Gobloking

Dearest Lynas "Rare Earth is Safe for You"

2011-04-07T08:45:00.004+08:00

photo: very safe for you..see me holding chunks of earth with bare hands? See Australians not holding them?

Dearest Lynas & Lynas Shareholders

Please forgive this uninformed layperson's views but I beg for your kind indulgence

Firstly I must tell you that I have seen & experienced Australia 1st-hand & is impressed by its care for the country's sustainable development & the wonderful welfare system accessible to citizens.

Which is why Australia is a dream country for many migrants.

I am further inspired by the fact that Australia seems to be a country who respects public opinions, and although not Australian, I hope my opinion will be treated with similar respect.

To learn more about why Lynas Australia is so willing to invest heftily in Kuantan, Malaysia for a rare earth processing plant, I went to your website.

Reading through your website write-up, 1 of the 1st question to strike me was why would Lynas not invest this huge sum in Australia itself, to not only boost the economy but since Australia is the origin from whence rare earth is being mined, would that not make better sense?

Would the Australia government not welcome Lynas huge investment in its native country instead of having Lynas invest abroad? Particularly in light of how Australia spends millions to attract foreign investors?

Ofcourse it should also worry Environmentalists that rare earth is being transported across the oceans, where anything can happen during transportation.

What if anything leaked into the waters as it passes through Indonesia on its way to Kuantan?

Ofcourse Lynas also mentions that Malaysia have industrial land, gas, water & electricity, re-agents from local suppliers and a port that can manage container, chemcial & buld shipments.

The last time I visited Australia I would have to conclude that Australia seems to have the same (if not much superior) infrastructure - albeit - at a higher cost, than that found in Kuantan, or anywhere in Malaysia.

Ofcourse we also thank you for your kind support of Malaysians because you stated that we have the skills set & that our country have accountable regulators, clear legal framework & FDI incentives making it attractive for Lynas to be here.

But we know that Australia too have such wonderful skills since nearly 300,000 Malaysian students are in Australia trying to acquire skills of many disciplines there.

And about our legal framework. I know how Australia's framework protects its people & I am just wondering if Lynas is aware that Malaysia is equally protective of its people and that we are also quite capable of class actions to sue for future public health liabilities?

The conclusion I can draw is that Lynas is in Malaysia - not due to any influence secured through corruption - since we are all aware of how much Australia government frowns upon such criminal offences, but because the Australian Government is too dumb to accept Lynas' kind & generous contributions to its own native country

Westies, Sarawak Politics & Whoopin' it up on a luxury yacht

2011-04-05T09:27:00.021+08:00

Pardon me all for writing yet again another un-informed blog.

That's my specialty. But the link in http://laksamanabukitbintang.blogspot.com/2010_10_31_archive.html

You've got to view the photos of Taib Mahmud's daughter's wedding aboard a yacht in Singapore because I had (once-upon-a-lifetime-ago) spent a few charming decadent nights on the "old" version of this yacht.

Yes. I can vouch for it. Being really rich is much better than being merely poor. But enough remininiscing about the time when I had more hair on my head than in the drain.

The crime ofcourse in all this super-luxury is that while TM & company were whooping it up (or as TM says "anyone can get rich if only they worked hard enough"), some Sarawakians are still living hand-to-mouth, & wondering what living in a home with running water is like. So: Do you think "Westies" have any right to get into "Easties" politics? And pray Aunty dearest, what has that to do with a luxury yacht? Picture this. My super rich (I wish!) parents had made you the trustee of their assets (including this lovely yacht) with me as sole "ward". Meanwhile I am living in rather basic conditions while my dear trustees are supervising my yacht by living on it. So my friends (being friends) are trying to help me get my assets back so that I may live in a better condition. Which is what I think is happening in Sarawak. Just like this analogy, Sarawakians should (try to?) consider their well-meaning friends as Westies & likewise, Westies should (try to?) consider themselves friends of Sarawakians. How do we do this? Ladies & Gentlemen: Kindly tuck yr Ego away! Can Westies just get involved to the extent we dont become meddlesome friends? Can Sarawakians understand that Westies need to get involved because the very wealth of Sarawak has been the bankroll for those in power - even in the West? Can Westies learn: - To be open, kind, understanding & considerate & know that not all Sarawakians had asked for our "help"? And that consultations are merely meant to be advice Sarawakians can take or leave, & that your "job" as friends is to persuade others to see your ideas may work? Ofcourse Westies don't own the wealth of Sarawak. But Westies can help Sarawak achieve its goal of being self-governing rather than still being governed by some who can't live without a luxury yacht. As for me. Anytime you want to invite me to live on your boat, Uncle & I will welcome it very much. Call me - collect - also can

Opposition should Jolly Well Lose the next GE!

2011-04-02T07:35:00.009+08:00

Photo: Baby Monkey & Old Monkey eating bananas

I will make this simple reading as I understand political leaders will be too busy to read my bs (too busy eating bananas to come down from their perch?)

(I hope) Leaders of PKR, Kita & whathaveyous will pretend to care by reading on:

1. You gave us Monkeys running the show; & more monkeys wanting to take over the show.

Aww...Please STOP saying: "BN is stopping us from making changes" or "we need more time" & "BN took up 53 yrs to mess up"

When we respect you, we can more readily forgive you for a LOT. We can even give you time. But now?

Baby. You got no time for us, we got no time for you.

2. We want Change for the Better & not (merely) Change for the sake of Change.

3. Please uphold the Law first before you change it.

Even if it's a shitty law..but if you dont want to uphold the law & then work to changing it (later), then Society falls apart,

Actually Aunty here feels that some Opposition leaders aren't even upholding a Good Law..so why would they uphold a bad one?

Conclusion: Looks like not many laws are being upheld?

4. Why did you give us all those baby monkeys who are no different from the old monkeys who's as good as you at eating bananas?

Don't you have any Good Candidates who will Work for the People? (blush. I'm so naive to still believe in that one!)

Yes. We all know we are ungrateful ingrates. Working for the People is a badly compensated & Thankless job.

But if someone volunteers to stand as Candidate, they must know by now, they are supposed to work for the LOVE of the Country.Yeah. One can still Dream, can't one?

5. Believe this or not..but BN seems to have eaten a little bit of humble pie & is trying HARD now to (re-)earn the People's Love.

I cant even believe I am saying this but never in a million years did I think I will say this. If Barisan continues to work hard like this, I may swing back to voting for 'em old monkeys instead of 'em baby ones!

After all what choices do voters have?

Back fr a Cold & Dreary Place

2010-11-16T13:05:00.003+08:00

First of. When I reached the big M age in my life, I was actually looking forward to some of its much taunted side effects. Like HF (Hot Flushes). I am so thin-blooded, when the thermostat hits 25C, I am wearing a cashmere cardi.

What more when the weather hits <10c?>

I've always contended that if God had intended for me to live in a cold country, He would have given me more Hair..the ones on my upper lip not counting. Or a good old free HF.

No such luck. I was dressed like a Yeti; no. NOT quite like an immigrant from Poland, but close. Thank the Lord for my good Solid Wool coat, knee high boots, Geox shoes & Uniqlo. Uniqlo was my best friend there. I bought so much stuff (heatech stuff), the cute Jap boy assistant thought I was from Canada.

But this ain't to say I did not enjoy London. I did, whole heartedly. Only when I could force myself OUT of the house by 11am. I did the whole shebang.

Museum, galleries (good & free), shopping (not that free), sucking in the wonderful cakes from M&S cafe (talk to my butt) & the SHOWS (not at all cheap!).

Yes. Unc stayed back here so I was solo in LDN...with LDN having no idea it had suddenly become a more dangerous place.

And nothing deters a good campy Aunty from jumpin' up & singing loudly at the final song from "Jersey Boys" (story of Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons - WHO?) with "Sherry Baby" & "Can't take my eyes off you"

If anyone thought I was loud at Jersey Boys, they shoulda seen me at "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" (WHOO??), the costumes (I want them!) & a whole BUS on stage (costing 1mil pounds) & songs like Girls just wanna have fun, Don't leave me that way, Shake yr groove things.

The Brits surrounding me were totally confused at this single ticket, meek-looking "little" (yeah..choke) Asian who suddenly leapt up & started swaying her tush AND SINGING LOUDLY with the cast to "I will Survive"

So. Yeah. Priscilla was my highlight. Beat British Museum. But for Uncle, my coming back was the best thing to happen since sliced bread. He had all his Xmas goodies to eat, and His Queen of F**king Everything (I bought a cup which says exactly this) was here to take care of a busted water tank which has damaged our plaster ceiling.

My Favoritest Cheh2 Ros

2010-11-01T10:32:00.005+08:00

oh. I am so exhausted being so beautiful all the time
There isn't a day which passes when I don't see my Hero, my favoritest of all favorite Cheh2s First Lady of Malaysia (forever), Supreme Beauty of All Beauties, Smartest of All Smarts, Intelligentest of the Intelligentsia, Loveliest of All Lovelies, Kindest of the Kindest, Mother of All Malaysians, Patron Saint of All Aunties, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

I see her all the time - as do you. 1st thing in the morning, last thing at night. You can't touch any paper, magazine, news on tv without seeing her vision of loveliness.
Yesterday my Cheh2 had to man the fort for her hubby who's down with chicken (pox that is) at the Deepavali Carnival. To boost the morale of Indians in our community.

I am only wondering here - so don't shoot me. Now, if I were my Indian brothers & sisters, would I prefer the Deputy PM (the last I checked we still have a Deputy PM & Deputy Head of our largest political party) to make that "Don't call indians Pendatang" speech or would I prefer the wife of the PM to make that speech?

Who would be more powerful & more meaningful to make that speech? Actions speak louder than words. I have decided my Cheh2 is more powderful.

And before the Aunty Alzheimer comes over me again, I would like to ask someone this question.

Why is it that everyday, come rain, come Gunung Merapi erupting, Tsunamis, Economic Depression, mass murderers, unlicensed killer drivers, my Cheh2 is always in the media hah?

Did anyone command anyone that my Cheh2 must always be featured?

I am 110% sure it's not my Cheh2 who asked for that. She's NOT that egoistical, vain, or fame-seeking person vicious rumor-mongers make her out to be.

I KNOW she's NOT. She really doesn't need all these unnecessary attention when she's already our very own 1st of the first-est Lady, does she? What? Are you asking if the photos are air-brushed? Eh? My Cheh2 dun need all those cheap tricks, THANK YOU

Anyhoos. I would hate to be the PA of her PA.

I mean. That person would have to spend almost his/her entire life at the desk with a huge pile of The Star, New Straits Times, Tattler, & occasionally the New York Times, holding a pair of scissors cutting out & glueing article after glowing article about my Cheh2 (in lots of different outfits & Hermes, Chanels, Diors & matching jewellery) into scrap books, n'cest pas?

BTW- other bloggers. I will not take kindly to you if you dare to malign my perfect 1st Lady ok?

I defend Ng Yen Yen!!

2010-10-31T15:40:00.004+08:00

" And here I am in my cheong-ju with matching handbag"

I am death warmed over by a killer flu but I just had to come out in defence of our cheh-cheh (big Sister) Minister of Tourism Ng Yen Yen (no need for all her other big titles since we are sistahs, hokay?).

There were some criticisms (from the opposition wouldn't you know it?) over some itty-bitty minor mistakes such as some spelling errors that the PRINTER MADE in the tourism brochures distributed fr May to Oct at our Pavillion at the Shanghai world expo

"I checked the final draft, there were no mistakes. The errors are by the printer in Shanghai."

The ministry had come under fire for distributing millions of brochures with spelling errors such as Taman Nerara (Taman Negara), ctry (city), nulticultural (multicultural), decelopment (development), beautuful (beautiful) and visitous (visitors)

She was not aware of the mistakes until two days ago when two MPs brought this up in the Dewan Rakyat.

"Yes, I agree it is a mistake.

"We will not hire the printer anymore," she said

As long as you know - I have nothing but the deepest respect for Yen2Cheh2, in my limited >20yrs experience - which invariably had something or other to do with the print media, I would just like to point out some little minor details which are:

1. No printer would touch / amend any word from a soft copy. At least not those I have dealt with from Malaysia, Singapore, Sydney, Africa, UK, Germany, California , Hong Kong, Shanghai & Beijing.

2. Prior to printing, a final draft copy must be emailed/presented to the client for a sign-off. Or there again, I could be real wrong.

3. It's called "REJECT" if there were bloopers made by the supplier. As the client, even if you had printed a million copies for me Mistah Printer, I would NEVER accept the finished product. Amend it or don't get paid

4. And really, if this printer can't correct his mistake & deliver, & even if I am out of time, Yen2Cheh2 should know that printing millions of colored copies is no longer limited to a special few printers with special equipment manned by rocket scientists to do the job

With the technology nowadays, even little old ladies can sit there to press a button & the printing will be done.

But like I say, I don't blame Yen2Cheh2.

Who on earth picking up those travel brochures is gonna pick up on those spelling mistakes? After all aren't 90% of the visitors Chinese? What do they know about the English language huh?

Ok. Be picky. Say it's 10% (10% of 700million is only 70 million) of them. WHO cares? After all our predominant richest visitors are from the Middle East. Now. If our Arabic travel brochures were to contain bloopers, THEN we are talkin'!

So please stop pickin' on my Sistah Yen2 huh?

Why is a con man like Ellie Najeem still running around?

2010-10-23T10:34:00.004+08:00

Yesterday I was in an unusual place. Unusual for me.

Chinatown on a rainy Friday is not my thing. But I was bringing some visitors to see the Sri Mariamman temple in Jln Tun HS Lee. As it was raining & I was the designated jaga of shoes, I was outside at about 3-30pm & saw an Iranian man & his family come out. I was just wondering "Why would anyone (the man) be wearing a full suit to visit Chinatown when I am sweating buckets?" when who should pass me by?

2 other persons in full suit. So weird.

Ofcourse I took a good look. Unmistakably so. 1 was Ellie Najeem of Lebanon (clean shaven) with the curly toussled hair & a brand new reddish brown document case. I was so stunned I did not even take a photo although I was holding a mobile phone.

Wasn't this man (known variously & vicariously as "Lord Ellie") arrested for possessing something like Rm66million ringgit of fake notes in Jan this year & for falsely declaring he was donating a BILLION ringgit to charity 2 yrs ago?

So why is he strolling casually in Petaling Street? Towards the general direction of Jalan Bandar (High Street) Police Station?

Malaysia's sense of justice sure beats me flat.

A known foreign con-man with an arrest for funny money just walks our streets a free man. Who also conned a young lady into marrying him (even if she or her parents are greedy & naive, there's no reason to wish ill on them!)

We have a justice system who arrest students for being politically active, people for lighting candles & singing our national anthem, & just about anyone else for saying/ writing / thinking the wrong things...but??

And in case you think foreign spouses have an easy time being allowed to live here..you know you are wrong! For 1, Ellie got a divorce from his Malaysian wife, for 2 he was arrested, for 3 we know he's wonkers..so WHY is he still here?

The mind boggles! I think we need to re-allocate / rotate more immigrations & law-enforcement officers around !

I am NOT a Pendatang

2010-10-13T17:23:00.005+08:00

First off. I beg to differ with Rockybru's post on Oct 10th Sunday. Rocky says the Chinese should not be too bothered by what politicians spew from their mouths in calling us Pendatangs.

For me, the problem is 2-fold.
1. When the Bosses can talk like this, & we allow them to continue, then everyone will think we are fair game. I read some comments from Rockybru & I have shudders.

2. If the needle does not cucuk you, you won't feel the pain. So until you have experienced the needle Rocky, you have not walked a mile in our shoes.

So I am categorically saying this. I am not a Pendatang.

Although (merely) 2rd generation from 1 side (and even that side was born in Singapore) & 1st generation from the other, this land, its people & culture is the ONLY one I know. I don't know if the number of years spent in Malaysia (Malaya) counts but in case it does, then my family has been here since 1915.

So the only land to whom I pledge my undying & utter allegiance is Malaysia. Warts & all.

My family is now on its 4th (or is it 5th?) generation & they are every bit as Malaysian as any Malay family. I don’t recall – even for a mere second - when I had ever harbored any thoughts or feeling of not wanting to be Malaysian. Not once did I hesitate in refusing citizenship or PRs in more affluent countries.

China? To me, China evokes no feelings. Less than no feeling. China is a foreign country where when I visit, evokes much of the same feeling as when I visit Europe or Australia. Foreign. No tinge of familiarity.

But I admit it. It’s fascinating to see all those wonderful museum pieces & arts & culture of the Chinese & then feeling awkward about how I should feel.

Should I feel proud that some parts of my makeup is from China?
Am I really Chinese when all this Chinese-ness evokes feelings as familiar as that experienced when viewing a beautiful Schloss in Germany?

I only end up feeling embarassed. Embarassed I am so un-Chinese despite looking like one.

But then, I don’t think there would be many Chinese in China who would think nasi lemak for breakfast, curry laksa (with kerang please) for lunch, an assortment of kueh-mueh for tea, & sambal belacan with everything is the best possible meal there is in this world.

And I am not unique. All my friends & family are Malaysians, from the sarong we use at home to the meals we eat to the Malay expressions we sprinkle into our conversation.

So yes.
I do hold GREAT offence if anyone is to throw names like “Pendatang” at non-Malays like me.
Or tell me to balik Cina.
Or say I am raping their country.
Or say I am unpatriotic because of how I look or the faith I hold.

I feel no less Malaysian than the next bloke whose family has been here 100 years.

Just today, a market seller asked me if I am Japanese (I look Japanese for some strange reasons) but I was speaking fluent Malay.

I answered “Bukan”. He then said “Oh. Anda cina ke?”. I again answered “Bukan. Saya orang Malaysian”

Then with a twinkle in his eyes, he said “Ah. Itu lah Satu Malaysia kan?”
Little does he know, he is (to me) far more couth & cultured than someone who don’t know me & would throw the word “Pendatang” at me.

Why I want to be Queen

2010-05-15T06:00:00.003+08:00

Dang! I have been busier than a squirrel hoarding nuts for the winter!

Come to think of it, I have been so preoccupied, my eye brows have grown bushier than the tail of a squirrel.

This morn when I looked into the mirror I thought "Hey! I know that person. Ain't that the nice Sikh man who did the Big, Strong & Friendly commercial for Standard Chartered?"

That damn squirrel woulda been envious of my tail. Except it's on my face.

Why the busy-ness? Aunty's been substituting for our neigbourhood "penghulu" as he's laid low for now

And we needed to do an urgent project for "Homeland Security". Nah. Not the Neighbourhood RT (rukun tetangga) Patrol.

More like how to give residents our rights back & at the same time improve Neighbourhood Watch in our family dominated area.

If you see a tired Aunty holding an umbrella with a green bag going door to door? It's me. Don't just pass me by. Pass me an ice lolly & then pass me by please.

But truly. Everything happens for a reason. And it also happens to help us learn lessons in life.

And so, I have to thank this thankless work for intro-ing me to the Good, the Bad & (MAN!) the REALLY ugly!

The Good. Some of the nicest people (title, brains etc) were also the humblest. They even asked politely if they should put their (rightfully earned) title on the petition to further the cause.

And extra brownie points for offering me a glass of water. And a seat. Out of the heat. Heck! For even allowing me to step into their garden is a great thing!

The Bad. Not as teruk as the Ugly but bad enuf. They tell me "After everyone sign then I sign".

"Do you want to sign?"

"OH YES! We should stand united on this. BUT I don't want people to know it's me"

Or "I know its a good thing but if everyone signs then you don't need me, right?"

"But I am standing here now (in the heat feasted on by mossies if I may add), so please sign if you want to so I don't have to come back?"

"Never mind. Just come back. And by the way. Next time can you also make sure the garbage truck don't throw my bin around?"

The Ugly. If you thought the bad were unreasonable & demanding, then the Ugly takes the cake.

Asking (& explaining) for support was like asking them to pay me to take their 1st born away.

My stance is simple. Want? Sign. Thank you.

Don't want? Thank you. You have every right to do as you please.

But when the ugly accuses me of being "unhumanistic, uncharitable & unkind to the downtrodden" - as if they are paying me to abuse me - that really gets to me.

You know this Aunty lah. I am a free thinker. I don't believe good works need come only from one's religious conviction. Good works can come just about from anyone so long as the heart's in the right place.

You see. This here case is a "delicate" case of our mini Homeland Security in the neighbourhood. & we aren't even talking of a guarded community.

It's about showing the boot to an unwelcome "community" project someone plonked down on us. They mean well. A good thing in the wrong place.

All this family residential community could see was a community service which in no way benefits us. Not even an iota.

And people were pianopiano about it too. By operating behind closed gates & giving it an innocuous title such as "church/temple work".

For years. Until it grew so big, it expanded. Then the S hit the proverbial fan.

Yes. You are right. My own hypocrisy took a big time bite back at the bitch. Like doing voluntary work in a deprived place then going back to my own little serene & safe home where I don't have to see anything. At my own time. In someone's else backyard.

But this is not Africa Dorothy.

This is Malaysia. So I don't get it how none of us were given a chance to object before the permits were granted by the relevant authorities.

Even as we blissfully went about our lives asking "Eh. Why is the security here declining ah?" resulting in the furious fortification of our homes...and NOW we know!

I so totally disagree that anyone should lose out on (an already fragile) peace of mind in a busy city.

Let alone be stripped of the right to say "aye" or "nay"

Which is why I have been doing this.

I have now new found respect for rights activists & politicians who goes campaigning.

Because 1 critical thing this whole fiasco's made me realilze. Unless they made me Queen unconditionally, this Aunty's NEVER going to campaign no more!

Spare the Rod?

2010-05-02T09:05:00.006+08:00

Right off the bat. Let me assure you I am not a modern parent.

I strongly feel that parents who give their kids the liberty to decide, who don't supervise their kids & let them roam the nights are not modern. They are stupid.

Leaving the police & maids & teachers or for the law to be enacted to protect kids for them are just stupid parents.

What? Your kid's just too naughty? & you can't control him/her? They climb out of the window to go out?

Install alarms. When the alarm triggers the window grill, you know yr kid's escaping.

And if you are working, you should try applying yr modern mgmt discipline at home too. Tell yr kids what's considered a bad behaviour.

Warn them. Give 3 warnings. After that, they face the music. No Tv. No Net. No Phone, money or Games. Just Books. A spanking now & then reinforces the good behaviour. Or the threat of a spanking is just as good.

I think these days we take modern parenting in a silly & not sensible way. Allowing total freedom & choice to undisciplined kids is like allowing a monkey to go shopping at a supermarket.

Modern parents seems to think spanking & punishing kids shows ppl they are being violent (& therefore non modern). They feel kids should be able to express themselves, so they allow kids to talk back to them.

Talking back is disrespectful. Discussing is intellectual. Got it?

And Screw those ppl who thinks spanking is not being modern.

They are the same ones who don't ask their kids to account for their time & money or where they suddenly get expensive new stuff. And then wonder why their kids get into trouble one day.

I don't get it. How can the modern parent who, having read so much & being much more educated than our forefathers be this dumb at child rearing?

And have you never heard parents asking their 3 yr olds what they want to eat & drink at restaurants? If kids are so smart about nutrition, they don't need adults.

And when they are home, & kids don't eat the other stuff you put before their face without being asked, then why be pissed off?

I may not like the non democratic ways my parents behaved towards me but I appreciated the discipline it brought to me.

Ya. I got asked what I wanted to eat & drink. But ONLY on my birthday. Once a year & don't you forget that.

Ya. I wanted to go dating when I was 16 but I wasn't allowed. Ya. I also wanted to go on a motorbike with this "wild" 17 yr old but I dare not even bring that subject up.

Bored? Without internet, handphone, nintendo or cable TV? We weren't so stupid to mourn to our parents when we were bored.

If you are Sooo...oooo bored ..."Go Study". Or Read. Or Play with yr games. Or play with yr neighbours.

Ahh? Did you say our neighbourhood's much safer than today & friends used to live close by.

Not always. There were still cars & lots of vicious stray dogs too. Perverts also existed as in time immemorial they did. A guy flashed me once. But I knew he was sick & I could run.

And our best friends from school didn't always lived close by.

So our neighbours (from other schools) became our best playmates.

No Hong Guan biscuit tasted so good nor F&N cordial so delicious as the ones we shared with our friends from the hood.

Even though boys were allowed to play on our streets or a nearby field, they were always within eye / ear shot. Our parents & other neighbours were always, all seeing & all hearing. No sounds of the TV or a handphone to distract them.

You got into a fight? Whop! Everyone got their ears tweaked. Regardless who started it. From that one parent who caught them.

But nowadays, parents are way too concerned about others bothering with their kids. As they do not bother with other ppl's kids.

Or they are too busy with their own lives & activities with their right to "relax/time out". Once a week. Hanging out with friends after work. Golf, Facials, & gym weekends. Who's checking their kids' homework? The tutor.

Hello? You want time out? Be childless. Don't bring a kid into the world & make them feel they are intruding on Your Life.

Maybe I had a real boring childhood & boring parents. But I am thankful for parents who didn't ignore their kids & who didn't routinely put the TV on as nanny.

If you want to be modern, then brace yourself for the consequences. And don't blame anyone else but yourself for your "modernity" when your kids go AWOL or who steals because they think morality is uncool.

Of Dim Sum, Amber Chia & Chua Soi Lek

2010-03-31T21:53:00.004+08:00

I love getting together with the ladies! We are a diverse group ranging in age from early 40's to early 80's. And we are such unabashed conversationalists, no subject is considered taboo..especially if we are gossiping about public figures.

Only dear kind Jean protested when many of us voiced our disappointment at the seeming lack of morality in our society where it gets to the point that a serial adulterer (& accidental porn star) becomes an elected leader.

Maybe it's not that Malaysians are immoral but that we are keeping up with the times. A more open society? And it's really mean to talk about someone's private life because everyone's entitled to a private life. Hmmm?

Err...NO Jean! NOT! I had to remind everyone that a public figure ie entertainer, politician, etc is fair game. Yeah. Too bad. BANG! Open target. Even Paris Hilton can't sue that slime ball bf of hers for what he did to her.

Ofcourse I am one of those Aunties who had no qualms about bragging having seen THAT video. I did. So shoot me. 1 of 1 million who did. I'm just another digit.

It didn't help that Gloria goaded me on by begging for a blow-by-blow (no pun intended) account. The only thing that still boggles my mind is how Angel can still remember (in the throes of passion) to take off her knee high boots as she climbed into bed.

Which is why you won't see me in my knee high boots in the bedroom. Too lecheh.

Then we moved on to the marriage of Amber. First off. Everyone thinks it's too much a "coincidental" marriage.

And from a most unlikely source, a lady in our group who's not on the net & not a lady about town piped up, "seems like double boiled soups (or whatever) is still making its way every 6-30am to the top suite of a private hospital for a certain VVVIP daily from Miss AC"

WAH!!

AND karaoke. A Hospital with karaoke?

Wah! So old (70's?), filthy rich & super busy & still ill...STILL got energy to sing karaoke while in hospital?

And why would such a stunner in the prime of her make-hay days marry so soon? Hah? I ask you!

Case of throwing the dogs off the scent. Yeah. We're a coupla old witches. We've seen it all. BRING IT ON!

Next lunch...more people will be shredded to the same fine consistency as our yummy vermicelli wrapped rolls.

Chua Soi Lek is President of MCA

2010-03-29T10:32:00.006+08:00

Unless you come from Mars, you would already know that Aunty here is almost the next to last person on this earth to moralize about morality.

For one, I strongly support 2 consenting adults to do what the heck they want to do..so long as.. it's between the both of them.

Yeah. But then Life's a bitch. There's always a qualifier even in immorality.

Sure they can. But..so long as..(in the world according to Aunty)..the 2 consenting adults are singularly in charge of their lives. Ain't no kids, or spouse, or society (if we are spiritual leaders) to answer to.

Yea. Even as we walk through the valley of immorality-no-return, we must surely be vauely aware of who may get hurt by a breach in those who trusts us.

Aiyah. Ofcourse.
We immoralizers (sic) only count any breach in trust as when the other party finds out. Other than that. Nothing counts.

So what does it matter when the Malaysia Chinese Association's only obvious choice (by a landslide) is a man found cheating on his wife of 30+ years for the last 12+ years of their married life? And in live graphics too!

You ask yourself. Does this show that
1. MCA members have a death wish?
2. MCA has a dearth of great leaders?
3. Morality? What morality?

Even if MCA simply does not believe that voters would care that a morally tainted man would lead a major political party, and it is only results which matter, why vote for a man whose sexual exploits must have been viewed by many?

Yes. My mind is infinitely small. I can't look at Chua in the flesh speaking at a rally without seeing him "in the flesh" at his performing best.

OK. One can say the same of Anwar Ibrahim.

With the exception of yours truly - who btw - is not an Anwar supporter - an overwhelming majority of my friends believe Anwar is gay & a sodomiser.

For me, the difference between Chua & Anwar is:

There's no smoking gun in terms of a "live" video of the act(s) for Anwar. What I didn't see, I sure don't believe.

Also. In Anwar's case I still don't understand how Saiful the victim, would obediently strip & come out wearing a towel based on his boss, Anwar's bidding?

A taller, stronger, younger man meely stripping to his jock strap when asked to do so by a shorter, much older, weaker male?

That's why I think something stinks in Denmark.

All the men & women I asked; young, old, strong, fragile said that they would knee the pervert in the groin or grabbed a knife, if that has happened to them. And job be damned!

So how would MCA win over the trust of grassroot leaders & their followers to once again put their trust in Chua?

Or do only results matter, and not morality?

Well. OK. I give you that. To each his own.

And after all. What do I know? After all. Isn't Aunty the Lowest Common Denominator in taste & views?

Which Galactical system did these aliens come from?

2010-03-16T15:28:00.005+08:00

I got wondering about other galactic systems when I read about ..

The fathers who married their 10- & 11-yr old daughters to men aged >39. It shows you that age does not bring wisdom & some men have almost nothing inside their heads & even less inside their pants.

And I am not sure from which planets these men come.

How else then can you explain for fathers like these who would knowingly inflict such harm on their young children or men like these "husbands" who would want young children as their wives?

In my planet we call these men Perverts & Pedophiles.

Also you would think that IF they were indeed from Malaysia they would know that the marriageable age (or age of consent) has always been 16 upwards & NOT 10 upwards.

And yet from another galaxy...
The Economist featured an article on PM Najib's plan to "modernise" UMNO (sic) where bumi rights may be tampered in an attempt to win the hearts & minds of non-Malays.

In this article, a spokeman from Perkasa; a group fighting for malay rights (which is quite an oxymoron) was also quoted as saying that the mission for Perkasa is quite simple. They are merely asking for nothing more than their fair share.

And I thought joining UMNO was the sure fire way of getting "the" fair share?

Dang! There seems to be more aliens from other galaxies visiting Malaysia than I had originally thought.

And the BARF-ta Awards goes to..

2010-02-21T12:08:00.004+08:00

"I am really sorry (x11 or is it...???)"

“But it does not mean that since Datuk Najib is a reserve person, I am making the decisions... I am the type, who will voice out my dissatisfaction, but once said, it is done. I do not harbour feelings,”

Gulp...Be right back. I think I ate some bad Yu Sheng last nite

Save the Sharks

2010-02-20T10:42:00.005+08:00

Our Potential Prime Minister (currently Deputy PM) said this yesterday

“While the caning meted out by civil courts can cause hurt and sometimes even death, caning according to syariah law is light. It is more to educate and remind Muslims to honour and abide by the laws of the religion,” he said after chairing the Cabinet committee on human capital development yesterday

Our Deputy PM said he believed that with better understanding and knowledge of how the process was executed, the matter of women being caned for committing religious offences would not be a “sensational issue.”

Yeah. Yeah. Some of you kindly pointed out that since I am not of the Faith, I should thererfore STF up.

But can still ask right? And y'all know Aunty's IQ level right? 1 hand count still got fingers left over.

So. To my Dear Great Leader DPM

SIR! Some Questions please SIR? If you please SIR!?

How many men has thus far been whipped to serve the same objectives (of educating & reminding)?

Is it true that caning & corporal punishments are the only effective ways to educate & remind the faithful to stay faithful?

Then may I make a small suggestion? Let's make such events public. Make the punishment count ie let it be painful. And let the faces of the unfaithful be seen so as to shame them.

Or we can say, let's make them learn the lesson in a more humane way. Substitute corporal punishment with hard community work.

Aunty here thinks that since we are going down this path, then let's get anyone who makes their faith be seen in a poor light - including traffic offenders, irresponsible parents etc.

If not, where got meaning in punishing the minnows but let the sharks swim free?

Don't Stop the Caning!

2010-02-19T10:04:00.008+08:00

Before someone whops my a**se this photo is NOT of our Malaysia caning those 3 women. I think it's supposed to be in Acheh or something.

Anyhoos. There I was taking a blog hiatus due to visitors & then Chinese new year. Seems like nobody noticed I did not hang out the Red Lantern 'cause they & we still indulged.

I only came out to defend the religious police canning the 3 women caught having sex out of wedlock.

Mind you. I have yet to read if they caned the 3 men (they are men I assume?) caught with these 3. Did anyone read if the 3 other partners were punished too?

Now I am 1 for freedom of worship & the rights of religious leaders to mete out punishments because other than that, who the heck is gonna toe the line, huh?

I may not understand why some believe in a Vindictive Compassionate Higher Being who will force mere mortals into believing in Him but there you go. I am no Judge or Moral Compass. As you can tell..n'cest pas?

But Aunty adores moralistic people. Like me, they have the strongest conviction that the flesh is weak, the Devil can be beaten out, & that obviously love & forgiveness has no free will but are feelings which can be forced.

Way to go Bro! Aunty's like you. Just ask Uncle.

Sneaked a look at some gals in jeans. Whop! Cane him.
Took a tipple with the Boys? Whop! Cane him.

Way better to bend him to my will than wait for for some sense to knock his brains.

And while we are on the Moralistic Hi Ground, I would also like to draw the attention of our Finest Religious Police to go out & do more of their Fine Duties.

Don't be afraid Mr RP to make Bigger Examples of Even More Prominent Citizens. That would be more educational & instructive than caning some ikan bilis/anchovies.

In fact since our RPs seems more effective, I would love for them to catch & punish those caught lying, stealing, murdering, plundering, looting

OMG! What am I saying?

We would have no one left standing if that was the case. And then what will we do? Be at the bottom of the list for Most Corrupted Countries? And then where will we be? Just plain old "world class"?

But one thing for sure. The caning of the 3 women & soon another that lady for drinking alcohol? The religious Police did Gooo...oood.

In this my Kak Rosmah joins me in congratulating our Fine Religious police & Syariah court. May our Men be Shaking in their Sarongs!!

MOVE ON Lah!

2010-02-05T09:56:00.006+08:00

I read with amusement in The Malaysiainsider comments on the piece where Nasir apologised for his uncalled for remarks at a 1Malaysia seminar.

Which makes me wonder if N knew he was at a 1Malaysia gathering but mistook it for an Only1forMalaysia seminar?)

In any event none of the commentators seemed to accept his apologies. 1 of the comments making me chuckle is the one who wrote "Sorry? Sorry then balai polis no need open already lor"

I think the commentator is saying that if criminals knew that all they had to do was to apologise for commiting their crimes & they will then be let go free, then there's really no need for any police stations. Good point.

However I also read with amazement a VERY prominent blogger (origins Malacca) asking us to "MOVE ON ALREADY!" since Nasir has already resigned & apologised.

I don't know about you lot but I think this blogger needs to be born of, & raised up in the wrong skin to understand why it is difficult to move on.

Nobody can tell me to move on who has not walked the literary mile in my shoes. NO ONE.

It's like telling a Cancer victim, "Eat. You need your strength". Easy enough for you to say that Bru. Have you personally survived Cancer because you ate up?

No. I do not get any overt racism to my face. NEVER. People in Malaysia are genuinely warm & friendly. When you smile to an ordinary citizen here, you get 10 smiles back.

The insidious racism is just in my face daily, & as some of us know, it wasn't a week or a month. But at least a whole generation of it (if 30 yrs makes a generation).

No. I have never questioned the wisdom of our government because I guess, like a nice MAS advert for the famous service of their stewards, Malaysians are brought up to be "gracious"; which means, we move on. In silence. No matter what has happened. Be Stoic my friend. Stoic.

And so we grew up learning how to crack open a little panel in the basement window whenever a door closes (slam is more like it) in our face.

What punishment do I wish for Nasir?

That he be stripped of his Bumiputra status & be designated the races he had thoughtlessly affronted.YEAH...THAT my Friend, would be COOL!

"Never question the citizenship of Non-Malays"

2010-02-04T10:36:00.004+08:00

Commented Dr M in response to the remarks made by Datuk Nasir Safar, a special officer to the PM who either implied, said outright or is heard to have said something about Indians, beggars, Chinese & sex, and the right to take away citizenship.

Dr M also said "It is a very bad statement to make. Even if it is true, we don't say things like that. They are in fact, the children of the people who came here. They have not just arrived". Thank you Che Det. I would like to add that people like me are born of Malayans. So at the very least that makes me 2rd generation. (We are now on to our 4th generation born here).

My question is: In the context of "Even if it is true, we don't say that".

To what Is the good Dr M referring?

The rights of non Malays to citizenship or the part about Indians, beggars, Chinese & sex?

Ofcourse we know how journalists do misquote or can misunderstand as to what is being said.

But this is reported in the Star (and we all know what the Star's like) although ST did not mention anything. We also know that the command of Dr M's English is very strong. So could he have made a mistake? Hmmm?

But if nobody will set the records straight, I will make a go at explaining "even if it is true, we don't say that".

A really short note on "Even if it is true, we don't say it" on begging & sex.

How many stories involving begging, sex & scandals do we hear here? And the majority of those perpetrators (or in Mal-Lish) "do-er" & "do-ee" are?

A little longer note on "Even if it is true, we don't say it" on Citizenship

Every Malaysian should have the right to feel safe & secure that this is our land. Yes. This land belongs to EVERYONE. Not just the Nasir Safars of the world.

In other countries citizens are concerned about the rights they have. Here non-malay citizens have no time for such concerns.

Here, we are just Happy not to be reminded constantly that our citizenship is courtesy of the kindness of this country; which at every turn, at the smallest sign of misbehaviour (real or perceived) is threatened.

In essence non-Malays are brought up to think we have no rights. Unless we toe the line, & shut up, we will eat dirt.

So do we blame those who are treated like this for feeling that they are merely refugees? And what do people with refugee mentality do?

The thinking goes, "If I am not accepted as 1 of you, why is there a need to do much except squat on the land for now?" Yeah. Squat. Squat as in occupy temporarily, & Squat as in Do squat all for the country.

I have heard how often parents wish for their children to study abroad & STAY abroad because at least they won't be threatened permanently with "Balik ke-Cina" or whatever. AND in another country, chances are they will be judged on the basis of their skills & not by the color of their skin.

That at least is the belief. I however think that racism is practised everywhere..but less overt, much more subtly.

Well. I am not one non-Malay to squat & do nothing. I am feeling a tad self indulgent & extra Aunty today.

So I will boost the economy by making a hit on Village Park Nasi Lemak & Goreng Ayam.

NOW. THAT is 1 Malaysia. Chinese woman married to Malay man with a really successful business because they give off their best!

A smaller bone for all

2010-01-29T20:57:00.007+08:00

Oohh..don't I look so sorry with such a tiny fake bone? Yeah. That's how I feel after talking with Uncle. Today's 1 of those days when his Uncle-ness & I talk deep deep. Today as a treat to him after he's planted like 30 patches of grass like a maniac in our Botak garden, I let him talk. So he's decided we should talk about Stuff I generally don't like talking about.

No. Wipe that grin off your face. It's nothing to do with any bodily functions. It's about the Economy.

Yes. It's kinda tough for an Aunty-Aunty type like me to talk to someone whose Maths, & Economics is far superior to mine. On top of that, he's Piled Higher & Deeper in that area.

Although he can be rather dry & factual, it is interesting to hear his thoughts. We normally hear MY thoughts because I am vocal & verbal (how did you guess?) but even Aunty here knows that occasionally one should let the other part speak up too.

We were on the subject of the prices of cars (supposed to drop soon) & the prices of fuel (supposed to increase even sooner) while we were chomping into our cold delicious water melon tonight.

So. If the price of cars are set to go down, then sales should increase, ja?
Cheaper car? For the price of my Myvi, I can finally get a Honda Accord? YES! Fist pumpin' the Air. Ya.

Right says he. If the price of fuel were to go up, then fewer would buy cars, right? That would be better for the environment & its about time Malaysians buy fuel at non subsidised prices.

Eh...NO. It's not that we want to use fuel, it's that we NEED to use the fuel. I had to enlighthen his Unc-ness (who is quite new to this corner of our world) that unlike other parts of the world, here even the poorer of us in the middle, or lower middle class (which should account for 70% of the population) must have some sort of personal transportation in order to EARN A LIVING.

Why?
Obvious lah!

How often do you see public buses plying the burbs? In the burbs, it's far easier to spot cows jumping over the moon than it is to spot a bus. And ofcourse as we are all aware, the poorer one is, the further in the burbs one lives. WALK? In this heat? With the killer traffic & killer drivers?

I just dread that with the costs of fuel increasing, then everything else will also increase - as we have witnessed in the last round 2 years ago.

And there is also the GST (or VAT) to be imposed on the people. Wow.

Let's work how how much someone with a non-working wife & 2 kids plus 1 aging parent, 1 car & a mortgage must earn in order to sustain (key word is Sustain) a life in the burbs, says he. Out came the back of an old envelope & a pen. Here's our estimation

Monthly Fixed Costs
Mortgage: Rgt400
Annnualized Costs associated with home ownership eg insurance, land tax, assessment: Rgt 30
Car instalment : Rgt300
Electricity, phone: 60 (I assume no air conditioning)
School bus: Rgt 80 (assuming a dim witted saint who's willing to take the kids for that price)
Sub Total 1 : Rgt 840 (without putting a grain of rice into the mouth yet)

Now let's be stupid & assume this family has to eat for whatever strange reasons. I am assuming that they will never ever get sick. Like NEVER!

Food: Rgt300 (I want to shake the hands of whoever it is who's able to feed a family of 5 with that amount for a month!)
Daddy's Pocket Money (I am guessing he's also got to eat lunch some times): Rgt100
Fuel for his car: Rgt150
Sub Total 2: Rgt 550
Total: Rgt 1,390

Clothes? Medical costs? Pocket money for the family? Savings? A Maid to help out so that the wife can work? Are you kidding me? Like someone said. No time to get sick. Only time to die.
This shows that the average income a family person must earn can be no less than Rgt 2,000 per month. After his tax, his pension deduction, that would be about right. Ofcourse if you are a graduate that's not a problem after a few years of working.

I know someone who's tutoring at a local university. With a foreign degree, a dynamic personality, & a few years of working experience, he's now earning Rgt3000 a month. But this is because he's jumping through hoops to get that money, including working in another town for 4 days a week.

So how many people have a job these days?
How many people have a good job these days?
How many are not afraid of rising costs these days?
How many are feeling secure that they would never lose their job these days?

You know. I really REALLY TRULY DEEPLY Care that we will become a High Income Economy soon. But I see the realities too. You don't? When was the last time a competent Sales person served you?

MAN! In my Auntyfied opinion we are far & away from being a HIE any time soon, let alone in the twinkling of an eye of a 10 yr period.

What are you looking at me for? I wasn't the one promising you a Hi-income was I?
All I can promise you is: don't get too excited about the Ang Pow you are getting from this Aunty any time soon!

Psst. I wanted to add this postscript for those Morons vandalizing places of worship in the hope of stirring shit? Aunty would like to bless you with this: May you be infested with the fleas of a Thousand Camels Tonight!

Don't rock the boat?

2010-01-25T18:04:00.006+08:00

I am quite sea worthy I think. Which may account for why I rock the boat occasionally. No. I really don't throw up..so far.

However in the past week, it would seem I have rocked the boat a little too hard. Or so some concerned friends tell me. "Aren't you being a little too "bold" in your blogging?" "Don't blog about any Sultans" "Be careful you don't say anything about...."

I don't think I am bold or disrespectful. I happen to like some of our Sultans...as I like that lovely Kim Hyun Jung in "Boys over Flowers". And when I blog, I am only giving myself some space to vent & to think aloud. Surely one is still permitted to think aloud? Even here, right?

And aren't there people who think like I do?

If not, who & why the heckness are those people reading my inane & insane blog pieces?

I truly don't believe I am the lone crackpot in a China shop. It's just that the silent majority is truly silent because they feel they lack the gift of the gab, the pen, or...is it just for "safety" they don't speak up?

And you know why we don't speak up, don't you?

Because we are nice, quiet, non-shit-stirring minorities. Because our mamas & our papas tell us "Don't rock the boat baby".

But why should we just continue to take the leftovers, the crumbs, the tip toeing all the time despite contributing to our nation building, our economy, our vibrant diversity of cultures?

Because we should "be grateful" we were given citizenship? Despite some of our families having lived here for well nigh over 100yrs? Oh come ON!

And if I am not going to speak up for myself, just who's going to speak up for me?

MCA? Err...and what have they done for me recently..or even...years ago?.

DAP? You mean the House of Lims?

PKR? I do like a few of them but I still can't trust Anwar Ibrahim.

Until I read Malaysia Today's article:

http://malaysia-today.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29800:the-malaysian-malay&catid=20:no-holds-barred&Itemid=100087

Read it.

This article highlighted the use of the word "tolerate" in conjunction with religion. Well! It sure helps to know I am not the only loco person out here objecting to this word.

And while I'm on a roll about words I dislike. 2 other words when its coupled to the word "Muslim" I abhor is "Moderate" & "Fanatic". Seems like there are no Moderate or fanatical Christians or Moderate & fanantical Buddhists but there are Moderate & fanatical Muslims?

What? I'm rocking the boat again? Then don't climb on aboard with me!

Aunty speaking Fluent French

2010-01-22T10:32:00.005+08:00

I suspected I was linguistically talented but I didn't know I was so fluent in French.

When I picked up the news that now 2 prayer rooms have been attacked by arsonists in Muar, Johore, I became so fluent in French, any hardened Fishermen in Marseilles would have allowed me to join them on board with no problem.

You know how Aunty gets such a Clear Mind after er.. detoxifying in the morning?

Well. This is my post-Detox assessment on the situation.

Is this some sort of organized attack? Yes. Organized in a "guerilla warfare" way.

Are there lots of people behind this? No. Lots of people are smart. Lots of people want Peace. Lots of people will mean loose mouths to unearth these Guerillas / Gorillas.

Yes. Guerilla warfare tactics are brutal. Quick. Agile. Bite. Then Move. That's how it works.

I don't believe the desired result of our Gorillas here is to get anyone physically hurt. Ofcourse their objective is more to divide brothers against brothers, sisters against sisters. Imagine this. Muslims against Muslims. Christians against Muslims. Christians against Christians. And why not some random Buddhists thrown in? The answer is in History my friend. Read any thing on Buddhists rising up in war recently?

So when the attacks on the Churches, the Sikh Temple & a Mosque did not yield the desired result? Another round of "action" was necessary.

Would I be surprised if there would be other attacks on places of religious worship?

No. I just pray nobody are congregated in these places.

It can be seen that, so far nobody has been harmed in these attacks. So can it be that they are some sort of warped religious group who feels immoral to harm a life but yet does not feel immoral if they indirectly cause More harm; or if someone else did their killing for them caused by their tactics?

I don't put too much faith in the Police to put an end to this any time too soon. And I hardly blame them. After all who has enough tentacles to get to guerillas, let alone to pin down the Masterminds? And what if the MMs are big-time Politicians?

But this I do put Faith in.

That we as ONE MALAYSIAN, ONE RACE, ONE NATION will join Hands in Saying "NO!!!" to anyone trying to break our hands from linking with each other. As we have done for many years.

BTW. Join "Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia" Forum this Sat 23 Jan at Chinese Assembly Hall. See this website

http://www.sayaanakbangsamalaysia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=241:believe-instead&catid=38:sabm&Itemid=58

"Praise the Lord!"

2010-01-21T17:54:00.003+08:00

I'm not getting religious on you but I received this email & dunno how true it is. If it is, seems like the congregation at Metro Tabernacle Church (MTC) has every reason to Praise the Lord Indeed!

Here goes!

1) The night before the church was burned their Pastor was at the church past 11pm because he wanted to check his emails. He is a very hardworking person and has a habit of wanting to complete his work as much as possible. But he is also very sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

When he got to the church premise and was about to swipe the card to open the door, he had a terrible stomachache that he had never had before. He knew that the Lord was telling him to go back home and he obeyed and left the church premise.

It was past midnight that the church was torched. If he had not obeyed he would have been burned alive and would not be able to live to tell this wonderful testimony.. God still has work for him to do on earth. His time was not up yet.

2) MTC had trouble moving to the new premises in Batu Caves . They had been waiting for approval from the Local Authorities and is still pending.

Then they were facing financial difficulties as they needed to buy new furniture for the new premise. They had been raising funds on their own to relocate to Batu Caves but had been “stuck” due to approval permits and raising more $ to buy new furniture and equipment.

So when the church was burned it was all the old stuff that they had been wanting to get rid off! And our Govt compensated them RM500K and CIMB and many other donations started to pour in. From an adversity it turned into a blessing!

3) C, a member of MTC has been rejoicing in the office and shared with our Boss the story above. Today at our Management meeting, the Boss said "I have never seen anyone so full of joy when the church got burned down but instead she said it was a blessing."

4) C said the church leaders and members shook hands with Najib and they released forgiveness for whatever that has happened in the past.

C said Najib felt very welcomed at the church. Hishamuddin commented that during his visit he has never seen so many smiling faces when their church had just been burned down.

5) MTC had requested for the Batu Caves new church premise to be turned into a place of worship and not a commercial zone.

The Selangor Govt is looking into it and the MB, Khalid gave his assurance that he will look into it personally.

A Note to some of you Dufus wondering what's the big deal in having a Church being built instead of whatever it is Christians are using at this time

It has been years & years & years since that permits for building places of worship (like churches) are denied the permit. Christians have been resorting to using shops or commercial buildings for their worship.

6) A few years ago a visiting speaker from overseas prophesied that the MTC would be in international news. At that time the congregation thought that their Pastor would be traveling around the world to preach as he was already doing that but she said now they understood what the speaker said.

7) It was good to see many church leaders of other denominations coming together at the MTC worship service over the last few days, united and praying together.

End of Story.

And to some of you smart alecks out there. Please don't go around burnin' your old stuff & claiming it was a religious attack just because you need new furniture !

Queasy Feeling's still there

2010-01-16T18:10:00.004+08:00

My feeling of unease does not seem to know that I have commanded a cut off date for it to GO AWAY. I had thought that come 15th of Jan I would no longer have butterflies in my stomach, anticipating in dread for something to happen.

This is the same feeling of dread I have been having daily since early Dec. Well folks. That feeling not only has not gone away, it has gone even WORST today. And I have not eaten a bad curry either.

However for right now, I just want to get this OFF my Chest!

To ALL the MORONS who had been attacking the Mosque in Sarawak, the Churches & the Sikh Temple - Please GET THE F*** OUT of our Country.

Maybe there are places like a deserted island where you can blow yourself up but have you ever considered that in what you do, Innocent People may well get hurt ? Yeah you Dickhead. Your father, mother, spouse, children, siblings - the whole flipping platoon man!

YOU may not have good friends & close family here but I do! So if you desperately want to throw some rocks & molotov - Please just GET THE Fudge OUT of MY MALAYSIA!

Now Robert ever the pragmatic Realist - who doesn't like to mince words has only this to say "The shits' just gonna pile higher & deeper from here"

Prophetic.

It would seem that this A word problem is not a little problem which will go away, not even in Sabah & Sarawak, no matter what Nazri has said on behalf of the government.

So what happens now?

The only thing that can happen now is for the Church to give up. After all, a Rose is still a Rose by any other name...after all surely the majority religion gets to dictate what they want?

Which reminds me. Since Jakim would like to get into the action. How about fighting for some other stuff. Like changing the day of rest from Sunday to Friday? We should follow East Coast of Malaysia on that one.

Then. What about the money we use?

Why not a kosher currency - to be handled only by kosher people?

What happens when one goes abroad & have to handle all those non-kosher foreign currencies? Yeah. Those pesky foreign countries too should follow suit.

And make it mandatory for females to cover up. I think that's a good move. After all, even France seems to be giving in on that one. And no more Astro beaming in all those morally corrupt series, movies & news.

Ooohhh! I like this one. We should only admit people into Malaysia who has consumed Hallal food in the past 48 hours. The air would be purer.

I did say this once in jest to Wanna my friend from the South of Thailand that maybe there should be an exchange program given all the trouble in the South. Muslims from Thailand's South should move South to Malaysia, & Non - Muslims from Malaysia can move to the South of Thailand. After all the weather, & coconut trees' about the same whether it's here or there.

I can survive Madagascar's troubles because that was NOT my country. Not that this is Malaysia, my beloved country, it seems like a whole new ball game to my stomach.

3 little numbers

2010-01-16T07:45:00.006+08:00

Maz was my "member" way back when we had pigtails, & swam in the same public pool unself conscious of our bodies & the opposite sex, sewed patches on our jeans because it was groovy, & thought that boys may not be such dumb animals after all. The 3rd member is Eileen.

There we were. The microcosm of 1 Malaysia - not that we knew we were a microcosm or a politically correct entity. The Muslim, the Christian & the Confused Christian/Taoist.

"Tolerate" was a word we used on someone we thought was particularly distasteful like "Adoi! She's so mean. Just Tolerate her lah!" but never on our religion or race (whatsdat?).

Fast forward 35 yrs, & we are all same-same but different-different, as the Thais would put it. Some fat (sic), some lines, 2 Muslims, one undecided.

Yesterday I called Maz up to order a few of her delicious carrot cakes for the coming New Year.

Ofcourse we chatted & gossiped. After all, who can resist a nice yarn with an old friend?

Then I asked her what she thought of the "A" issue.
"Don't know & don't care about idiots! I don't even read about it anymore."

I told her about the report on Malaysia Insider about the sermons on Friday's mosques in Selangor asking Muslims to be united against non-Muslims using the "A" word.

Maz gave me more words of comfort & displayed more sense than our esteemed gomen did.
"Allah! I don't know why this is an issue now.

For so long this was never an issue. We all respected each other's religion & it's not like Muslims can become unMuslim because someone is using the same word when praying to their own God.

People have nothing better to do issit?. Is someone paying these gangsters to vandalize people's property?"

If at this point you are picturing Maz as someone radical & not necessarily religious?. Yes she wears jeans. Yes she leaves her head uncovered. But don't you mess with Maz's prayer times. Or her Morals & Ethics. Or her Carrot Cake.

And is this how her Muslim friends think?
"Eh. What do you mean Muslim or not Muslim? My friends can believe in the little green men lah! And my friends are not that bodoh lah!!"

You can almost hear the wink-wink in her voice. I love you Maz. The voice of Sanity, Humor & Friendship.

Stoppit you "naughty boys"!

2010-01-13T19:18:00.004+08:00

I like this photo of a cow sneaking it in, or is it a bull? Or a cow being given some bull? Looks like some of us at this moment I'd say.

Bull, or screw. Here is this report about stones being thrown at a Sikh temple yesterday evening. Our MIBs (men in blue) says that it's the work of some "naughty boys".

I'm a tad puzzled.

Using which forensic method & which evidence did they find to draw this conclusion? AHAH! Yes! From noting that a sub-station nearby was also similarly stoned.

OK. And I would believe that story too except the coincidences are mighty high. Just how often do we encounter sub-stations being stoned? Or encounter sub-stations which happened to be next to a Temple being stoned?

I live not far from a sub station, and despite it being quiet there, nobody in all these 30 years has ever broken through that filmsy gate. Not even once. We should be disappointed at the level of naughty boys we get here in our neighbourhood.

But it is pretty puzzling to Aunty as to how our MIB can conclude so niftily - particularly when there were no witnesses at all, that it's the work of some naughty boys.

Heck! Why not naughty girls? I protest in this gender discrimination. Girls can be plenty naughty too Mr MIB?

And somehow I feel the term "naughty boys" has been used to set us up mentally.

For what? How about in the eventuality the naughty boys are caught & they just get a naughty little slap on the hand?

The word naughty is indeed a very interesting term to use. When we use the word "naughty" in conjunction with "boys", it is like saying these perps has a diminished responsibility to what they did.

It's like me using the word Aunty anytime I get things wrong just so you will excuse me for my idiot-ness.

And it Works! Yessir! EXCEPT.

EXCEPT destroying or damaging property is a Crime. Throwing flames, bombs & stones is a CRIME.

And these crimes has gone wa..aayyyy beyond naughtiness.

I would call that a BIG crime. A Bigger crime than singing the Negara Ku with candles in hand. MUCH FCUKING BIGGER.

So please Mr MIB.

When you catch those Morons, just hit them with a Big Stick. Because whoever did it did it with Intent, Purpose & Ill Will.

Or would you prefer me to ask them "Stoppit you naughty boys" nicely?

Twilight Zone

2010-01-11T22:23:00.009+08:00

Today as I was in the supermarket, I was struck by how much fear I had actually internalized - due in no small part - to the incidents stirred up by "the word that can't be used".

I wasn't sure throughout my shopping trip if I should only be buying the usual weekly groceries or if I should stock up "just in case".

You know what those "just in case" stuff are, right? Torchlight, batteries, canned food, cereals, frozen veges, rice, oil...you get the drift?

I am sorry but I am a child of five-one-three (FOT)

Which brings me back to the fears that can't be said. Even in conversations with friends & family the past few days since we've returned, few have commented & even so, very little on how they feel, perhaps thinking that if they were to voice their darkest fear, that this fear would come out & bite their arse.

And which fear exactly is this?

Yeah. You guessed it. It's the fear which can't be named. The FOT fear.

I guess we're all feeling it one way or another. Yes Mr. Gomen. You heard me. I've just said it.

We (those who are not as Malaysian as those who are more Malaysian) feel that right now, right here, we do feel persecuted. Yes. Persecuted.

Persecuted because our skin is the wrong color (politically speaking)

Persecuted because our reglion is the wrong religion (politically speaking)

Persecuted because someone dare (DARE!!) demand to use words which can not & should not be used by people of the wrong color & the wrong religion.

Mr Gomen says "it's a mole hill folks. Don't be makin' a fuss now"

Mr Gomen says "you just learn to take better care of yourself now, y'hear?"

And if more trouble were to happen? WELL!

Then it has to be YOU who's inviting trouble.

And BOY! It's surely YOU who asked for it so don't blame us that we didn't warn you boy

To say this situation is bizarre is totally an understatement.

Dspite having lived in some really backward countries in my life, I hadn't realized - until now - just how much more backwards my own country has become

Man! What is more maddening for me is that we seem to be even more stodgy than stodgy old-toe-the-line-Singapore. We even seem to be worst off in terms of what we may or may not say than someone living in the reign of that madman Mugabe in Zimbabwe.

As for old Aunty here. I hear there're certain items we can't display in our cars, in case we get into trouble. Just for that, I will SURELY hang some of these controversial objects in my car tomorrow.

Yeah. Just so I can take an invisible piss at some smalldicks out there who's assaulting the minorities. And I would feel good doing that.

Just call that Aunty's way of saying "We are all born of Man, and we are all equal as Man. So take a flying leap if you think you are better than me"

And did I hear someone asking Aunty how I feel about having the Christians give up the "word that can't be said" so that peace can reign because some topics are just too sensitive & some people are more sensitive than my freshly shaved legs?

Well. That suggestion has some merits but then again, how far back against a wall is someone expected to back up against every time someone says "I am sensitive to that"?

There seems to be so many sensitive subjects over which one can't talk about anymore, that I think one day we may well wake up in Twilight Zone & find that the only un-sensitive topic we can talk about will be the weather.

Did you ask if I am saying our country's like something out of Twilight Zone?

Why did you ask? Is that a sensitive subject too?

Who's Afraid of the Small Dick Brigade?

2010-01-10T20:19:00.014+08:00

I don't mean to freak anyone out but I am freaking even myself out this past month.

I ain't a crystal ball reader. And no smartdick. That's not a picture of me looking at a crystal ball either.

I am merely telling you that I happen to be 1 of those you would call a "sensitive". I "feel" things.

That came out dumb but that's the dumb thing about it.

I have learnt to trust my guts better as I age. And Yeah. I do "see" & sense the other side too.

Nope. Don't do tarot cards & it's not a gift. More like a curse.

Anyhoos. At the beginning of Dec, I had such a strong sense of forboding I felt sick. The feeling was so bad, I got sick. Physically.

Told Unc there & then that something evil this way comes.

Later in the month he asked if I was referring to Mayon's imminent eruption. Nope. It felt nothing like a volcanic eruption. At least not my forboding. Not even an earthquake. Or a tsunami.

I just "knew" whatever it was, will happen between Dec & Jan 15. I also knew we (as in he+me) will be fine & if nothing happens by Jan 15? WHOOPEE DODAH DAY! I was wrong so you can shoot me.

Too soon to do the rain dance for joy. On Friday Jan 8, while still in Bangkok I received news of these cowardly attacks on the churches. On Sat Jan 9, the International Herald Tribune already had a big photo of protesters on the front page with the headline (like) "Churches attacked over use of word Allah". Is this bad news for Malaysia's investment & tourism climate? No shit Watson.

So that was the source of my ill forboding? I still don't know. It feels like it MAY be it. If it did, it still doesn't feel right on the money.

No. I never expected my forboding will turn out something like this. And 1 of the churches attacked was in our neighbourhood.

Like 99.99% of the normal Joes in Malaysia, we had never expected that this sort of utterly despicable act will happen. NEVER. Not in the Malaysia we know. Not the Malaysians we know.

More importantly I asked my guts. Will this series of bullshit stop? "No Sir" says gut.

Today on Sunday 3 more churches were attacked.

And now I will talk about these perpetrators. I will call them "smalldicks" for short.

I am fearful that these smalldicks will attack mosques just so it will look like the Christians retaliating while covertly it is their smalldick sick agenda of rallying muslims in the hope of creating an even greater divide.

I hope not. In fact I BANISH these thoughts. I am still strong in my conviction that the Malaysians I walk with in the streets here would never rise against their brothers & sisters but will instead trust the wisdom (sic) of our Leaders to take care of us (for once), while we in turn will continue to respect & care for each other.

I curse these smalldicks. May their dicks simply wither & fall off. Yes. That would make me mighty happy.

And no. I ain't very religious. Or you can say I am covering all bets in believing alittle bitsa this & alittlebitsadat. So I (unlike you) can wish just about anyone ill as much as I like! Yeah. Smalldicks. YOU.

Of Antares, Friendship & the Rights of the Immediate Family

2009-12-28T15:52:00.007+08:00

What a F**ked up world man!
I never thought I would be blogging about the Rights of an Immediate Family but after reading the attacks on the daughters of blogger Antares (Kit Leee) who is critically ill with Malaria by some of his friends, I just feel like screaming "ENOUGH"

I don't know Antares nor his family & friends but I know this.

A story where well meaning friends wants to step in for their ill friend, or wants to be included in decisions for the care of a friend is a story repeated several times a minute in the world everywhere.

Even more when moneys involved. Look at the case of the late Brooke Astor & her son & grandsons & friends.
Unless there is reason to suspect a friend is deliberately being deprived of the best option of the best care, friends should really not step in to intervene.

There are family matters & there ARE family matters. Unless you as the friend is footing the medical bill or is landed with caring for the patient. Even when one does end up caring for someone else who has a family & the family's buggered off, but when the family steps back in, one has to learn to zip it up.

In the end, someone like Antares has a family and they are the only ones who are entitled to an opinion or a briefing from the doctors on the best course of action to treat him.

Whatever the doctors have to say, for sure, his current wife too should be allowed the same access to this briefing, so that she too can have a say in the best course of action for her husband's treatment.

And if she is not worldly nor knowledgeable (as are most of us regular joes) & she wants his friends to help out, then she should have to be physically present to tell the first family of her wishes.

I really don't know what the world is coming to when friends rock up (yes it's a long way to go, yes you are concerned for his well being, yes you have other experienced medical doctors with you) expecting the family to cater to your expectations. Don't you guys think that's a whole lot of expectations?

So what if Antares' kids let you hear the doctor out. Then what? Would you then expect that the family defer to you for an unasked-for opinion?

And What if they don't ask you for your opinion? Then would you be angry you were not accorded any due respect?

Come ON man! In a crisis, whether it's a family or the army, someone has to take over.

The only diff is the leadership style. A leader can unite or rile but when the leader says that's the way it goes, then the followers (who must have given tacit agreement to appoint this leader) has to LET GO & Follow!

On top of this, the family of Antare - according to some accusations - were not there 24/7 when he was in ICU critically ill. SO WHAT?

You can have yr own set of rules for filial piety & others can have theirs too. Who's to say who's right or who's wrong?

I just don't get it. Why do well meaning friends & families impose their own set of expectations on to that of another person or family?

To me, the important thing is NOT the feelings of friends but that of the family & the patient. I am sure all of us wish the patient well to a speedy recovery & that the family NOT be stressed more than they already are.

NOW. That would be being a good friend.

And what a Feast it's been!

2009-12-27T11:55:00.006+08:00

Dear Santa in North Pole,

Turkeys & Legs of Lamb sitting in my Belly, Underarms, & Butt

& Pudding doused in Brandy

Our Turkey who art in Heaven

Tasty be thy Name

Thy Meat be Done

Our pants be undone

To say we missed our neighbour's party due to a technical problem is an understatement. We are still thinking of a nice way to say "We didn't turn up because we were really too HAPPY & wiped out somewhere else to move our Arse". That would be kamikaze neighbour style.

Yess. We had the Most Lovely Lundin yesterday. Yeah. Lundins. A Lunch which turns into Dinner. They're much better than Brunches. Ask my belly.

First off. Uncle & I want to Thank Christine Who washed up copious amounts of pots & pans in preparing the feast & to Rory who cooked a "passable" Lundin. The Turkey, Lamb & Potatoes wasn't too shabby.

Not too shabby? In Aunty Speak this translated from "Don't give me too much. I can't finish these 6 slices of turkey on my plate" into "What do you mean the turkey's finished? I only had a tiny sliver!"

What's the big deal you say? Well. No morsel of Turkey has passed these angelic lips for the past 25 years. Not since I have had to eat that sucker for a year every day in USA when I was on a tight budget & race to finish my degree sooner. I had kept to that vow until yesterday. And now no damn turkey's safe from me.

We also want to give a special big Mwahhh to Laura who became Uncle's Bestest Gal yesterday. He just loves them well brought up young ladies. Besides pouring the drinkies, Laura made sure her Da's & Uncle Bear's cups were never empty. Have I mentioned she was pouring the drinkies non-stop like a well-trained host on a 1st class flight?

We were so sated from our Lundin last night that about the only activity I could muster was to change into my draw string pants & collapse into my la-z-boy. Uncle showered & changed into his Sports Teeshirt to go to bed.

Sports Tee shirt? Yes. He was THAT gone he thought it would be a lovely time to go hit some golf balls last night. Who am I to piss on his parade?

For Auld Acquaintance be..

2009-12-22T12:50:00.003+08:00

In recalling 2009, I can only say that, despite the big personal storms which tossed us around, we have learnt, in retrospect, that the sun does shine brighter after a storm.

Storm 1: My sister Shirley died in June after a short illness. Her passing came as a big shock to us, in particular her children & grandchildren. In life we could have been better friends to each other but we weren't.

The sun in my life now is that every time I interact with her grandkids, I see the good that was my sister shining through in the children she had loved so much.

Storm 2: The 1st quarter of this year seemed like an eternity in Madagascar while the 2rd to 3rd quarter was waiting to exhale.

Ofcourse you now know that at the height of Madagascar's troubles, we were caught there in limbo, rumors, gun fire & intimidation.

I lost much sleep & some weight worrying over our safety & yet not being able to leave due to Uncle's sense of duty to his staff. Yes. You heard right. He stayed from a sense of duty to his staff & not his bosses.

And we were lucky we left Madagascar when we did because had we left earlier as per our scheduled trip, we would surely have gone back & then been caught in the mud & murkyness of an unlawful coupe d'etat.

But that was not my sun shining through.

My sun shining through is to see my husband of 22 years come through the ordeal so well despite losing his job at this stage of our life.

He's trim, fit, healthy & optimistic. He's quit smoking after 30years, drinks very occasionally & takes pride in gardening; a skill neither of us knew he had.

He wants to work again, but is not unhappy he has time to smell the roses. He even takes time to chat with me, a luxury for a double-career couple who thought chatting was reserved only for when we had to face each other when we were on holiday.

Now he knows I am a TV addict & media whore, & I know he doesn't necessarily turn off the taps after washing his hands or screw back the cover off the Coffee Jar.

And NO, I wouldn't exchange Uncle for all the screwed jars in a supermarket.

Happy Xmas to 1 & All!!

Bloggers Ethics

2009-12-17T21:49:00.005+08:00

It's not that I am MIA...I am BUSY!

X'mas has that effect on me, and it seems - on millions of women around the world too.

If there is 1 thing the world can do for us mothers & wives is - instead of declaring only 1 measly day as "Mother's Day", it would be to get rid of all festivals so that us women folks can take a breather.

I mean, when was the last time you saw a Daddy clean the house, take out the decor, decorate, shop & cook for the entire kit & kaboodle for 1 whole month & then again undo all that AFTER the festive season?

Aahhh...you say it's worth it just to see the lovely happy smiles on the family's face? You there. You must be a bloke!

Awww.. just Forgive me plse. I am just too numb & cranky from yet another round of shopping today. But that isn't going to stop me when something JUMPS out at me in the media. With my last shopping breath, l just have to get this out.

THIS time, its that issue over "blogger ethics".

Just read today that some numbskull here in World Class Land is recommending "strongly" that bloggers should adhere to "ethics".

I dunno about you lot living in "highly developed" countries, but seems like you lot just ain't as highly developed as we are here.

Yeah! We've got ethics for bloggers to follow. What ethics? Where is it written? Who wrotteth it? And from a country who's actually fallen a few notches on the corruption index? HUGE LOL (laugh out loud lah!)

Blogger ethics? In my mind these 2 words are an F**king oxymoron. If I were paid to blog, then - and only a tiny bit MAYBE THEN, I may follow these invisible ethics.

But if you, like me (& the 99% of all bloggers out here) are basically blogging to express yourself or to let some steam out, then what's the point in blogging if we needed to adhere to ethics? Out here in bloggerland, it's Reader Beware.

Don't like my point of view? Fcuking click away then.

Or does our Power on High mean "ethics" like not exposing, mentioning or criticising the vast amount of injustice, corruption, apartheid, sexism & rot in our fair land?

Oh! WAIT! I get it now.

You mean if we are controlled, sorry. I mean if we "adhered to ethics", ie then we wouldn't be saying things are happening, and so there is no corruption, racism etc happening here?

Sure. And I was the 15th woman Tiger Woods had an affair with too.

Meanwhile on a World Class Banana Island

2009-12-01T09:17:00.005+08:00

And now for what's happening on our world-class Banana Island. Yes. I have to conclude we live on a remote island.

Take this example where something so noble & worthwhile known as NATIONAL CIVICS BUREAU is not what we think it is.

The name should immediately clue you into its raison d'etre. In short, it is supposed to raise the civic conscience of our Nation; ie provide CIVICS classes. Or is it?

Yes. You were like me. You thought that the National part in its name "National Civics Bureau" implies that they are to do this all over our great land, OF & ON all the fair people who inhabits this land, for ALL the people to benefit.

As we now know. WRONG! Now we know the NCB is a misnomer for what the Bureau does.

And if not for all those damn busybodies blogging about this, then our very own NATIONAL CIVICS BUREAU will NOT need to reflect the presence of other races in their courses.

But now, unfortunately, due to the uncomfortable expose of all you busybodies, the wonderful courses must be revamped.

My question is:

What if no other races participated in attending these courses? Then, would the HUGE mistake/overlook in the courses of the NATIONAL CIVICS BUREAU be reported?

And on which remote island in the middle of the Antartic is the NATIONAL CIVICS BUREAU's office of Malaysia located that they didn't know about the presence of "other" races?

The last I checked we have far more than 3 or 4 races. And this situation has been...like since......FOREVER.

I must hand it to the Government though. They did quite a remarkably fast turnaround to address this issue.

This morning in the NST front page, our Minister to PM's Dept, Nazri said:

"The courses conducted by the bureau are very good and it is only that the curriculum needs to be revamped"

I am now totally confused. Nazri seems to say that the Subjects (or courses) conducted are good, but only that the group of subjects (curriculum) are bad.

So....oooooo....in Aunty speak now, are we saying that the cempadaks' good but the tree's bad? Or the seeds are good but the fruit's bad?

I still don't get what Nazri said. Can someone please help un-confuse me?

Just in case you thought I BS-ed you on the definitions check the below out from Cambridge Dictionary online:

curriculum (noun)
/kəˈrɪk.jʊ.ləm/ n [C] (plural curricula or curriculums)
the group of subjects studied in a school, college, etc.
the school curriculum

course (noun) (CLASSES)
/kɔːs//kɔːrs/ n
[C] a set of classes or a plan of study on a particular subject, usually resulting in an examination or qualification

HEAR YE HEAR YE!!! ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA EVENT!

2009-11-30T15:16:00.003+08:00

Hello Saudara2, Friends, Fiends et all !!

This is a call to everyone who would like to support the Anak Bangsa Malaysia Iniative.

And a chance for all you who feel & think that All Men are indeed created Equal & not 2rd Best..Please EMAIL or SMS attendance (see below) to Farida NOW!

I also heartily invite all you Aunty Lover, Aunty Bashers & whogivesashitaboutAunties to show up cause oh yeah Baby! I shall be there for sure!

There will be AUCTION (?) & sales of tees - Bring $$$$$ !!! :)

I copied & pasted the info below from Haris Ibrahim's Peoples parliament blog for you !

In conjunction with the United Nations’ declaration that 2009 is The International Year of Reconciliation with “Unity in Diversity” as the theme, the Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia initiative will be holding a forum at

Rumah Anak Bangsa Malaysia,

66 Lorong Setiabistari 1 , Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur,

on Saturday 5th December, 2009 from 2.00pm to 6.00pm.

Uplifting the way of life of the marginalized and reconciling them with mainstream society is essential in order for all to be free and equal.

Resolving human conflicts, working towards reconciliation and restoring peace and harmony would bring about a better Malaysia for one and all.

The event will address these issues and the programme will include a talk, field trip reports, a narration by FoodNotBombs on how the homeless are helped, and a screening of “The Imam and The Pastor” with accompanying discussion by members of Nur Damai.

Please RSVP by 1st Dec 09 (Tuesday).Email – events@sayaanakbangsamalaysia.net

Farida – 016-2095 818

Hasbee – 017-332 5424

Rumah Anak Bangsa Malaysia – 03-2095 0435

Is Mastering a Foreign Language equivalent to selling out your own?

2009-11-29T12:56:00.005+08:00

For today, and only today, I will not speak "Aunty-speak".

When I do the Aunty-speak, some of you do the Aunty-bash, so today, allow me to do the Malaysiana patois with you

(Obviously this blog is in response to those who believe that speaking ONLY our national language in a government department is equivalent to being truly patriotic while speaking English will mean you are unpatriotic)

I have only this to say to orang2 macam tu - "GROW UP!"

What is the matter with us?
Isn't it terrific to know more languages than only one?

Isn't it terrific to be able to communicate with 1.5 billion people in the world than with let's say, 0.8billion (including Indonesians)?

What is exactly wrong with using a language which will enable us to gain more knowledge & expertise?

Yes. There is good & bad in knowledge, but that matter is a matter of maturity where one learns to discern & discard the bad from the good.

Which will give us more benefit than harm?

Using the world's most spoken language in a government department?
Choosing to use either one or the other?
Or a mix of everything, as we are wont to do?

Why must some feel that mastering a foreign language (English in this case) is like a bow to our history of colonialism (don't bash me over the head with that one; ain't nothing I can do about History folks).

Is speaking English (or Mandarin) a sign of being unpatriotic?

Come On!
Surely we lucky Malaysians can always use a Win/Win strategy in such a trivial matter?

Why not use any of 1 of the official languages we have? Isn't English one of them?

And does knowing a bit of one language & a bit of another putting us in a "neither here nor there" situation?

Err..no. I'll like to think that our speciality in speaking abit of everything marks us as Global survivors because who knows when & where knowing a little of something won't come in useful one day?

So get a life.

Start learning & mastering & practising any language you like.

Even if it's Hindi. 1 billion people in the world can't be that wrong!

What is wrong with some of our Bananas?

2009-11-22T16:45:00.007+08:00

I am a great fan of what Bananas from Banana Republics say.

And seeing as our very own Beautiful MALAYSIA produces some of the world's best bananas, you can please draw your own conclusions.

Zorro Unmasked reports that a certain Deputy Minister (of Education no less!) has said that speaking English in the workplace is "weird" and harmful to the nation's culture and identity.

That statement in itself is Wonderfully Weird & Awfully Harmful.

I really don't know what are the criteria for picking ministers, diplomats or candidates to critical government positions but I hope our dear Government / Leaders will consider only appointing those with the following 3 Basic qualities:

1. That candidates should have (highly recommended here) a use-able & service-able Brain so that they may reflect a little on what they are going to say BEFORE they say it.

2. That candidates should have the Confidence to embrace & accept the Different, the Weird & the Strange, because if one were to turn the mirror around...?? Or does that conflict with the 1Malaysian concept?

3. That candidates be able to, competently Speak, Read & Write English, if not also Mandarin, Hindi & French.

Or isn't it trueI that more people in the world speaks these languages than ....Sadly & alas!..Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Indonesia?

Ofcourse some may say I am one of those who feel that even a fart from a white man smells better than perfume emanating from a local.

But I don't think so sirree.

I think that I am only one of the hundred of millions in this world who think that the ability to speak a foreign language well does not diminish one's love for one's country, race, religion or culture.

And definitely speaking a foreign language well certainly does not make one a better (or worst) person than the next.

So Mr Git-an-Education-y'self, please take a jump outta that well. It's time you left that round sky behind you!

Aunty should learn to dress up when going shopping

2009-11-19T15:55:00.006+08:00

I never learn.

I should learn by now that I MUST dress up & drive a Mercedes when I go shopping. Especially for expensive items.

Unfortunately I am the type of person who does the opposite just to test drive the customer service.

And this is what I've learnt.

Poor Shop Assistants can actually Talk you OUT OF A SALE even when you are panting to buy.

Take Case 1 as an example. Yesterday I was so hot to buy a La-z-Boy or a nice leather recliner chair, that I was burning up with fever.

After hearing a radio commercial about La-z-Boys being on sale at Harvey Norman's, I rushed immediately over to the nearest HN shop at Mid Valley.

I was such a willing buyer you wouldn't have to sweet talk me for too long. This is because owning a La-Z-Boy is up there on my list of "Things to Have before 2012 comes around"

And La-z-Boy chairs aren't that cheap. Not for me anyways. They are priced from the hi-end of Rm2000+ to Rm6000+.

However, in the 30mins I was at HN's, I actually walked off empty handed.

Firstly, when I walked in, there were 3 boisterous kids bouncing like crazy on them La-Z-Boys - without any one of the 3 Sales assistants near them stopping them from damaging the merchandise.

And these kids weren't bouncing for a minute, they were off the walls for 10 mins, with Daddy looking on fondly.

The SA only stopped these kids from bouncing when he tried to sell me the display sets at 20% discount. I asked him if he would be happy to spend his own few thousands to buy chairs which were abused like that?

He did say I could wait up to 4 months (no telling when he says!) for new stocks but I will have to pay 20% down first.

Did I wonder why Harvey Norman would be advertising stocks they didn't seem to have?

Did I really want to pay 20% off regular price for display chairs which had been bounced on from time immemorial? Or wait for who knows how long?

No. I didn't. I walked off & went in search of another store.

This one's located in a bungalow advertising recliner sofas & chairs on the main road of Section 16, PJ on the way to the Sprint. The parking is in front of the Shop so everyone can see the type of car you came in.

This Sales Assistant (or Proprietor?) took the cake for Worst Sales Man of the year.

First he chatted for 10 mins on the handphone while I looked-see. His chairs were definitely Not La-z-Boys but they were much cheaper. However since my heart was set on a la-z-boy, I needed someone to sell me the benefits of these La-Z-Boys lookalike.

I was asking him some questions when another lady rocked up.
She looked well heeled & was well dressed driving a Honda CRV. Sorry I didn't mention this before but yes. I am in a Myvi with my AhSoh tees & pants.

Ms Well-Dressed joined in my conversation with the Sales Assistant & asked if leather chair can be hot to sit in. Aunty piped in & told her she could always place a cotton sheet over it to overcome that problem, as I do.

But Mr SA immediately said to me
"What leather furniture do you have? What type of leather? Cow? Cow leather is never hot. We have 47 years of experience & we know this!"

I still didn't get it. I answered I have 2 sets of leather furniture, & even the Stressless from Norway is not cool COOL unless you have your air cond on.

He then asked me more aggressively now"What is stressless? I have never heard of Stressless"

I really don't mean to boast but you can google Stressless Furniture yourself.

On top of this, Mr.SA did not know that in Aunty's past existence she has been a purveyor of some of the highest end leather products & boy! Does she know her leather!

Even when we plonked down the money for our Stressless set in those days, Uncle made me promise NEVER to give it away because it was so costly, we literally ate noodles for a year.

And it's really galling for someone not to know from whence I come to knock me down in front of another stranger. Too much for my ego to take. I took a hike. Ms Well-Dressed also took a hike. Obviously she didn't like his tone with me either.

Today HALLELUJAH! I succeeded in buying my La-z-Boy in Bangsar from a really nice bungalow shop nearly facing Bangsar Shopping Centre. They had a full range. They had Stocks.

They had a lovely Sales Person who didn't care that I rocked up in a Myvi. And Yes. I bought the top of the range of the single seater.

Another time I will relate the story about a top jeweller in Singapore when Aunty brought along her backpack & was wearing running shoes.

SIGH. This was in the days when Aunty equated love with the size of a diamond. In a moment of madness Uncle promised to buy me a top grade rock which will cover my finger - to compensate for all the years he's bought me zip diamonds.

You don't see me wearing the diamond?

This is because I still need to learn that I must dress up and drive an expensive car so that I can be taken seriously when I want to walk in to a really expensive shop.

And the Buck Stops THERE!

2009-11-17T09:09:00.004+08:00

You all know awreddy that the closest Aunty will ever come to Managing anything is the Running of the house & ensuring that the flow of K-dramas are non-stop.

Managing companies just ain't my forte.
OK. Let's face it. Not much is my forte.

But I have heard it said that the Most Basic Principle in Management & Leadership 101 is:
When YOU are the Boss, no matter what your staff does, the Buck Stops at Your Door.

Or isn't that what learning Management & Leadership's about?
How to effectively ensure that everything runs like a well oiled machine; no matter where (or who) the clog you are, & what/who screws you.

However here we seem to take a different spin to this Basic Principle.

Take for example what our Great Dear Leader Dr M said yesterday about Anwar's poor performance in managing our economy during the economic crisis in the '90s

So. Who was Boss at the time Anwar was Finance Minister before he was removed from office for misbehavin'?

Well, Dear Great Leader says that Selangor will go bust by appointing a man who destroyed our country's economy as Adviser.

I agree with DGL on that.

But one has to ask some embarassing but pertinent questions before we award Anwar that lone Honor.

How is it that Boss knew nothing? Is the Malaysian economy or the Finance Ministry a Sole Proprietorship or a Sendirian Berhad?

Isn't Malaysia a COUNTRY with hundreds of thousands of employees & just as many top Bosses?

Unless we're saying nobody was managing the shop at that time?
Unless we're saying there's no check & balance to stop abuses?
Unless we're saying Only ONE person's responsible for screwing up the Entire Economy?
So where does the Buck Stop??

Did someone just mentioned that we are a country with 53 years of managing ourselves?

And before you throw that Brickbat at me.
I state categorically again.
I am definitely NOT an AI fan nor supporter. But Fair is Fair or What?

Aunty MIA ??

2009-11-16T19:37:00.004+08:00

I have been MIA because
I have been
a) f**king lazy
b) minding other ppl's biz but my own
c) Uncle hijacked my computer as his was being repaired
d) Korean soaps have kidnapped my brains

e) I am not talking to myself as much as before so the Schizo medication must be working
f) I have been waiting on tether hooks for a supposed roofing leak repair expert to show up in vain
g) All of the above

I HATE to tell you that the answer is (g) when I coulda just LIED & said I was out doing a lotta charity work & saving the world while working on my hot bod.

The only part of my bod that's being worked on is the beard on my upper lip & the bushy brow I am attempting to sculpt into that of a seductress.

Which is another story. So let's just stick to that.

And yesterday I had a chuckle.
Read a double page ad placed by Petronas of errant scholarship students who had not repaid their loans. I couldn't believe my eyes that out of 121 names (or 112?) listed, 24 had no IC numbers to their names but Passport numbers.

Eh? How does that happen? I thought only Malaysians get those scholarships, and then ALWAYS as part of any application, one's supposed to state an IC number?

I mean my experience here as a law abiding citizen is that we must at the very least submit a copy of our IC together with gazillion pieces of paper to prove we are who we say we are.

Macam ni, no wonder I aint rushing to buy any Msian GIC stocks.

Who the shithead was it who granted those loans to ppl without IC?
Don't tell me those are foreigners? Can't be since the passport numbers are like yours & mine; ie starts with an "A". Mind you some even appeared without an "A" and one with just a coupla numbers as ID.

Let me just count the potential $$ down the toilet of those unrecoverable scholarship loans granted to ppl without IC.

24 x rgt30,000 = Rgt720,000 or Euro 144,000.

OK. That's like a drop in the Petronas ocean or in the KL city council budget.

I mean what's that compared to the dumbass florist bill of Rgt32.4 million (thirty two million??) for 3 years supply of flowers recently cancelled by KL City mayor that was highlighted here
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=40115

Oh. Have I (like our policians) said "we are world class" yet?
We sure are "world class in anything we do, especially when it comes to throwing money down the toilet

The new MCA lineup

2009-10-11T01:17:00.005+08:00

I am chuffed to learn that some folks took to heart that salted fish should not be resuscitated.

And by the way, my photo came from Niamah (Patrick Teo)'s posting of a new comedy show prophetically named MACC, premiering Oct 17. About a bunch of chinamen politicans & their party I bet!

Now I dunno if Pat Teoh is psychic-aler than Aunty here or maybe because he has better guppies at crystal balling than my dead ones? But WOWZA..how accurate & timely can you get man?!

Now. What does the no-confidence vote in Ong's leadership portends for us ordinary folks?

And what does the restore-membership-to HumsupChua but deny him his VP-ness mean?

Speaking from my (well-fed/watered) gut I feel today's fiasco shows the real deep rifts & frustrations in the Malaysian Chinese Association about their political direction.

No shit!? Did I not tell you I am psychic?

AND it shows it is about brudy time that Malaysia should stop having only Chinese or Indian or any race centric parties anymore.

Am I bothered that MCA have no heads or that MIC is split about 3-ways down the middle? Do I sound bothered?

Had there been no other alternative parties, then maybe I am gonna think "AIYOH! Who is gonna speak up for me anymore?"

But this ain't 1960 and its been a damn long time since MCA has been speaking up for anyone other than themselves.

In fact, if they had fallen into a hole, I couldn't be bothered. And I don't think I am alone. Look at the last elections & the whoppin' they got.

If they are still deluding themselves into thinking that they are representing the Chinese here, I've got news for all dem boys & gals in MCA.

Honey. Just drive your Benzes, & live in your Mcmansions & leave us folks alone!

Resuscitating the Salted Fish

2009-10-08T09:46:00.007+08:00

Gawd knows why October always turns out to be so eventful.

If not for the dreaded historical black October (stock market), then this October saw all those recent devastating disasters, & now here in Bolehland, the deluge of critical decisions to be made this weekend. And we are only into the 2rd week of October!

This weekend is particularly exciting for me. It looks like the by-election in Bagan Pinang & the 2 EGMs may be a case of resuscitating a salted fish. As we all know, before we salt dem fish, they are dead as dead can be. So resuscitating them is a tall order.

But all I am asking for is that the salted fish stay nice & salted before I goreng it to eat with my porridge.

And really. Is it worth bringing back the dead in most cases?

Whether its Bagan Pinang's by-election or the EGM for MCA & my alumni.

On BP, my bet is not on the ISAlted fish. Reason: People ain't as duh as we look that we don't know by now, that infrastructure & donations only magically appear within a few weeks of an election.

As for MCA, again my nyet is on Chua (another Salted fish)

I can't for the life of me see how anyone can defend a serial adulterer (yes yes Chua's very efficient but then so was Bill) in leading a community.

Chua's stalwart defenders & he - for that matter - do not seem to mind alienating the votes (already precious few) of us Aunties.

I hate to remind you Dear Dr Chua, how much power us Aunties have in this world.

We may not shout that out (unlike some wives of VVIPs) but in our own way, we ARE the hand rocking the cradle, dear!

As for my alumni's EGM. Another case of some salted fish trying to come back for some quarters.

Too many poor decisions, & a certain lack of accountabilty made for stupid politiking.

I just don't know why salted fish can't just stay salted. Don't they know there's no other way for them to come back to life?

Is ASTRO having Malaysians on?

2009-10-07T11:42:00.005+08:00

A small beep in the ocean to speak out against programming on Astro, our not-cheap-monopoly satelite tv in Bolehland.

I used to watch satelite or cable from Singapore, then Australia & finally South Africa REGULARLY.

As some of you know, this was as recent as March this year.

Since I have returned to KL full time, I have NOT bothered to watch Astro regularly. I only did so recently because my guppies unfortunately did not survive my crystal ball reading exercise, & because I am a little tired of a diet of only Korean soaps.

But it looks like Astro is recycling everything I used to watch from years ago. This is like "twilight zone" to me because some programs are way, WAY old!

My latest example is NBC's "The Biggest Loser" that's now on, which is from the 2006 release. That is on Primetime (ie 7 to 10pm ok?). The winner lost weight & put back weight awreddy leh!

OK. You are saying "Aunty that is caused by time diff between Malaysia & India etc"

NO NO & NO!

I catch programs as my life evolves; ie anywhere from 10am - 3am! All the programs are in a loop lah! I watch BBCE, AXN etc. So I KNOW.

Programs I have watched in under-developed countries are too new to be seen here. What a paradox!

Ofcourse you are saying, "Aunty. You get what you pay".

Ok. I take that. But did you know that in the equivalent currency (ie you use US$1 in USA the same as you use S$1 in Singapore as you use Rgt1 in M'sia etc) - I am paying the "same" rate?

No wonder some people think we are backwards.

The programs we watch are old & recycled.

The politicians we have are old & recycled.

The rhetorics? SHEESH!

I can't help but wonder why ONLY in Bolehland it is that we keep hearing the words "world class" in everything we do.

If Astro TV is an example of our "world class"-ness, then we are indeed the proverbial "katak dibawa tempurung" or "frog in a well"

And if we keep voting back in all the kataks?

Well! I guess we just deserve our tempurung ain't it?

Do what I say but not as I do

2009-10-06T09:58:00.005+08:00

I know I know.

For all of us responsible elders & seniors of our families & societies - trying to teach good values, morals & judgements to our next generation, the "Do what I say & as I Do" bit is always a tough call.

As time goes by, (with me it takes no time at all) this call becomes "Do what I say & NOT as I do" It just ain't natural to not be yourself for too long.

Take a certain VVIP yesterday speaking to his party faithfuls at the Bagan Pinang by elections for instance.

He was warning ppl against using race politics.

I agree with him.

We, the average Aunties & Uncles of this world don't like race, color, gender or religion politics.

In extensive chatting over many cups of kopi-o, I know us average Paks & Maks are MUCH more tolerant, and peace loving than any politician out there.

To top it off.

COWABUNGA Politics!

This is the same guy who didn't walk his own talk...in a really memorable, memorialized speech - in order (sez he) to preserve his identity (which is part Arab) whilst waving something really pointy & sharp.

I was googling the word "waving the keris" & the search popped out over 32,000 references to it & all towards that one VVIP.

Moral of the Story: Don't Preach Bro, when you can't follow your own Sermons

Auny's crystal ball reading on the Bagan Penang Results

2009-10-04T12:07:00.007+08:00

Aunty is much more talented than you think.

I am psychic.. and have been for more years than I have been alive.

I used to read tea leaves & coffee cups until tea bags & instant coffee was invented.

But today I decided to pick up again on a latent talent I hardly use. This is because when I use it, 188% of the time, I am right. Ask Unc. He will tell you I am always right.

Which is why I picked up my "crystal ball" this morning for a read.

Yeap. You guessed it. It was also time the guppies had their bowl cleaned anyways.

Makes it as good a time as any for Aunty to read into the future to predict the Bagan Penang by-elections in a week's time.

Hah? Why didn't I go with the Blue Team to PD?

Main pressing reasons being my (very) aged mum's maid was fired for dishonesty - resulting in me being on standby duties PLUS my old school's oga drew me to help in some urgent biz; from Sept until after Oct 10!

OK. Don't interrupt my interactive crystal ball gazing for a few moments will you?

Q: Who will win the BP by-elections; ISA or NOT ISA?

wait.

Wait.

WAIT.

OK. Here it is.

ISA NOT. 188% sure.

WHY? Aiyoh...hurry up with the Q&As will ya? The guppies need to go home lah!

OK.

I see some letters forming.....

E P

L E

S M A R

T A R

D A N

T I N K

I believe it says "People are smarter than u think" (note to self: teach guppies & bowl to spell)

Yeap. That's all for this crystal ball reading today.

Tomorrow I tell you the results of the European Cup Finals 2 years ago, & what I will be having for dinner

Which reminds me of the famous saying attributed to Abe Lincoln

"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."

Earthquake scares the bejessusouttame!

2009-10-01T12:08:00.005+08:00

I am HORRIFIED!
Absolutely Floored!
Freaked OUT!
My heart goes out to all the people in Padang & Samoa. (Note to self: Donate to Padang disaster victims!)

NO. I hadn't the faintest of idea there was one last evening. Did you??

I only woke up to the news that earth movements resulting from the Padang Sumatra quake had people evacuating from buildings not 2 minutes from us here in Kay El

This should be 6-16pm or 1816hrs local time.
What was I doing? Eating my favorite fried chicken from Village Park Nasilemak while watching yet another series on TV. If ever there was a last favorite meal...that would be one.

I don't know if I should feel happy or guilty. Like millions here I didn't even feel so much as a blip. That's a benefit of living on terra firma instead of in a hi-rise. None of my family felt anything either or they woulda called. And they too live on landed houses. Our house had not even suffered a hair line crack.

A quick call to friends this morning revealed that not even those living in buildings with 50 floors (near KLCC) felt anything either. But then I am talking to those who live on the much lower end of the 50 storey thingies.

I dunno if there are any "favorite ways to die" but a big "NOT" of mine is
- to face a 9 meters wall of water (in Samoa). Picture a 3-storey building of water?
- face a stream of fire (volcano eruption).

In a weird way I feel there is a better survival chance if one were to face an earth quake - STAND IN A DOOR FRAME or under a sturdy dining table made of solid wood. Ikea tables do not count.

I feel I have some earth quake experience - like more than I can count on 1 hand.

This was in California for the 3 years when I studied there (little earthmovements but definitely NOT pleasant!), in Africa (bigger movements but much more pleasant seeing as there were no big or high buildings near us anywhere) & about 15 years ago in Hong Kong (of all places!) with a big movement for a few seconds when I was on the 12th floor thinking I had ate something bad at lunch causing me to retch.

Yes. Earthquakes causes one to wanna throw up.

And what does one run out with in an earthquake? YES. The babies, the old folks AND the notebook computer (me!)

Forget the passport, handbag, keys!

That and the dogs. In Africa our 3 dogs were not small. Ended up with Mummy - in a superhuman effort - scooping ALL 3 weighing a total of 30kgs with a swoop. Broke my friggin' back doin' that & scared the lives out of them. Ain't never gonna do that again.

This brings me back to disasters.
A few weeks ago while contemplating our navels in Lombok, Uncle & I were discusing "what if that Mount Rajani volcano behind us decide to erupt?" Running for the mountains is not an option. Really far inland plus the mountain is where the volcano is!

Running to the ocean also bad - unless you can swim kilometers away. There was No answer.

So all I can say is I pray PRAY & PRAY that there will not be a big one - as some dumbass seismologists are predicting. Because if there is, I sure want Uncle with me, and a bowl of ice kacang. That would be my last favorite meal. And my most fav person in the world.

Holy cow!

2009-09-29T16:44:00.005+08:00

"Holycow!" was my fav cool swear word in my youth. Loved it when my superhero (was it Batman or Robin?) used that word but dropped that word - & I thought forever - when I learnt other choic-ier words. In French.

But here we are. 45 yrs later & holycow's back in fashion. I totally agree with Shanghaifish. The cowherds illegally using the field where their cows were buried by the garbage landfill accident is now LEGALLY demanding for the Selangor government to pay them.

Excuse me? If we were to pay everyone who took their own risks by being in the wrong legal status in the first place, - then very soon, taxpayers will be made to pay for lawyers to defend illegal logging, illegal settlement, illegal parking...get my drift?

Can someone give those people with the dead animals a decent talking to plse? Their actions have made Saras, my friend very agitated. Why?

In Saras ' words,

"People already say that if you so much as touch our teeshirt in a car accident - we will moan & groan until we get paid off. Or we will talk, talk & talk until you get tired & weary of us & THEN you pay us off. Now these jokers just reinforced that stupid sterotype!"

Which is why I will never be a politician. Too honest & in your face. Sure die a thousand deaths before I can even smell that Camry.

I think I will get Saras to meet those illegal cow & goat herds. She is pretty impressible when she gets going.

And now on another nearly holycow !!! issue (apologies to daisy in the photo above)

Has anyone wondered why, these days since the Rose became the country's 1st Madam is it that we see her adnauseum in the papers on a daily basis? I was told "reliably" by an aunty source that the media has been ORDERED to cover stories of the 1st mdm on a daily basis or........????

You woulda thought that she was the PeeEm or that she was elected in as PeeEm. Sheeesh!

Our country is already a nation of world class apple polishers; but ain't that a bit too BRAZEN?

What am I saying?

WE don't even get to elect our PeeEm (entirely up to the wisdom of the Ruling Party who elects their head etc & so forth).

Didn't someone say that every cow will also have their day?

Selamat Hari Raya

2009-09-19T22:38:00.007+08:00

Greetings Earthlings!!
The nearly missing one here!

Firstly, to my muslim brothers & sisters, a "Selamat Hari Raya!"! Can you all hear me singing "selamat, selamat, selamat hari raya" to you?? Sorry am a day late....but I am still celebrating Raya - here & NOW!

To update youseall as to why Aunty has been MIA.

We just got back from a week of lovely LOVEEEELY time in Lombok.
Yeah. Eat your hearts out. We likee Lombok. Lombok is BETTER than Bali without the million tourists - especially if you go after high season (ie April to Aug?)

I lurved the chillies (I will dedicate a whole book to its hotness on the richter scale), the people, the place (Divine). the clean, fresh, salty air, the Oxtail Soup (Sup Buntut) - which should definitely be on any menus for inmates on death's row for last meal on earth.

I especially wanna thank the Gus & the lovely Serena who took so much time & trouble to haul all of us 6 gawking tourists around the place

We also loooked at the real estate, which to tell the truth - I would relocate to Lombok in a heartbeat -
IF I was allowed to hold my own land titles,
IF the medical facilities gets up to speed (we are talking of us, dem old peoples who are scared of dying),
IF the internet would work - at all or faster.

Heck. If they can grant me all that in Lombok, then I wouldn't even mind the daily black outs for some tens of minutes.

OR that little matter of their little active volcano there (Rinjani) because there's nothing like a little volcano erupting to put things into perspective. The beach sands on Lombok are all fine & BLACK. SOLID BLACK. VOLCANIC BLACK! D'you get the pix of how active the volcanoes then & now is? Hmmm?

It rained very little everyday there - just enough to freshen the nice clean air there.

AND....This is "the important Aunty news, we met a HANDSOME distinguished world championship dance judge & famous dancer himself by the name of Marcel from Netherlands there.
(Notice that operative word "we" or M woulda been in mortal danger otherwise!)

Although Marcel is 62 yrs old, he's the type of man ladies from the ages of 16 to 85 would suck their bellies in for whenever they see him coming.

I should know. My belly button is still missing from all that suckin' in.

BTW - if you ladies out there's interested, M is available & owns several properties in Lombok.
Are we going back soon? Well....NOT too soon. As if to confirm the fears of her paranoidness - a mere 2 days after we left Lombok (it faces Bali & we were physically facing Bali everyday we were in Lombok), that we are Shocked to hear that an earthquake of 5.9 on the R-scale hit Denpasar.

SIGH! Marcel is gonna be safe for now.

In this together, Hold your Head Up high

2009-09-02T09:36:00.005+08:00

The report of the 17 yr old girl not allowed to participate in her school leaving exams because she had no birth certificate although she was born in Malaysia - filled me with sorrow.

She is just like her parents who too had no birth certificates. In the photo the girl's head was hanging mournfully down & she looked ashamed.

Why didn't her parents have birth certificates? Their parents did not register them at birth. Which is why this poor girl too had no birth certs.

I really don't think race had any issue to do with this although they happen to be Indian.

I also don't think race had any issue to do with anyone who had spent less than 10 yrs in this country who can become citizens too.

There just seems to be some loopholes in our system.

Maybe tens of thousands, and hundreds of thousands of loopholes if we go back years. It is just a mere coincidence this girl & her family were no part of any loopholes.

So I say to her. Hold your head up. You do not have to feel shame. It is us who have to feel shame for letting you down.

Another head down

The cow's head incidence. Enough has been said about it but it does not mean anyone can understand why it happened.

Logically speaking, even as I write, countless cows are being slaughtered as meat for our tables, and therefore as many cow heads are being unceremoniosly dumped.

But logic does not give anyone the right to drag a cow's head around the place as a threat or offence in a religious context.

I asked myself.

What if my neighbours had committed this insane act. Would I denounce them? Hard question. I may say I will but I won't. We are just not a nation of Squealers

The 2 Hindu ladies I see regularly asked me in petrified voices what will happen to them when this type of incidence is allowed to happen.

I told them nothing will happen to them because we are all Malaysians, and they are all Malaysians.

There will always be good people for every idiot & here we have 1000 good people to 1 idiot.

I said all that with such great conviction that I felt like a politician speaking at a rally.

Cold comfort Dear Friends. Where is their party representative in this fiasco. Did they say something to comfort these ladies.

Yes. I understand. Saying something will offend others, saying nothing will offend your own.

I couldn't say nothing.

I am supposed to be their friend. I am supposed to be "well" read. I am supposed to hold their fears in check.

I hope what I told them is not just rhetorics but the truth.

I hold my head up as a Malaysian as I know they should too. After all we are in this together.

No Questioning Allowed: Citizenship in Malaysia

2009-08-28T10:51:00.008+08:00

Aunties just ain't savvy. That's a fact. When we talk, it's about food, illnesses & diseases, children or baking & line dancing. Sometimes we add in herbal supplements as a side topic.

And some of the other times (RARE!) we find ourselves talking about what we read. That's when we either hush up or shut up.

I dunno what we think can happen to us if the table next to us full of more aunties & uncles can hear us

But I think, silently, lurking beneath us is the dread (or threat?) of thinking that, at any time our status of living in this country can be taken away for saying something wrong.

Nay. Not just talking, but even THINKING about something is wrong.

52 years of independence & we are still thinking this way & some are still behaving that way.

Go figure how many more years of independence we will need before we can be open.

So, this morning, after slurping down her noodles, Aunty Lucy suddenly said, "Eh. Why only 10% non-Malays got called up for citizenship interviews ah? I didn't know Malays also needed an interview to get papers? I thought they sure auto get citizenship? "

The silence was deafening, even in our crowded kopi shop.

We know what she's saying.

We know how it is.

Several of us have families or know of Malaysian ladies who are married to well qualified & educated foreigners who are not allowed to live here long term nor earn a living in their specialised field - much as they would love to.

The only way foreign men can get to live here is to get a 1 yr visa (on a spouse dependency pass), set up their own company. Or starting from this year, EVEN get the Malaysia My 2rd Home Visa.

OK. They can also try their luck by being hired by an employer who's willing to jump through hoops to get them a job visa.

Those with foreign wives seems to have an "easier" time (ie they get 5 yrs visa).

I dunno why there's this double standard. Must be in the old days, Malaysian women were indeed naive. That policy then was to "protect"our maidens from unscrupulous foreign men taking advantage of them.

The double tragedy is even NOW, the same Malaysian women are subject to prejudice in their husband's country because THAT country thinks they've probably married their countrymen for their citizenship papers too!

Aiyoh. I should know. I am one such person.

(In reality we see more dungu-fied Malaysian men taken in by foreign women, but that's another story)

Now the problem with telling Aunties "Not to.." is like telling them to do something.

Tell them go East, they go West.

Tell them cook fish, they cook chicken.

"Lucy! Change subject! We have been warned NOT to question this by the Ministry" (I think should be Home Minister)

I don't want Lucy to think this is yet another case of Arrogance from our Government but I KNOW - so long as the Home Minister tells us what to do, we should do so.

After all none of us at the table want to balik ke-India or Cina - the word balik being an oxymoron here as none of us have ever lived in, nor was born in those countries.

Aunty L pipes up 1 last time before we can aiyoh her away.

"But we all know what! Malay foreigners also don't need to go for interview will automatically get papers what!"

Sheesh. What DO we do with Aunty Lucy? Short of gagging her at tomorrow's breakfast.

Aunty's Totally unProfound Thoughts for this week

2009-08-27T15:59:00.005+08:00

I have told y'all I am subscribing to both NST & Star for the sole purpose of giving me something to do with that cup of kopi in the morning. Oh yes. I am just like a Nescafe commercial in the morning. Sans the nice hair, the sexy nightie, the gleaming teeth, make-up, bra etc.

Lately I've been thinking it's my imagination but I have been finding that the Straits Times is more objective than The Star in its reporting.

Yeah. Coincidentally (not that it's timed that way) my sub started since Nuraina Samad took over as Managing Editor. Yes. I like her. She's a good good person but that's not why I say NST is better.

The one-sided reporting from the Star makes me think - for all we know - that they may actually be paid by taxpayers (if you get my drift). Or the publishing license is being reviewed.

The reporting goes like this: Opposition speaks? WHAM!!! Opposition won? BOOOFF!! Opposition takes up an issue? BOOFF BOOOFF BOOO..OOOFF!!!

Gomen Speaks? Wonderful! Gush!

Gomen Acts? Gush, gush, gus, Gush, gush, gush,Gush, gush, gush!

Sorry. That was the sound of my retching.

Other Headlines:

Chua Soi Lek, Chua Soi Lek, Chua Soi Lek. Sacked from MCA. I am personally sorry to see him go off into the sunset. Us Aunties at the market will have one less person on whom we take pot shots.

I dunno if we (not just me hah? Many of my friends too!) should feel vindicated or just smug. We'll take smug.

We have been saying & saying & saying that he should not be considered for any position of leadership after his xxxacts were exposed BECAUSE he is a Leader of the Malaysian Chinese.

Ok. So they entrapped him by taping. So What?. He himself "rose" to the occasion didn't he? For 12 years or so by his own reckoning.

Ah Lek, Ah Lek, Ah Lek. Please lah. Either retire or practise being a doctor again. Why get your face all torn up again?

PKFZ. That one AIYOH! Tragedy for the Rakyat man! I am not so renowned for my Maths, so please excuse my Auntynomics for a minute here.

Who issued the bonds for financing this project hah? Yes. Right.

(I am about to use the word "we" very loosely here now)

We are told we can "save" interest payment" by the hundreds of millions if we can pay up for the bonds issued. Which has been err....err....not so well accounted for?

Who supervised & ensured that this project is viable, feasible & accountable? "Not I" said the dog. "Not I" said the Cow - which still leaves us f**king the rubber ducky right?

Win the case? Die. Lose the case? Die.

Life here is indeed Far FAR from boring!

THE CHINESE, THEIR HOUSES HAVE NO WINDOWS

2009-08-27T07:46:00.003+08:00

Note: This is not my piece but it was such an interesting piece, I am sharing it with you. Everything below to the very end has not been altered

"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 became a ‘dirty word’ in our home; being 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. (ofcourse, we know now it is more nutritious to eat sweet potatoes than rice. Sweet potatoes, the red variety, has carotenes-vitamin A precursors-other nutrients & fibre. Polished rice has mainly carbohydrate)

My grandmother sewed 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 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 too that the ‘passport to heaven’ was 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.

Whaddayaknow?

2009-08-25T20:11:00.006+08:00

Aunty ain't much of a drinker. Uncle married me cause I don't drink - this way he can drink my share. He also needed to marry someone who can drive but can't drink.

But since I am happy tonite, I will 2 large cocktail glasses of herbal tea in celebration of the Voice of the People being heard in Permatang Pasir.

Yes. To me, it's the People who Counts. The Vox Populi.
Yes. I know PAS is an Islamic Party & I am not Muslim
And YES. Whether it's PAS or UMNO, so long as the People have spoken that's the really IMPORTANT thing.

(ok I am a bad liar. I am happy there's gonna be more check & balance. I'm also happy that some airheads are gonna have some air let outta their head. They won't be so pompous with the "this land is MY land" thingy)

More importantly - NO. No I do not believe that PAS is gonna Talibanise my life any time soon just cause they have won.

Ofcourse as in any religion or belief, some will always be more zealous than others in imposing their will on others. Let's hope THOSE airheads will also have some air taken outta them.

On religion. I will always chose to respect (& even follow) any religion whose followers live a life I would Wish to, and Want to Emulate.

And No sirree. Forcing someone to bend to your Will never works. Not for a Child. Not for a Wife. Not even for my goldfish in his bowl.

Now. I will go back to my herbal tea & another toast to my Country's Health!
p/s it's also Bae Yong Jung (my cutie korean boy)'s birthday so I may well be doing some pole dancing in his honor tonite. It will be better if I had a pole & bae was around but .. hey! Beggars can't be choosers, so his photo in front of me will do.

Don't Call me tonite please.

Life of a Grand Family

2009-08-22T08:39:00.003+08:00

I dunno if you are like Aunty but I do a lotta wondering.

Take food for an example.

These days eating anything you desire everyday is no biggie.

When I was young, having prawns, sea cucumber, a whole big fish, AND a WHOLE chicken (as 1 dish) for new year & festival days is THE biggie.

A roast duck drumstick was my granny's gift to every grandkid's birthday & that was what I used to look forward to. MY OWN ROAST DUCK DRUMSTICK. (You can eat my shorts David!!!)

And if you were "well to do" ie you get to eat chicken once a week, your mother would have parted the 1kg chicken 4-ways to get 4 dishes out of it. For a family of 6, WITH leftovers for another meal or 2. Food never ever tasted that good!

Now - in the world according to Aunty - that middle class people like us can afford to eat anything we want anytime, what does one prepare for New Year?

And if the middle class have that "dilemna", what more the super rich? I have always wanted to know that. Yes.I am that keh poh.

And Homes. Having driven past some huge clonking mansions today; those with more garage doors than our home have room doors, Uncle & I are permanently curious what people do in these mansions.

Do they hold balls? Is there an indoor pool with spa? Does 6 maids work in them? How do they clean those windows from the roof down? (my question). What do they eat for dinner? (again you know whose question lah!)

Which is what brings me to the point (FINALLY).

Today I am excited to participate in a talk given by a descendant from one of those fabled old families who helped to develop KL & have roads named after them. The gracious lady from one of these families has agreed to talk about what life was like for the super rich nearly 80 years ago.

No I am not hoping to get stock tips from her or learn how her fore fathers got rich. I am just wondering how I can get my name on any lane in the country is all.

btw- that photo is supposedly that of the late Zakaria Deros' home in Klang

Enjoy your weekend!

Aunty Bites the Papers back

2009-08-19T17:44:00.004+08:00

For the past month, I had been wanting to blog about all the funny thought bubbles floating above my head whenever I read what PIPs (people in power) say & do. Sometimes it is the journos, sometimes it is the papers' "policy", sometimes it is just what the PIPs say & do that really Sllll...aaayys me!

So today as a treat to all youse lovely blog readers, I thought I will share my tb*s with you. (*thot bubbles). Before we proceed any further, please take whatever I blog with more than your usual grain of salt - seeing that I AM - after all only an Aunty.

Here goes

1. Race-free Form. VERY SOON. You & I will no longer need to fill in our "race" on any official forms soon.

TB: That wouldn't be news anywhere else in the world but here cause there ain't nobody asking for that sorta info anywhere else but here.

OK stop being cynical. Yes. That would be ONE reconciliatory step to 1Malaysia. But that does not YET mean we are 1Malaysian.

It would take a WHOLE lot more Bruder!

2. This one...dunno how it got past the Religious Police.

Wrath of a spurned wife who threw acid on her policeman ex-husband caught errr..."upstairs" with his girlfriend.

TB: I thought that was considered khalwat? ie being in close proximity with a woman not his wife or member of family. That fella either brave to admit that or stupid! Maybe in JB the khalwat police not very strong lah!

I feel strongly that those who a few years back caught that American man with his wife in their hotel room in Langkawi should be seconded down to do what the JB religious police are not doing.

3. Whatever Opposition do or say is Stupid, Illogical, Irrational. Whatever BN says & do, sure logical, clever & rational.

Words associated with the Opposition or Pakatan - Antagonize,disparaging, inept, provoking

Words associated with BN - Guiding, Sound, Right direction

TB: AIYOH! Where got like that one? This type of "angkat*" politics is way WAY too obvious ain't it? Or we are saying only stupid ppl supports the Opposition & all the clever ones went to BN meh? Can not be right?

Maybe this is why people seek ALTERNATIVE news lah. Can't be everything opposition do is wrong, everything government do is right, RIGHT?

*angkat means "to carry" or "carry big leg" or sucking up, shoes polishing for all you foreign ignoramus!

Aiyah. I am only up to page 3 & Haven't even laid into the Teoh Beng Hock suicide article yet.

When I read the report/trial, I almost gave back up my oat porridge from breakfast to the papers.

How is it possible he was squating on the ledge before he jumped (which is why his sole was badly scuffed)?

Have you seen that only-can-open-out-from-the-bottom window? How did the fehla squat on the ledge outside that sorta window hah? Myself must learn that trick of reaching beyond such a window. Because I have the same kind of windows & I still can't clean them damn windows from the outside.

But I ask this. How come ONLY ONE side of his soles got totally scuffed OFF? From squating on a window ledge & then jumping? Hmmmm....

Ok. See? That's why I said I am a Aunty. I sure believe everything I read.

Which is why we no speakee Engrish

2009-08-18T21:05:00.005+08:00

I posted this as a request from a concern parent & patriot.

I also posted this because I agree with it.

AND because I wanted to show you there are people like Melody who's a patriot AND not afraid to say it!

But she not so smart. She thought this letter to The Star will get published. NOT!

Which reminds me. Is not learning English beneficial? I think it is. This way we can continue to say "Tak faham lah" when we are caught in foreign countries without declaring bags full of moolahs?

OK..leelian & melody! This one's on me!

Melody writes:
"As a concern parent and an English teacher myself, I have been following this matter of the reversal of the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English to Malay with anxiety and disappointment.

Prior to this decision when the Prime Minister was still saying that they will study all concerns seriously before making a decision, I was very confident that our wise leaders and authorities will make the obvious decision to continue in the usage of English in these subjects as it is indeed the way to ensure our country's continual development and success for our future generation.

I know that the Government has made its decision.

I believe that the decision was made considering all parties involved. However in their implementation, I do believe that the Government could give consideration to special schools to continue in the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English. Do let the rakyat choose, let the parents and educators choose which medium would be best for the students and country.

So many people have written in, more so for English as there are so many clear cut and tangible benefits and advantage to our country and our people. Let’s not hide behind the fact that we need to strengthen Bahasa Malaysia and all the patriotic reasons for it. Yes Bahasa is the National Language and will always be the language that unite all races in this 1Malaysia concept.

There’s no threat at all to the importance of Bahasa. It doesn’t mean that we’re less patriotic or not keen about Bahasa Malaysia when we want to continue in the PPSMI..

In New Strait Times Aug 9 paper, ‘It was a matter of survival’ Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin acknowledged that the move to abandon
the policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) had been an ‘unpopular’ one.

Yes, it is an unpopular one for most parents with school going children and patriotic Malaysians who have a love and concern for the country. Economist, politicians, Industrialist and educators who want to see development, progress and success for the country know that this is really several steps backwards for Malaysia when we abandon PPSMI.

To quote the Deputy Minister further,he says the government had to pull the plug on the policy because it would have failed millions of Malaysian pupils.

The irony of this statement is that if PPSMI is not carried out, the government would have stifled and failed millions of abled Malaysian students who otherwise would have been instrumental in bringing development and being in the forefront of the world and the pride of Malaysia but for their lack of the English Language Skill.

Rural students are disadvantaged with PPSMI but it doesn’t mean the whole cohort of students have to abandon PPSMI so that we will all be backward in terms of the language. Rural students need more concerted help in English, that is the Education Ministry should send more trained English teachers and use special computer assisted English programs for them as advised by Dr Mahathir.

Six years is not sufficient time enough and commitment to see the PPSMI program through. Now we expect thousands of students caught in between to make the switch. Then again, for the final product, imagine having to do Science and Mathematics in Malay all throughout your primary and secondary education and then having to do a complete switch to English in the tertiary level. How bewildering it would be and our students could never compete internationally as this is the lingua franca of the world.

Malaysia would stand to lose if we allow a whole new generation of our young people to come up weak in English especially in Science and Mathematics. Every aspect of our economic life will be affected. Tourism a very competitive industry will be a sham if our people can’t even communicate with our guest visitors let alone sell our country convincingly. We are already losing out to our neighbours as many of these international tourist bypass Malaysia to go to Thailand or Singapore.

Then again, our government wants to establish Malaysia as an education centre or hub. How will it be possible for us to attract international students to do professional courses of study here in English if we ourselves are not producing a crop of Malaysians academics proficient and competent in the language to teach and converse in. We have an edge above our neighbours like Singapore and Thailand in terms of cost of living and could easily attract a large pool of international students as seen in our private tertiary institutions today. What will all this amount to if we abandon PPSMI?

I must say that I have the utmost regards for our former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who has the foresight to see this PPSMI through. In order for our country to attract multinational corporation investments and build on our multimedia super corridor etc we have to have a nation of people proficient and able to communicate effectively and competently in this language.

We are ahead of our Asean neighbours as our people are better proficient in English due to the British Legacy and heritage. Today, even China, Thailand and other countries are aware of this and thus are fast catching up, brushing up in English, knowing that this is the language of commerce and development. Students of these countries are clamouring to learn English, knowing that they are disadvantaged.

Today when we send our JPA scholars or students overseas for further studies, where is their standing in the world stage? Are they cowering in inferiority because of their language handicap in English just like the Thais, Indonesians or Chinese from China or are they the pride of our Nation in that they are on level playing ground with others, being competent and proficient in the language? Are they publishing paper in their field of study in Bahasa or English? World recognition only comes when it is published in the language of Science and technology that is English.

I am thankful that the Government apologized to the PTA (Parent –Teacher Association) which wanted to convene to discuss this matter and is listening to the voice of the rakyat.

There are still many concern parents and teachers who wanted to retain the policy or at least have a choice of the language medium of their children’s school. Let’s make it a win win situation by allowing the choice of special schools for different needs. In allowing this route, we ensure our survival in the world and yet cater to specific needs of our country. I’m just one of the thousands of parents.

PLEASE LISTEN TO US!

The New or Old Malaysian ?

2009-08-16T11:51:00.005+08:00

My conscience pricked at me. It's not a large conscience so please forgive me when the pricking doesn't even stir a hair in my ear.

But I DO heed the call for a New Malaysian..which to me.. is really.. the Old Malaysian. It's just that politicians made so much noise that I got fed-up & tired.

But I have NEVER felt more (or less) Malaysian in all my life.

To many of us, being Malaysian was never about forsaking our Country, our personal Faiths, our cacophony of lingua Malaysian, or our Colour. To us Real Malaysians, our differences & similarities is a cause for Celebration. Not Deflation.

A long long time ago, I became more aware of the difference between my color, & someone else's when my All-distinction A-levels scoring friend, Teresa from TAR did not get a scholarship to get into university in Malaysia.

There were many not-so-rich in TAR but her family stood out as one of the poorest. Her 6 siblings all slept & lived in a living room no bigger than a walk-in closet in 1 of the old Sg Besi flats. But she never mourned or groaned about this.

Later when I went abroad to study in the late '70's. I was also made aware that even foreigners had misconceptions of Malaysians, when I was asked how come I am Chinese looking but said I was Malaysian?

I made my own Kebaya & went to give talks to groups of curious people in my host country, so that they can see & hear about Malaysia & her rich culture. I wasn't paid to do this. I LOVED to do this so that more can learn about Malaysia.

I was also frequently asked, why I had to earn my own way through college, eating 1 tukey to last a week (cheapest meat available then) for nearly 2 years to support myself when the Malaysian Government is so rich sending thousand upon thousands of students with full scholarship to the country I was in but I (who eventually graduated as a distinguished student from my year of 5000 graduates) received absolutely no support.

What was I supposed to tell anyone? That the color of my skin was the reason? Was I bitter then?

No.

To me, no matter what. I was Malaysian & I didn't want to rock the boat. I took it all in stride that life was not fair & took it that I was indeed 2rd class citizen even though I was ALWAYS a full fledged Malaysian.

NOW I am bitter.

I have never sold my country out.

I have never taken a cent from taxpayers' money to enrich myself.

I have never used Racism as the platform on which to gain power.

I have always had good friends from many faiths.

I have family members who are Bumiputras.

I have always supported the underdogs; never once considering that I myself, am in a way, also an underdog.

And I am not alone in this.

Hundreds of thousands & even millions like me made our voices heard at the last Election to say "There MUST be change & Accountability to the Citizens & that WE ARE ONE VOICE"

So why give up now? Let's not give our conscience a rest nor be so tired of idiots in the Opposition that we give up.

Let's continue reminding racsists out there that we ARE Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

As for Teresa, the one with All As for her A-levels? She went to NZ with NZ$100 in her pocket, & a big dream in her heart that she will make it. She struggled like hell but because she was so brilliant & hard working, she was given a scholarship & a job as a Psychiatrist. Today she is a leading Psychiatrist there. And no longer a Malaysian.

H1N1- many are now immune?

2009-08-16T10:34:00.006+08:00

Have you suffered from a particularly bad flu in the past 6 months?

Yes 6 months. That's my Aunty-finger-in-the-wind guess that the H1N1 pandemic didn't start only when it was "officially declared" 3 mths ago.

A good few months before the announcement of the H1N1 discovery, plenty must have already gotten the illness. Nobody gave that flu a name was the reason it was not "discovered" earlier.

And you know us lah. Hardy Asians. Just a flu. blah, blah,blah. Life goes on. Still must plant padi, feed the chickens, wash clothes in the river, burb the baby etc.

I for one, think I kena-ed this virus months before the announcement. In April, I was so ill with the flu that I kept asking Uncle every nite if I should be taken to hospital feeling I was lying at death's door.

This is when I discovered that he is set on my total destruction & wants to be a (relatively) young widower. Yes. It takes a major illness to know this. Uncle just reached across to me tenderly & said "Did you know the Spanish flu killed 20 million people after the 1st World War?"

What sort of German comfort is that? Which is why I survived. Just to teach him a lesson. I will only leave him a widower over my dead body.

But it was still strange to see a fever which hovered close to 39 degrees C every bloody night for a whole week. In the morning I was fine. Just gets progressively worse as the day goes by. By late afternoon, I'll be in my blanket, looking longingly at the Paracetamol like it's cocaine. I even had to replenish my 5 yrs old supply of Panadol. The Pharmacy made a million dollars from me before I went to see the doctor.

I am exactly like my mother. It's in the genes. We are so anti drugs & so anti doctors that if there were more people like us, doctors & drug dealers would be better off selling Nasi Lemak.

Even had the runs & lost a whole kg in a week - despite eating. I wasn't the only one. When I went to the neighbourhood clinic, the doctor was quite ho-hum about it. Seems like she's already seen a gazillion like me with the same symptoms. What does she know? SHE's just a young punk!

So you see what I am saying? I betcha MANY already have some immunity fr H1N1 because unbeknownst to us all, we have already gotten this flu many months before the Health Authorities took it seriously.

And if you have a husband like me, don't die huh? I was SOOOOO hoping he'll get my flu so that I can whisper the same loving tender words to him as he lays on death's door.

Five Stones Project SS2 by SDP

2009-08-14T23:21:00.003+08:00

I have been searching & searching for the Perfect Place in which to rest my not-too-young bones in a coupla years from now. I believe in Kiasu-ism to the max when it comes to Properties. Cheap & Great. Not just good. GREAT.

In a perfect world, Unc woulda preferred 4000 sft on 1 level, preferably in the Hills facing the ocean. That or Federal Hills - until he heard the price people wanted for a unit of 2,500 sft.

Or Kuantan. Or Langkaw. For Rgt80 per sft. Yes. Pigs are flying even as we speak. Where got such property? On a hill facing the ocean. You think we are in Africa ah?

However, today I conned him to go to yet another project. This time, the Five Stones Condo Project in SS2, PJ.

At first he wasn't overwhelmed. After 20 minutes of looking at the Project, he wanted the Penthouse. Nyet by Aunty. I really don't want a duplex because I don't want to climb any stairs when I am 101yrs old. Or face the same situation we are now in, i.e. too large a space over 2 levels for 2 puny humans. I want to downsize not samesize my life.

I must say that the 1st day of the official launch today, when we arrived at 10-30am, we saw many people who were in a feeding frenzy.

Who were left with the poorer picks of the villa lots. There were only 5 lots out of 30 of these 2,300 to 4000 sft lots in the low-rise 13 storey block.

The low rise 4 storey garden villas where every unit has a garden (SUCKERS!) were sold out. Thank you very much. I ain't gonna git a garden unit. No more agonizing over why snails & weeds are multiplying faster than the heliconias.

Naturally all the units facing an "extensive" garden were already sold in the soft launch.

I dunno why only the rich & datuks get the best lots...as if they aren't rich enough. People like us who are GENUINELY goin' to live in these projects gets screwed all the time! Anyhoos. What to do?

There were plenty in the 2 Tower Blocks (25 & 37 storeys?) selling at about Rgt890,000 for 1800sft were left.

Unc & I focussed on the "villa" units. He's a big boy. He likes space. I turned my back to drag Unc to look at the remaining "villa" units & BOOM! Lot 7th storey gone!

ALAMAK! Only 1st,3rd,5th floors left - on the UNPREFERRED Side! But still. North facing in front, away from the exhaust fumes of the car park, & South in the Kitchen - facing Jasmine Towers car park...but on top of that is a tennis court, not SOOOO bad. For >1 million rgt? Maybe NOT?

But the others who bought at the soft launch can't be so stupid, right?

Now. I have looked at so many projects that I have a check list of what we wanted. Now to check it against Five Stones Project.

Location, location, location! SS2 PJ. Freehold in SS2 where everything's a house.

Greenery - Check! Sorta. 1/2 acre with Angsana trees! I like Angsanas!!!

In the middle of all the conveniences esp Great FOOD - Check!

Not far from our Club - Check!

Peaceful - Check! (we think lah)

Biggish Balcony - Check!

Lift opening out only to our Unit - Check! (That one bonus check!!)

2 units per floor - Check!

3 car park lots. NOT that we have 3 cars but just in case? - Check!

Connected to major highways - Check!

Sound Developer? SDP mah! - Check!

Lots of Space? - Check! low-ish density ie eventual 400 units over 4.9 acres but to Unc low density is like 1 to an acre & for that kinda space, he'd better move to Siberia.

SOLID building - DUNNO. Every building seems to be built out of 1 layer of brick & some slaps of mortar; so who are we to be exceptional here?

Now. Where did I lay that extra million or 5 so that I can get my own little green dot!

(S)Low Lifes

2009-08-13T19:00:00.004+08:00

(S)Low life 1: I am trying to lie low. But turns out I am too busy to even lie low. None of your business but yes! All this relaxing & retirement shit is a lie. I thought I would have too much time on my hands when I become a full time kept woman.

SO WRONG! I hardly have time to dye my hair & do dindins. Everyday I fall into my TV chair exhausted.

Low Lifes 2: I received 2 ranting racist mails & I trashed them without even scrolling down. No time for morons or idiots.

Low Lifes 3

Inquest into Teoh's death.

I still can't understand why a man like Teoh who's about to marry the next day would wanna kill himself. Or why the Anti Coruption investigation would question him from evening to early morning. After all he's not the suspect. He is just assisting...so how come he was questioned for 8 hours?

Was he gonna skip town? Was he gonna burn the records & crash the PC? Were they trying to protect him while he was trying to protect another?

Then "funnier" still (if you find this sorta thing "funny").

Seems like the investigating officer had NOTHING written in his little questioning book. Granted the police took the little black book from the MACC chaps 2 days after Teoh's death. But nothing in the book is a little too suspicious no? Heck! My 91 yr old Mum has more written into her "555" notebook!

Low Lifes 4

Aunty pops into town now & then. I take a short cut into the PWTC due to some irresistible food from one of the warungs.

Since people are accusing Uncle Zorro of being paid by Pakatan, then I wanna tell you I keep seeing bloggers there (in shirt & tie) who are supposedly NOT working there, & who constantly protest they are objective.

What conclusions am I supposed to draw from that hah? And we all know the type of conclusions I can draw, no?

Do I believe Zorro's being paid by Pakatan? He sure oughta replace his old clunker if he was. Or at least buy me a nice cushion like the one Chihaha has in this photo.

Walking? = Demo? = Riot Control? & There aint no pleasin' some Neighbours!

2009-08-09T10:49:00.008+08:00

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Go on & throw whatever brickbats you like. Today Aunty is active in her left brain so I am gonna gitsomethingsoffamychest. And Y'all know my policy on MY blog. I just delete comments at will. Yeah.

So here goes.

Topic 1 - Walking? = Demo? = Riot Control?

Many righteous Msians have come out to write about what an f**king inconvenience the jam protesters had caused last Saturday. Lotsa Moolahs were lost by "idiots" Just that I ain't too sure who the idiots are.

Take the 1 & only upclose&personal of a protest I witnessed.

Last year while smack in the middle of Berlin's busiest road, The Kur'dam at 9am on a Monday I heard whistles & shouting through my supposedly double glazed hotel windows. Saw a few hundred flag waving people. Got excited. Whipped out the camera. Maybe it's a Riot???

Hmmm..somethin' wrong here folks. There were only a few measly isolated police on bikes escorting them protesters. Hundreds of them protesters & maybe 5 police? Them protesters waved flags with signs in German reading "Justice & Fairness to the Workers of xxx"

Uncle hardly roused himself from bed for this. He told me these protesters are from a union. (And if you know Germany, they have more unions than there are ants on a rambutan tree)

Everyone looked relaxed. Even jovial. And I mean, including the Police. Took the few hundred people like 20 minutes strolling past our hotel till they were out of sight. NO Baton in sight. No water canon. No one in riot gear. I have seen more "action" at the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in NYC.

Seems such walks by the hundreds are the norm, & the job of enforcement is to provide guidance to walkers to walk in a certain direction (I guess as pre-agreed), & also to guide traffic away from the walkers. Sorry lah I gawked in open mouthed astonishment.

My mother was right. Westerners are way too liberal!

Topic 2: There ain't no pleasing the Neighbours

Guarded communities seems to be de riguer if one doesn't want to have their head bashed in by intruders or their handbags snatched in front of their homes. There is NO safe neighbourhood in ALL of of Malaysia. HECK! Even Kuantan or KT's or Kijal have their share of high crime rates!

Achah! Dun ask me what the heck the Polis is doin', k? I feel our finest have already worked more then their fair share last Friday & Saturday in KL.

So back to guarded community & guards. I dunno too much about guarded (gated?) communities cause I don't live in one. I have been told I am the only unlucky one with the record number of break-ins during the past 3 years here.

That is, other than the ho-hum usual snatch thefts or 3 or 5, the usual 2 or 5 windscreens bashed in, the even more ho-hum annual clean-up of a house or 2 by burglars & that one or 2 times someone was nearly snatched into a car.

So in other words, in my community, we ain't at that danger point yet. Unless someone gets slashed or murdered. We can afford to wait somemore here.

But it would also appear that not everyone is THAT concerned about their neighbour's homes being broken into, or that their neighbours are being bashed in. "Not me mah!"

Because if people were at all concerned, they sure show it in strange ways. I can hardly believe it when I read letters & articles recently from people complaining that their "freedom" are being taken away in their gated neighbourhood.

Yes. You didn't pay, so you don't get a sticker & that's resulting in the guards stopping to ask you to stop each time you use the road. It's their job to stop anyone for the safety of all concerned.

Yes. You didn't pay, but don't you feel better & safer now that you can actually walk around your neighbourhood without fear of your head being bashed in?

Yes. You didn't want the security because your house has never been broken into in the last 40 years you've lived there.

But haven't you heard that thieves don't care who they slash or steal from? You mean you can guarantee that nobody will ever invade your home just cause it looks like a dump? What? You don't care that there may be a real & present danger to the females, the young & the very old in your household?

Methinks some resentment may come from real "prudent" people.

They resent that old homes are sold to newbies who redo the houses making them fancy & thereby "attracting" robbers - "So whose fault is it hah?"

But look at it this way Mr(s) "Prudent". The rejuvenation of your neighbourhood just means that ulitmately the value of your property goes up - thanks to newbies showing others the "potential" in doing up an old home.

Funny how everyone wants the price of their asset to be unrealistically high when they sell, & yet expect that the price of another asset they wanna buy to be even more unrealistically low

Funny how people are selfish. I had someone tell me that's why they never will renovate their leakin', fallin', crackin' home. This way nobody knows they are well off. WELL! Whaddaya say to THAT?

WTF is this Guy?

2009-08-07T22:21:00.003+08:00

Women of a certain vintage are always more prudent than young grapes still fresh on the vine. We are also more immune from deceptions & false compliments. At least I'd like to think so.

Yesterday I received a mail from this guy in my facebook. Wanting to know me SERIOUSLY. Because? I dunno this chap. I suspect he's fishing for lonely females. However I did state I am married in my profile. No wonder some women fall prey. He is handsome. But like I tell Uncle, this guy's the age of my son; IF I had any.

Little does "Lance" know that compliments are worth dittly-s**t to women in my age group. We know better than to think we are "beautiful" if some stranger said that. Heck! He would do better to write "You look mature" & I'd be more likely to believe him.

Anyhoos Ladies. Watch out for this "Lance Ortega". He smells, looks & feels like a scam artist.

Makes me wanna go back to bed

2009-08-01T16:47:00.006+08:00

Yeah. It's that type of week for the past few weeks for me.
I was "whole" again & has bounced out of bed every morning. Until I did some reading & that makes me wanna crawl right back under my pillows.

Seems like we Malaysians are "World Class" in everything we do & that includes Bashing ppl up. Even the dead ones.

*For all youse non-world class foreigners obviously not M'sians; Boleh=OK

Just 3 Fine Examples of our World Class-ness are below

1. We're WC in Bashing 'em up no matter who you are!

Take the example of this "Datuk"* who had his Bodyguards Bash Up a British Diplomat for taking up the Diplomat's car park in a lux condo

*An honorific awarded to individuals who's done great service to our Boleh-ness. Some famous Datuks include that handsome famous Bollywood Actor Shah Rukh Khan who made a movie here, Jean Todt ex-head of Ferrari racing who's paid to be a Bolehland Ambassador - in his spare time (I want that job!!), & a great other many assortment of Bizmen & a sprinkling of Crime Lords, War Lords, & Ohmylords

2. We're WC in Turning Peaceful Protest into city siege

(I can't say "bashed up" cause I have no proof but I hear some ppl have been walking into doors on the streets today).

Today's supposedly peaceful protest was turned into a siege. I sure hope those of us who tried to participate will learn that so long as the PeeEm says "No", he means NO, & so youse lot'd better listen! Does it matter thousands & thousands still tried to turn up? WHO CARES?

Our government is Great & continues to be Great & if you dun like it, you know what you can do at the next elections, right?

3. We're WC in Bashing Dead People

Yasmin Ahmad, a much beloved Female Director controversial for her "truth or dare" stories & haunting commercials passes away. And so how do we "honor" her passing?

Yeah. You're gettin' smart! We World Class Bashed Her!

The popular (sick) Kosmo mag "exposed" her as a Sex Change person the day after her burial. Is it true? Is the moon made of cheese?

Yeap. I sure learnt somethin' this week. We sure love to bash 'em - & it ain't matter shit if they're dead or down. We bash 'em all the Same!

MALAYSIA BOLEH!!!!!

The Capt of a Mighty Ship has Passed us By:

2009-07-20T09:03:00.003+08:00

Captain Yusof Ahmad aka The Ancient Mariner passed away in his sleep on July 19th. I was greatly saddened by the news of his passing when I read The People's Parliament by Haris today.

The So-Po Blogging Community has lost an excellent blogger, who was a Gentle-Man & a Gentleman through & through

Capt Yusof was a quiet unassuming man but he wrote from his Heart as a Proud Malaysian without holding his Punch. For a taste of what we will be missing, go to this site

http://cyusof.blogspot.com/

We send our Deepest most Heartfelt Condolences to the Man who quoted the line below as his Guiding Light in Blogging

"I cannot change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination - Jimmy Dean"

NO to Waving your Credit card Rights away

2009-07-02T09:51:00.005+08:00

I am well versed with a wave card. Having experienced its convenience as my Train boarding pass in Hong Kong & Singapore, I like it.

Just put the card in my handbag & wave the entire bag over the reader & you are through - unless it's my backpack - which is another story. All this without taking out the pesky thing & risk losing it. So cool mah!

But that's for a Train Ride, and it's prepaid to a certain value by me.

I won't lose more money than what is prepaid if someone filches my bag. Like most sane people, I wouldn't top that card up to any amount more than I can risk losing it.

The other day I realized that some banks including CIMB & Maybank has introduced the Wave Card - same concept as the Train card.

For purchases under RM150, you can just pay for your purchases by waving the card onto a reader.

Makes your purchase faster - for the cashier, you (if you are in a hurry) & the people lining up behind you in an equal hurry.

Makes you spend more. It takes away your psychological awareness of having to physically sign & acknowledge you are (AGAIN!) spending money. Just a little money....at a time. So psychologically speaking, we lose count more if we waved seamlessly rather than acknowledge with our own signature our dirty little spending habits.

As for Me, I ABSOLUTElY REJECT this concept & I strongly advise you too not to let anyone sell you this story.

In fact if a cashier waved your card, IMMEDIATELY demand for a cancellation & demand for the regular credit card receipt to sign.

Why? Here's some Important reasons why

1. The holder of the credit card must wave the card themselves & NOT the cashier. But this is not always the case; as I experienced unknowingly. The cashier waved it for me.

Now why should you wave your own card? Ask yourself. Who's the holder of the card. You or the cashier?

When (s)he waves your card, you get a receipt. Ok. But if you are not looking carefully, she can wave it a few times, & hand you only 1 receipt. Is there a beep? Didn't hear it amidst all that noise generated in a store? Too bad.

At any given time, when I am paying, I am in my usual hurry (Gawd knows why but I always am!) & we hardly note in our consciousness if we have signed ... or not? Or maybe you did?

2. Should you not be acknowledging your own Debt or any credit extended to you by priviledge of using the Bank's Credit Card?

Consumers should know the difference between a prepaid & a Credit & Prepaid card

This is why when you hand over a credit card, as the holder of the card, you must & have to acknowledge a debt or credit has been transacted in your name.

The credit card is NOT a prepayment you made. Like my train card story. In Europe you would need to key in your PIN when they wave your card. This means that if you have given someone your card to use, then you have also given them your PIN ie permission to spend.

3. Who's really using your card?

At least in the good old pre-wave days, somebody had to forge yr signature, or work a little harder when they want to use your card without permission.

With the wave, it has become much more convenient for a thief to run up a coupla purchases before you can deactivate it. No need to forge a signature mah!

So I want ALL of you to take this blog & circulate it.

The more people hear about it,the more the buck passes from the consumers back to the banks - as it should be.

After all, aren't they the specialists at what they do best & aren't we the ones who will get more & more sucked into a credit pitfall?

Which Bitch?

2009-06-15T10:14:00.005+08:00

I have been off the net for some time - maybe to distract myself by watching mindless dramas or just no time lah.

Or is it just no farking mood?

For another week, we are also dog-caring; a very sweet docile gal named Cosmo. Uncle Goblok extremely pally-wally with Cos being here. He walks through the door & calls for her. He doesn't do this for Aunty but he does this to Cosmo

Today Aunty read Zorro Unmasked blog & Bukit Koman in Raub - I can't help but feel all the ripe curses I know bubbling up.

Like the commentators in ZU's blog, I am also wondering how some people can live without a conscience so long as they get their moolahs; and ain't matter who dies for them to get it. I really wonder.

For example. And here, I say for example only ah?

If I tell you - I am developing an absolutely FAB condo property with sound structure, lovely ambiance, peaceful, calm, safe, great quality - then FOR SURE, you will assume my entire family & I will be occupying a unit or 2 or 5 in my own project. So nice. So beautiful. Must take up some units what!??!!

If I tell you about this fab property, & then you can see neither me nor my family's occupying any units there, - in fact, I wouldn't even let my family take a drive past this project within a 10km radius - then you also know, right?

Aiyoh! You think I can't hear you thinking "If you don't like, then don't go stay there. Can move away what?"

I "aiyoh" you back. If people in this world have choices then ain't nobody will willingly live on garbage dumpsites, old mining areas, contaminated areas, Bangladesh etc...right?

But we are not talking of property developments here.

We are talking of leukemia, deformed babies, sick people. DEATH. EXCRUTIATING PAIN.

OK. NOW you tell me. You like photo of Cosmo or this B*****

I point you to ZU's blog piece entitled "We have nothing else to do but wait to die"

http://zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com/

Rest in Eternal Peace

2009-06-08T08:43:00.006+08:00

I deleted a piece I wrote on the sudden passing of my sister Shirley on 3rd June after a very short stay in hospital.

I couldn't post that piece but I got something off my chest just from writing. I won't be a hypocrite & say I griefed for her. I griefed for myself. For my unyielding stubborness & inability to let things be.

No matter how righteous I feel when she was alive,it was still her life.

And Death. Truly - Death is the only real equalizer of everyone

All I can do now is to honor the passing of Shirley who was a devoted Grandmother to the very end.

My condolences to Alan my dearest brother-in-law, Justin & Penny, Lorna & Terence, Lilian & Tommy, Nic, Jon, Clarisse, Alyssa, & Chloe.

May Shirley's soul find Peace & Happiness with Angels

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there

I do not sleep

I am a thousand winds that blow

I am the diamond glints on snow

I am the sun on ripened grain

I am the gentle autumn rain

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight

I am the soft stars that shine at night

Do not stand at my grave and cry

I am not there

I did not die

by Mary Frye

So I am shallow after all!

2009-05-30T10:16:00.008+08:00

Dear Folks
See that guy above? That guy singlehandedly healed my soul & cured my menopause.

Yes. I had a LONG LONG Looooo..nng Break. I guess anyone's who's been droppin' by has dropped out by now. So I will ramble to myself as usual.

Firstly. I needed NOT to write. I needed a break. Madland was just too much & post traumatic shock did set in. My soul needed the break. Unc needed the break. The house needed some TLC and THEN it also needed a break from us trying to fix things.

Everyday, we do some pottering around the house, then we go swim & work out or he plays some golf, I read, then we get dinner. THEN I settle down to watch mindless series I was deprived of while living elsewhere. POLITICS SUX here & then. Before that farkin KimJI drops his farkin' N-bomb on me I WILL LIVE LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW!!!

I ain't gonna lie. I borrowed & bought lots of TV series. Christine loaned me "The Legend" & I was hooked. I am in love & in lust.

That guy above? You can't be female & not know Bae Yong Jun / BYJ or Bae Yong Jung.

Don't trust me. I have yet to meet a red blooded female who has watched "The Legend" & not have their fans blowing full blast at them to keep the heat away.

I had 2 ceiling fans & a floor fan blasting at me while I watched, fast forwarded & paused the DVD.

Ye olde Unc found Bae too beautiful to be real. What does he know about taste? Didn't he marry me?

Bae's like Orlando Bloom when he did "Lord of the Rings". Admitedly Bae's photos doesn't do him justice. He has a BIG screen presence. The type of presence only old Hollywood legends like Greta Garbo are blessed with.

Take a look at "The Legend" but have those fans blowin' before you begin. The plot's full of holes but it's the eye candy factor you have to go for. I HAVE WARNED YOU!

So I end this blog today until I get back from a short trip away! When we are back, next weekend we are hosting some students from Univeristy Kebangsaan to promote racial unity. I will subject them to some BJY viewing.

Bernard Zorroooo!!!! The Gomen Frenched my perfect day

2009-05-07T20:25:00.000+08:00

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!

Just posted my piece on how bloody perfect my day was today & then....BOOM!

I read from Shanghaifish & Patrick Teoh that Zorro Unmasked was arrested together with many bloggers in Perak today. Yes. He was released.

YES. FFFFFFF!!! Shoot me but I LIKE BERNARD. He is FAR more decent than many men & women with the names Hee, Samy or Bung put together. Bernard's the real mccoy.

I just texted him to tell him I AM PISSED!
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!

Shitty 1st Qtr / Much better 2rd Qtr

2009-05-07T19:43:00.000+08:00

BTW youse all referring to me as that Aunty from Madland. NO MORE. Allahakbar.

I am outta that SICKO country for good. Aiyoh. And Please lah. Don't go tell me this land is also goin' to the anjings cause there is NO way this Madland is even 1% as bad as Madagascar!!

Today was TRULY the 1st day I looked back at what had happened to us in Madland & TRULY the 1st day, I felt the most Ennn....ooooorMOUS relief we are out of there.

I felt Pleasure today. A great deal of pleasure. We had joined the Saujana Golf Club & found ALL the pleasures it offers eg. at 1pm to 4pm, we were the ONLY people at the huge Olympic sized pool. Then we mosseyed over to the Saujana Resort where we can use their gym & found we were only 2 of the 3 guests using that gym. IS THAT LUXURY OR WHAT???

Ya. These days - it is bitchin' HOT. So hot we succumbed & bought 2 of these KHIND Motherf**king big fans to cool me down. But the pool at Saujana. It was divine. Quiet. Tranquil. LUX to the power of 1000!!!

This is why Today I felt like our lives were beginning again.

Goodbye stressful AWFUL 1st Qtr of 2009. HELLOO..2rd Qtr - even if I spent nearly all of April being sick with flu, stressed from setting up home base again, etc etc !!!

Today I felt so syiok. So Fresh. So Nice. So Relaxed.

That I even REFUSED to let what happened to Wong Chin Huat, to Perak, to being banned from wearing Black - get to me. Yeap. I said French many times to all that shit but I just refused to let things get to me today.

I had ONE perfect day today! YIPPPEE!!!

Safely home since 3 weeks

2009-03-29T13:25:00.000+08:00

There was no posting because back here in Mal-land, I have had to subscribe, buy, install everything all over again.

We were lucky to get out when we did. God's hands were guiding us. That or dumb luck.

Our dear friends in Madland, Wanna & Yves, Gerard & Vero had to literally pack, toss, give away, organize the packing of our home. The house was left intact as were our beloved dogs & staff - thinking we were returning from a 2 weeks sojourn.

Now there's nothing to return to since Uncle is an arch enemy of the state since the government is overthrown, & PUNK is now "transition" President & a jewel in the crown is Uncle's company

Yeah. Right. Just like I could be a transitional Emperess if I ever get to be one.

I have been crying constantly daily - like post traumatic stress. Filled with great sadness. Think of Madland, cry. Think of doggies, cry. Think of our friends cry. Think of my hubby, cry. Think of our staff, cry.

If you dropped a hankerchief, I would cry. I can't help crying. Look for a beloved piece of barang left in Madland, cry.

Yesterday received an email that Walter the other foreigner holding the fort in Unc's company - he who finished his contract by end March - is now on the list of the fucking "transition government" of previous government people NOT allowed to leave Madland. Walter with Mirta his wife & 2 kids under 11.

Uncle tried to get some ambassadors to help. ZILCH. Ain't nobody can help Walter. Gerard is trying other ways.

I still have not been sleeping. Especially now. I feel guilty. That we are here & Walter is there. Uncle said he has been telling & TELLING Walter to leave a week ago but he had booked his tickets for April.

I am not a great prayer. But I pray now.
Much as one thinks one can feel safe & enjoy the peace, one can't.

EVERYTHING I am doing - like eat a good meal, I have been truly in the greatest dilemna if I should / could enjoy it because I KNOW what our friends are going through.

Hedgehog Day but worst

2009-03-04T17:44:00.000+08:00

Hedgehog Day was a movie where a man wakes up & relives the same day every time he wakes up

I feel like this.

Since 1000hr this morning, it was a miniature of last nite. Our neighbours said the shots lasted until 0400hr this morning. We slept. Badly but we closed the windows & slept as Unc needed to go to work - threats or not. He did agree to using a different car to avoid detection.

I sent him lots of canned food - just in case. WITH our beloved golf clubs.

As I blog NOW, 1300hr our time, 3 hours later, lots of gunshots in the air continues. I hope it is shots in the air & not aimed at some poor deceived victim of Punk's propaganda!

When the noise gets too loud and near, I go to our balcony upstairs to hear better & observe. Radio stations are now cut off. Only news is internet & people calling around.

I am in touch with Uncle & his place is guarded by 10 guys with guns. From his office he can see the place where usually all action happens. That whole place is dead due to army blockading nearly 1/2km stretch. Lots of army blocking everywhere.

Just stopped blogging to check really loud pop of tear gas canons.

Not sure how Uncle can come home as the entire route from his office home is now impassable. I told him I will be fine & he should go to any friend's house if he can't come back

It has been reported (or rumoured nobody knows anymore what's real or not) that Punk's wife left to Paris last night on an emergency visa granted by France. His 2 kids already left 3 weeks ago

We are told the government has decided to end it all this week. Am now down to eating muesli again. Who has mood to eat or cook?

Christiane Amanpour reporting fr "Lebanon" again

2009-03-04T02:26:00.000+08:00

I don't know whether I am excited, angry or WHAT!!! All I know is I wouldn't mind bashing in some heads with my golf club

Punk announced on radio this evening repeating what he said at his demo today - that he wants his mob to take out Uncle from his office tomorrow morning. Oh. Plus PAINT the houses of pro-government people black so that any mob can recognize the traitors! WTF is that?

So. What did uncle do to deserve this Honor?
NOTHING.
Yeap. Nothing.
Just doing his job but he has promised if they come to him, he will walk off.
GOOD.

The exciting thing about Lebanon is TONIGHT. All of an unexpected sudden - isn't it always unexpected? -
Gunshots (lots)
Tear gas (Loud)
People yelling & chanting (you woulda thought this was a rock concert)

Sounds of guns, cannon like sounds - ALL AROUND our neighbourhood (like 20 houses) for an hour from 7.30 to nearly 8.45pm

Army is arresting students & robbers (supporters of Punk) who seems to live around our area. But we didn't know this little fact about our home before this crisis

The tear gas was so bad, even though our house was located inside some lanes, we had to come inside the house with our night guards

OFCOURSE we were outside!!!. Everyone but me tearing.

All of us holding to our "weapon" ie Uncle's golf clubs
My male doggie got worried & decided to join his gal in her basket.
Milady slept through it. GUARD DOGS? huuurrrmmp!

Our house is now in complete darkness as the guards say you can see better in the dark than the light behind you. We listen to them

LONG NIGHT or what???

2009-03-03T00:41:00.001+08:00

Situation here remains the same ie unchanged and uncertain but there are more arrests of plunderers, looters etc.

However our mood's MUCH improved seeing as - barring no extraordinary events like more shootings - we are departing from here for 2 weeks. I AM ECSTATIC although as of now I can't get a flight confirmed due to the breakdown of the airline's internet today

By the way I am sharing the below with you as sent by Baroness Angel Aix-la-Chapelle. This was to cheer me up & I ended up HOWLING with laughter!

Animal lovers will appreciate this one!

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favoritething!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary

Day 983 of my captivity

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into the their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of.

However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow --but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.

For now...