I missed all of you!!~

It has been so long...and I really missed talking to all you...
But I am really happy to see all of you again!!

A Merdeka post

Funny how everyone seemed to have forgotten that this weekend is the Merdeka celebration (Malaysia's Independence Day) - falls on the 31st of August.
Unless you are an avid follower of the calendar dates (noting all the public holidays), I am amazed that some of us even forgot that next Monday is a holiday as well!!

Talk about patriotism, the mood and atmosphere is just missing and one feels like any ordinary weekend.
Is it the lack of publicity on the media (that's the power of media)? Or is it the lack of decorations and events?
I do not want to comment politically as it is always a questionable thing; and I do not like to talk about how people should act as it is not my jurisdiction to teach people.

At the same time, perhaps it is time to bring to mind that the economy is really distressing and a moderate and toned down celebration may not be so bad after all, when we keep in view people who are suffering out there in poverty.

Anyway, to my home country, wishing Malaysia a HAPPY Independence Day for the 51st year!~

No NATO Please!

Did you notice how we tend to comment on things AFTER what has happened rather than making things happen?

How many of us really do our part in making changes? (Of course to those who do, KUDOS to you!)

I realized that Malaysians are no longer the caring society we used to be so proud of.
Crimes are happening everywhere and the wrongdoers are getting as bold as to commit them in broad daylight and also right smack in the middle of a watching crowd!

I recalled a story related to me by a colleague who told me about a robbery which happened in a very busy area in PJ SS2 where this man was walking towards his Land Rover when there were 2 Indian men stopping near him on a motorcycle.
One of the man got down and went near the man; seemingly patting him on his back and hugging his shoulder like some old friends.
But some eyewitnesses noticed a knife sticking out near the sides of the man.

In a short second, the man was literally forced into his Land Rover and the Indian man got into it with him; while the other man on the motorcycle followed.
Mind you, this happened in front of God-knows how many people who all stood outside their shops; doing what you and I know best; WATCH.

My colleague has just arrived and didn't know what happened and he heard from those eye witnesses about the crime which just happened.
He asked them a question, "You mean, you knew what was happening and you didn't lend a helping hand?"
Their replies?
"You SIAO ar? So Kay-poh for what!"

And this is not the only case; there was another incident where a couple was robbed of their BMW in front of an exclusive restaurant in a classy residential area.
And again, right in front of the high-class diners.

BIG SIGH!

And Lee Chong Wei's case, everyone's saying how he should've played better than Lin Dan....and commenting on how he should've played. Well, I guess those professional "commentators" should try getting into the court and play their way into the finals to face the world's No.1

Somehow we just have so many N.A.T.O people around...No Action, Talk Only!

And the last one I had was with a friend; he noticed a tap running and told me people these days are so careless.
I walked up and turned off the tap...instead of sitting there talking about how the tap is running.
See...that easy!
So please, action and not just talk!

Walkup day?

I don't know what is today all about; everywhere I go - there is no elevator and DANG! I need to walk up...

Even when I went to the mall, I had to endure non-functioning escalators and I had to climb up....
With the HOT HOT weather with the scorching sun, walking up against the gravitational force is not really welcoming!

Honk if you are a Malaysian!!

Lydia Teh's book titled above received good response from fellow Malaysians upon launch despite that it was a locally authored book.
Of course the catchy title played its part but it was also due to the fact that Malaysians found something which triggered part of themselves in relation to the title itself.

Honk if you are Malaysian....how does it relate to us? Do we Malaysians honk whenever we are on the road at every slight incident (i.e.: overtaking, not giving way, beating the traffic, etc?)
I don't know about the statistics but I have had experiences which constantly reminded me that Malaysians are not exactly the best-mannered drivers on earth.

But the worst experience has got to be the most recent; which was yesterday and it was in Penang; one of the world's most livable city.

Driving around Penang is not an easy feat; especially after office hours. The road along the ferry terminal or popularly known as the Weld Quay stretch is definitely more challenging; what more with the recent relocation of the ferry services to Langkawi to the same area as well.

Now, coming back to my experience; we were driving along this stretch in the early hours of the evening and of course, traffic was pretty slow at this time with the workforce population queueing for the ferry; and some waiting to get over to the other side of the island to head home or dinner.
Traffic crawl is never pleasant for anyone in any part of the world and definitely not anticipated at any time of the day.
Slow crawl can really be testing one's patience; and maneuvering your vehicle out of the way if there is a breakdown.

If you know this stretch well, you will know that there are junctions on your right (if you are heading to the coastal highway direction; bridge-bound).
Now, we were in the line and there was this car which came out of the junction on the right; and trying to squeeze into our line since he halted his car on a yellow box.
Naturally, you would need to wait for the cue from the drivers on our side to give way (you can't expect red carpet welcome from tired drivers who have been queueing for so long).
But this car; did expect red carpet welcome simply because he drove a BMW!

When the cars on our side didn't give way, okay, in particular one little Kelisa which maneuvered and drove past him without giving way when he was heading in the line, he did what we would expect.
He HONKED.

And not just any honk; mind you....not the mid-term, short pitched honk.
He HONKED and HONKED even after the car went past him all the way ahead.
He HONKED at long beats and made it loud and clear.
All for the reason to tell the Kelisa, he was pissed.

As if that was not enough, when he got into the line, he made it a point to manuever his car to the left lane and overtake the Kelisa which was still in the line and he slowed down his car when he was in parallel with the Kelisa and he gave the driver or the people in the car a glare and used his finger; either the middle finger or the index finger in a very threatening manner!

Now what do you say to that?

I find this really outrageous; as he has no right in anyway to threaten anyone who doesn't give way. There was no such clause in the Malaysian law that allowed such behavior. In fact, it is always the right of the driver on the straight road to drive straight.
The Kelisa didn't even force his way through; he was just driving slowly; following the traffic. If you think that he should have given way, tell it to me now that you have seen this scenario.

This BMW guy was seriously adamant that the Kelisa was pissing him off and he had to tell the whole world that.
Mind you, there were so many eye-witnesses at that time and I am sure most of them took a good look not at the Kelisa, but rather at the arrogant BMW owner who was ironically an Indian man.

Look at that, he HONKED at a Chinese man in a Chinese territory. And not just in any Chinese territory in Penang; but one of the most notorious ones!
I am not indicating any territorial or racial issue here but the incident could have initiated a serious FIGHT had the Kelisa responded (if the driver was also a notorious man).

Racial aside, the BMW guy also drove a W-plated car; which clearly indicated that he was not a local Penangite but rather, hailed from the capital; KL where I myself came from.
I am ashamed to see this happening and rather sad that we Malaysians behave this way; especially when I was so proud of our caring and mannered society.

I had to really pray that we can improve our image; this is definitely disgraceful to be witnessed by foreigners and tourists.
It could be due to this that KL was ranked the 3rd rudest city in the world....I am no longer shocked but really disappointed that we have such people.

To those of you out there, not a threat nor warning but rather a message that I would like to share. Do not really challenge other drivers on the road, you may not always be so lucky; we are running short of patient drivers around and the road bullies issue was never resolved as well.

The driver was rather fortunate despite him thinking that he was right and had the right to threaten another Penangite just because:
1. He drives a bigger and better car (BMW)
2. He thinks he is richer
3. He is right to be given way when he comes in from a junction
4. He hails from the capital and knows how to drive best
5. Or any other reasons he thinks is right

But I find it rather despicable and lowdown for an educated person to conduct himself in such a way.
And he is really lucky in the sense that the Kelisa driver was not a violent nor brutal driver who may have given him a good lesson for behaving in such a rude manner in their hometown.
Furthermore, I dare not think of the fate which may befell his BMW not to mention his passengers in the car if that Kelisa driver had responded in his way.
By the way, did I forget to mention that the BMW driver had his family including his children in the car?

What a great example to set....and I am glad he cheated mishap or fatality which may have befell themselves. Scary thought but thank God that nothing major happened.

Well, do we count ourselves better when India, the Philippines and Bangkok are "champions" on the road?
I don't think so.....


let me know what you all think about this

Considerate Smoker?

I met a considerate person today; as I was descending in the elevator.
Ting!
The door opened and there was this man standing outside holding a cigarette in one hand and a parcel in another.
He took a peek at me in the elevator and smiled, beckoning for me to go ahead as he is smoking and he will take the next one.

Well, how about that?
I must say this is one considerate smoker; not that I encourage smoking exactly but he did impress me with his thoughtful manner.
Kudos to Mr. Considerate smoker out there!

Whose fault is it anyway?

I witnessed an accident over the weekend; I was right on the spot when the collision took place.
It all happened so fast that I could barely remember the details.
I was in the car with daddy; early morning after breakfast and we stopped at this cross junction waiting for the traffic lights.
When it was our turn to go, all of a sudden, all I say was a motorcycle practically jumping over a cab on the left turning of the junction.
I can tell you, I believe I was not the only one stunned as all the cars on our side did not budge despite the green light.
Dad made a move and as we passed by the scene on our left, I saw the motorcyclist lying on the ground holding on tightly to his knee and the motorcyle was in a wrecked state.
Further was the cabbie and his passenger who stopped and hurried towards the injured motorcyclist.
Besides the fact that the motorcylist was an Indian man in his early 40's, the passenger and the cabbie were Malay men; the former in late 30's and the latter in late 50's, that was practically all I could remember.

How it happened?
I can't remember but my dad and friends(some of them happened to be there as well), described that it was the cab driver's fault. He was coming from the 3 o' clock direction and the lights have turned red on his side. He beat the traffic lights and at the same time, the motorcyle was on our side of the junction and he made the move when the lights turned green. He didn't see the cab coming as there was a land rover on his right which blocked his view (Our car was right behind the land rover by the way).

The motorcyle rammed into the speeding cab(on the passenger's side) and caused him to flip and practically hopped over the cab.
His helmet fell off his head when it happened; so I guess he didn't secure his helmet properly as well. However, he was really lucky that there were no oncoming cars and his head didn't suffer any injury (I didn't see him bleeding on the road).

The cab halted immediately about less than 100m away from him and the passenger got down hastily followed by the cab driver.

That was all I managed to witness.
I really believe what it meant by shock when you are on the accident spot.
I was really numb for a while; speechless and yet, when you asked me what happened...it seemed like the mind is blank!
I guess that's what happens when you see eye-witnesses losing confidence to step out and relate their eye account.

Daddy said the cabbie is in for serious trouble as he beat the traffic lights and hit someone!
As for logical and safety ration, I reckon the motorcylist should have also taken extra precaution to observe oncoming cars before making the move.
You may be on the right, but defensive driving is always good to prevent unwanted accidents from idiots who prefer to challenge the law.
Secondly, I hope all motorcyclists will take this as a reminder to fasten the helmet properly...

My emphasis here is although the cabbie was on the wrong, the motorcyclist could have prevented it if he was a little more careful.


It only takes a second to change your life forever and the decision lies in your hand!

Let me know what you think as well.....again, whose fault is it anyway???

Tantrums - no solution

Everyone gets angry once in a while; after all we are human beings too - granted with the gifts of emotions and passion.
Remember even Jesus as a little boy had his bout of tantrum in the temple when he was 12 years old, he crashed all the stalls selling items at the temple as he was displeased with their intention which showed disrespect to the deities?

Even Chinese had the famous saying, "Even Buddha can lose his temper" (used to describe that even patience has its limit)

So who has never gotten angry before in their life?
Women are most often than not, pointed out as the most susceptible to mood swings and temperamental. In other words, women are usually the ones who angers easily.
True?
I tend to think that both genders are also sensitive and can anger on case basis.

When we get angry, we sometimes lash out at people around us; particularly those who are close to us (i.e.: our loved ones, families)
Reason?
Because we are used to having them around and release our guard rather easily; taking their emotions for granted.
We always assume that they will understand and that they will know why we are angry.
But do they?

It is easy to build the emotion within ourselves and then just release it in front of our beloved families. When we are approached with gentle care and concern, we just find that as a cue to release our emotion and lash out at anyone.
And yet, we just expect them to understand that we are stressed or overwhelmed with problems and emotions that we are allowed and licensed to throw our weight around.

If we can reserve our emotions in front of other people when we choose not to show them, why have we never apply the same concept to anger?
If we can keep a straight face when we want to laugh out loud in a lecture hall (finding the lecturer's outfit really outrageous), why can't we just keep that anger within ourselves and make it seem that we are happy?

It is not wrong to feel angry, but it is really wrong to impose our anger on innocent people.
Being emotional is never an excuse, it is all about our own judgement.
I am not preaching about anger management here; I just find that most of us have been really clouded by this really negative emotion and deadly sin so much that we have hurt people around us as well.
I have told myself the same thing; I shall keep myself happy and not to be overwhelmed by emotion...

If anger can control us so easily, I say we shall reverse the process and control anger!
Remember, our loved ones did not cause our anger; and even if they did, lashing out with anger will only make the whole thing worse and there will a neverending cloud of dark emotions looming.
So, let's just keep ourselves and everyone happy to make this world a much better place~!

A First step: SMILE!