I must be crazy now..

Believe it or not, for the past two days, I have been reading RPK's blog non-stop. I got so addicted to all the juicy news about Malaysia. Things that I've heard and suspected but never really read in depth. This new information really shed much light to my whole view of Malaysian government and it's people.

I am not racist, although my husband says I tend to be bias with people with dark skin. It is not true! I have some Indian and Malay good friends... arhh, well not many now, I have one in uni but we haven't been keeping in touch, so that probably leaves me to none now. Nonetheless, you cannot put me in the racist category because Sydney is such a metropolitan city and you are bound to meet all sorts of people from all corners of the world. So, I have maintained some good friendships with them.

The thing that is intriguing is that I am getting more and more interested in politics. I don't hate Malaysia, but I certainly hated the system that affected my life. I can name plenty but I will just settle for the education for now. One saying which I like best is "I was born smart, but education ruined me". How germane! I can see this heading towards a controversial post now.

I won't go write my heart out on this but I am truly and utterly disappointed with how the education works in Malaysia. Not just the kiasu syndrome prevails in Singapore, but Malaysia also. Perhaps for similar reason. Let me explain why I say that. I was over in Melbourne for a short holiday and I was with some relatives. I chanced upon the opportunity to look at some report cards of the relatives' kids from school. I am absolutely impressed with how teachers here actually pay so much attention to their students. Every report card details the progress and/or improvement of the child. The only downside is everything is written down in a very politically correct way. Nothing debasing or discouraging. But at least it's good enough for parents to know what to expect of their child and work from there.

Of course the next thing I will do is to make a direct comparison how the teachers write their student's report cards in Malaysia. I remember vividly how several teachers were flabbergasted by how talkative my brother was at school and because they could not find anything else to say at the end of every school term, the only remarks they wrote on the report card was "Cakap banyak dalam kelas" (very talkative in class). Period!

What is that suppose to mean? What do you want the parents to do? They send the children to school only to be told that their kids are talkative in class? How does it help?

Then, this is what I loathe most. There is this positioning system which inevitably forces students to fight for their 'life' just to get top 10, or top 5 or 3 in the whole standard/form. I can't see the whole point of having this "fighting spirit" instilled in children from as young as age 7 (that's the first year of schooling in Malaysia). Whenever I ask my cousins how are they coping with studies. Their reply would be "a lot of pressure". I asked them why because learning is supposed to be fun and not pressuring. They say, they have to "fight" to get top 3. That's because they have been in top 3 for several years now. I was appalled by this attitude that has been so infused in them. How I wish they can tell me, school is fun, and they love this subject or that subject. That reaction was the least I expected of them. But of course I understand what they are going through. I have been there and done that. Strived hard as I did, but in secondary school, I never come close to being in any top 10 let alone top 5 or 3.

These kids should really be given a break and be encouraged to excel in what they are good at. It is not easy to be an all-rounder, but at least they are given a chance to discover what they like and what they are good at.

Next, I had some pretty hard time when I started working in Sydney. Now, I come from science background and I am working in a molecular biology field. But believe it or not, everything I learnt from school, from secondary schools to university, didn't help a single bit. I had to practically re-learn everything from scratch. Ok, I am exaggerating a little, it did help like 10 percent. I know what cells are, I know what's in a cell, I know what DNA is. So what? I don't have much clue when all these things put together. Then it struck me that, I actually studied and passed my exams out of memory. Which is why I don't remember anything from school after so many years!!! For students like me, the reason why we don't do well, is because there wasn't much practicallity in what we study. We were "forced" to understand it and when we don't we resort to memorizing. Other students did extremely well because either they are genius, or they receive help from parents/families. I did receive help on English from my mum, and some maths from my aunts. Which is why I scored As in English and Maths. But the rest, I managed to pull it through, thanks to my photographic memory (my husband says I have a memory like an elephant) lest I fail.

I totally agree with RPK in one particular post. Malaysia loves to set a system, and everyone is expected to follow. They are expected to follow the regime like a robot and are not given a chance to debate, and think out of the box. I was the unfortunate one who fell into that category of being subservient. To make matters worst, I come from a then very dictating father, never allowed a NO for an answer. As a result I was never intellectually challenged. I was and still am a pretty slow person, but I thank God I am a fast learner. I absorb things like a sponge. If this quality were nurtured from young, things would be very different for me now.

Anyway, enough said, Malaysian kids are not stupid, but the education ruined most of them. Of course I am giving the education system some benefit of a doubt with the implementation of english language in maths and science, but we'll see how it goes. I'm not dismissing the fact that there are some who are the top of the cream and succeeds regardless when they study abroad. I'm talking more for the average students like myself who are "not smart" just because we didn't score 7As for PMR, 10As for SPM and 4As for STPM (HSC equivalent).

New comment function

To all who have been viewing my blog, there is now the option of leaving your comments in my blog. Took the suggestion of a very dear friend of mine, to enable comment function so they can leave comments. The reason why I was apprehensive about people leaving their comments, was because I don't know what to expect from others. I don't like negative comments, although I can still take it with stride. Perhaps, I've grown and become more bold now as a blogger. I've gained more confidence and it's not about whether your English is superb, or you're a great writer. I want to set an example here that everyone can blog irrespective of anything. Also, to those who asked me before whether or not they can put up my link in their website/blog, go ahead. It doesn't bother me anymore.

So, I'm looking forward to reading all your comments soon. Adios for now!

I concur..

I normally don't like to get involved in politics and I do believe that I should keep certain opinions to myself. This post is not meant to be a succinct political condemnation but more of agreeing with one's perception. It is quite heartening to see someone so bold as to stand up for his own views and opinions, after all this is what democrazy is all about (opps, I meant democracy).

After having read some of his blogs, I must say, I do agree if not all of it, then most of what he said. The most recent article strike me when it was perceived that the chinese are cowards or the word that was used "shrunken testicles" (thank God I don't have one). It went on to say, how the chinese dares to operate everything illegal, except for one, treason.

What is the one thing every human race fight for? It is freedom. Without freedom, one is as good as dead. Now, I'm not trying to be a great writer in this issue, but my reply to the blog on why chinese are "cowards" is not because they want to be, but this is all about survival skills, isn't it? After all, they are always labelled as the hardworking and "smarter" ones. Some engaged in illegal business because that's one way of earning money and staying alive. I'm not talking about gangsterism, that's a totally different story.

Anyway, my point is malaysian chinese must realize one thing. Malaysia is not a place to call home, it is only our superficial home. As long as we hang on to the superficial home, we still have a so-called home. If the chinese loses this home, we can't go back to China. They won't want us either. Some are lucky enough to migrate to other countries but not all are that fortunate.

Hence, we are talking about survival skill here, not cowardice. But he is so right in one thing, that even after he labelled some chinese as "shrunken testicles", I don't think any of us are offended. We still embrace his opinions. We are not as sensitive till we have to defend till our very last drop of blood.

Waiting on the Lord

Things have been pretty good to me lately. Although it's busy like crazy at work, but surprisingly I'm enjoying it. No complain at all.

I was also pondering and reflecting over the last few weeks. I do believe God has a plan for everything. One thing I have learnt is not to be impulsive but rather just wait on the Lord and be still for the presence of the Lord. I always feel that people who are impulsive and over-assertive, are more likely to miss out on what God has to tell them/show them.

If you remember few months before, I was pretty upset and depressed with things, especially with work. I wasn't happy with what I was doing and I wasn't even recognized for what I do ie I was underpaid. I even felt pressured into quitting and seeking for a better paying job as I wanted to be financially helpful at home. Hubby even made me promise him that I would talk to my boss in order to prepare my boss should I leave. I hesitated, waited and waited for the right moment. I couldn't find any right moment. How I knew that? I hadn't the peace in me. I was too scared and I felt I had to wait.

Soon, one of my colleague shared with me, that she might be leaving and was only waiting for the confirmation on her new job. I knew things would be different if she were to leave. The day she told me she got the job and will be resigning, I knew I had the opportunity to take over her role because hiring someone new would take up more resources and time. I was only a research assistant for my boss at that time, and I knew alot of things that's running in the lab. I'd expected that my boss would need me. It struck me then that God had been preserving that moment for me. I literally waited for the Lord to act. No one would expect that lady to leave at this crucial time (the lab is having a bit of a crisis now). Psalms 37:7a,9b Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him, for those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

Well, to cut the long story short, I was offered the post and my boss was kind enough to give me a payrise (I'm still underpaid but I'm not complaining, in fact I'm really grateful to God). Things have been so much better. I'm happy with my job at the moment. Learning so much and getting along really well with my new colleagues. I'm not someone who cares about politic, so whatever people say or do doesn't really affect me as long as I'm being watchful, careful, responsible and hardworking in what I do.

This is just a glimpse of what God has in store for me, which I have yet to discover. I believe there will be so much more. I'm not asking for much. I'm not striving to earn big money. I just don't want to feel redundant and unhappy with what I do. Lamentation 3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.

Praise the Lord and all glory goes to Him.

Was reading on "Waiting on the Lord" on this website which listed down the essential factors on waiting on the Lord. How true and wise! We should all be practicing the followings.

1. Waiting necessitates the passage of time
2. Waiting means confident expectation
3. Waiting Involves an Expectation Based on Knowledge and Trust
4. Waiting Involves Seeking the Lord
5. Waiting Involves Taking Action at the Right Time
6. Waiting Involves Resting in God’s Timing
7. Waiting Means Trusting in God and His Goodness
8. Waiting Involves Taking the Right Action
9. Waiting Involves Learning to be Content with God’s Provision and Timing

Another scarf, here we come again!

I bought this wool from NZ whilst walking around in the town of Queenstown. Managed to get the colour I like and also at a reasonable price. Ironically, the wool is made in Australia. Hmm...

I'm still in the middle of this project. Tried a new pattern (of my own, but there is probably a name for it out there by someone else).

City to Surf 2007

If you know what City to Surf is in Sydney, then you will know what I'm talking about. Anyway, see those ppl in the picture? I was one of them this year.

This is an annual event organized by Sun Herald for fund-raising purpose. There are more than 60 000 participants this year in this 14 km run. Of course, you must be mad to think I can run for 14 kms. I did a combination of these: walk, jog and slow running. What I'm most proud of was that I did not stop for a second in the race and it took me 2 hours 22 minutes to finish.

What made me participate? It started with a colleague of mine, asking everyone to go with her for this event. Soon enough, she gathered a bunch, and we were all set to go. We registered (registration fee is $38 but good thing is the company pays, so nothing to lose I thought, just some energy and sweat) and soon received all the information, a singlet and assigned a number each (my number was 28288! this is an auspicious number for chinese but I'm not superstitious enough to believe it).

As the dar drew closer, I became so worried, what if I can't finish the run. 14 kms!! Do you know how far that is? I remember when we used to run 1500meters in school which was compulsory to pass the pysical education subject. Even that was hard enough, not to mention 14 kms.

So, the morning came and I was all geared up and went to the city. Of course, I knew there will be so many people so we picked a time and place to meet up. Waited and waited but couldn't see anyone I know. Perhaps, they were late or maybe everyone's scattered everywhere.

Oh well, forget it, just go ahead with the race, I thought. There were such a massive crowd that I feared a stampede. But I knew I wouldn't back off at that time. Well, all in all, the race was quite fun albeit lonely. I got to see many people wearing funny costumes (just so that their photos can be taken and spotted easily, some were reflectives of their profession). There were bargirls, cheerleaders, clowns, swimmers, roadworkers, even BORAT!! Goodness me!! =) Throughout the race, there were bystanders cheering for everyone and giving encouragements. I thought that was really kind of them.

After more than 2 long hours, I finally saw Bondi Beach. I was ok until the 10th km but the rest of it was really starting to kill me. I had to really drag myself to finish it and I did, FINALLY! Got myself a medal and some freebies. Was especially thankful that all racers got a free bus trip back to the city. Also, I found out the next day, I was the only one from my department to run the race. Everyone else didn't go (chicken out, I guess.. hehe).

There you go, my whole CITY TO SURF ordeal. Like the inscription on the medal says, I FINISHED totally applies to me. =)

I'm back from the land of LOTR

Yes, we just got back from Queenstown, New Zealand, one of the film location for LOTR. Although that was not the sole purpose we chose to go, it was actually for skiing that we went there. Apparently it was world renowned for skiing, which I only found out later on. All in all, I must say the trip was great if not fantastic. The alpine and lake view was spectacular and breathtaking and by far it is the most beautiful place I've ever seen (not that I've been to many places).

Anyway, I'm not much of a writer, so let the pictures tell it all.

Please visit the photo album page.