And the GK* Award goes to.....(Warning! Political Post Ahead)

I am normally a semi-laidback person. Whatever issues I might have, I vent to people close to me (whether they want me to or not!). And this blog is supposed to be very impartial and to concentrate on cake.

However, some statements issued during this General Election have been ludicrous, to say the least. And I take great issue against a certain political party, which to me, has only one agenda: To turn Malaysia into a dictatorship run by a certain "wronged" person.

I don't deny that the present government has many flaws, and much more that needs to be delivered. And I don't deny that I long for the days when Tun Mahathir was still the PM, and whoever the next PM is going to be, would still have Tun's shadow hovering over him possibly until time immemorial.

However, when a certain "leader" suggests that his wife, his clearly inexperienced offspring, as well as a loyal supporter to run for seats as PROXIES for his "political comeback", that is way worse than whatever promises the government has failed to deliver. At the rate he's going, would it be wrong to assume that any seats won by his party would eventually be HIS seats once he is eligible? Am I the only one who sees this as a potential dictatorship? I mean, if his party wins (which at this point I hope to God it doesn't!), would Malaysia be then called A****sia?

It's bad enough that the way his party works is by sending supposedly potentially "influential" people to contest seats for the sole reason of contesting against the ruling coalition's candidates, without caring whether or not these "ideal" candidates even know where that particular area is. Plus they're fielding young candidates, who, I believe, may not even have known how to run for their school elections, much less the country's election.

I am miffed. I am angry and disappointed that qualities which we abhor in our culture are visibly apparent in this election. Again, I don't deny that all the parties contesting have some sort of flaw I have issues with. However, for this party to blatantly flaunt these qualities, and try to reason them with hopes of a better government, makes me sick to the stomach.

That said:

I hope voters will use reason and logic when making their decision on 8th March.
I hope voters won't use emotional sentiments plied by certain parties to influence their decision.
I hope that whoever wins the election realises that they are there because we put them there, thus they are then answerable to us.
I hope that the candidates and their supporters fight fair and square.
I hope people understand that these thoughts are all mine, and mine alone.
I hope to no longer write politically influenced blogs.
I hope that these next 11 days go by like the wind.

*GK = Gila Kuasa (Power-Mad)

Polling Days Are Here Again

The elections are coming. Parliament's been dissolved, politicians have started touring the country, and speculations and rumours are on the upswing.

Who am I voting for? That's a secret of course, as is my right, although those who know me would know which way my vote would be. It's fascinating, though, to see politicians, whom we'd never have seen otherwise, suddenly coming out of the woodwork, pleading for support.

My ideal government? The list is as below:

1) New faces. Enough with those who refuse to quit; make way for the younger generation to take their place in the administration. Although, saying that, I hope some certain new faces don't get fielded, 'cos boy are they annoying.

2) Old faces. Experienced people who were left out of the last election due to certain other people's agendas. These experienced people are more capable than the current government, have great track records and are well-liked and respected in their respective kawasan. They should be called back to serve, and hopefully guide the somewhat misguided government back to the right path.

3) Definitely not anyone who has been investigated and found guilty by the ACA. Why some of them were called up during the past election is beyond my comprehension. I mean, these people had nicknames and everything because of money politics, and yet, they are looked upon to be our leader? I can give you six million reasons why that is just wrong.

4) More corporate leaders. I'm not against veteran politicians and the like, but corporate leaders have better know how on how to run a smooth administration.

5) People who want to do the job well. It's probably a rarity now, and perhaps this optimism may change once they're in power, but if they got into politics for the right reasons, hopefully some of this idealism will stick.

That said, my ideal government probably won't become a reality, but it doesn't hurt to hope. And meanwhile, I will just wait for nomination day, thrust my thumb out during polling day for the wonderful new indelible ink to be applied and hope that I don't cross the wrong name.

Happy voting people!

The Day When Cupids Strike & Roses Bloom

For those who aren't aware, tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Yep, the most commercialised celebration ever, but be honest, even those who don't celebrate it, deep down inside, feel that little pang of jealousy when your colleague in the next cubicle gets that gorgeous bouquet or adorable teddy bear on Valentine's Day. OK, so you'll hate her in the next 5 minutes when she starts telling anyone who'll listen that her boyfriend/husband/partner is the best one ever, but for the first 10 seconds, believe me, especially if you're a woman, you'll definitely get the pangs.

For those looking for a romantic dinner with your loved one, or just to make it a fun girls' night out (which I did with my best friend a few years back 'cos our significant others suddenly made themselves scarce), check out Tonka Bean Cafe at Impiana KLCC.

Why Tonka Bean, you ask? Well, I will be there, together with my fella, as the official photographers for the dinner. The Valentine's Set Dinner is priced at RM128++ per couple, and you get a special COMPLIMENTARY photograph from yours truly as a memento of this special dinner.

And what else can we do to make it special? Your photograph can be either in colour or in duotone, your choice. That's something worth checking out, if you ask me.

OK, so I'm shamelessly promoting my services, I admit that. But seriously.. isn't this a great deal? You get a great romantic dinner, be serenaded by a live band, the ladies get roses, and to top it all off, you get a nice photograph of you and your partner as a memento! That's why Impiana KLCC is the place to be on Valentine's night. Trust me.

For reservations, call Impiana KLCC at 03 2147 1111.

You Will Be Missed

One of my college friends passed away recently. Zaimirawati Ramli, or Atie, was not a close friend, but we would always greet each other with smiles and small talk.

We lived in the same block in college, but because we took different courses, we didn't have that much in common. However, I remember her most because of her sunny smile, and extremely good nature, and the fact that when we do chat, it was always filled with laughter.

After college, most of us went our separate ways. However, as fate would have had it, my aunt was close friends with Atie's mother-in-law. I was always touched that Atie would ask about me whenever she met my aunt and would always send her regards. That was her nature, and it continued, even when she became sick.

My aunt would regularly update me with news about Atie, and my one regret was that I didn't make more of an effort to call her up or even email her just to say "Hi".

After a long battle with cancer, Atie passed on peacefully on 6 February 2008. She left behind a loving husband, and two adorable children. Such a beautiful soul, both inside and out, has left us to go to a better place.

Semoga Allah meletakkan dia di kalangan orang-orang yang beriman. Al-Fatihah.

Night Out at the Movies

I'm bored. I have tons of editing to do, but I'm not in the mood to do any. 'Cos I'm bored. (Have I said that already?) My fella and I thought we'd go watch a movie, but there's nothing to watch. Maybe we'll just watch DVDs tonight instead.

My fella and I have simple tastes when it comes to movies. I personally don't enjoy movies that make me think too much. I know that probably puts me in the non-cool urban yuppie category, but hey, there's so much to think about in everyday life, why the heck should I pay good money to think some more?

That's not to say that I don't watch heavy dramas and such, to me, it's no longer entertainment. I like movies which go beyond the realm of normalcy, for e.g. car scenes from the Transporter & James Bond franchise.

I like action movies and romantic comedies. I love The Wedding Singer, and wish my fella would sing "Grow old with you" to me constantly. I love the Italian Job, although half of it is because I want to go to Venice, and partly because I adore Seth Green (especially as Oz in Buffy).

I love Die Hards 1-3, although I balk somewhat at Live Free and Die Hard, because Bruce Willis didn't seem like John McClane in it, unless John McClane became a broody, tired and lethargic old man since the last movie came out.

I love the Lord of the Rings trilogy although I sat through nearly the whole of the first movie thinking Legolas was played by James Marsters (Spike of Buffy fame) and marvelling at the wonderful make-up job that made him look so young.

I love treasure hunt type of movies, so National Treasure, Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade and Da Vinci Code occupy a special place in my heart. That said, how much did it suck that Tom Hanks played Robert Langdon??? I mean, dude was wooden, boring and don't even get me started about the hair!

I hate most Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie movies, and not just because I like Jennifer Aniston (well, her movies aren't that great either). I think most Brangelina movies are hyped 'cos they're pretty people, and I strongly believe that the only reason Angelina Jolie got that Oscar was because she played a crazy person, which er.. was kind of who she was then.

I love Sandra Bullock movies, even the semi-boring Lake House, although While You Were Sleeping will always be my favourite. Speed would be my next favourite, and partly 'cos for all his woodenness, I actually do like Keanu Reeves.

I like Hugh Grant movies as well. Love Actually and Music and Lyrics are my current fave. I would like to sing "Pop! Goes My Heart" when I see my fella, complete with pelvic twists and thrusts.

I love love love (!) Monsters Inc., and not just because Boo reminded me of my niece, Elise.

I love P. Ramlee comedies 'cos they're P. Ramlee comedies. Enough said.

My fella's taste is easier. As long as there's Chris Rock, Chris Tucker, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Eddie Murphy or Cedric the Entertainer, he's happy. Oh. And he likes Italian Job too.

Movies should just be for entertainment. And to me, anything that can make me forget life's troubles for 2 hours is money well spent.

Days of Flying Saucers & Nasi Lemak Pak Ya

I recently browsed my friend, Idan's, blog (Frossonice) and he was rehashing memories of our MRSM Balik Pulau days. Coincidentally, my gals & I were also talking about the same stuff, although Idan's memories were way tamer than my gals!

Anyway..I spent the best years in my life in some form of hostels. It started with MRSM from 1989-1992, MARA College Banting from 1993-1995, then University of Hull, UK from 1995-1998. The friends I made in these places are those I can consider as lifelong friends, and indeed, if you look in my Facebook, about 90% are school friends (this includes my SRK Sri Petaling friends as well).

And unlike several other MRSM survivors, I totally LOVED my MRSM years. Being there since Form 2 made me more independent and adventurous than I would have been if I'd stayed at home.

For instance, I wouldn't have learned how to bathe in a river (citygirl since birth..woohoo!), run 10 laps at 3pm and a further 5 at 6pm during hockey season, stretch my bed linens over my bed so tight that a coin could bounce off of it without leaving a mark (OK.. I couldn't do it, but my friend Renny was THE master!) or learned how to hang my undergarments under other clothes to dry on the clothesline so that the boys who lived in the lower block wouldn't take them JUST FOR FUN.

Nor would I have learned how to sleep standing up while on the then Penang Yellow Bus to Georgetown, take a bus, ferry and train (all in one night) back to KL for the holidays, memorised nearly all 80's & 90's Malay rock songs by heart (to this day, OK?) or rode an Army tank, truck and camped out with my whole batch & some Army personnel after the SRP exams.

Nor would I have had the opportunity to eat food which I will never see outside of an MRSM, like ikan jaket (however, this gives me shudders to this day!), flying saucers (a wonderful concoction of sardines, baked beans & pancake-like batter), grilled corn-on-the-cob marinated in condensed milk and butter (YUM!!!!) or breakfast, lunch and dinners served in steel trays.

Nor would I have known the other 120 souls who registered with me at MRSM Balik Pulau on 7 January 1989 (For the record, my nombor maktab was the very cool 89098). Nor would I have realised I could actually memorise every single person's nombor maktab as well (don't think of me as a loser, but just someone with more time than necessary on her hands).

Nor would I have known that these 120 souls, as well as the others who joined us in Form 4 (now mature 33 year olds with respectable jobs), upon meeting now, would immediately transform into giggly teenagers reminiscing about the good ol' days.

Nope.. these things I would have never learned, had I not gone to MRSM. I may have had different memories had that been the case, but right now, I would not trade these memories with anything in the world.

"Kau umpama bunga yang mekar di hatiku..
Ku harap kau mekarlah selama-lamanya..
Kau umpama bintang menyinari hidupku..
Ku harap kau terus bersinar.."

-Cintamu Mekar di Hati-MAY
(Told you I can still hafal the lyrics!!!)