Back in Asia - definitely

How else do you serve pineapple fried rice?

Merdeka

August 31st is Merdeka or Independence Day for Malaysia, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of independence. It's a big deal. Well, actually, I'm not sure. Ever since the beginning of the year there's been events organised by the government, and the last couple of months it's been all over the media. When I talk to people, some seem really excited, but others just seem grateful for a holiday whatever the reason.

The place is full of flags. I got in a short jam when they closed a road for a few minutes the other day to let a bunch of cyclists, followed by motorcyclists, followed by a few trucks, go past. This is more dramatic than it sounds - I dont think I've seen more than 5 bicycles in KL in the last year! They all had flags. I have no idea where they had come from, where they were going, or what the point was, but it made for interesting chatter with the cab driver!




Then I heard that all condos and businesses are required to display a flag - but some have so many that it's almost ridiculous! Brickfields (my new home) is no exception:



My Merdeka celebrations started early, by going to see "Tunku the musical" with Sharmini & Tamara the other night. It explores how Malaysia has grown in the 50 years since Tunku became the first Malaysian Prime Minister - and Ky-Gan co-wrote the words and lyrics, which made it all the more impressive! I didn't learn much about Tunku himself (I don't really understand the title..) but it was cool how the issues were expressed through the impact on individuals, the general feeling amongst the population, and the role of the media.

Then this morning I got up early and watched the Merdeka Parade on tv with Schvonne. It was quite educational, and the things that surprised me were the inclusion of the private sector in the parade (telecoms, tv, oil etc), the floats (think Christmas pagent) and the sheer number of people involved - 5000! It wasn't just a parade, there was lots of dancing and music, but for me all of that seemed the same through the 2 or so hours. As far as entertainment goes, I prefered the Colours of Malaysia earlier in the year, with more varied dancing and music. For all of the singing about diversity (thanks for the translations Schvonne!) I didn't see much representation of the Chinese & Indian cultures.

Back to KL

Melbourne was great, was able to catch up with some old Adelaide friends and some native Vic ones as well! Blue skies & sunshine meant strolling around the city was perfectly refreshing, and browsing through cute little boutique stores is just so much fun when they're not full of people! Art galleries, produce markets and parks were also great to finally get some time quality time to myself.

There's never enough time, but back in Adelaide I've caught up with a few more friends, seen everyone's new houses, checked out some of the new bars & cafes, and soaked up the early Spring weather! Seriously, 25 degrees in August?

Tomorrow to Singapore then back to KL on Wednesday - just in time for the 50th anniversary of Merdeka (Independence) for Malaysia on the 31st! Will be interested to see what it's all about...

With Luce & Renee in Melbourne

Home Sweet Home

A couple of weeks in Adelaide - perfect!

WINTER. I've always been a winter person, and after a year of the same hot sticky weather day in and day out (with the brief exception of 10 days in Adelaide over Christmas) it's soooo nice to have a change! Walking is once again an enjoyable experience. Combined with the exchange rate situation & the fact that I'm no longer a student, it's plenty of incentive to walk rather than take the bus! Going into town by cutting across the racecourse and walking through the East parklands and along Hutt St is sooo awesome. Especially all rugged up in a parka & scarf.

What have I been up to?

• Coffees & pub meals with old mates :)


• Dinner overlooking the twinkling lights of Adelaide for Mum's birthday


• Window-shopping my way through Burnside Village (oh so many years of retail employment memories!)


• Playing the piano


• Canberra (crisp indeed -almost frosty) for a couple of days for a job interview and a quick dinner with Susie!


• Watching TV with my cat


• Dinner & drinks with the AIESECers

Plans?

• More coffees and meals :)


• Melbourne for a couple of days next week to see the gang there


• More walking - just because I can


• Baking - in a BIG kitchen with a REAL oven :)


• Chilling

Perfect :)

Rundle Street

Michael, Mum & I after Mum's birthday dinner. Dad took the picture :)

Signs of spring

Questions I find myself pondering with alarming regularity...

• What day is it today? Followed by This date sounds familiar... is it someone's birthday?
• Did I bring an umbrella?
• Rice or noodles?
• What is the point of computer viruses?
  
• Where are all of the date-able men?
• Why can't everyone just agree not to fight and then spend defense budgets on real stuff?
• Where did my hair pins go? Followed by Why do I care (so much) about what I look like?
• Where did I hide that chocolate?
• Tea or coffee?
• Will I ever (want to) buy a car? Followed by If I did, what colour would it be?
  
• What do security guards think about all day? Followed by How do they keep themselves awake at night?
• Is there still food in the fridge?
  

"Junior HR Consultant" no longer

Today was my last day of work.

A little sad. Not toooo sad because I'm coming back to KL so I know that I'll still catch up with some people from time to time.

But still - the end of an era.

Friday night was my farewell. We went to kareoke (yay!) and I was so happy because EVERYONE from the office came. I think it's the first time I've been out socially with everyone all at once - most often it's just a variation on the same few. AND everyone got into the mood and sang - even better :)

Liza, Nurul & Maliki

Sing sing!

It will be weird getting up tomorrow and not going to the office. But I'm sure I'll get used to it!

Farah & I

Cleaning up my desk...

Facebook

Am under immense social pressure to join.

Joined Multiply last time cos that was the one I just "had" to join - now I get annoying emails about photos belonging to people that I don't know.

Did research for an article this week & last about using online info (i.e. social networking sites and blogs) as recruitment and selection tools. Found statistics, anecdotes and articles that suggest that joining such sites is anything from something to reconsider to "career suicide".

Hmmmm...

My "world"

Some people's whole "world" exists in the city that they live in. Everyone who is important to them, everyone who knows them best is living there. That's kind of cool.

This hasn't been true for me for a few years... I wonder if it will ever be like this again. My "world" is scattered across three continents. A bit frustrating sometimes, though it does make it all the more special when you do manage to meet up.

I guess the next time when everyone I care most about are all in same place at one time will be... when I get married? Jeez....!

the future...

I know I've been a bit slack with blogging lately, I'm not sure exactly what I've been doing but I've somehow been crazy busy!

Anyway, I'm really happy because things seem to have worked out so perfectly. My AIESEC traineeship finishes this month, I finish this week. Then I'm back to Australia for a couple of weeks for a job interview for next year, and to enjoy the winter weather, family & friends, and general good-ness of Adelaide :)

THEN I'm coming back to work for 6 months with an Asia-Pacific women's health rights NGO that's based here in KL. They do a lot of research and advocacy, and think it'll be a great chance to learn more about health issues and human rights (and how they fit together) and especially HIV/AIDS in Asia. It'll also be great to get some NGO experience outside of AIESEC.

I'll head back to Aust in Feb next year, either for the job (if I should be so lucky!) or to start more study - yes I want to study again! Crazy it may sound... but I want to use it as a tool to change direction a bit, I want to be challenged to read and question and debate, and I want to have those awesome discussions with people that are passionate about some of the same issues - I miss that from AIESEC... and I never got it from an undergrad course but I really really hope that I can pick a post-grad course that will be different! :)

In a way it's great - for the first time in a while I know at least which country I'll be living in at which times during the next couple of years. It's nice to have a bit of a plan - yet not tooooo much, still lots to be explored and some exciting decisions to make along the way!

So this week: last days at work, last week at Bangsar, lots of cleaning & packing to do!! :)

I'm glad that I'm not leaving KL yet. I don't feel the same attachment that I felt for Beijing, or the pull that Japan continues to have on me after all of these years and which I have been patiently resisting. I found it easy to feel comfortable here quickly, but I don't think it's a city I'll ever really miss. Maybe just eating roti cannai outside at a mamak shop at 3 in the morning! That said, I do enjoy living here. It's hard sometimes living in a trainee network - people are constantly arriving, which is very cool, but also constantly leaving, which is decidedly un-cool. BUT there is a small band of "trainees" here that have decided to call KL home for a little longer, there's some other expats around, a few locals from work that I hope to keep in touch with after I change jobs, and some of the older AIESECers and alumni are great to chill with also. If I had been "leaving" now it would indeed have been sad.