Proton

You know, sometimes its weird, to imagine how much gap of knowledge a country can have.. And at some levels, its even.. ridiculous? If I am allowed to say so.

The other day, I met 2 different people on the same day, and we got to talking. To one, when I said I'm from Malaysia, he immediately identified Kuala Lumpur without me telling him, which surprised me, and he got me again when he said that (and I'm not quoting him, but its something to the effect of) "u know what puts Malaysia on the world map? the Proton.." and he went on about what a good car it was, how a few of his friends have it, etc etc etc. Perhaps something could be learnt here, that our national carmaker is capable of producing world-class cars, and should work on producing more of that, instead of the "things" they pass for a car domestically and rely on the government to keep them in business. It really made me feel proud of Malaysia, to know that people all away here, halfway around the world, hold my country in such high regards, but it saddens me that my own people would betray this respect and treat our own people badly.

And later in the day, I met another person, and when I told her I'm from Malaysia, I had to explain that it is in SE Asia, in Asia, and she went (again, not quoting) "o Asia! That's in Eastern Europe right?" The only way i can describe my feeling was.. -.-" It surprises me sometimes, and amazes me, how we humans are so varied and different.. How great is God? Really great.. ;)

Malaysia and Malaysians..

As a Malaysian who has never questioned the loyalty and pride for the nation, I never thought the day would come when I would question both. Happenings both within and with-out the country has made me ask, whether Malaysia is still the country it used to be, or whether it really ever was the country it should have been.

So many events have been revolving around the Permatang Pauh by-elections recently, and many more, in a wider aspect, surrounding the issue of the possibility of a change in government. Accusations have been slammed against national figures, retaliations, statements, oaths, and others. It would have been, it should have been, normal in a "democracy", but is it really, when leaders and would-be leaders of a 26 million strong nation are playing games worthy of 5-year-olds? What is the difference to a child accusing his friend, Abu, of stealing his toy, and then, when Abu is being scolded, he retaliates by saying "i only did it because he took my sweet", and then another friend, Ali, not wanting to be left out, butts in just for the sake of it, saying "i saw him do it!", without really knowing what is happening.

Perhaps this is part of our leaders' plan to put Malaysia on the world map? Because i don't think Malaysia has ever been as popular as it is now. World leaders are keeping an eye on our country, some giving comments, some giving demands. Does it make us feel proud that our issue is becoming a world issue? Am I the only one who is ashamed that the one thing that elevates our country high up is the childish squabbles of our leaderS? If leaders represent their people (as they are, theoretically), is the world imagining Malaysia as a land of crying grown-ups, of petty minded and attention grabbing people? If they are, then, Malaysia.. What is happening?

The world is moving, is developing, is maturing, but is Malaysia going with the flow? Or is it trying its hardest to stay in the past? Malaysia is a country of many people, yet we clammer and make noise and hype it all up when some are trying to make Malaysia a nation for all, instead of a nation for just one. When a leader voices an opinion that public universities (note the name, PUBLIC) should start opening up its doors to other races who are also (and equally so) Malaysians, demonstrations are organised, rallies and what not. Whose is Malaysia? a 100% to the 60%, and 0% to the 40% (which might consist of the brightest minds and highest potential), or a 100% to the 100%? Are universities for those who are born into the right race, or is it for those who earn it?

I wasn't too good of a history student, but wasn't Malaysia one of the voices opposing the appertheid in South Africa? Isnt Malaysia one of the top countries in the Islamic World (or so we claim), a religion that pays little attention to race, where everything is brought down to being earned? So, correct me if I'm wrong, and I dearly pray that I am, but in my opinion, it looks like we are moving more and more, and more clearly so, towards a society that passes the right of being Malaysian to those with the right colour, skin, language, and parents.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to doubt my country. I refuse to drop my identity as a Malaysian. I reject the notion of my country's weakness. Was it not just a few days ago, when we as a nation, of a people of various colours, of a community as different from each other as cats and dogs, sat together all over the nation (and all over the world), watching, cheering, for the representative of our country in the Olympics, playing in the finals, vying for a gold in badminton singles? Wasn't that a feat to equal the rest of the world powers?

But i realize, these doubts are not in the nation. We as a people, we as a community, we as a nation, are strong, and have every right to be a proud people. But even the best make mistakes. "setinggi-tinggi tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga". Maybe it is time for us to amend our mistakes, or maybe its time for our mistake to amend itself. Time will tell, and time is coming to a close. An eager Malaysian awaits to see what fate has in store for this great country.. But perseverence.. We Malaysians should never cease to persevere..

Silver??

I guess Malaysians would have to settle for a silver..

But i was looking forward to a gold.. I was looking forward to standing up, listening the "Negaraku" being played for the world.. I was looking forward to another "historical moment" for Malaysia.. But I guess it all has to wait for next time.. another time, another hope..

But no matter what.. Congratulations Lee Chong Wei.. U've still made Malaysia proud.. :)

Malaysia Boleh!!

Lee Chong Wei!! oh wow.. i dont know why im so excited.. maybe its because its potentially malaysia's first olympic gold medal ever.. or perhaps its being in an environment where friends come from countries that gather olympic gold medals like berries on trees.. or perhaps its a bright light in a nation that is dark with uncertainties at the moment.. or perhaps its all together.. but know this.. Lee Chong Wei (though i don't know u personally.. obviously.. :P), every single Malaysian is supporting you.. and whatever happens, you are already our hero!!!!

Malaysia Boleh!!!!

aiyo!

vale.. porque yun ni no puede hablar espanol, quiero escriber en este lengua. entonces.. ahora, ella esta a la izquierda de mi. habla no puede hacer su deberes de espanol, porque no comprende las palabras en la papel. jejeje. pero (!!), no puedo escriber en espanol demasiado, porque estoy en espanol ab initio SL tambien. hmm.. me pregunto si usted personas saben lo que escribo aqui, aunque sepa que no soy bueno.

aiyo!

i give up! na'am kereb u'ih la' write spanish for the whole post. but at least it's a start.. haha. but anyways.. it was more because i was thinking of what to write, and didnt come up with any "inspiration", so... hmm! its been about a week here now, and things are going quite well.. i mean, the past 2 days, we've been having really good weather.. its almost as warm as malaysia! and thats saying something, since theyve only had about 5 days of sunshine throughout this summer.. tsk.. trust the british weather to be cheerful.. haha.

oh well.. i guess i have to run off now, loads of work to do.. (well, actually not a lot, but people seem to have loads of work, so i guess i have to make pretend that i do as well.. hahahha :P)

back to spanish! esto es malo! soy supuesto poder escribir en espanol! ah esta bien... creo hago supuesto hacerlo.. soon!! hehe.

...

i actually dont know what to write.. haha.

back to ac!

Just got back to AC few days ago.. Its quite something.. i mean.. after having holidays for more than 2 months, to dive straight into the academic year.. and half the school is not here, because our 2nd years just graduated, so its just us, waiting for our 1st years coming next month..

but its a good thing that we start with august period though.. i mean.. ok.. august period is where we do more service than usual. we do service every afternoon/evening of the week for 4 hours a day, except for 2 days, where we are given time to rest. in the mornings we have classes as usual, and at night we have other activities. so its kind of a packed and hectic month.

but the good thing is.. the teachers are not allowed to give us homework!! haha. we were told to remind them not to give us any if they do, so.. im all for reminding them!! :D

but everything's fine, i think... its good to be meeting everyone again after the summer.. the weather is.. well.. undeniably welsh.. sunny this minute, and raining thunder (though the rain is like alang2 compared to malaysia.. like dowan to rain, but still raining like that.. haha) the next.. literally! oh well.. getting used to it again.. hehe.

but the food!! aaaaa!! starving with ac food!! i thought i could live with just ac food, but apparently not.. had to cook something yesterday.. but with nothing at all.. so only had fried rice.. but im craving for it again.. just the thought of ac food.. *shudder*

i think this is it for now.. no pictures though... next time next time.. hehe. i hafta run off to class now.. ciao!