Merdeka

Hari Merdeka.. a day when we have celebrated what it means to be Malaysian every year. A day that remembers the euphoria that engulfed the nation once as its independence from British rule was announced, culminating in Tunku Abdul Rahman's shouts of "Merdeka" echoing around Dataran Merdeka.

The perceived importance of the day has certainly changed over the last decade, as Hari Malaysia (September 16) has taken on a more prominent role.. a day that wasn't even a holiday 7 years ago. This year's celebration especially seems to be marred by talk of why Sarawakians and Sabahans should celebrate the day given they weren't part of the nation that gained independence on Hari Merdeka back in 1957.

Troubling thoughts.. divisive thoughts. I still dream of a day when we all identify as Malaysians.. not Malays, not Chinese, not Indians, not Bumiputras, not Johorians, not Sarawakians. We may take pride in our roots and ethnic heritage, but that doesn't give us the right to be bigots.

Selamat Hari Merdeka, Malaysia. May we break these man-made barriers that divide us, and celebrate our similarities and differences. Here's to unity, in diversity.

On a mildly related note, I have finally liberated myself from the clutches of the krAKERn. What is difficult is leaving the amazing people I've been privileged to work with. 6 years.. it feels like a graduation of sorts. Now I'm off to what I hope are greener pastures. Time will tell. Ta!

Our Powderful English

Some time ago, I mentioned to a group of friends (of fellow Malaysians that is.. not gonna mention names though lol) that I felt some of the best speakers of the English language I've heard are Malaysians. As soon as I made this comment I received blank "do you even know what you're saying?" looks. Of course, then I didn't have anything to back up my observation so I decided to drop the topic... till now. A recent study conducted by the international education company EF (Education First) ranked Malaysia 11th in the world for English proficiency (from 13th in 2012) and - #1 in Asia!

Download the 2013 EF Report here

NST's article on the subject

First post of 2014.. first post in a LONG while.

Oh.. and Happy New Year people.

Avanzar

As you can see, I've made quite a few changes with regards to the blog's layout. I started off with a new header background; finally one that has a little more personalization. My background to date primarily lies with the two institutions that are pictured in fading grey, so I figured it would be a nice play on the dual-meaning of backgrounds. The pictures are set against a photograph I took during my trip to LA on Santa Monica Beach.. basically it's the Pacific horizon at sunset. It really was quite a sight - perhaps the most lasting image from that Californian winter trip. Of course, the symbolic nature of the horizon cannot be undermined.

I guess I am at the starting point of what could be a defining career, and it is definitely significant enough to warrant these changes - a commemorative act, if I may say so..

Oh and Happy Merdeka Day, fellow Malaysians! I see a lot of words being strewn and cast all over the social media.. words that give me hope that perhaps that 'bright future' I envision can be achieved much sooner.. If only everyone would simply practice what they preach. Patriotism shouldn't be something that lights up for only a day, or even a month every year. May we hold on to this spirit and move forward in unison, towards a future that keeps getting better..