One Malaysia Strikes an Effort.

I was so moved by this article in the Star showcasing youth giving out mandarin oranges to Muslims after Friday prayers. It shows us that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and Malaysians do actually care for each other. Brilliant article, please read it.

claudia x

Skype brings you closer to home.

In such a short period of time Christy and I grew closer and have been experiencing the same things at the same time, and have too much coincidences that keep re-occuring between us. We were both at Zara, BV a few days ago and were sms'ing each other all throughout the day and only after leaving BV did we find out that we were both there!!! plus we both are camera crazy but she has a better Nikon (so jealous!) and we both have a scenery of Langkawi as our desktop picture. Amazing coincidence!   

Unfortunately, she has recently accepted a job offer in South Africa (so jealous again!) to do what she loves doing most i.e. helping people but loosing contact is not an option these days. We have Skype!! 

The blogabout adventure of Skype: She walked with me to work! I literally felt like I was there with her in Johannesburg! 

I am dreading the thought of winter, I mean I have had enough of winder down in New Zealand but its the only time I can go and visit her and I cant wait to roam the streets of Johannesburg in real life!

The thing about Christy: She has this way about her which is very touching and inspiring. I dont think she herself not realizes this. She has aura that makes you believe in yourself more than you think you ever can! Like an Oprah Winfrey or a Nelson Mandela personification! 

Today she read a quote to me which she thought I could use today for cheering up. She said, quote: 

"first you jump off the cliff and you build your wings on the way down"

You see, now this is why I love her! I admit those are probably not the exact words she chose but the gist of it is there!  Any guy would be lucky to have her! 


Now I have a quote for you, Christy! I am not reading it out of any book but its something from the heart k?

"Explore the world and have fun while you're at it, and I will keep your heart safe while it remains in Malaysia"

 Well, I guess I will have to go start my day now. I just cant help but feel that I have made a grave irrevocable mistake in life. Hopefully my wings start building soon!


cts.

The Concept of One Malaysia...

Initially I believed the concept was a smart one because Malaysia is practically the only nation where it's citizens segregate themselves according you race. Maybe I am not making myself clear here, let me try to paint a picture for you. Like when you walk into a Bar you don't hear a foreigner say "oh hey, I am actually Italian mixed Greek" you hear them say - "I am American". An american born Chinese will never and I mean NEVER call himself Chinese but instead refer himself as an American!

Same applies to the Australians and New Zealanders (actually they are known as Kiwis). All caucasians in the down under are not originally from there!! They are probably of English or European descent and no they do not term themselves according to their origin! Just like us Malaysians, most of us are not the "Orang Asli" whom are the ACTUAL original race here.

With Malaysians its a little awkward maybe its due to the fact that we are only 52years old. No I am not equating our respective ages, I am referring to the age of Malaysia since independence. So maybe to some, for a country, 52 is still a young age so the people's concept is not nurtured enough to accept the fact that they are Malaysian.. just Malaysian. full stop. Each of us go around claiming we are either Malays, Chinese or Indian and the few rare breads would go around naming all their intertwined races. Com'on guys, isn't it a bit too much of a mouth full to say "I am Chinese mixed Indian" or "French + Indian + British + Dutch + Indonesian" or even to say the sort of made easy term as "Chindian" or "Pan-asian" or "Eurasian" for that matter is a little too confusing especially for our foreign brothers who are not accustom to the made-for-ease referrals. Even my spell check is pointing out that I correct the term "Chindian"!

I think we should all either stop asking each other "hey, what are you?" and just accept the fact that we are all Malaysian. Honestly, I get the "hey, Claudia if you don't mind me asking, what are you?" helluva allot! Sometimes if I am in the mood of being cheeky I'd just say "Can't you tell I'm a girl?" coz not only do I find the question unnecessary, its a little offensive as well!! Oh, not to mention racist! Bottom line: I think our Prime Minister's "One Malaysia" idea is hell of a great one!

I can see where he is coming from in the initiation of this "One Malaysia" campaign coz in the past in fact in the presence as well, I have heard too many racist remarks where one fellow Malaysian passed to another. Unfortunately, it cannot be helped because most multi-racial countries face this problem but being multi-racial myself, it affects me because I feel like a casted out minority whereby I cannot join any   race-bashing gangs. DISCLAIMER: Dont get me wrong its not like I want to bash another race, I think I am lucky that I dont belong to any race-bashing clans but this racial segregation affects me because I HEAR IT LEFT RIGHT AND CENTRE!!!

Just last month, I was sitting with a colleague in Brickfields and he made a remark by saying "Why are there so many Indians here?!" like its a crime for too many Indians to gather at one place!!! Maybe it was my facial expressions that gave it away but he reached out with a comforting remark - the infamous "Oh, no offence!" and I casually replied "non taken". Whereas it dawned on me that no matter how educated one can be, or how cultured one is, or how long they have lived abroad, when they come home to Malaysia, they cannot accept us as one.

You see, if you were a "One Malaysia" sort of person you will feel awkward in a place like Pudu Raya because you will feel like the foreigner in your own home with the amount of Indonesians, Burmese and Bangladeshis perpetually roaming around the area.. not in Brickfields where fellow home citizens reside!

Then there is the "Claudia, why are you dating an Indian?" like its another crime!! Lets face it people, if you dig far enough you probably have inherited some Indian genes in you too!

Ah and the famous, "don't marry a muslim because you have to convert if you are non-muslim". Forget the fact that the dude might be the most compatible, most caring, most compassionate, most perfect individual but if the religion does not click, you cannot unite. That's a man-made-mockery of your own nationality! It should not matter what religion says, point is, we should respect every individual's decision! Afterall, its not like you are committing murder or propagandizing a war!

The Bahai religion is a smart one, it promotes inter marriages for racial harmony. Which is our future people!! One day, the world will reach peace when all races are so mixed you cannot segregate one from another!

Now, the current torching of churches and the smashing of cars inhabiting christian symbols is another mockery. Its just plain insulting and a misuse of the power of majority, i think! You should refer to our PM's concern in the Star Online: "PM and Other Leaders Condemn Arson Attacks". He says that we should not point fingers and YES I believe he is right. The fault is within all of ourselves! We have been promoting racial discrimination even before we realized the meaning of the word. I believe that its time we change and stop making it so difficult for our country to achieve this "One Malaysia" goal.

Its the start of the new year people, and there is always time to make amends and start afresh. Why do we discriminate amongst ourselves? Our politicians are trying their best to achieve something good here so why make it hard for them?

Its time we take a new stance in things and start REALLY calling ourselves Malaysian.

To a One and Better Malaysia, cts xxx

2009 ended with a bang!

I know the new year is not so new anymore but I am really looking forward to what 2010 has to offer. Last year had its ups and downs... I mean my car almost got itself stolen, I was involved in a hit-and-run but Josh managed to save the day (thank God for his scary looks), obtained an enormous amount of traffic summons, I almost got raped, murdered and shifted off to Myanmar (refer to my post of Bangkok), met a few scammers, but it turned out to be overall a "good" year!!!

I wish i posted this on New year's day but here is a list of my Top 10 highlights of 2009:

1. I met so many new friends; some of whom I have decided not to be acquainted with anymore for personal reasons. However, I am thankful that I have met them as they thought me a few values in life which you will never learn unless you have met the few. So no regrets there. Amir Faiz (I know you are reading this and I told you I will dedicate a post to you), I am glad to have met you not just because I have not gotten paid for your job yet *evil laughter bursting out* but because your texts, IMs, and FB Chats are really bubbly to read and I must say its rather tiring to keep up with you sometimes but definitely glad to have met a dude of overwhelming amount of words! 

2. Obtained my first 5-figure-budget shoot; Please note that the only reason I had to skip my CLP last year was because I chose to fly to bangkok to chase the big bucks! And I dont regret it thus far coz I was not ready for the exam anyhow! It only means I can do better in the exam this year :-)

3.  Learnt to never do direct jobs under client without agent representation; Modeling & Talent agencies take 10% of your budget for a reason!! It goes to the good cause of assurance that you will be well taken care of. They will fight for you so you don't share rooms at a cheap budgeted hotel and make sure you have a proper stylist, and you don't sound like a total diva making demands on your own coz they voice everything out for you!

4. My camera and my MacBook Pro; the two greatest splurges of the year that went without regret or remorse. 

5. Miss Malaysia Universe 2009; of course with all said and done, this was still an experience of a lifetime and will never go forgotten. 

6.  Nominated Female's 50 Most Gorgeous People; I still don't know the out come of this but I thank all of you who voted for me. I think Female, BluInc will notify all voters via sms or email or something.

7. Stout my British Bulldog; he is now the extended member of the family and has recently celebrated Christmas with us as per the picture appended below:

8. Found out who my true friends are; I have to especially thank Geetha, and Christy for this. You stuck through my hard times and worries and took me in even when I was the most difficult person to deal with. Geetha is the kind that will go the extra mild for me and I will never forget Christy's text "whatever decision you make, I will stand by you and support you... unless its really irrational (coz then I think she would just kick my ass). I wish for everyone to have a Geetha and Christy in their lives!!

Disclaimer: I am not saying that the rest of you are not my true friends, I am sure allot of you are!

9. MIKO Hair Salon; for their endless hard work in making my hair look good. Seriously if you want a visit, let me know - I get discounts!

10. Avatar!- James Cameron really out did himself with this movie. He really brought back the awe in movie making and has set the bar up so high its impossible to beat. I have watched it twice so far and I am really looking forward to my 3rd!! I PROMISE I WILL NOT BUY A FAKE DVD FOR THIS MOVIE - I owe JC his royalty fees. After-all, he has the same initials as Jesus Christ!

So that's my Top 10 Highlights of 2009!! I cant help it but here is another disclaimer!: The list above is non-exhaustive so whomever who has contributed in my highlights of 2009 and is not mentioned or has provided me an eventful moment which can amount to a "highlight" hit, I sincerely apologize for the non-mentioning of your name or event but I am only human and I cant keep typing a long list of never ending highlights here, plus, I am not filled with an overwhelming flair of words like Amir Faiz!!!

Till the next post,

Claudia xxx