August 31st, 2009 will mark Malaysia’s 52th year of independence. Half a century has past for this developing country in the heart of South East Asia and I wonder what achievements have we made as Malaysians.
Well wonder no more. Below are the achievements that we have made since August 31st, 1957. The list includes both the good and the bad.
Feel free to add to the list through the comment box.
1. Gained independence from the British (Good)
2. Creation of national schools or Sekolah Kebangsaan – to establish unification of Malaysians (Good)
3. Creation of Vernacular schools – Malay, Chinese and Indian school (Some say its good, some say its bad)
4. Creation of NEP (National Economic Policy) – establishment of quotas for the Malay (60% of the population) because they were lagging in the economy (It was good before the heavy abuse by the politicians as a vote gaining tool)
5. A country where her people can live harmoniously together, until the Politicians started using “Race Politics” for their own gain (Good at first, bad because its the main political tool nowadays)
6. Establishment of the Royal Malaysian Police (Police Diraja Malaysia: PDRM) – Well the History of the PDRM goes back to the 1400’s during the Malacca empire (according to Wikipedia) but PDRM are making headline nowadays for their action against peaceful demonstrators. PDRM loves to fire tear gas at them. Their reason, to calm them down. IMHO, the PDRM is the one that needs to calm the f down. (Good before, Bad now)
7. The building of Petronas Twin tower, once the world’s tallest building but has now be taken over by Taipei 101. – (Good. To show that Malaysia can actually build an office building commissioned by Korean and Japanese Engineering firms)
8. Creation of KLIA and Sepang F1 (Good)
9. The lost of majority seats in the Parliament by the ruling national party (Barison Nasional) – (Good)
10.After 52 years of independence, Malaysia is still harmonious albeit the many social unrest – robberies, snatch thieves, car window smashing robberies, illegal immigrants (Good, considering we have problems that need to be solved. Freaking goverment and PDRM are just playing the race politics and firing tear gas)
11. ISA (BAD..BAD…BAD)
After all these years, I am still proud to say, AKU ANAK MALAYSIA. Bukan Cina, Bukan Melayu, Bukan India atau Lain-lain.
AKU ANAK MALAYSIA!
There is a song by Michael Jackson that goes.. “You are not alone, I am here with you..”. The title of the song is “You are not alone” and the lyrics assure listeners that they are not alone and that someone will be by their side. The truth of the matter is that Americans are slowly becoming a lonely society. Younger generations have substituted face to face interaction with Instant Messaging, Emails and social networking sites. Those mediums were meant to be a supplement of our normal interaction with others but have become the prime obsession of many. According to an article by Newsweek (Read here), [Thanks Kin L for the link]
-[that the encroachment of digital communication into our social lives can amplify feelings of isolation. He describes texting or Twittering in the presence of others as a "prescription for loneliness." Such behavior, he says, sends the message that someone somewhere else is more important. "The human heart is suffering from lack of authentic interaction," he says. "Just being able to engage genuinely and politely with your neighbors is a better fix than Xanax could ever affect for mental stability."]
So the next time if you feel like checking your Facebook or Twitterring during a meeting, think of the loneliness that may loom within your heart. Is it time that you find a soulmate?
p.s. Match.com and jdate.com are the last place you should look.
It was Tuesday,April 31st, 2009 when my manager (Mr X) scheduled a faux meeting with me to discuss the project which we only discuss on Wednesdays with the team. I smelled something fishy when I was pulled aside by his manager ( I will call him Mr Y) as I went to meet up with Mr X. My suspicion just got deeper when Mr Y asked me to meet with him on the 11th floor. With the many re-orgs and lay offs happening around the firm, the 11th floor is the floor many will try to avoid by all means. Even the word “11th floor” itself is taboo and gives many employees the chill.
Taking the elevator to the 11th floor, I tried to comprehend what was coming my way. I confronted Mr Y about what’s going to happen but like a dumb, he just kept his mouth shut and assured me that the discussion will only commence on the 11th floor.
Reaching the meeting room, I saw the HR Rep or I would like call her ”The Jack The Ripper of Lay Offs”. For that moment, my mind was jumbling with questions such as how am i going to pay my rent? what will i do next? why me? I stopped paying attention to Jack the ripper the moment she handed me a document that reads “Employee termination Agreement”. When you’re presented with such document, you know your time at the firm is up – GAME OVER buddy.
When you’re laid – off, it could be a boon or a misfortune, depending on how you make the best out of it. For me, it turned out to be alright. Within the 2 months of lay off, I studied my ass off for the GMAT and pass the test with a score that I was proud off. I also managed to escape New York and flew to the Land of the Rising Sun with my gf for a week – that was a fun getaway.
Now, after 109 days of unemployment, I start work with my new company, which I am not going to name because of privacy issues, as a “Special Employee”. In an economy where unemployment is at 9.7%, I am just glad to have a job. Besides, I am still working on those bschool apps, which reminds me that I have to get back to my essays.
“I ran so hard to chase the bear that took off with my gr-ubs. I killed and took it to the citi and sold it to Mr Goldman for $2.” – The Dead Bear, Boon 2009
Below is a classic joke that appears in many versions.
An FX trader walks into a bank in Manhattan and asks for the loan officer. He explains that he is going to Europe on business for two weeks and needs to borrow $2,000.
The bank officer says, “We will need some kind of security for such a loan.”
The trader hands over the keys to a new Bugatti Veron parked in front of the bank. The Bank does a registration check with NYDMV. Everything checks out. The Officer agrees to accept the car as collateral for the loan. An employee drives the Veron into the bank’s underground garage and parks it there.
While the trader is away the Bank realizes their client is a multimillionaire. So several weeks later when the chap returns, repays the $2,000 and the interest which comes to $5.41, the loan officer questions, “Why would you bother to borrow $2,000? You are very wealthy.”
The trader replies, “Parking. Where can you park in midtown Manhattan for two weeks for only five dollars plus change?”
Ever since Stephen Chow made a come back with Shaolin Soccer in 2001, there have been tons of movie titles bearing the word Shaolin or Kung Fu. While Martial arts have been the central theme for a lot of Asian movies since being introduced by famous Shaw Brothes to the Hong Kong film industry in the early 1930’s, it can be seen in a lot of Hollywood films, thanks to Asian directors such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li, John Woo, Chow Yun Fatt and many more.
A lot of the producers or directors of the movies listed below attempted a cheap shot by inserting the wushu theme into everything from sports to cooking. Not only they failed to entice their audience through applying Kung Fu to everything done in the film, the producers and directors have bastardized a martial art that has existed for 4000 years for the sake of selling a movie. Although many of the movies below are ridiculously boring, there are some that are quite entertaining.
Below are the list of movie titles that bear the word Kung Fu or Shaolin.
Enjoy!
Kung Fu Hustle 2004
Starring:
Stephen Chow
Yuen Wah
Yuen Qiu
Danny Chan Kwok Kwan
Bruce Leung
Kung Fu Hustle (Chinese: 功夫; pinyin: Gōngfu) is a 2004 Hong Kong action crime comedy film directed by Stephen Chow, who also produced and starred in the film. The film was also produced by Po Chu Chui and Jeffrey Lau, meanwhile the screenplay was wrote by Xin Huo, Chan Man Keung and Kan-Cheung Tsang. Set in Canton, China in the 1940s in a town ruled by the Axe Gang, the story revolves around Sing (Chow) who desperately wants to become a member. He stumbles into a slum ruled by eccentric landlords who turns out to be the greatest kung-fu masters in disguise. Sing’s actions eventually cause the Axe Gang and the slumlords to engage in an explosive kung-fu battle. The film stars Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu, Danny Chan Kwok Kwan and Bruce Leung in prominent roles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_Fu_Hustle
Trailer:
Shaolin Soccer 2001
Starring:
Stephen Chow
Zhao Wei
Ng Man Tat
Patrick Tse
Wong Yat-Fei
Danny Chan Kwok Kwan
Shaolin Soccer is a 2001 Hong Kong comedy film co-written and directed by Stephen Chow, who also stars in the film. A former Shaolin monk reunites his five brothers, years after their master’s death, to apply their superhuman martial arts skills to play soccer and bring Shaolin kung fu to the masses.
In 2008 a sequel, produced by, but not starring Stephen Chow, was released entitled Shaolin Girl. Very few of the cast from the original film make an appearance. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Soccer
Trailer:
Kung Fu Mahjong 2005
Starring:
Yuen Wah
Yuen Qiu
Roger Kwok
Theresa Fu
Wong Jing
Wong Yat Tung
Jade Leung
Tin Kai Man
Lam Chi Chung
Kung Fu Mahjong (traditional Chinese: 雀聖) is a 2005 Hong Kong comedy film directed by Wong Jing and Billy Chung. It is about an obsessive gambler Chi Mo Sai (Yuen Wah) and Auntie Fei (Yuen Qiu). It falls into the Hong Kong cinema genre of Mahjong films. The film was followed by two sequels, Kung Fu Mahjong 2 which was released the same year as the first film, and Kung Fu Mahjong 3: The Final Duel, which was released in 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_Fu_Mahjong
Trailer:
Shaolin Girl (少林少女 shōrin shōjo?) a 2008 Japanese film inspired by the 2001 Hong Kong film Shaolin Soccer. Unlike the original film, the movie focuses on women’s lacrosse. It starred Japanese actress Kou Shibasaki and see Hong Kong actors Lam Chi Chung and Kai Man Tin return from the original film. The film was released in Japan on April 26, 2008. Stephen Chow, director and star in Shaolin Soccer, was the producer, but is not credited as writer or director.[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Girl
Trailer:
Kung Fu Chefs 2008
Cast: Sammo Hung, Vanness Wu, Cherrie Ying, Kago Ai, Hung Tin Ming, Lam Tze Chung, Louis Fan, Bruce Leung
Synopsis: History of traditional Chinese culture is lengthy and vast. Chinese cuisine is just as colorful and flavorful. Not to mention Chinese kung fu where there are hundreds of styles and worldwide renowned. Wong Bing Yee is village head and master chef, until a banquet goes horribly wrong. In search of his brother’s master, he finds a place he is needed, and sets about making Four Seas a successful restaurant. But past wrongs bring Yee, the restuarant owners and his talented apprentice into danger and Yee must reduce to basics the things that are most important. /heroic-cinema/
Ousted chef Wong Bing-Yi is determined to help Shen Qing at her restaurant “Four Seas”. He trains a young chef, Lung Kin-Yat to compete against Chef Tin, the head chef at “Imperial Palace”, for the title of “Top Chef”. /imdb/
Trailer:
SHAOLIN GRANDMA stars 67-year-old Chiyoko Asami, whose previous claim to fame is as an elderly character on a variety show that cast members are sometimes forced to kiss. The fact that she looks like Wong Yut-fei, aka “Iron Head,” from SHAOLIN SOCCER seems to be part of the joke. She plays Miyoko, a Shaolin kung fu instructor found apparently dead in her apartment by the local mailman. While waiting for the police to arrive he begins reading about her absurd life in a series of scrolls.
Trailer:
Kung Fu Dunk 2008
Starring:
Jay Chou
Charlene Choi
Wilson Chen
Kung Fu Dunk (traditional Chinese: 功夫灌籃; simplified Chinese: 功夫灌篮; pinyin: Gōngfū Guànlán), also known by its former title Slam Dunk, is a 2008 Mainland Chinese live-action film. It was directed by Taiwanese director Chu Yin-Ping and filmed in Taiwan and mainland China. The film was previously titled Slam Dunk, but later the title has been changed to avoid confusion with the Slam Dunk manga and anime series[1] which it was roughly based on despite the film itself having no association whatsoever. The filming, however, conveyed a strong flavour of Hong Kong films, reminiscent of movies like Shaolin Soccer. It features a list of well-known stars although not from Mainland China, but predominantly actors and singers from Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Trailer:
Invented the solid body electrical guitar that bore his name, Les Paul (Lester William Polsfuss) passed away on Thursday Aug 13, 2009 from pneumonia in New York. Collaborating with his wife, Mary Ford, after World War Two, Les Paul has some memorable hits such as “Mockingbird Hill” and “How High the Moon”. The greatest contribution from Les Paul was the signature solid body Gibson Les Paul electric guitar. Since its first inception in 1941, the Gibson Les Paul has sold millions and altered the landscape of music, especially Rock and Roll.
Today was an eventful day as I drove from Forest Hills to Stony Brook to meet up with my old supervisor and friend, Rose. The day was partly cloudy and there wasn’t much traffic on the Grand Central Parkway to Stony Brook which was a boon. Once I reached Stony Brook, I was reminded how unfriendly it was for visitors to find parking. Luckily, I remembered where the paid parking lots for visitors were. Instead of parking at the main lot near the Admin Building, I chose to park at the Chemistry parking lot, which has parking meters. I inserted 6 quarters, which gave me an hour parking limit, and went ahead to visit Rose.
Two hours later, I came back and got a lovely note from Campus police, stating that I owe them $30 for an expired meter. Great, it was good catching up with Rose over lunch and now I owe the school $30. I guess, that is the price I pay when I don’t remind myself to feed the parking meter!
Instead of dwelling on my misfortune, have you ever calculated how much do you pay for parking annually, including parking garages, parking lots, parking meters, parking tickets and any cost related to parking?
Let’s start with the basic, the price of a monthly parking garage at an apartment (assuming you live in one). In Forest Hills, the garages range from $120 to $200 per month. So taking the average, it would be at $160 per month. Multiplying 12 months, the cost for a parking garage in Forest Hills is about $1920 per year.
Now for your daily commute, assuming you drive. You will need to pay for parking at work. My ex-company used to charge commuters $55 per month for parking, which is a great price compared to other companies my friends work at. So lets assume work parking is at $75 a month. Multiply that with 12 and you have to pay $900 a year.
The total so far for home and work parking is at $2820 per year. We are not done yet. We still have to consider parking cost when you go out for shopping, dinner, lunch, hair-do, doctor’s visit, etc.
Let us assume that you go out on Saturday and Sunday, averaging 3-4 hours per day. That gives you roughly 8 hours for two days we hang out on the weekends. If you are lucky, you will not have to pay for parking but if you’re unlucky or just live around a busy neighborhood such as Flushing, be prepared to pay a quarter for 15 minutes parking. We shall take Flushing’s parking rates, 25cents per 15 minutes to calculate the weekend parking cost. To spend 4 hours at Flushing, you will need to fork out $4.00. That isn’t too bad compared to what you will be spending shopping the whole day. So, for two days, it is a total of $8.00 for the weekend. A year, you pay $96.00.
Add that to the total so far, it comes to $2916 per year. We are almost done. I just need to add one or two parking tickets here and there because of an expired meter or a ticket for a no standing or no standing zone. Give and take you pay $150 worth of tickets per year, add that to the total, we have $3066 of parking related expenses per year.
Rough Estimation of the $3066 per year cost
Yearly garage parking = $1920
Yearly work garage = $900
Yearly going out parking = $96 (not inclusive of valet, tips)
Yearly parking tickets = $150 (If you’re a careful driver)
Total = $3066
From our guesstimation, a driver, living in an apartment Forest Hills – Flushing area and who chooses to park in a garage, spends roughly $3000 a year on parking related expenses. That’s a lot of money you spend by having your car stationary. Every time you pay for parking or any expenses related to parking, note it down. By the end of the year, you will be surprised how much you are paying for having your car PARKED!
Maybe our government should create a free parking bill..
Crazy girlfriend not realizing her boyfriend went on a 2 week backpacking trip in Europe went berserk and started doing crazy things! Check out the video:
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