Freedom My Foot!

Dear non-Catholic friends,

The Herald, which is a newspaper circulated among the country's 850,000 Catholics, has been using the word 'Allah' to describe God in its Malay-language edition since the newspaper first made its rounds.

Then of course, some mo' fo' decided to show-off his power and argued that 'Allah' is a word that should only be used by Muslims. Challenging this ridiculous proposal, the Catholic church took the case to court and lost the latest round of the battle yesterday. Somehow, i cannot say that i am surprised with the outcome.

Fortunately, there will be another hearing on July 7 and here's hoping to better results.

While i admit that i am not a very devoted Catholic, i find this issue downright appaling. Before you go off calling me an anti-Muslim, note that i do have Muslim friends and they are mighty fine. What i cannot stand is a bunch of bad apples who think that just because their religion makes up over 60 per cent of the country's, they have the right to put a leash around our necks and tell us what and what not to do.

What is wrong with allowing non-Muslims to use the world 'Allah'? Is it damaging their religion? Last i checked, 'Allah' is a universal word that means 'the supreme Being' and that, means God.

A part of me thinks, "If they want to have the word to themselves, then by all means, take it back for we don't need to use the word 'Allah' to keep our faith." But a bigger part of me reckons, "Why should we give in to their childish demand? We have every right to stand up for our rights!".

Freedom of speech? Ain't no such thing in Malaysia! And he even dares to talk about 1Malaysia? I'm utterly disgusted.

Auld Lang Syne

If i could get another chance

Another walk, another dance with him

I'd play a song that would never ever end

How i'd love to dance with my Yeh Yeh again

3 years ago in IH, at this date and about this time, i was taking a shower when one of my phone calls went unheard. All cleaned up, i crossed over to C Tower to get Jenny for dinner at the dining hall. She opened the door and told me my dad phoned her, looking for me. Wondering why my dad wanted to speak to me so urgently, i went back to my room and called home.

While waiting for dad to be put on the line, Sam spoke to me and i could hear that there were a lot of people in my house. When asked what party was going on without me, Sam merely said, "Nothing lah" and passed the phone to dad.

Daddy picked up the phone and asked where i was when he rang earlier. I told him that i was having a shower. The small talk was just a few minutes that dad hoped he could stall before having to break the news to me.

My Yeh Yeh passed away.

I stood there motionless, with my mind devoid of any thoughts. I didn't know what to say. I had to make dad repeat himself to assure myself that i heard the right thing. And unfortunately, i heard right. I cried.

Dad told me that during his last few visits to Yeh Yeh, he told my grandpa to stay strong for i was coming back to see him soon. But i guess after months of battling with illness, my Yeh Yeh was simply too tired to wait.

I dried my tears, walked over to Jenny's and told her what happened. And during dinner that night, Michelle somehow talked about crying and asked me when was the last time i shed tears, unbeknownst to what had happened a few minutes earlier.

I remember telling Joyce before i left for Australia that i was afraid bad things may happen during my stint Down Under. And sadly, it did. Till today, i feel guilty for not being able to say my last goodbye and to tell my Yeh Yeh that i am sorry for leaving him when he was sick.

Yeh Yeh, please forgive me but know that i will love you always. And i mean, always.

Rest in peace.

Turn That Frown Upside Down

I'm smiling as i type this.

I was smiling when i was typing my article on Crime (not a smiley subject, i know!) not too long ago. Colleagues must think i've gone cuckoo in the head.

I haven't felt like this for a long time now. Come to think of it, i don't think i've had this feeling since April last year!

I know this emotionally-positive high will stop by the end of this month because they never stick around me long enough but it's okay. I'll just bask in the happiness of the moment and go with the flow.

Though i am secretly wishing that this flow will go on and on like an endless stream of river making its way to the great big blue ocean.

I'm so loving this feeling!

Leave A Message, I'm Not In

The best day of my working life so far.

The only time i would agree to 'work' until 11pm without complaining.

The Work Song

Waking up at 6am every weekday used to be a pain. Then my body clock got used to it and it's not so difficult anymore. But i still hate having to take the train to work because if you don't already notice, Malaysians are mostly rude and late.

After work, i sometimes have to come home and do more work in order to meet deadlines. On certain weekends, i also work from home. And i always have to plan my annual leaves because during three weeks of every month, i am usually swamped with work.

Is all the effort worth it? After all, this is not my ultimate dream job. This is not what i envision myself doing for the rest of my life. Heck, i didn't even really apply for this job!

But yes, the effort is worth it. It's an awesome stepping stone. Everybody's got to start somewhere don't they? And though i don't love the job, i certainly don't hate it because...

...my boss is awesome. She does scare me at times but mostly, she's great. And a boss who cares about your real career goal (though it is NOT related to the field you are working in) and helps you achieve it, is even more awesome!





...in the industry that i am working for, there can be a lot of snobs. But fortunately, my workmates are nothing like that. They are a fun bunch who make time pass faster at work and one of them is a great source of gossip!

...I am working for the company that i have always wanted to work with. Years ago, when my college organised a trip to Astro, i was insanely psyched (though i pretended to not be). Touring their grounds, i was so impressed with everything and fantasized about being a part of the firm when i graduate. Very glad that God answered my prayer. Now, if only i can make it to the radio department, i'm all good!



...clothes, from my perspective, should be worn to reflect your mood. Having to don work clothes every single work day is a torture. I should be able to dress up when i want to and dress down when i want to. When my feet hurts from all those heels, i want to be able to wear flip flops to work. Fortunately, at my office, everyday is Casual Friday. Hello jeans, summer dresses and sandals! Goodbye uncomfy office skirts and buttoned shirts!

...from boring brainiacs to quirky hosts to one of People's hottest man, this job has given me the opportunity to meet and speak to people i never thought i will be able to share a few words with.

...when i was young, i swore to myself that i will not end up with a 9 to 6 job because sitting in an office all day will bore me to death. Alas, i am in a 9 t0 6 job but luckily, i get to leave the office for outdoor assignments (interviews, color sep, events) at least once a month. Can i get a woot woot? And goodie bags make it all the more awesome-er!

...I learn odd random facts every month! Helps when i need to pretend to be smart or when i need to eliminate awkward conversation silence. Do you know that penguins starve for as long as 60 days in order to protect their eggs? Do you know that Sheryl Crow suffers from sleep paralysis (like you lah Eun Hae!)?

So that's why i like my job. I hope you like yours too. Till the next time, hope you had a kick-ass Labour Day holiday to celebrate all the blood and sweat you've put into your work...