And I call it Destiny

I was standing at a corner of a shopping mall flooded by hundreds of people last Friday and suddenly something strike my mind. I was thinking about destiny. We met many people in our life, some stay and some left. What make certain people to remain in our life while some just left a little dot that you could not even recalled. Well, I call this ‘destiny’.

In my life, I am lucky to meet many people – good and bad. I believe God sent me many random people – or I called them‘my angels’, especially during my downturn in life to assist me. Most of these ‘angels’ left my life after they completed their ‘assignments’, I thought. Whenever I thought about how these random people who did good in my life had left me, I wonder why. While, others who you hope that will disappear in your life will never did. ‘Destiny’, I think is something that is unexplainable.

Today, my former editor called me and told me that he is getting married with a girl he is dating for the last one year. I believe he dated some other girls longer than that. Again, destiny is funny. Time never can determine whether a person will be your life partner or not. Some dated a same person for years, but have to go on separate ways, while others, dated less than a year but spend the rest of their life together.

The word ‘destiny’ just gives me such a strong feeling for the past few days. It makes me want to appreciate everyone in my life and may I say that it also gives me the courage to go for something that I’m not sure of – because no one can explain ‘destiny’. 

I met Gabriele last year and now we are talking about moving in together. Uncertainty and doubt are surrounded us for the last few months. Neither of us can be sure if we will be the right person for each other. But one thing - the strong feeling between us is real, I am almost certain.

I have been wandering around waiting for my Mr Right, but none fulfilled the vacancy. I’m not sure if I have fulfilled the vacancy in my heart, but I hope that I did. I met him unexpectedly and had wonderful time together. I’m not sure what the future is like for us, but to meet him I believe it is already a ‘destiny’ and I want to appreciate this opportunity given by God to us.

 So, appreciate the people around you because it is destiny for you to meet them in your life ^^

National language

Often you will hear people telling you that Bahasa Malaysia brings you no where, except Malaysia. It might be true, but think about it again, does not language has more to do than this?

For me, being fluent in my own national language might not bring me to else where but BM is portraying my identity when I'm out of the country or speak to foreigners. It is part of my identity as a Malaysian.

I took pride on my BM, although I have to admit that the fluency now is not as good as when I was in school.

I remember once I overheard an announcer from a Chinese radio station interviewing a foreign singer, and taught him the wrong BM. What a shame as a Malaysian.

The point here is that, it does not matter whether BM is widely used globally or not, but for sure when a foreigner ask about our national language, BM will have a vital role to play.

Having said that BM is important doesn't mean that we should neglect English. In fact, I think being a multiracial country, Malaysian should be multilingual too – with BM in the list.

When the government decided to switch back teaching medium from English to BM for Science and Mathematics in schools last year, like most concern Malaysians, I was upset and worried for our young generation.

Many argued both subjects should indeed be taught in English to meet the global demand, and others were saying that the country did not have good resources for the cause, hence, BM should be used.

For me, both arguments are right, but what is certain is that our children will not master any of these two languages if the government keeps on changing the medium used.

Both English and BM, for me are equally important. Of cause, if you are a Chinese like me, Mandarin should not be neglected too.

I was sent to national school since Year One, and BM has always been the medium in all core subjects, except English subject.

I remember my mother used to tell me that if I did not get an A for my BM, then I should be ashamed on myself. And of cause I did not get A all the times through out my 11 years in school, but I will make sure it remained not lower than B.

Although BM has always been my main language, but I did not forget two other important languages - English and Mandarin. As the result, today I'm a Malaysian who speaks three main languages – English, Mandarin and of cause BM.

Mastered in BM also brought me extra pocket money during my college years. I took up part time job teaching BM to students from Chinese schools.

And to my surprise, some Year Five and Six students were still confused on the usage of simple grammar rules in BM. For instance, many of my former students could not dif ferentiate when to use “me-” “mem-”, “meng-”, “be-”, “ber- ” and other “imbuhan” (affix).

The problem for this situation is that many of our young children were told or taught that BM is not a lingua-franca and will not help them in the future.

Hence, our young kids never bother to take BM seriously. For them, as long as they pass the subject in school, that is more than enough.

This kind of bad mentality should not be instill in our kids, BM is part of our identity as a Malaysian.

Take a look at our neighbour country, Thailand. Thai language is not widely used in the world too, but Thais took pride in their national language.

While improving our English, Malaysians should not forget to at least speak decent BM.
It does not matter if BM is one of the lingua-franca or not. As Malaysians, we should see it as part of our identity.

Compliment from a reader..

I usually don't write during office hours, but today is the exception...

I received a call from a reader earlier, complimented me for my article. This was the first time tho. I've never received any email or call complimenting me on my writing. The feeling was really good.

The reader was calling not only to compliment me, but to ask how to contact the world’s oldest Mount Everest climber, Min Bahadur Sherchan, as he was interested to climb the mountain next year. Even his main purpose of calling was not to praise my article, but still I'm happy ^^

Attached is the link to my article that published in the newspaper on last Sunday..

http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/25ever/Article/

Guinness World Records: The oldest man scaled Mount Everest at the age 77

It was an amazing Friday night for me..

Well, I know it is April's Fool Day, but hey..I did meet the World's oldest man who climbed the World's tallest mountain, and he even earned himself into Guinness World's Records.

Mr Min Bahadur Sherchen, a Nepalese conquered Mount Everest when he was 77 years old. He is 80 this year.

I earned an opportunity to meet him tonight (well, at first I was a little upset when my editor asked me to go for the assignment, which was at 8pm - I was on morning shift!!). I was supposed to interview him before a dinner organised by Nepalese Embassy here. Mr Bahadur is on his world tour to promote Nepal, as this year is the Nepal Tourism Year. He is the Nepal Tourism Board's ambassador. But then, I was glad that I went. It was amazing..come on, not everyone gets the chance to meet people who has a world record. And what's more, Mr Bahadur is a real gentleman.

Mr Bahadur told me that he was a former army (well, trust me he did has the army look). He looks fierce, quiet and cool. But he can really talk, as in..non-stop...This actually makes him looked cute. He can't communicate in English, so I have to depend on interpreter (can you believe it, the Nepalese Ambassador to Malaysia was the interpreter..hahaha..). And I'm sure this ambassador missed out a lots when he interpreted, because when Mr Bahadur spoke, it was really long....but anyway, I did enjoy listening to him, even I did't understand a word.

Mr Bahadur, is a real man, I think. He has a strong determination that I couldn't see in others, well at least not among my friends. He told me the reason he decided to climb the mountain, was because "World's oldest man to scaled Mount Everest" was the only title owned by non-Nepalese. Others like, the first to reach the mountain, the most nationals that climb the mountain etc etc were all owned by Nepalese. Well, you can see that he is very patriotic, right? Of cause, he was a soldier...^^

Not only that, can you imagine to climb Everest, which is tough for strong young men, and to climb it at 77, WOW..how many actually dare??? and guess what, Mr Bahadur is actually planning to climb the mountain again next year, and he is going to be 81!!!! Gosh, I respect him so so much...He is such a hero. Well, he might not be as smart as any astronaut or scientist or doctor etc, but he did has the strong determination and positive thinking.

The meeting was really an encouragement for me. I love my job even more now. Well, meeting Mr Bahadur was such a wonderful thing, it feels even better after I met so many Malaysian politicians and ministers (well, you know what I mean). He is really the man..!!

I wish you all the best when you climb Mount Everest again next year, Mr Bahadur..^^ Cheers for you!!

Is good to look back

It was a boring working day today. I was supposed to monitor some websites..anyway, nothing happened..so I spent most of the time browsing through some other sites,..Until I didnt know what else should I do, I've decided to clean my email's inbax...That was went I came across some old emails, funny joke, funny videos, old friends etc..this really made up my boring day... here is something that I find it worth sharing...good day ^^

###

**I was looking for an empty space to park my car at Bangsar when suddenly there's a knock on the glass.....

"Encik ah..tanya sikit ah..itu Chimpeng mana ah..?" *

"Apa?" *

"Chimpeng, Chimpeng...saya sudah tanya itu guard ah.. dia chiakaap sili ala salu Chimpeng..." *

"Sorrylah Apek. Saya tak tau woh...Apa tempat itu Chimpeng?" *

"Aiyah...itu Chimpeng balu punya..Saya mau pigi angkat lui la..." *

"Tarak tau la boss. Itu kedai ka apa?Along ka?" *

"Chimpeng bukan kedai ma..lu itu pun tak tau ah..? itu Chimpeng macam itu maypeng, palicpeng, lalechbepeng...itu balu punya Peng.." *

Adui.. what the ???? .. Only to find out, he's actually looking for CIMB BANK !!!!!!!!!!!

####

PS: for non-Malaysian, im sorry, you might not get the joke...n_n

Nomination day - Merlimau By-election

Photographers and journalists are waiting for the Election Commission to announce the candidates for the Merlimau by-election

While waiting, I was able to grab some time off to pose in front a camera

Opposition party, PAS supporters marching in PAS' candidate, Yuhaizad Abdullah

Can't believe it, this was only my second blog from Merlimau by-election...@@'' I was kind of busy after my first posting on Tuesday.

The pro-government political party, Barisan Nasional (BN) had announced its candidate for the 15th by-election in Merlimau on Wednesday (Feb 23). The candidate chosen was Roslan Ahmad, a 44-year-old local, while the opposition party, PAS announced its candidate, Yuhaizad Abdullah on Thursday. I was stationed to follow the BN's candidate throughout the campaigning.

As the road to the nomination centre will be closed at 6:30 am this morning (we were told so), our team had to wake up at about 5am to avoid the jam and roadblock. We left the hotel at around 5:45am and it took us only 20 minutes to the nomination centre (usually it will take us about 30 minutes from our hotel to Merlimau town).

After our breakfast in Merlimau town, we walked to the nomination centre, which is only about 500 meters from the food court. Shortly after we arrived, we were told by a reporter from another media that PAS's candidate together with his leaders and supporters were marching to the centre. I was able to snapped few photos and will post it here once I get back KL.

After about 3 hours of registration etc etc, the Election Commission officially announced that only two candidates from BN and PAS will be contesting for the Merlimau constituency seat.

After my team finished the story, we left Merlimau at about 2pm. Two of my seniors and I stopped at a food stall at the roadside and tried some Coconut shake. Well, it was really nice to have that at this sunny and hot day.

When we reached the hotel about 2:20pm, I was busy getting my laundry done (well, I was out of clothes @@''). While waiting for my laundry, I grabbed this time to contribute little for this blog. I would probably get a nap after I done my laundry. My seniors and I were planning to go for shopping at Mahkota Parade afterward..hehheh...

Have to collect my laundry now ^^

First day in Malacca for Merlimau By-election

This was my very first outstation job after I joined NST as their journalist. I'm going to cover for the Merlimau by-election which will be held on March 6. Just a little bit background on this town, one of the towns in Jasin's district, Malacca. Merlimau is a town located in between Bandar Melaka (Malacca, about two hours drive from Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur) and Bandar Muar (Johor, South Peninsular Malaysia). The Merlimau state assembly seat became vacant after its incumbent Datuk Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan, 54, from Barisan Nasional (political party, also current Malaysia's government) died of heart attack on Jan 20.

It was my first day here, and the hotel that we were staying -- well, not too bad (but it is not what I had expected). We reached here around 1:30pm local time, and after settle down our stuffs in the apartment, we went out for lunch at a local food and got back for a 2-hour break before heading to the town, which is about 30 minutes from Malacca Town, where our hotel located.

We left our hotel for Merlimau at about 5pm. We were just surveying the surrounding areas and looked for the our operation room there. We were also have to find the parties' operation room so that we could keep updating with them on the latest updates on the election. I've decided to rent a bike there so that I could move easily there.