Selamat Hari Merdeka!

Today is Merdeka, for all who don't know.

Merdeka means 'freedom' or 'independence' in Malay.
So basically, today is the day Malaysia became independent, 51 years ago.

31 August 1957

A lot of things have happened. I, for one, love the idea that we are now considered a free and independent nation.
We are finally considered 'grown up' enough to govern ourselves without having to kiss British ass. [not that we were never able to in the first place]
And I think we've come a very long way since 1957.

We've got this multicultural thing going on, whilst mutually being able to respect others. Yes, some things do intrude across boundaries, although on this happy occassion, I will refrain from letting my criticism let rip.
The national identity is unlike anything I've ever seen before. Individual, special, unique. Spectacularly, and radically different from any others. [in this instance, Singapore shall be ignored- muahaha]
We are the nation of durians and nasi lemaks, dim sum and sharks fin soup, roti canai and dahl, cendol and ais kacang, lassi and banana leaf rice, daging lembu rendang and kaya, and oh-so-much more.
Malaysia's lanugages culminate into the one dialect we can call our own - Manglish.
We can embrace the old and the new - difficult in this day and age.
Paradise can be found in what used to be the tallest building on earth [KLCC], on the tallest mountain in South East Asia [Mount Kinabalu], on a jungle trek in FRIM or even in a kayak, heading to one of the pristine islands surrounding Malaysia.
Of course, more impressive than our tourist locations and our food are...*cue drum roll* our traffic jams. *clash cymbals* Indeed, they are quite a sight to behold. Australia, moveout. South Africa, get ready. Malaysian drivers are the best in their class. We can dodge motorcycles, lorries, sign posts, traffic lights and the bandar raya in just a flash. With perhaps a little money? XD

But I'm dragging on and getting silly.

I'm proud to be Malaysian, despite everything.
Selamat Hari Merdeka. =)

Mishy <3

Political Propoganda

We are currently in the midst of yet another political election. This time, it's not Kevin Rudd vs. John Howard, but rather Alan Carpenter vs. Colin Barnett.

And I've decided that political propoganda in Australia is weak and without direction.
Honestly, when you launch a campaign, you should be telling the people what you want to do, how your policies are just that much better than the other person's. A bit if a put down here and there is fine. But honestly, I would so much rather hear what a politician has to offer, than what he/she has to say about the other side.

In Australia, politicians do not tell us what they have to offer. In fact, they use all their money on propoganda, telling us about how bad the other side is.

Back in 2007:
K. Rudd: Well, I'm so much better because...John Howard will do this, and he'll do that, and I mean, i'm doing these things, but those work choices that John Howard has will kill our jobs!!
J. Howard: Don't vote for Kevin Rudd and his odd bunch of Labors...they'll stuff our economy!!

And the list actually does go on. I saw some really odd propoganda videos on TV in 2007, but they're not showing them anymore.

Now, in 2008:
A. Carpenter: I'm a much better choice because...the Liberal party have already had FIVE LEADERS SINCE THE LAST ELECTION!!
C. Barnett: No! Wait! The A.C. is trying to trick you! I mean, he's holding elections just after the Olympics when no one is going to pay attention!!

Not in so many words, and certainly not in that language, but that really is the gist of it.
There was a political debate going on between those two, but I didn't watch. English Lit was just that much more important than they were, unfortunately.
I think Aussie politicians need to step up their game. Barack Obama and John McCain are putting them both to shame.
If it came down to Alan Carpenter, Colin Barnett of John McCain [should John ever become an Australian], I would vote McCain. Just because his campaign is that much better.

But since McCain will never become Australian, and because Australian politics is lame:
I <3 Barack Obama.

Mishy <3

"The horror, the horror!"

The words uttered by Kurtz, a character in the novella Heart of Darkness.
Yes, I may sound a bit of a geek, but I honestly believe that that quote comes in handy for what I saw in history class today.

I am currently doing the Vietnam War in history class [for the 2nd time- goodness, as if once wasn't enough] and my amazing history teacher Maisey showed us some of the stuff that came up on TV during those times, when the media still had free reign over what was and wasn't shown.

And that little girl with the napalm on her, wasn't as bad as I imagined it to be. I felt horrible, just watching her run, and the skin peeling off her back. Before, when I saw her running, in her photos, I imagined a silent scream emerging from that photo. It must've been painful. It must've been the worst thing she's ever experienced. An innocent girl, probably not understanding what in the world was actually going on, and she is the one who gets hurt out of all the real protagonists of the war. When I saw a shot of LBJ walking onto a platform immediately after that video, I just felt one pure unadulterated rush of hatred for him.
And you know what? I generally don't even hate people. I could easily be described as a sober hippie. [a rare occurence in any generation]
And then I saw another video...and I've also seen the photo version of this one as well. It was of a Vietcong member, who had killed an army general's best friend, wife, and six kids. The army general was the godfather of those six children, and this Vietcong member had killed them all. The man was arrested, and the general went up to him and shot him straight in the head. I cannot even begin to describe just how horrified I was, and...the pain that went through my head, even as I saw it through the slits in my finger was so intense. I cannot forgive that Vietcong member for doing what he did. But then again, neither can I condone what the army general did.

And you know, even as I walked away from that history class. Even as I was taking my panadol and swiging down the largest amount of water I've taken this entire winter to calm myself down, I could only think: This is what war does. This is war. All's fair when it comes to war. Could I really accept what was happening? No.

But then again, if I was in that position...would I have done exactly the same?
I think I most probably would have. All's fair in war.

I hate war.

Mishy <3

DONE!

With my TEE University Application!!!

And...I now have one more university application to finish. -_-"

I am rather annoyed about this. I have so much to do, like learning how to complete my homework and study at the same time; write, photograph and edit the yearbook and graudation video; organise Leavers Week and; finish university applications at the same time.

All whilst attempting to assure the rest of the world that I am not yet dead, and indeed do enjoy socialising once in a while.
And okay, I realise I did ask for this, and no one forced me to be a part of the Yearbook Committee. But it's something that I've been dying to do since I started secondary school, and I am willing to add on to my already bursting amount of stress. But social events really should just learn to come in at the right time as well.

Like River Rock tomorrow night which I will be missing out on. Much as I would love to go, it is on a WEDNESDAY. A day which is normally busy as hell for me, seeing as it is in the middle of the week.
A lot of my friends are going. And many are annoyed at me for not going.
But I don't care. I don't have the transport or the time or, really, even the energy to force myself to care about any River Rock right now. Even IF dolphins followed the boat the last time. Even if this is possibly the last event all of us as Year 12s will share.
Sheesh, it's not even just us as Year 12s, we had to invite the Year 11s with us for some reason.

But, okay, moving on.

I received two TCK postcards in the past month. For those who aren't in the loop about this, it's a little experiment by the TCKid website. One person starts off the relay by buying a postcard and mailing it, and then the receiver mails it to someone else, who mails it to someone else. And it just keeps going.
Unfortunately, we're still in the early stages of this experiment, but I really do hope it picks up quickly after this. *ahem Brice*
I have yet to take photos of them, but I will get them up really soon. One from China and one from Canada. Finally Brice, it took you long enough it did. XD And it really was rather conspicious. I mean, who else would draw cats all over the envelope?
And as part of the programme, I promise that I will mail the relay postcard this Saturday.

So where will this postcard go to next? Only time will tell...
And, well, okay the address that I write on the envelope will too, I guess.

Mishy <3

A Small World After All

Reflecting is a very big part of my day. I reflect when I wake up, in the shower, in the car, during breaks...
Okay, I think about the past a lot in other words.
And I do have a lot to reflect on. But recently I've just noticed something that's been happening a lot more than usual lately.

I call it- meeting up with old friends.

And I do this all the time when I go back to Malaysia, and I WILL if I ever get to go back to South Africa. But this time, it's not in the normal circumstance. I am meeting people I met in Malaysia and South Africa in OTHER places, and not the places I originally met them in.

Elaine being one example. I have met up with her here, in Perth. Definitely not the place where I first met her. Okay, so it was a holiday for her, and it wasn't as if I chanced on her at the mall or something. But I find it amazing that I have actually met an old friend in a different place.
I have also met An Qi at UWA here, when she pounced on me after a sudden realisation that I did not actually know she was here. I must admit, I was incredibly surprised, but it was really really good to see a familiar face in a slightly strange and new place.
My parents had some friends over in Indonesia, and we quite literally crashed into them at a Malaysian Association function here in Perth to the delight of the elders. In fact, the lady saw my little sister, and thought that it was me for a split second before realising that surely I must have grown and changed in the ten years that she had not seen me.
Another example would be Lu, my amazing history partner in South Africa, whom I know is coming to Malaysia for a holiday. And whom I will most definitely be meeting up with when I do travel back. I am already tres excited for this visit. :P

All of this has, or will occur during this year.

Other surprising instances are meeting the friends of friends in a different place.
Ti is a person I used to know at choir. When I arrived in Australia, I met an old classmate of his at my current school, when I realised that she was Malaysian, and happily attempted to increase my connections upon this realisation.
Another example would be a friend I knew in Malaysia, and the Australian exchange students whom I met in South Africa. The Malaysian friend moved to Melbourne, and straight to the school where the exchange students came from.

Much more recently, my mother went to work today, and found- gasp, shock and amazement: a Saints Boy. Yes, a Saints Boy. And apparently, he went to Saints at the same time as I did, and apparently was in the same grade as I was before he moved here recently. Not that I know him. In fact, his name does not even sound familiar at this point in time. But just the idea that someone so close, yet so far is in a very similar situation as I am in is...well, incredible.

And much as I whinge about my lifestyle- the constant moving, the erratic changes in accent and culture, the leaving of friends...this is the only thing that could possibly make up for some of the hurt and pain over the years. The idea that people will be coming to see me, the idea that I will see them again somewhere. Changed or the same, old or young- they will be there and despite everything that's happened over the years, we can still sit back and laugh like the ten, twenty, thirty years between us never happened.

After all these examples, it really is a small world after all.

Mishy <3

Beijing Olympics '08

This one is being held in China this year. And I must say, I think the Olympic committee made a brilliant decision, deciding to host it in China this year. That, or they were bribed rather well by the Chinese.

08/08/08. Beginning at 08:08pm.
It's really interesting how they've managed to get it on what would seem to be China's luckiest day of all.

Watching the Olympics, I incredibly impressed with the idea of the scroll, and the meaning behind it. The body calligraphy amazed me [because I had no idea how the guy knew where to put down the brush] and the lighting of the cauldron [after all the useless running around] was definitely a highlight. I was also rather impressed with the drums at the beginning, although I didn't actually like the way they gradually started looking more and more like a kaleidoscope than a drumming performance. I looked forward to a dragon/lion dance and, okay, I was pretty disappointed that none came. I can honestly say that it is the highlight of my Chinese New Year, and not having it at the Olympics made me sulk a bit.
People say that China is all for precision. Nothing must be out of place. Everything must be perfect.
But in a sense, I'd say that this is what makes China, China. The precision is a sight to behold, especially in a country like Australia where no one likes to listen to authority. [the year 8s and 9s at every school are proof]

When the athletes came out, this had to be my highlight of the entire ceremony, possibly excepting the lighting of the cauldron.
And many people found it boring because, let's be serious, they only had one country to support, and most probably didn't know the flags of all the countries, much less the names.

I, on the other hand, found it extremely difficult to figure out whom I should be cheering for. After living in these places, who do you say deserves to get your support the most? South Africa, or Australia? Indonesia, or Malaysia? The Philippines, or Singapore? [not that I have lived in Singapore, but I believe they're worth supporting] And of course, should I be supporting China- the place where my roots come from, or Hong Kong- where my grand-uncle currently resides? England- to where at least a quarter of my mates have moved, or Canada- where at least a tenth have moved?
Of course, I didn't actually think about it too much, and cheered for all of them all the same.

My brother and I also stayed up the entire night, comparing team sizes [we have decided that China's is by far the biggest and the best, after having to re-evaluate our opinion of the size of the American team- both in numbers and in height] and trying to figure out where each flag came from. We didn't exactly know every country, nor did we know where they all came from either, but we figured all of them out based on the flag and the costumes they wore.

My mother, after all these years of travelling, still didn't know how to figure out if a country was from the Bahamas or Africa just based on the flag and the costumes alone. Her education has been wasted.

And according to a lot of my South African friends, plenty of people were thinking about me during the Olympic ceremony.
I had only one thought when I was told this: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT???
In St. Stithians Girls' College, I was the only Chinese girl in my grade. There were more chinese girls in the grades below. But the Boys' College had even more chinese in one grade than the girls college had put together in the whole school.
So really, why am I the one who's being thought of during the Olympic Opening Ceremony??
I know I have [or, well, HAD] a Chinese counterpart in my grade back at Saints, and my counterpart is also an actual Chinese from China. Unlike me, since I am from Malaysia. It made no sense whatsoever. He is more Chinese than I am, he's in Jo'burg at Saints where he can remind them of his presence daily, and I am the one who gets thought of? A friend from the boys college even sent me a message congratulating me on the performance in China. I was incredibly shocked.
I suppose it was a stereotype thing. I'm not concentrating on it too much and I really can't do much except to shake my head in wonder.

Although I can't help but wonder if I perhaps left my mark on Saints a little too clearly.

Mishy <3

Looking Back...

We were discussing this in P&L, and when I finally thought about all of it, I was pretty surprised.
Mr. Lacy kept saying something aboout managing to skip a grade in primary school. Not that we actually considered that to be too much of a feat now, but back in the day I suppose it would've been considered pretty impressive.

Looking back, I had a family friend who managed to move up a year after a term in year 3. I was in year 5 at that time, and rather unimpressed at the fact that he was now encroaching on my territory.

My story, I suppose, is not nearly as impressive as his was.
What I had managed to do was to skip out on a Year/Grade/Standard 4. Completely. It wasn't because I was brilliantly smart. It wasn't because my mother forced me to enroll into school early beyond my formative years. No, none of that.
It was because I switched school systems.
When I was 8 I moved from the Philippines to Malaysia. In doing so, I had to switch from an American Missionary international school to a British international school. I had just finished Grade 3, and upon moving back to Malaysia, realised that I was meant to continue into Year 5, and not 4.

And I never quite realised what a weird, but interesting circumstance it was. I guess one could say it coincided with my Chinese heritage, with 'si' or 'sei' being unlucky and all. So technically, this would then mean I should be extremely lucky in all my studies, seeing as I've managed to miss out on the 'most unlucky' year of all?

Well, perhaps not so lucky. I remember having to spend all of year 5 changing my spelling from that of an American way to a British way. And of course, I am now fully convinced that the British way is the only proper way to spell things because of this. XD I didn't go through all that work for nothing.

Aluminum ---> Aluminium
Color ---> Colour
Favorite ---> Favourite
Gray ---> Grey

Odd, the things that've actually happened to me when I think about it.

Mishy <3

MIA

Which I have been for a while. Year 12 is no bed of roses, let me tell you.

With 5 weeks to go before mock exams, I can't really even begin to comprehend keeping up with anything. My head of year decided to have a River Rock in two weeks time. Which would have been all fine and well, even if I didn't go, I would have considered going. Except for the fact that it was on a Wednesday. Yes, Wednesday. Who puts things like these on a school day?? It's like having the Valentine's Dance in GIS on a Wednesday. Or having the Barn Dance at Saints on a Wednesday. Simply not done. And completely wrong timing too, especially for us poor souls doing six TEE subjects, who, really, would love nothing more than a break, but simply cannot go due to wrong timing on the organiser's part.

I am currently looking for scholarships to apply to and such. I mean, yes, I may not ever get the top TER in the school, and yes, perhaps my headmistress doesn't actually believe that I will be the person to best achieve my goals in university, but I guess it never hurts to try. =)

I have also finally finally [finally] FINALLY received my TISC application guide for university. I can FINALLY apply without trying to murder myself with worry over getting something wrong. Or at least I believe I can. Who knows, I may actually get something wrong, even WITH the TISC guide. Life is so weird.

With regards to Leaver's Week, I have been pleasantly surprised. My MOM is letting me go. I said it would be in Moore River, and even though she is rather unsure of where it is [don't look at the geography failure please] she is STILL willing to let me go! This is the biggest shock I've had since being told I was moving to Africa 3 years ago. I've moved out already, but the shock still remains. And, well, she's okay with it, with the exception that she is rather worried about me being driven there by P plate drivers. Casey, JB and Teo, much as the RAC believes that you are capable of driving the streets, unharmed, my parents still have their doubts. I forsee problems with this for when I get my Ls and licence next year. Or, well, at least attempt to.

I meet Elaine tomorrow!!! I can't wait, and I am tres excited. What can I say, even in the midst of exams, and whatnot. :P Of course, I sincerily hope that I will not get lost in the city.

I had four things due in today. I had a history essay [which I am almost certain I failed, due to the whole class being completely unsure of what to write about], a chemistry quiz [which I am absolutely certain I failed- I mean, Conto even FORGOT that we had a quiz today...], a P&L debate [which I never got to finish due to running out of time], and a maths test [which was so long, I only just finished in time as opposed to my ten minutes before the ending finish]. It is appaling, the conditions I am forced to work in really.

I am also rather surprised at the amount of people who visit my blog on a daily basis. Of course it may help that I actually add in labels and such so people google it and find it more easily [someone in Morley SHS googled Morley SHS and chanced upon this blog during english lit, which is a class I belong to. How embarrassing]. But quick message: if you read this, AND you know me, OR you think you find something worthwhile commenting on, please please do so? I like to hear other opinions, and views. It make life just that much more interesting. =)

More soon.

Mishy <3

Upcoming Events

I have a hectic two weeks ahead of me.

This week, 9th of August Saturday, is JB birthday. :P And I know he doesn't want me to make any form of fuss about it, but I'll announce it here just to annoy him slightly. :P Muahaha. But it's okay, I won't be able to celebrate it properly seeing as I'm going to be so busy anyway.

This week, Sunday is the University of Western Australia open day. I am soo excited to be going for this. I have an ass load of questions to ask about the Communicatiosn course and whether or not I have a one in hell chance of getting in, considering I really want to get in here. Weird and workaholic-ish as it sounds, I am absolutely estatic to be going for this, and I cannot wait for Sunday to come. =)

Next week Monday, university applications will be due in. And I will be in such a state of panic and agitation as no one will have ever seen me in before. Apparently, there is some TISC guide I must follow which hasn't come out yet [why it can't come out BEFORE the day the application entries OPEN is beyond me...] and of course, I do not have it yet. They say it is one long complicated process, and I refuse to get mine wrong. Watch me freak out and fall in a dead faint on Monday night.

Next week Wednesday, Elaine is coming!!! This is the first time I've ever had an old friend come visit me in my current country of residence, so I am even more estatic at this visit than I am with the UWA open day. She'll only be here for a week, but I think that's all fine and jolly considering I really should be studying anyway. Any longer, and I will officially be doomed to complete distraction.

Next week Sunday, is the Curtin open day. I am not so keen to go to this university, but it is where I am expected to go, should I fail to get into UWA. I would apply interstate, but I am not even sure if the parental units approve of the plan. I forsee a major problem. =/

Anyway, back to history, seeing as my history teacher has just landed me with an entire month's worth of assignments to complete...

Mishy <3

Get Back in Touch

My uncle introduced this video to me on YouTube. I was a little surprised that he was the one showing me this video at first due to the slight religiousness of the beginning, considering he's atheist. =/ But I guess as the video progresses on, it's a little more than just being about religion.

Have a look. This video's really touched me to such an extent. It's got some meaning for me, especially at the end. It's kinda hard for me to get in touch with people I usually don't talk to/haven't met in a really long time. But I guess stranger things have happened. I like to think of it as God's miracle everytime I see it. I won't bore anyone with a Biblical story or reference this time, but I think any Christian reading this will know what story I'm thinking of. =)



Mishy <3

A Day In Parliament

MOCK Parliament. :P

Like I said in my last post, I had a role-playing Parliamentary debate at Curtin University today.
Initially, I was nervous. Without a doubt. When I got up, I was shaking quite badly.But surprisingly, I didn't falter once. And this is me, the person who could never open her mouth in front of others, and the person who would never try to be loud. Yes, I AM loud, but only around a few people.
During question time, I think everyone started warming up. Most of all me, I guess. I made every argument I could think off, literally scolded people for coming up with funny ideas and ways of answering the question... I have no idea, I didn't realise I could actually debate. XD

It was somewhat ironic however, this debate.
Australia used to have a White Australia Policy where only immigrants [particularly of the British and Irish racial stock] would be accepted into the country, and other races were not accepted.
And somehow or other, my entire debating team ended up being...well, you may have guessed it. Chinese. All three of us were Chinese in some way, shape and form. Whether we were born in Australia, or were slightly mixed made no difference. Racially, we were all still Chinese. And female. All of us were female. And all of us hadn't reached the age of 40 yet. [obviously] When in truth, we should really have been old white men.
And we were forced to act as old white men, saying that we didn't want, and I quote from what my first speaker said: 'yellow, black, blue, green, red, purple people in our country!'
The administrator was laughing when she monitered our debate, I swear to it.

But I suppose it was worth it in the end. I got full marks for the speaking part of my oral mark. =)

I think Curtin University is more interesting for history excursions than it is for english ones.

We went into the Prime Ministerial Library to read up on Prime Ministers. And we were MEANT to go into the archives, but unfortunately, we didn't actually get a chance to as we ran out of time. I would've loved to go into the archives. Just to see what it looks like, and how things are preserved and such.

On a different topic, I am sort of starting a countdown to the Mock exams in September/October. It's gonna be the last one before exams, and the last one before the TEE when everything is FINALLY over. And...I've only got 8 weeks left!!!

It's too early as of yet to actually think about putting a count down timer on my blog, so I'll just counting down the weeks until it finally does get close enough.

Mishy <3