Where can I find a guy who picks up after himself, does the housework, is clean and arranges furniture and keeps the place neat and tidy?!?!? Also and who knows how to fix a leaky tap or change a light bulb? Seriously. IF woman can do it, why can't MEN too! It's not THAT difficult. Just because you're born with that male anatomy doesn't give you the excuse not to do it! UGH.

Drama is brewing in the political scene in Malaysia. In the Red corner, we have our ex-Prime Minister and in the Blue corner we have our current Prime Minister. I am really curious to see how this unfolds. Will we have more dirt uncovered and finally be able to implement a "clean" government where people can actually bring their cases to court where justice can be served? I am really hoping to see someone(s) go to jail for what they have done to "KILL" the country. So much greed, corruption, brain drain, crime, inadequate health care... it's been around since I was born and if anything, gotten worse and until recently seen a thin ray of hope. But with this drama brewing, more hope might be just around the corner. The problems in Malaysia are deep-rooted. It takes years to have a tree have its roots grow that deep into the ground.

I bring your attention to this article in AsiaOne: http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20080518-65772.html

My question is: Ask yourself, how many Malaysians have gone over to Singapore because they find better prospects over the Straits of Johor? Then ask yourself, how many Malaysians have become Singaporeans or Singaporean PRs for the same reasons? You can even go so far as to ask yourself, How many Malaysians have gone abroad to live and work and converted their citizenship? Let me see who... well, there's Jimmy Choo the shoe maker, the famous Indian golfer, Vijay something, any Malaysian mandarin singer has to go to Taiwan etc.

All that article shows is the narrow-mindedness of it all. By allowing that area to develop to be as developed as Singapore, having the job opportunities available, don't you see, is one way to stem the brain drain. In fact, Malaysians thinking of going to Singapore to work, might think twice! By having an efficient transportation system between the Iskandar and Singapore, Malaysians may live in Iskandar and travel to Singapore for work instead of paying rents into Singaporeans' pockets every month. As to whether the land will be sold off or not, isn't that the choice of the Malays who hold on to  the rights of the land? If they really do sell it off, then whose fault will it be that drives the Malays to live at the edges of the forest? And it begs the questions, where will the Chinese and Indians and other races live then?

I think the comments made in the article are because of fear? I mean Singapore a land of little resources, once had to depend on Malaysia but decided to pull out of the pro-Malay Malaya alliance... and the Malaysian government was hoping it would fail... but now that its doing better than Malaysia - the rich abundant land of resources, the fear or the shame that Malaysia might one day turn around and ask for Singapore's help is too much to bear. Alas, so much pride involved. *Slaps forehead* Pride v.s. economic benefits and improvement of people's standard of living. Isn't the choice obvious?

Another comment I have is the recent article about the Singaporean young complaining about competing with foreign students. Some one has to tell them that accept life as it is. You can't expect for the government to keep providing for you or having like a Best Singaporean Student Award and a Best Foreign Student Award. So what, at the end of the day, you'll still be competing with the Best Foreign Student for the scholarship. Does it make a difference?

If a foreign student has more motivation, then whose fault is it that you don't have as much motivation? Your parents? The government? No, silly, YOU! You're not happy about it, then work harder and smarter. No one owes you a living. Yes, if you're lucky to be born with everything, then good, your "life water" or mang shui in cantonese, is good. You don't have something, then find a way to own it. I think what these youngsters fail to realise is that life is not a straight path. Sometimes taking another path, leads you down a better life. And in life nothing is absolute. Life changes. So why worry about the things you can't control and just do your best and live happy. Life is too short to be comparing which side the grass is greener.

Well, I woke up with a number of random thoughts in my head today. Some thoughts already flew out the window.

Well here's Thought 1: For any prospective job seekers, 1st step... my advice is apply to all companies where the job scope is aligned with your degree and/or your interest. 2nd step... be selective about who you interview with. 3rdly... If you get a rejection, seriously it's nothing personal... so you have to just accept it with a thick-face and not let it get you down. Face it with optimism... a better job is around the corner. Let me just give you my statistics. I applied to about 30 over companies. Went for 13 interviews with 5 different companies. Had only 2 job offers. So, make out the stats. You need to go through the stats. And I took 5 months. And you're talking to a slightly above average GPA person. Of course if you have the GPA AND the personality to boot, you don't need to worry, companies will be swarming over you recession or boom.

I always wonder about the average Joe/Jane... where do they go? And listen, it's not the end of the world if you don't get the S$3000/s$5000/S$10,000 per month job. Yea sure you earn less... but everyone needs to start somewhere. Everyone needs to build up experience. And just because the high achievers are chasing after jobs like that, it doesn't mean you need to, if that is not what you want. There are tons of ways to make money through the legal route, of course.

Thought 2: All my friends who know me, know that I'm quite the materialistic person. But truth be told, after having like the branded stuff or experiencing a little bit of the life of the rich either through internship or through rich friends and cousins (really thankful to them!). I find these are nice-to-haves but are not necessary. I realise that I'm more than content with a comfortable roof over my head and meeting up with friends one or twice a week... doing things I enjoy. Gosh... I'm starting to sound like an old woman.

Not to say I don't love money. I mean I still do.... but I find that I don't need a lot to be content. Yes, I like to have the 0000s in my bank account to feel secure... (you're talking to someone who used to feel secure if she only had at least S$100 in her wallet... now I just need to make sure my credit/debit card is there).. but I think like right now, at this point in time, I just want to find something I'm really passionate about. I know it's blatantly obvious... but you don't really understand the true meaning of it until you age a little... but money does not equal contentment. Yea, like a branded bag = bragging rights until everyone has it or until it goes out of season. Straight As = Sense of achievement until the next test comes around. Everything is temporal. But finding something you have the passion for or like having someone/something that gives you PURPOSE (haha. from Avenue Q)... makes life more meaningful/interesting.

Thought 3: I love the show Cashmere Mafia. Yea... woman power. Whole of me aspires to be like them career wise. Half of me is not sure if I have what it takes. CONFIDENCE. so suave. But they scare men. Oh well. Sacrifices. Sacrifices.

Another show I like... How I met Your Mother. The way Ted talks is so funny! I need to catch Gilmore Girls. Heard that it has some pretty witty dialogue too.

Thought 4: I need to send a care package/email/cards to people I care about. (:

Thought 5: CFA is looming around the corner. 1 month to be exact. HAVE TO STUDY! But there's a small voice in my head that says you still have time... and wins most rounds. CANNOT.... I need to study. Ciao people.

To be honest, I absolutely hate recruitment days from companies. It's where you compete with hungry-overly-ambitious people and where you are like a performing bear made to balance on a ball or a lion trying to jump through the many fire hoops, all in the quest of trying to impress people who are convinced they are mightier-than-you-you-piece-of-small-fry. At the risk of sounding like a sour grape, of course to get to the high paying/good prospective job, you have to play the game, run by the rules, be willing to sacrifice your soul to the company.... let's see what else... all in all for the $$$. So, the candidates who succeed will tell you that, if you're good, there's nothing to be afraid about. Of course you can tell and 'll be frank to say that I didn't make it through this round.

I'll tell you why I detest it. The tediousness of it all is one. And then, being put on the spot to be scrutinized like a bug under a microscope and there's something strange about complete strangers evaluating you as if they know you inside out, telling you what you are and what you are not. A little bit hypocritical, don't you think? Plus, everything hinges on your performance that day. So, if you have a recruitment day or assessment day... pray hard that your lucky stars are all aligned. If you ask me, I think the nice people (who in truth may not be that nice) are the people you have to look out for.

Another thing I noticed in these assessments is that non-assertive people will NEVER get employed. Quiet people. NEVER. Confidence is never enough. You need to be superhuman. No flaws such as you have to have superb analytical skills where you mind can process and identify a broad range of issues and cover them in depth like a 1000GB computer  (whatever that means). Is there anything such thing as potential? It seems to me you have to have those existing abilities. Plus, you still need the social skills to get along. I'm still in search for that balance. The elusive social skills that will enable you to close deals, work with your colleagues and not stir up any competitive rivalry, kiss ass with your bosses to get you that promotion, have the receptionist and guards at the lift lobbies be happy to see and greet you etc, influence people to go along with your business plans. Wow. I've never realised the human is really that amazing.

The main take-away point from business school and my career counselor is that when interviewing for a job, you have to SEEM PERFECT. Perfection. Balance is key. You need to be hungry, have a drive, but yet not be overly eager or over-threatening. You need to be assertive but at the same time not aggressive. You need to be confident but not arrogant. You definitely need to dress smart. Oh well but being the person where I'm not perfect and accept my quirkiness and flaws quite readily, I don't think I fit into the high-flyer profile of a hungry, ambitious career-centered, get-out-of-my-way-i'm-too-busy-or-successful-for-you type of person. I think over the time, my wants and what I want from life has really changed. Being too in your face is too much for me.

Oh well. Whatever life throws at me, I accept. If I don't look at long term benefits and risks or there's no balance in my plans, screw it. I'm happy being me and happy living my life right now. If I don't fit into your mold, I'm not sorry and neither should you be, because in life there are always choices. Just because a door shuts on you, it doesn't mean it's the end of the world. There are choices.

On a last note, always be grateful to people who give you opportunities and chances. In the superficial world that we live in now, people who actually help, root and open doors for you are EXTREMELY rare. So, to the people who given me chances, I will prove to you that you made the right decision.

I just cast my first vote in the elections this year and yes my vote counted for the winning candidate, although she did win by a landslide. No doubts to who I was voting for. I cannot stand living in the country where racial biasness exist so blatantly and encouraged by the government. There is a difference between racial dominance and racial biasness/segregation. I'm so happy that the opposition denied Barisan National 2/3s of the votes. I want to see policies like the university quotas abolished. I want the policy of having companies employ a workforce that has to consist of at least 30% Malays also done away with. Meritocracy people. Does it even exist in the country?

My opinion why the opposition managed to garner such a major victory is because of the first time voters. I think majority of the youth are fed-up with the racially biased system where corruption is so prevalent and you cannot get anything done without putting money in officials' pockets. It's the corrupt benefiting the corrupt and honest hardworking people are taken for fools. But don't forget that its honest hardworking people that form the majority of the population that vote. People have had enough and you can no longer pull the hood over our eyes.

I applaud the people running for the opposition. JIA YOU! It takes courage especially when the government can resort to dirty tactics to prevent them from running for election or winning an election. Politics is really a dangerous game to be involved in. And also, I applaud Abdullah Badawi. I would rather he be prime minister than Mahathir. I would not want the corrupt officials present in BN now to run the country. Abdullah may be the best in his office of snakes which are preventing him from fighting corruption and making this country right. Don't give up fighting for fairness and righteousness in the country. If ever comes a time, where some corrupt official runs and ruin the country. I may contemplate changing my citizenship. Will it still be worth being a citizen in a country where you don't even have the same status in the eyes of the law and where the law is bent to benefit the ones in power?

Don't get me wrong. I love my country. I'm a Malaysian true and true. Malaysian abroad can be incredibly proud and united to be Malaysians but with such a hopeless and corrupted government, it's hard to be. The people are united, but not with the government. I want what is best for my country. And what is best now is to stamp out corruption. The best possible outcome is to see all the corrupt officials face charges and go to prison. Now, that is justice.

This guy is just amazing. You just have to watch this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo



You know, I've never met any one professor or teacher who inspires me. I don't remember meeting any. All I remember in university or junior college is teachers telling me that my grades are not good enough. You can't apply to this. You're not good enough to get into those companies. There's a lot of people who get you down and there are friends with good intentions who pacify situations. Very seldom do you get people who tell it to your face who really care about you doing well. I don't think I've ever had anyone vouch for me. But all that aside, whatever Randy Pausch has said in this video is just so inspiring. You have to watch it. Thank you Cheryl for giving me this site. 

Go to this link: http://www.ginjacqie.com/b32.html
I just fell in love with this bag when i saw it. I find this brand a little copycat of Kate Spade. But oh well, functionality is what matters baby. And it looks really CUTE. My first paycheck will be spent on this.

Anyway, I bought this bottle of wine for when I officially accept my first job will I pop it and drink it. And it's still sitting there. oh well. Stay positive. Think sunshine and rainbows. Hahaha.

hey guys. i wonder if anyone still bothers to read this. but finally an update.

Just two days ago, i went to my grandmother's house to pray to the God of Heavens (Bai Tin Gong). We burnt like paper money and a paper shrine. All in tradition's sake. I like tradition. But more so, I think I was attracted to playing with fire. But I wonder, like 10 years from now, who is going to remember all these tradition. Like on the 8th day of the Lunar New Year month, the Hokkians pray to the Heaven God, while the Cantonese only pray to the Heaven Gods on the last day, 15th day of the Lunar New Year month.  And you know the arrangements and which hour is the appropriate time, etc. All these are going to disappear down the road. My grandmother passed away about 4 years ago, and her house is practically empty now but no one goes to visit. Her memorial board is still on the altar, together with my grandfather's. I wonder what is going to happen to the house where my grandmother used to rear chickens, rabbits and ducks. I've kept a good memory of her. And it's scary to see the uncles and aunties grow old as you grow older as well. Oh well.

On another note. Sometimes when you have seen the best and then experienced the worst. It just makes you feel like that is a place you never want to be, in the docks. You just have to work harder to prove your worth. Why degrade yourself when you know you can do better?

Happy  New Year, everyone! Had a really fun Christmas and New Year. I think I'm ready to get back to my life right now. The routine and boredom. The last 1 1/2 weeks... been spending it with old friends and extended family. I forgot how nice the feeling of seeing old friends again is like... you get to relive or at least reminisce the past together which is quite fun too. But time to look forward. I've made my resolutions this year. No surprise to what mine is... find a good job. So, wish me luck people. Been eating so much over the last week as well... I think I put on a fair bit of weight.

To my exchange friends who are still traveling and have the time to read my blog... hope you guys are having fun! To those back home already... hope you guys are having a swell time eating all the food you missed and being with your old friends and family. I miss seeing you guys as and when I want to.

Anyway, on to happier things. My birthday is coming so... my wish list is... or at least the list of things I hope I can buy for myself but don't have enough cash to buy but if you reading it, if you're thinking of getting a present can pick one of the presents below or you can give me a surprise (just think "practical"). Else, a little punctual greeting on the 19th of January will do the trick as well.

1. The Bunny Suicide Book
2. Makeup from any unaffordable brands
3. A nice little handbag or a huge one. (Either it's small or it's really HUGE)
4. A nice little apartment unit to myself
5. A well-paying job. (Any recommendations would be swell!)
6. Nice home-cook dinner with family

If you're thinking of getting me a present, things I do not want: Perfume, Food/Chocolates (Had enough of that) and NO clothes (shopping vouchers are fine though). HAHA.  Yup, that's it. Sorry, just the practical side of me taking over. Else, seriously, a sincere "Happy Birthday" wish will be fantabulous as well. Over and out. Happy 2008 people! 

Ok. People, here has been the activities and trips I've been doing for the two weeks left in copenhagen. I don't feel sad anymore. Life has to go on. HEE. But this is one of the points in my life when I will look back and feel really happy about this experience.