Christmas and then 2013

~ Betch

I don't know about you guys but I felt 2012 went by so quickly. I feel like I'm being repetitive, considering the number of times I've actually indicated that time has been passing by without any of us realising it. But think about it... the months just slipped by me.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I've had the most fun in university this year. I met amazing people, did a musical, performed in one... of course I did more singing elsewhere which probably made this year much more eventful for me. I've also been doing much better than I've ever performed in my academic life. I won't reveal the details, but it was more than what I had ever dreamed. So God has been very generous, praise Him for that. :)

As I look back on this year... with all my experiences, both negative and positive ones... I feel that it's shaped me to understand the future and the events that may follow. So this Christmas, I am thankful that I still have much with me... like God, family, friends, goals, achievements of 2012, etc. 

About 2013... I don't mean to be a pessimist, but I keep having this dark feeling about next year. A year of challenges, tragedies even... I don't know. It's only a feeling, and I'd like to think I'm wrong. But it's undoubtedly present in my heart. But life must go on. So I intend to treat 2013 the same way as I have with other new years... and that is with purposeful hope.

*lifts a glass of wine* Here's to all of us. Here's to a happy Christmas and an excellent conclusion to 2012. Here's to a great start to 2013. Cheers and God bless.

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”- Bob Hope

Not Happy, Go Overseas?

Being Malaysian, I have come across suggestions and some who had even done it. Parents or individuals who are not happy with the current situation in Malaysia, they will just choose to leave or migrate to another country.

Prior to this, I used to accept the suggestion and left it as it is. I didn't agree nor disagree. However, I think it is unacceptable, now. I will just write in a more generic manner since I can be arrested in Malaysia for posting my thoughts online.

Let's say we are unhappy about Malaysia because we do not have the freedom of religion. If not that, it could also be that corruption in Malaysia is at its worst. What do we do? "Go OVERSEAS!" That was what others often pitch me. But when you ponder again, do we really solve the problem or do justice? NO.

For those who are able to go overseas, you can avoid the problem. What about those who can't. The poor, oppressed, handicapped and abused... Matters will just get worse with the stronger becoming more dominant.

These are the things that are currently happening in our country. Regardless of what religion we are; Islam, Christian, Hindu or Buddha, I am sure we should uphold justice and defend the weak. Not just leave and let those who cannot do anything suffer. By suffer, you can see what are happening to these awesome country and yet being run by ass holes. Food for thought..

The Politician.

Have You Googled Twilight?

Twilight, have you tried googling for images? This was one of the pictures that appeared when I did.

But wouldn't this be a more appropriate picture?

Anyway, I have been following the movie...... I don't know how I did but it is what it is. On the plot of the story, it is alright because I can't say much as I could guess how would the ending be like but it is ok. However, I would like to give credits to some not so much fighting scenes which I found worth getting some credits. Of course many people, in this case the girls would focuses more on the two guys instead, also the love triangle which the story very much revolves around, almost never ending. Just for your information, I haven't watch the last one though.

Again, the latest Bond (Skyfall) was forgettable as well. The last part where M dies was suppose to give an impact to its viewers but that failed, to me at least. I know the title doesn't relate with what I am suppose to talk about but screw it! Even the story line of the Skyfall was silly. Why hide in a house, far away from protection when he (James Bond) and M could just get police to protect in a humble house, away from any technology if they are so afraid of being hacked and etc.

The most memorable movie for this year I think would be The Avengers. I couldn't remember of anything else when blogging about this post.

That's it for today :)

The Politican

LGBT, Gay, Lesbian and Etc In Malaysia?

Hello everyone! It's been some time since we share our thoughts on this blog. I have always wanted to blog a lot of topics but I just don't have the discipline to sit on my computer and start typing!! I wish I can just dictate what I think and this blog will write by itself :)

Obviously, I am not the one in the picture, I am way more good looking and hawt too! :P Okay, back on the subject that I wanted to share about.

Do you know what LGBT is? It is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual (I am sure you do know!). These past few years, just from my experience, NOT THAT I AM IN ANY OF THOSE CATEGORIES, I have encountered or even have some friends who are gays (but I don't have any lesbians friends though :( ). Life is unfair!


How did I come across them? Obviously, with the era of social media, you could just find anyone or make friends easily with just an internet connection. There are many stories to it but I am keeping that for next time. The main point I would like to state here is that even though Malaysia is a country that would never accept these culture, I have found SO MANY OF THEM especially in places such as KLCC.

(Picture for illustration purposes only, not to embarrass any individual)

(Picture for illustration purposes only, not to embarrass any individual)

Every time, during lunch, I will enter KLCC shopping centre where there are so many soft guys (I am pretty sure they are gays as well) selling/promoting perfumes. They would approach me and say "hey sayang cubalah, ala skejap je" (hey sweet one, try the perfumes, it will just take a while). I would get goosebumps every time I encounter that and I would try to tell them no and thank you in a nice way.

Not only perfumes but most of them promoters who are in KLCC shopping mall would be soft (I don't know whether they gay). Regardless of races, they are becoming more daring to express themselves. Good or bad, I let you readers decide for yourself but personally, it is who they are and what they want to be. :)

Hopefully, I will get more audience after this to continue motivate me! :P

(P/S: This is not a gay blog but posts are at random and more controversial ones will be coming if I am motivated enought to write! :P)

TO BE CONTINUED..........


The Politician

1Malaysia For Youth (1M4U) Theme Song

I have found this song to be a not bad one even though it is used by Najib. :P

It is called 1Malaysia For Youth (1M4U) and I think it is created by Lim Kok Wing University College.

The Politician

Romney vs Obama (1st Presidential Debate)

The recent debate, did you watched it?

Romney with his vast experience in the corporate world is of course a candidate that Obama would take on seriously, but some mistakes he did, accidentally or on purpose, said that the rich should not be taxed to help the poor. From a political perspective, this would affect his popularity, definitely.

Let's put that aside, in terms of ideas, I did watched the debate.

Both came up with their own ideas. Let me put them in simple words below:

ROMNEY:

1. He aspires to decrease the deficit by making sure the economy of the country progresses which will then lead to the increase of taxes. He did not spoke much details on how but this was one of the main ideas. The surety of this is still ambiguous unless he comes up with the details- it might even threatens Obama's position as the POTUS.

OBAMA:

1. Increasing taxes of the rich in order to help the country bounce back. This is an unpopular move but will definitely help the country.

Mitt Romney(left) and Barack Obama(right)- as if you can't tell who are they...

More details on the debate, go watch on youtube. Both of them are awesome candidates for the POTUS and I personally look forward in their next debate and the elections.

Compared to Malaysia, look how professional they are when debating.....

Peace out.

The Politician

Highest Paid Directors In Malaysia

These are some of the figures that I have obtained from New Straits Time for the highest paid Directors in Malaysia... And very likely they own a significant number of shares of the company too. If not, you think they will get such big bucks meh?

Taken from NST on 16 August 2012

The Politician

I'm okay

I'm on this road of uncertainty,
I think it's called life...
But different people tell me different things.
The more fortunate say it's a phase,
The less, however, say it's bad luck,
But, my dear people, I don't believe in such things.

So where is this place that I'm going?

Quite honestly, I can't be sure.
But I do know that I'm fine...
There's that strange peace...
A sort of light that's guiding me,
An unseen one, but it's there..
and I'm following it.

Yes, of course deep down, there's fear,
I don't think anyone escapes that.
I can't let that stop me though...
Not now, or ever, I'm almost done...
It's almost the end of the road.

So where is this place that I'm going?

I don't know... but I'll be okay.

Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge

~ Betch

I must be shot for not posting on this blog for the LONGEST time. The more positive reason would be that I have a LIFE now and I'm too busy to post anything here.... The sadder reason would be that I have nothing exciting in my life to post about... And both reasons are true. Unfortunate for the second reason though. :S

Anyways, to get things moving along... I MET PRINCE WILLIAM AND THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE! I even shook hands with them :D

Okay, hopefully I've gotten people's attention now. So, here's how it all happened.

My friend posted on Facebook about them coming to Malaysia, in conjunction with Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. So I thought I'd tag along just to hang out with him and meet some of his friends. And so it was Friday and I proceeded to KLCC park and sort of waited for Their Royal Highnesses to show up. 

You can imagine the pandemonium when they showed up. People were pushing my friends and I to the front of the barriers because we were right at the front. I even had two pen scribbles on my neck from this journalist who was pushing us. Imbecile.

Prince William looked all royal and prince-like, as he should. He walked down the line with the Duchess. He came up to my side and we said, "Welcome to Malaysia!" 

I managed to shake his hand and just as we shook hands, my friend said to him, "Your Royal Highness!" Because she said that, he turned his attention to her and had this 20-second conversation with her. So that was awesome for us, because Prince William actually took 20 seconds of his royal life to talk to our group. 

The problem was... he didn't let go of my hand when we were shaking hands! His attention had turned to my friend so quickly, he had forgotten to release my hand! So there I was, like an idiot, trying to pry my hands free from his grip. He had a REALLY firm handshake. I thought to myself, "Your Royal Highness, if it's okay... you could just switch my hand over to Kate and let her hold it, that would be amazing, thanks..."

7 - 10 seconds later, he moves on to another person, finally letting go. 

OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, my awkward moment was with Prince William. =.= WAI, universe, WAIIIIIII

The Duchess of Cambridge, or more better known as, Kate Middleton, looked so beautiful, no surprise there. I managed to shake hands with her and I welcomed her to Malaysia to which she replied, "It's my pleasure!" She was reserved but very sweet, and did not speak as much as the Prince. I suppose that's royal protocol.

On another note, I believe the outfit she had worn that morning had made fashion headlines across the world. She looked so elegant and classy that day, I daresay she was literally glowing. :O

They made a round around a segment of the park, shaking hands and greeting people all over. The weather that day was just amazing really, we couldn't have asked for more. Everything went really well :)

My friend who had that 20-second conversation with Prince William was just shaking from excitement after the whole event. She even had reporters interview her about her conversation with the Prince. I believe she appeared in The Star Online and The China Press the next day. I appeared in a blur in one picture in the Star Online. I mustn't have been significant enough :(

Well, that's all for today, folks! Hopefully things pick up for me so that I can share more stories with you guys! I'm sure the next time won't be with royalty, lol.

God bless!

“No one is going to try to fill my mother's shoes, what she did was fantastic. It's about making your own future and your own destiny and Kate will do a very good job of that.” ― Prince William

Viewers Statistics

Dear readers,

I can't help but to notice that most of the viewers are either from Malaysia (obviously) or United States. Since that's the case, I will try to also provide some relevant posts for the Americans :) Hopefully.

The Politician

The 13th General Election (GE) in Malaysia

With the thrill of the next election for Malaysians, one of the reports stated that "84% of the election seats are up for grabs" quoted from http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Malaysia+Najib+struggles+with+election+dilemma/7251340/story.html
I am not sure if that's true but what I am sure is that the Barisan National (BN) will not be able to ride its bicycle downhill for this coming GE. Much has been said about Sabah and Sarawak being the 'fixed deposit' seats for the BN, are the remaining 16% of the statistics contributed by those states? Perhaps with the addition of Johor since it is a BN stronghold.

The Politician

Merdeka 55 (Malaysia's 55th Independence)

31st August 2012 marks another year of independence however this year the government came up with a horrible slogan.

"Janji Detepati" (Promises Fulfilled)

Does that sound like a merdeka slogan? Due to the coming election they have come up with THAT desperate measures? Sometimes I feel that the government is being led by a bunch of non-educated morons.

P/S: I am not a fan of Anwar Ibrahim but in this case, the People's Alliance obviously, came up with a better logo.

The Politician.

Time Worth Wasting

One of my favorite quotes is this "A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter is not a nice person."

I strongly believe in that.

After a little working experience here and there, I have noticed and even myself, learnt that, we lose our sense of humility (if you even got some) when we make rash decisions and rushing for something. Probably because we weren't thinking.

However, I have often noticed that it is more beneficial that we take our time to decide properly and waste some time than to be fast and thoughtless. Often, it will backfire if you do not take time and think.

The Politician.

Good Results, By Hook or By Crook?

Some of my Chinese friends said this to me "Why be so good, just bring notes into tests and exams. In the end, nobody going to know how you got good grades but your performance shows you are good!"

What do you readers think?

It is a question of ethical, moral and professionalism because these people are future engineers by the way.

The Politician

Economic Crisis, Never Ending...?

"Economic crisis" These are the same words that many hears today. Greece, Portugal, Italy and now Spain- Europe's 3rd largest economy.

When will this end? No idea but they have lots to do. Let me give you some figures. Labor productivity in Spain (real output per worker) only went up 15% between 1990 to 2010- quoted from Fortune 500. However, the costs per worker went up 120%.

Spanish wine exports were focused more on volume rather than value. This is a sector where could assist in the recovery of their economy if properly utilized.

The Politician

I have seen posters of Chief Minister and MPs being printed for coming general election in Malaysia. Would Najib push until 2013? I doubt, most likely he will wait for Pakatan to commit a mistake and after the budget, he might possibly dissolve the parliament.

Again, just a prediction, let us see.

再见 （Goodbye) for now.

p/s: I am learning Mandarin.

Najib Isn't Changing M'sia Much...

Dear readers,

The general election can be called upon anytime by the Premier which must be done prior to March 2013. With obvious signs of the current government weakening due to many reasons:

1. Severe corruption
2. Najib's problems like the accusation of the Mongolian model and overpriced submarine purchases
3. BN's control on media, papers and some said the election committee which I find that it easy to believe.

A year ago, I think the opposition is weakening but it still managed to hold itself well- haven't self-destruct. Personally, I believe that opposition, PKR in particular should field better candidates for the next general election so that, if they win, they would not jump over.

However, the most important question is, IF PR coalition wins, which I still doubt, would BN give way peacefully?

Many have suggested that documents will be destroyed, they will try to hold on or even cause havoc, and etc. Racial tension... Hmm... I don't think so but there would be a lot of street demos... Possibly that would be bad for businesses.

But again, with the current election commission, it would not be easy for the opposition.

Spain In Red For How Long?

Following Greece are countries like Portugal and Spain. With being assisted by European Central Bank (ECB), money has been injected easily into the country. The question is, will they manage to make their country balance back in the green?

Unemployment in Spain increasing, economy contracting. Would they manage to reduce its deficit target this year to 5.3% and next to 3%?

Would Asia gain the power in the near future to control the economy especially commodities? :p Being an Asian, we might! :P

The Politician

2012

~ Betch

The politician speaks the truth. I've been busy with many things. And also, when I did find time for myself, I thought of blogging but I had no inspiration. I didn't know what to write about. 

Well anyways, moving on... 2012 sure is something, don't you think? I mean, at least it is for me... I'm halfway through my junior year in college, working part-time for this online-shopping website, driving in KL, and donating blood for the first time. Quite an eventful start, I would say. I sure hope the end of the world isn't this year.

And we won't know until it happens.

One should not dread the unexpected, but receive it and be at peace with a matter that's out of his control. Worrying can lead one to do the least of everything, which is nothing. 

It's three in the morning, I shall be off to bed. I promise to return with new happenings to blog about!

God bless!

Credit Ain't Working, Euro + America

Greece has just been bailed out... again, in order to safeguard the Euro currency and of course saving Greece's ass. What about America? Will it engage into war or countries compromising because it is AMERICA? I find it interesting to be alive at this current moment with the dynamic fluctuations of economies. Any later, the world would be too polluted to live in. If I was born earlier, the world would be too slow and I would be using rocks to communicate.

Anyway, since all my partners in blog are superbly busy, including me of course. All posts will be kept short and straight to the point!

Adios for now~

The Politician.