It was 4 in the afternoon when my phone buzzed disturbingly while I was having a leisure stroll along with my friends who came down to my place to pay me a visit. I took a glance at my notification. It was an email.

An email that I waited all along.

Had you asked me about winning this 4 months back I would have given you a hesitant no. It seemed to be such a distant possibility at a time when I struggled to balance so many different things at hand. Juggling so many balls at once and at one point I thought I was poised for failure. That depressing front when you looked at failures at all ends; all things seemed to be crumbling down as you blamed yourself for attempting the impossible.

There were times when I struggled between getting away from my old self, my same old way of thinking or dwelling deeper into it. So, what was I supposed to do? Go watch a movie, go for a walk, read a self-help book, whatever I think would pull me through. But sometimes nothing I purposefully do would be of much help.

But once I pull my mind out of the doldrums, I felt free, my complaints and mistakes become opportunities. When I did achieve one of those ‘ahha’ moments, well, not much in the world feels better, or more right.

Of course it’s easier said than done. Sure, there were (and there would still be) days where I failed miserably. But each time, I tell myself that I have to get pass the blunders and stupid mistakes. Start tomorrow with high hopes. You can spend your time over-analysing a situation, trying to justify what could have, would have happened, trying to put the pieces together, or you could just leave the pieces on the floor and move on.

I chose the latter. Perseverance played a big part in guiding me through. And so did the encouragements & support from my family and friends. I found solace and confidence through prayers. Confidence was so hard. I’m my worst critics but, I couldn’t blame my inner demons or anyone else – I’ve just got to get pass the self-doubts, criticism and rejection.

And it really helps if you find people that get you. When I find someone whose personality/creativity/energy excites or inspires me; I practically throw myself into their lives and follow their progress closely. Sometimes you can’t do it alone. You need to take advice from anyone who resonates with you. And I’m glad to have found them.

Fast forward 4 months later, I scrolled through that very specific email. Overwhelming was an understatement. I passed it to Sydney, Alveena & Jonathan whom later surrounded me with congratulatory message. Tears rolled down my cheek uncontrollably. Tears of joy. Tears of sacrifice. All those prayers and blessings, they were duly answered. There was a point I thought it was all just a prank. But it wasn’t. It’s real. And it’s here.

I did it.

In what seems a long journey of endless struggle, display of bravery, our fellow countrymen fought for our nation’s independence without taking it to the street, but by mutual consent of harmony, unity. And that formed as a solid foundation of a present document in what M’sians known as the Federal Constitution.

But with every passing year of Merdeka, to quote my friend Nicholas Wong, we feel much more divided than ever. The fact that present politicians play up the racial sentiments to score a few political points among their very own community is damaging to the society. The fact that the Chinese, Indians have not been recognised as part of Malaysia is disheartening. We too, the minorities, love M’sia as much as the bumiputra do.

Frankly, I’m tired. Tired of convincing people that I’m not a Chinese, but a M’sian. Tired that I’ve had to tick the ‘Cina‘ box in form-filling, tired of the politicians who constantly bombard words like ‘pendatang asing‘ to me. I feel so left out from this country, despite the fact that my firm commitment to service this country.

Then the realisation hit, the country did no wrong to me. It is the extremist, racist people like Ib Ali who try really hard to break the firm barrier between us. I have to admit, to a certain extend, damage has been done. Headlines of racist remarks hit the daily newspaper everyday. But nation building does not stop here, it’s still work-in-progress. The fact that I love my country alone forms a great reason to celebrate this Merdeka together.

Thus, at the eve of 30th August, let’s us hold our hands, and together we wish our mother nation, a Happy Merdeka.

Highlight of the night includes Will.I.Am rocking the dance floor with his DJ’s spinning and of course the chart-topper single hits-I gotta feeling!

Good good night indeed. Awesome detailed post comes next. Stay tuned.

The park formed much of my childhood memories, it’s been long since I last stepped into this lavish park, swinging myself around the big playground like no one business, splashing my sweating body with the cooling water flushed right above me.

And as much as I wanted to release the ‘child’ inside me when I stumbled upon the KLCC playground, I realised that it was somehow possible. My physical body contained my feelings inside, at one moment I felt like I was a trapped animal inside my body, but the fact is that I have grown, and wasn’t the young kid that I once was before.

Strolling in the park was something more of a memory walklane rather than a refreshing walk.

We ended our day earlier, as the fatigue started to overwhelmed us with cramped legs, heavy eyes. I don’t understand where the once burning enthusiasm of travelling around has disappeared to.

Jalan Bukit Bintang was our last stop. The golden triangle has never fail to amuze me with its vibrant and diverse culture. Hustle and bustle at Bukit Bintang was something that always deterred me from approaching it. That was the thing of past and since then I have started to love this very part of the city. It’s amazing to see how the crowd fuzes in together in this street with people coming from different background, races, nationalities. Perhaps, this is the only place where we can see the ‘Truly Asia of Malaysia’.

On a sidenote, how’s everyone’s Aidilfitri going on?

But hell! It was such an amazing trip to enjoy during the Merdeka Weekend! Fresh air and chilling temperature are something I still craving right now. KL’s air is so damn polluted and dirty. Take a deep breathe here and you will choked with CO1~3.

Brief update of Cameron. Detailed posts should be up around this week.

The music of the Merdeka song is buzzing everywhere around! The TVs, Radios, and heck even twitter are full of Merdeka wishes! The spirit is high I reckon.

Thus, I would like to wish Malaysia a Happy 52th Birthday!

It’s the time for everyone of us to break the race barrier between us. There should not be any categorisation of Malays, Chinese, Indians. We are as of the same ancestors. Languages, skin colour, cultures, and religions shall never be the detterent towards realising national unity.

Together we stand.

Happy Birthday Malaysia.

After a two-weeks delayed, at last I’m writing on my blog to do the posting on the awesome Penang trip along with my college mates. I’m late, but better than none right? Btw, the bloggers have posted about the trip and you might as well want to read theirs’! Here, Here, Here and Here. (One is forbidden entry though :p )

I was the ‘offisial photographer’ as usual and ‘offisial tour guide’ for the trip. I did an amazing job leading you guys to Penang Hill & Asam Laksa right?Agree please leave comment!

We started our day from KL station boarding an express bus to Penang Sg.Nibong Bus Terminal.

My first time riding an express bus for such a long distance. I have everything but good impression towards those rude bus drivers who speed along the way and this was confirmed by myself personally. We reached Penang within 4 hours with 30mins break in between. My heart during the ride was pumping so fast that I thought I must had suffered some kind of cardiac arrest.

Let’s have a brief introduction of who tagged along.

Me with Sydney & Alveena behind the background

Li Ting my dear

San the shopaholic & Ben the Mutton

And Soon the famous Stoner of all time

And this poor guy who wanted to go so badly but he is ‘suffering’ in UK la. Let’s imagine he was tagging along with us.

JY

Click on for long post ahead.

We reached the bus terminal, hopped on a bus and then heading towards our hotel, Hotel Continental, not a bad one I’d say.

We unloaded everything and wasted no time for our adventure to explore the Heritage Site!

People around the area suggested us to go for Line Clear Nasi Kandar. It was very remote that took me quite some time to figure it out.

Nasi Kandar there ain’t cheap either, comes in about RM 7 for a plate of rice with kari campur, and 3 side dishes.

To miss out Cendol @ Penang is a real big sin indeed. Because they are simply awesome.

The cendol is something really refreshing after you had a long walk in the middle of the busy city and under the hot sun. Seeing the cendol store is like finding oasis in the middle of desert. The satisfaction is much better than orgasm. No joke.

We did a lil camwhore session as well. That’s my job afterall.

*I miss my long hair*

We proceeded to Komtar Bus Terminal for transport to Gurney Drive. And a lil more camwhoring.

Fisheye lens awesome ain’t it?

And at last we reacheddddddddddddddddddddddddddd?

It’s kinda disheartening to learn that almost half of the street wasn’t opened on that day, presumably that was a weekday but yet we tried out quite a lot of food there. Not many pictures taken but there’s this video showing me ‘sucking kerang’.

Warning: Unpleasant video ahead. It might cause extreme disgust, vommit and diarrhoea.

And that’s how interesting Day 1 can be!