scene and I know what is expected of me. Despite being a freshie in this, it is something that I have always dreamt of - to be a successful writer, writing from the very bottom of my heart and soul. It is one reason why I pursued and successfully completed my 1st degree in Mass Communication, majoring in Journalism and PR. Heck, I even won an award for being the best of my class in print journalism. Now, I am putting what I've learnt into practice and I am looking to be in this position for a very, very long time. Right now, I'm in this on a part time basis, but if I do well, there's a chance that I might be offered a full-time writer position! Wish me all the best folks!

Looking towards the future...

and hopefully the future is brighter than what it is for me right now. Its such a mess... not socially but family wise and financial wise. Sure, everybody have problems with the latter - no money = no existence. Period. With inflation on the rise and everything keeps snowballing, sooner or later we'll have to pay double or triple or quadruple the price of a char kuey teow. Imagine that - plate of char kuey teow = the price for a lunch set at Chilli's!

Currently being unemployed and continuing my studies to obtain a 2nd degree, I have no choice but to make do with everything I have on a shoestring budget. I can't always depend on my folks for everything. Even though I am living with them in my own house which I am still paying for, I also have pay my monthly life insurance policy as well. And my savings account ain't that big amount and with the rate things are going at the moment, I'll be flat broke in about a year or so.

Being in this condition definitely bruised my pride and ego and tamed me a little. Looking back, there were so many things that I should have been careful about and be wise about but thanks to my brash and naive self, I've blown everything to bits. I should have saved more and spend less but the rush of earning a couple of thousands got to my head and I started purchasing everything on my "I Want" list. A digital camera, two handphones, an LCD monitor, an external hard-disk, tons of books and dining at expensive restaurants finally took their toll on me. Too late for regrets now. I am not complaining... I feel good letting all this come out. I've learnt a lot of painful lessons the hard way and now, i just have to carry on.

If money problems isn't enough to drive me up the wall, my own family is crumbling... torn apart by internal strife... of years of boiling bitterness, frustrations, indignations, anger and unforgiveness. I'm stuck right in the middle of it all. Now I know what it feels like being a rope pulled on both sides in a tarik tali contest. Why oh why?? Crap, I should know better than to ask that... being a person influenced and driven by Christian beliefs, principles and virtues. Guess I shouldn't mope and or even blog this at all. Should spend time praying and hoping some of you might tell me. And of course, who could forget that oh-so-cliched phrase 'Every cloud has its silver lining' that is spouted by well-meaning people who obviously don't have a clue.

Well, this has been an eventful blogging session. Guess I should stop ranting now and do look for that silver lining... if there's any at all. My life... what has it come to? Afraid of what the future holds most of the time. Do I craft my own path of life or should I continue to lean on God's guidance to do whatever He wants me to do. Only time will tell, i suppose.

What a big change in sentiment you must wonder, if you had been a follower of my blog since its conception. One day I'm all holy and professing God's love and grace and the next... a wounded soldier thinking of giving up and just drop out.

That's life for you, folks!

Its been a while...

Hey, there peeps! How're all of you out there? Same old story huh? Well, lotsa things had happened in my own little world since my last post. Its been almost a month now.

Well, just to recap a few things... attended the Harry Potter book launch and finished off the book in three days (still trying to get over the shocking, painful death in the book), my sister came back from Australia with her family and started an almighty family feud (and I am not talking about the game show!), finished off my 1st term examinations, there had been another couple of attempted bombings over in London, attended two job interviews and wrote a short story. In between all that, I've watched a couple of movies, attended my old school's Honour's Day, sleep, eat, shop, read two Christian fiction books, play games and basically just hang out.

There you go, a summary of what I've been up to for the past month all in a paragraph! ^_^

Well, sayonnara and till my next post...

Chill out!