Oh Malaysiaku

Malaysia is my home country.

In Malay terms, it is "tanah tumpah darahku". 

Throughout my primary and secondary school days, there was not even one person who would say, "I am ashamed to be a Malaysian". but things have changed. I see more and more people say those words, and being a patriotic Malaysian, it hurts to see ur fellow countrymen who would look down on my own country.

I was born in Malaysia and grew up throughout Tun Mahathir's era. I have and will always have so much respect for Tun Mahathir. Eventhough after he stepped down and all his dirty little secrets surfaced, my respect for him never waiver.

Why?

Afterall, he is now one of the most hated men in Malaysia especially amongst our Malaysian Chinese. 

Again. You would ask why? 

Let's just say Tun was the so called saviour for the Malays, and to the Chinese, they felt neglected during his era and yet, they could not voice out their frustration. Then, came Tun Abdullah, who was a mister nice guy, who then gave way to all the other races to voice out their concerns. He believed in transparency. 

and then came the 2008 election. Pakatan Rakyat won quite a number of seats, causing Barisan Nasional to lose their two-third majority.

Pakatan Rakyat grew stronger throughout the years. even stronger that many believed Tun Abdullah could not withstand the challenge, thus forcing him to resign and make way to DS Najib to be the Prime Minister.

DS Najib is another piece of work, of course. In my point of view, he has already been tainted with all sorts of scandals, causing many to lose their trust in BN. and yet, he continues to be the Prime Minister. DS Najib is still respected by many. but unfortunately the days of BN government are numbered, starting from the whole general election 2013 fiasco.

This is only the summary of the Malaysian politics transaction. It is painful for me to say that the government has been ever so weak since Tun Mahathir stepped down, and even more worrying when the opposition is growing much stronger.

I don't hate the opposition. Just that I don't see eye to eye with them on many different issues. and sometimes I feel like their style is "just oppose all the Govt policies no matter what". Makes it even harder for the government to carry out their policies. and even worse when the government makes the bad choices. 

If I am not with Pakatan, then am I with Barisan Nasional? Yes and no. Yes, I support Barisan Nasional as I still believe in the party. NO, coz I have a problem with DS Najib and his cronies and somehow it seems impossible to wipe them out clean and replace with the new blood. 

It is sad, when you think about it, back then, all these racial issues do not have a place in this country. No one dared to make racist remarks in public. but today, not only the politicians, but look at our citizens. on facebook and twitter. like a warzone hurling bombs at each other. racist remarks were thrown at each other as though it is normal in their daily lives. Alhamdulillah, I still have all my multiracial friends still close to me. yes we do have different political views, but whenever we meet up, it is like an unspoken rule not to discuss politics. 

So that's the recipe. Politics is what causes racism. We are not healing. We are living in fear. Fear that the political party we hate will continue/start to rule us. The agenda goes on for the politicians, but we as the citizens are bleeding. Bleeding due to the hatred and fear. 

I wonder, whenever they start typing nasty racist remarks on social media, do they ever take a step back and ponder what are the consequences of their action? Or was it just out of anger and hatred and for the sake of letting those feelings go?

Our country is progressing. Buildings are rising up, and I see development everywhere. But we, Malaysians are taking one step back every single time we get caught in our politicians' agendas. 

Time to face the facts. All of them have their own agendas. Why oh why are you so obsessed in supporting them? You are not a politician. That is their job. You can sit back and evaluate and when the next general election comes, vote for the one you think is right. You can raise your concerns if you disagree with the government's policies, whether they listen or not, that is out of your control. Your only control is your vote in the general election. 

What you as a Malaysian can do, is simple. Live your life and live harmoniously with your fellow Malaysians. get it? it's simple. even a school kid can do that. 

I'm back!

Thought I should re-visit my blog yang da berhabuk tak di-update ni.

Truthfully, I have not been that busy. but it's just that my free time has been filled with tv series and hanging with friends and family. I turn on my laptop to stalk people on fb or to religiously follow my favourite tv series. 

That's it.

Apart from that, I work 9 hours a day (thank God for the office hours only in SDMC) from Mondays to Fridays and 4-5 hours on Saturday. People pitied me for working on Saturdays, but I say, hey, I don't really know how to spend my free time these days besides those that I have mentioned above, might as well i just work right?

Life has been kind to me. Allah has been kind to me. all these blessings. and to be back in my beloved country. total bliss.

OK. I shall return again with the next post. get ready for my posts on Malaysian politics. blergh. I actually hate that word "politics". but I guess it has been somewhat synonym with our daily lives since everything that is happening in Malaysia HAS to be politicised. 

Don't even get me started. til then.

It's called time management

Studying..

Working..

Two different worlds.

After two months working, I still find myself dwelling over my student life. It's not like I'm not over it, but life seems so simple back then. hmm.. maybe simple is not the right word to describe my student life. Should I say amazing? Even when it's boring, my friends and 1 somehow find things to make our lives interesting.

Working life, on the other hand, seems more complicated. I think by far, this week has been most challenging. I have been working for two months, and yet, I face new challenges everyday. every single day. Especially this week. There was never a day that went by without a problem to be solved. Gosh. Lots of problems. But so little time to solve. And you need to solve it straight away. there and then. And the patient is just right in front of you. So how? 

You see, working, you get tested all the time. every moment is precious. and working in a private hospital means working in a fast pace, but at the same time maintaining a high level of accuracy and efficiency.

Tough.

So, in the midst of all the stress at work, I'm still glad that I have my family and friends to go to and rant about the problems I face. And somehow, it makes everything better. Everything seems to be OK and suddenly you realise, work is work. when you need to spend quality time with your loved ones, leave all your work-related problems behind. Maybe rant once. and then move on.

So, for those of you who seem to not have time for anything else other than work, think again. you need that quality time with your loved ones. make some time for them. I know for those who work more than 10 hours a day, this seems impossible. but at some point, you have to realise, work is work, and you have to have a life too. so take an hour or two out of your weekend and go meet up with some friends or family members. I personally believe, a good work-social life balance could improve your mood at work, hence increasing your work efficiency. I know exhaustion is an excuse to ignore your social life, but seriously, from my own experience, friends and family help to lift the burden off your shoulder. just by talking to them, really. or maybe a good laugh too.

Owh dear Malaysians, what have we become?

Recently, we witnessed the outrage against the infamous Sharifah Zohra, whilst the famous Ms Bavani became a somewhat national hero.

I never for a minute condone to this act by Sharifah Zohra. It was undoubtedly very rude. But the reaction showed by fellow Malaysians regarding this event was even more upsetting. Not only did the audience in the hall clapped and cheered for her made us feel sick to our stomach, but I myself felt sick reading people's spiteful comments towards the woman. Yes, what she did was wrong, but  it's even worse to watch the rest of the nation stoop down to her level. 

For our dear Bavani, yes, she gave out all the facts, but I'm sorry to say the way she conveyed her message was a bit too over the top. Yes, freedom of speech is what we're fighting for in this country. But I think, there is a better way to convey a message than how Bavani did. 

Our country is going through major changes in terms of politics and social. We want this and that, asking for all sorts of things. But we as Malaysians, what have we done for the country so far? Does that question ever come across our minds? Nowadays, everything that happens in Malaysia is somehow related to politics. literally, EVERYTHING. Malaysians are segregated by which political party they support for the upcoming general election. Sometimes, I wonder, when willl we ever stop pointing fingers to the government, and admit that certain things are our fault? 

I raised this question to my friends: "I don't understand how some of my patients can't speak English and Malay". And a few of them answered : blame the education. 

FYI, the government does not shape the upbringing of our young generation. It comes mainly from your own parents, how they shape you and how they raise you. Kids only spend about 7 hours in school from Mondays to Fridays. The rest of the time, they are under their parents' care.

How can you blame the education provided from the government when we actually learn English and Malay since the tender age of 6? Even kindergartens teach the kids in English!

So, dear Malaysians, when will ever look at ourselves and say, "hey, it's my fault my kid can't speak English. coz we don't speak that language at home".

My parents insisted on having my primary and secondary education in Subang Jaya, eventhough we live in Shah Alam. Why? Because they wanted me to be able to mix with all races and at the same time be in a healthy, competitive academic environment. And of course, a better chance to learn and speak English amongst my friends. Not to say that I wouldn't get the same benefit in Shah Alam school, but gotta admit, 90% of the population there is my own race. At the same time, my parents never stopped preaching about the importance of speaking good English and how that skill can bring you far especially in your career. 

So, looking back, would I do the opposite of whatever my parents did? Hell no! and FYI, I had my primary and secondary education in public schools (only form 4 and 5 I was in KTJ). I turned out alright, didn't I? And so did all of my close friends and many others that I know! 

So dear friends, I know it's that time of the year when we get so passionate about the political parties we support and how we like to just point at the government "it's their fault we turned out like this!". Everytime I log into my Facebook, it's all about hating the government and supporting the opposition. I get it that everyone wants the opposition to rule. But, when did we ever take a second to think and be grateful for what our country has achieved since independence and how much it has developed? When did we ever think that Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor is the least of our problem and there are more problems to be solved amongst us?

I think we Malaysians have a huge problem. The problem is RESPECT. I feel like many of us are harsh, ignorant and disrespectful. Well, this is what I noticed since working in a hospital. I deal with harsh patients and also colleagues. Not to mention, ON THE ROAD! So, when will we learn to screw this word "RESPECT" into our heads?

Try

When you're back in Malaysia, you are definitely stuck with the radio stations like hitz and flyfm, which play the same songs over and over again. I have a bad habit of not being able to drive alone without listening to music (pls don't tell my mom). 

So the current addiction is Pink's latest song called Try. The chorus keeps on playing in my head.

Where there is desire
There is gonna be a flame
Where there is a flame
Someone's bound to get burned
But just because it burns
Doesn't mean you're gonna die
You've gotta get up and try, try, try

I appreciate songs with deep, meaningful lyrics. Maybe most of you interpret this song as for someone who gets screwed over by a guy, basically a song for heartbroken.

But I interpret it differently.

It's mainly about overcoming your problems and telling you to keep trying eventhough you feel down, or worst case scenario, feel like committing suicide. every problem has its solution. Do not let it burn you til you wanna die. 

2012: Year of success, 2013: Year of ?

2012 has been really kind to me. 

I think year 2012 has taught me a lot, and also I had achieved a lot. 

Alhamdulillah. His blessings have been non-stop, i couldn't be more grateful. 

I know ppl do all this new year's resolution. but i never did, and probably never will.
I don't think I would like the feeling of breaking my resolution.
it ain't cool like that.

owh owh. btw, i'm on a short holiday. started from Saturday afternoon til today. and work again tomorrow. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.. and tomorrow the jam will start. with everyone starting work and school. traffic is gonna be hell. let's just hope for the best, 

I may not have a new year's resolution but one thing that I pray and hope for is that I'll be a fully registered pharmacist by end of this year. Insya Allah I shall continue working at SDMC. 
I guess 2013 is a mystery. 
I can't wait to explore the year.

2012 : The year when we became adults!

We all go through different phases in life.

I think, right now I'm officially an adult.

WHY?

1. I graduated
2. I'm working
3. I got my first pay
4. People start to ask when is my turn to get married
5. My close friend got married. and more wedding plans to come.

It's funny when you reflect back on the past years, the person you were, and the person you are now. May be the same person, but different in many ways. We all go through changes at some point of our lives. 

And i guess it is safe to say, that i'm proud of the change in me.

It's funny how the conversations you have with your friends now have somewhat change. though, sometimes, I have the tendency to bring up whatever high school gossips, just for the sake of being childish and young. *we do need some gossips in life, dont we?*

But yeah, the main topics nowadays are work related stuff. when can we ever be like we used to be? I guess, NEVER is the answer.

This year, i'm 23. at my working place, I'm the youngest. 

Next year (2013), I'll turn 24.

And I wonder, how much more do we have to change?

Well, this post is basically just a shout out to all of you youngsters out there. Enjoy your youth while it lasts! Coz once u turn into an adult, there's no time machine to turn back time.