Hujan emas di negeri orang,
Hujan batu di negeri sendiri
Lebih baik negeri sendiri

Roughly translating to:

Golden rain overseas
Rocky rain at home
Its better at home

Merdeka had been a very significant day for me in the past year. It is a day to reflect on the past, the present and the future. Of how my country had evolved in many different facets and take on various guises.From the days where my prawn mee during school recess cost RM 0.10 and the RM5 plate of char koay teow I had recently.From the hot, dirty sand-blown and mud-caked kampung house that my grandmother used to live in – and now she lives in a low-rise apartment.Now that it’s so clean and cool inside, it’s not the same anymore. Good or bad, it is still home to the best nasi lemak and char koay teow in the world, not to mention the world’s largest pencil just round the corner from my place

Last year I was contemplating on the irony of having to work on Merdeka for a company belonging to the colonist that granted us Merdeka.This year irony don’t even begin to describe my thoughts as I contemplate working every single Merdeka day in the future in the land of the colonist. But then again, is there anything really to celebrate as I watch the country of my birth turn a ripe old age of 49?

As I watch from afar the political infighting of the cream of our political society, I cringe at the thought that I am labelled an outcast in the country I called home. As ethnic chinese, we are now being accused of trying to take over the country and cause racial uproar. That the very country promoting the muhibbah (happy happy joy joy racist-less society) shiet are pointing fingers at the chinese race that we are communists and want to take the country over from the ‘bumiputras’ (earth prince – aka the malays). I cringe at future merdekas filled with dread, as we are being osctracised from our own country.Is it absurbd for us to be treated like fellow countrymen and not racially quota-ed out from the higher education system which,by the way, our tax money pays for?

It has been 49 years since special rights are given to the ethnic Malays to help them improve their lives with better opportunities at work and at school. Which means two generations of Malays who had grown up accepting the fact that the government is there to help in work and in school with the imposed quotas. But people tend to forget that it is also two generations of ‘the others’ with broken,trodden down spirits leaving the country, seeking greener pastures elsewhere so that they are not osrtracized in their own country. Mostly not even greener pastures, just somewhere where we are not treated like second class citizens.

I remember when I first moved to Fresno ,filled with wonder at the fact that ethnic minorities i.e. chinese americans, korean americans ect are actually covered by the affirmitive action policies,therefore are given priority in student loans ect to help them better themselves and therefore the ethnic minority society .Absolutely amazing. I found that a wonderful, brilliant idea. Until I found out that most western countries have affirmitive action policies similar to the one in the States. And I started to question my identity as a Malaysian, about how I love and call Malaysia my home,but for Malaysia to treat me like a second class citizen.

Happy birthday Malaysia. In the spirit of Malaysia, let’s work towards acceptance that we are all, afterall, fellow countrymen.

And don’t forget; merdeka is also the birthday of many people in Moo’s family.Happy birthday family Moo.

Not many things in this world makes me cry – other than breakups and fights with the bad boyfriends . But this is making my heart ache and my eyes wet.

My last view of Redang

Yes, I have an obsession with marine life. I love beaches more than anywhere else on earth, even big bustling cities. I am never happier than when left alone with the fishes or just lazing on the white sandy beach. Swimming with sharks and turtles has left me awed with the beauty of the ocean, and how lucky Malaysia is to boost some of the best islands in the world (in my experience – miles better than the famed Bali or Philiphines’ Boracay). Being a grumpy cancer, it helps that I have been brought up close to the seas on an island to adventure loving parents who brought me fishing when I was a month old, by 4, I was expertly stringing worms as baits.At age 24, I wake up early in beautiful Perhentian and join the dive shop owner as she trawl the beaches picking up yesterday’s rubbish.

Like many things, beauty is exploited when no proper training/warning/education is given to the gazillions of tourists that throng the famous 3 of the west coast of Malaysia; Perhentian, Redang and Tioman. It’s sadder still that those who regularly pollute the islands are Malaysians. But there are no lack of irresponsible uneducated overseas tourists as well – I nearly strangled the bro-in-law when he mentioned that it would be nice to have an aquarium filled with corals and coral fishes i.e. nemo-like. Bacon had to hold me down I kid you not. I can’t understand why would someone kidnap nemo for their own viewing pleasure.

Corals which take thousands of years to grow and mature can be broken with a kick of a swimming foot. Some people believe that since everyone else is doing it, why not them? Dead corals,washed up on the beach, disintergrate and turn into the beautiful white sand that you lie on.

Leave nothing but footprints, bring nothing but memories. In Redang’s case, it it too late now…but there is still time to rescue whatever that is left. Do not allow Redang to turn into Pangkor, where even the locals have not seen a live coral in years.

Meet my new best bag

An accidental purchase over the weekend in London.From £35 down to £14.99, this was my pick since Bacon is only allowing me one bag from all the treasures in the shops. Seeing that I am seeking for greener pastures and really,really need a bag to stuff all my application forms in a stylish manner, I had to go for urban formal rather than kitschy cute. Well, we always really,really need a bag.

For those heading towards London – there is a little known secret that Aldo has an outrageous discount centre in Camden Market with bags,shoes and accessories at more than 50% off.With all that choice, it was really hard limiting my purchases…I woke up the next morning mumbling, “I need a new bag…and also shoes…*snore*”

And ooh, guess what, I got a pair of matching shoes as well

I *heart* Aldo!

……..sorry lah, no pictures nor updates yet.Been so so busy this week,all I want to do is take a day or two off to recharge.Why you ask?

Bacon off somewhere south on work all week
…finding it hard to wake up without someone kicking my butt awake at 7am
Paid a deposit for Plot 10
…so busy trying to clean the house and make nice when the evaluators come on friday
Still trying to recover from V
…still sleeping at 10 everynight
Going to London this friday for Notting Hill Festival and catching up with Pammy
…need to pack and plan itinerary..sigh.
Drowning in work
…Been piled with things that I don’t know about and frankly can’t be bothered with
Moving on to greener pastures
…Had enough of this shit, it’s time to move again,so need to reevaluate my situation

On other good news, I’m off again to wagamama’s tonight…hmm,what shall I have?

How does 60 hours of shower/bath deprivation and trodding in mud without somewhere to even wash your hands sound? Or waking up at 4am dying to pee,but unable to face the long ,cold mud-caked walk to the nearest smelly portaloo?

Quite fun actually.

Back from WW2…too tired..couldn’t even climb up the stairs..need a few days to recover…be back with pix and videos when the huge swelling on both my poor feet subside.