Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Busy, Busy, Busy
See the picture on your right? Yup, exposure to too much PC damages the brain and I have been refraining myself from blogging about Malaysia to minimise my exposure for the past month.I have been considering whether to continue with my writing and given with my high level of daily PC exposure, I should really get out of the world of blogging. However, matters of home is always close to my heart and I’m finding it difficult to discontinue what I started, no matter how infrequent my postings are or whatever time constraints I may have at certain points of time.
Hopefully, with this overhaul of template, it will give me more motivation to post more often and on a more diverse range of topics than what I have been writing before… regardless of the damages to my brain.
Labels: Personal
Monday, October 15, 2007
Update
I apologized to those who have been faithfully visiting my site as I have not been posting quite as often these days. One reason is my lack of time and the other, well, there's nothing new really since what we have back home have always revolve around the same issues, i.e. corruption, race, NEP and religion.
I'm also thinking of shifting over to wordpress to give my blog a different look and feel. And perhaps through that I can also write on a more diverse range of topics rather than concentrating on just the usual Malaysian fare as mentioned above.
Anyway, I will let you know once I have made my decision.
I'm also thinking of shifting over to wordpress to give my blog a different look and feel. And perhaps through that I can also write on a more diverse range of topics rather than concentrating on just the usual Malaysian fare as mentioned above.
Anyway, I will let you know once I have made my decision.
Labels: Personal
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Sharing Thru' Comments
Actually, my last article about ungrateful children was not written with MT readers in mind unlike the NEP write-up which was specifically targeted at MT’s audience. That is why you can find the last article on my blog but not the NEP one.
The more recent article was written based on readers’ comments and I appreciate comments because they make me think. And I tend to write what I think and feel. Writing the last article was sort of a personal journey for myself as well as giving me an opportunity to try to correct the misconception of people with regard to overseas Malaysians generally, and not just about me.
Anyway, I have to thank RPK for posting it on his website although the article was more personal in nature, for it now has a wider audience base and hence, allows more readers to share their stories. This is indeed a departure from the usual comments that we often see because it does help to put a human face behind the lines of texts. And that is nice for a change.
I also came across an interesting comment under the article about talented Malays leaving as well. In fact, I do know of a Malay woman who was once posted to Singapore by a local company and she is certainly one talented professional. When she was back home, a Singaporean organization was even willing to pay her top dollar to work in the republic and she was indeed torn between leaving and staying at one time just like the commenter. In another case that I know, a Malay chap was also posted abroad by a Malaysian company and upon expiration of the contract moved on to a Singaporean organization and is now again working away from home. I suppose people will always be tempted to move to wherever that have better challenges and prospects, irrespective of skin color and nationality.
The more recent article was written based on readers’ comments and I appreciate comments because they make me think. And I tend to write what I think and feel. Writing the last article was sort of a personal journey for myself as well as giving me an opportunity to try to correct the misconception of people with regard to overseas Malaysians generally, and not just about me.
Anyway, I have to thank RPK for posting it on his website although the article was more personal in nature, for it now has a wider audience base and hence, allows more readers to share their stories. This is indeed a departure from the usual comments that we often see because it does help to put a human face behind the lines of texts. And that is nice for a change.
I also came across an interesting comment under the article about talented Malays leaving as well. In fact, I do know of a Malay woman who was once posted to Singapore by a local company and she is certainly one talented professional. When she was back home, a Singaporean organization was even willing to pay her top dollar to work in the republic and she was indeed torn between leaving and staying at one time just like the commenter. In another case that I know, a Malay chap was also posted abroad by a Malaysian company and upon expiration of the contract moved on to a Singaporean organization and is now again working away from home. I suppose people will always be tempted to move to wherever that have better challenges and prospects, irrespective of skin color and nationality.
Labels: Personal
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Follow-Up
Firstly, let me thank readers who have taken the trouble to pen their thoughts in the comment section with regard to my article My Personal Experience with the NEP on RPK’s website. If some readers have been offended or felt that I have looked down on others by the tone of my article, please accept my sincere apologies. It is never my intention to look down on fellow Malaysians, what more when I still have a sister and young nephew living at home.
The NEP is certainly a contentious issue and it is indeed refreshing if we could debate it as matured Malaysians. When I said that I find some comments amusing at times, it is because of all the insults and name-callings that I often see but of which I believe serve little purpose. Furthermore, the article that I wrote is based on my own personal experience and therefore, readers certainly have to be aware that it is clouded by my own personal judgment and opinions. I guess it is forever hard to be objective when we will always be influenced by our own life experiences.
Yes, I’m fortunate because of my father’s sacrifices and I do feel for those Malaysians who did not have the same opportunity that I had. For that reason, I have always applauded those Malaysians who worked hard and then uprooted themselves in their 40’s to move abroad for the sake of their children. I have come across many Malaysians in Australia who struggled in a new environment all for the sake of the next generation. You may say those abroad are lucky but it does take a lot of courage to make such a decision. I'll have to admit that to move abroad when you have been given a head start like me is easy but to move with your whole family when you are in your 40’s is one big struggle. That’s why those parents certainly have my utmost admiration.
Back to my father. I guess this will always be a heart-wrenching issue for people like me who have to live away from our parents. Fortunately, my sister is still residing at home and she is there to watch over them. I do fret over their health and well-being all the time but I take consolation in the fact that my parents are now free to spend Christmas through Chinese New Year with me in Hong Kong if they so wish or choose to spend the spring or autumn months with my brothers in Australia. Rest assured that they are now enjoying their twilight years with little worry although I believe they will never leave Malaysia permanently for their own sentimental reasons.
The NEP is certainly a contentious issue and it is indeed refreshing if we could debate it as matured Malaysians. When I said that I find some comments amusing at times, it is because of all the insults and name-callings that I often see but of which I believe serve little purpose. Furthermore, the article that I wrote is based on my own personal experience and therefore, readers certainly have to be aware that it is clouded by my own personal judgment and opinions. I guess it is forever hard to be objective when we will always be influenced by our own life experiences.
Yes, I’m fortunate because of my father’s sacrifices and I do feel for those Malaysians who did not have the same opportunity that I had. For that reason, I have always applauded those Malaysians who worked hard and then uprooted themselves in their 40’s to move abroad for the sake of their children. I have come across many Malaysians in Australia who struggled in a new environment all for the sake of the next generation. You may say those abroad are lucky but it does take a lot of courage to make such a decision. I'll have to admit that to move abroad when you have been given a head start like me is easy but to move with your whole family when you are in your 40’s is one big struggle. That’s why those parents certainly have my utmost admiration.
Back to my father. I guess this will always be a heart-wrenching issue for people like me who have to live away from our parents. Fortunately, my sister is still residing at home and she is there to watch over them. I do fret over their health and well-being all the time but I take consolation in the fact that my parents are now free to spend Christmas through Chinese New Year with me in Hong Kong if they so wish or choose to spend the spring or autumn months with my brothers in Australia. Rest assured that they are now enjoying their twilight years with little worry although I believe they will never leave Malaysia permanently for their own sentimental reasons.
Labels: Personal
Monday, September 17, 2007
What Motivates You as a Malaysian?
I received an e-mail recently asking me what motivates me as a Malaysian. Frankly, I was momentarily stumped because this question has just never occurred to me before. But after mulling over it for half a day, here are my thoughts.
When I am home among other Malaysians, I don't feel anything special because I am just one among many. It is when I am abroad that I feel more Malaysian because the differences become obvious. For instance, try opening your mouth and speak in English when you are abroad and that’s when your “Malaysianness” creeps in on you as you consciously remind yourself not to end every other sentence with a ‘lah’.
Thus, the differences automatically motivate me to maintain my roots and identity as a Malaysian. I can most certainly pass off as a Hongkie but don't call me a Hongkie because I am not. Unlike Hongkies, I can’t read and write Chinese, don’t speak perfect Cantonese and hate the crowded malls. So, a Malaysian I’ll remain.
Anyway, wherever I am, I guess maintaining my background and identity will always motivate me as a Malaysian because being one is all I know.
I hope that answers the question. So, what motivates you as a Malaysian?
When I am home among other Malaysians, I don't feel anything special because I am just one among many. It is when I am abroad that I feel more Malaysian because the differences become obvious. For instance, try opening your mouth and speak in English when you are abroad and that’s when your “Malaysianness” creeps in on you as you consciously remind yourself not to end every other sentence with a ‘lah’.
Thus, the differences automatically motivate me to maintain my roots and identity as a Malaysian. I can most certainly pass off as a Hongkie but don't call me a Hongkie because I am not. Unlike Hongkies, I can’t read and write Chinese, don’t speak perfect Cantonese and hate the crowded malls. So, a Malaysian I’ll remain.
Anyway, wherever I am, I guess maintaining my background and identity will always motivate me as a Malaysian because being one is all I know.
I hope that answers the question. So, what motivates you as a Malaysian?
Labels: Personal
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