Friday, June 27, 2008
I will get my Dutch driving license!!!
I will get my Dutch driving license... sooner or later!!!! No Dutch exam is too difficult for me!!!! I'm gonna have faith I'll pass the next time round!!!! Pray I don't get another pompous ol' examiner the next time round! I'm not gonna give up! I wanna get my driving license before he gets here!!!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
What's wrong with Malaysia?
People say that when you go abroad to study, you broaden your horizon... and I think that's very true. Not in terms of the study itself, but more on what I've seen in people, the system here, the country, and compare it objectively with what I'm used to for the past 20 odd years in Malaysia. The term the grass is always greener on the other side is so very true. Before I came over to this side of the world, I was really a "katak di bawah tempurung". For me England was located between Europe and Russia, and images of England were those I see from Pride and Prejudice or Mr.Bean. And I imagined Holland to be infested with drugs and prostitutes, amongst some milkmaids. Boy... was I wrong... After having lived in England and Netherlands for several years, I have seen and experienced the true picture of the Western developed world.
The hottest topic among Malaysians now is the rise in the oil price. True, the increase is rather drastic... very drastic I would say. But for a true change to happen, drastic measures has to be taken. However, as much as I think it is reasonable that the oil price is increased, the government should have taken steps to improve the public transport system. Memories from school still haunts me... of waiting for hours for the bus to go home! Here in NL, the bus comes every 10-15 minutes, and during peak hour, even every 4-7 minutes! The people here are just as savage as us Malaysians... it's the survival of the fittest... whoever is strongest gets on the bus, or in my case, small enough to squeeze between everyone. England is better.... even if there are 60 people waiting for the bus, there is an orderly queue. Now back to the oil price... we cannot compare ourselves to major oil producers of the world. Although we are an oil producing country, oil is NOT out major commodity! We are not even in the top 15 oil producers in the world! If were to compare directly everything, then for example Holland is a dairy product producer. I actually pay RM5/liter of milk! Do Malaysians even pay that much?? You CANNOT compare the exchange rate, and say that the other oil producing countries pay so much less (in RM) for their oil! There are things that are cheaper in their country and things which are more expensive. There is always a balance. I do agree that the timing for this increase in oil was not very timely. People are already struggling with the hike in rice, electricity and food in general. And this does ADD to the burden of the people. But one thing I noticed (and I am also myself, so I have the right to criticize), is that Malaysians are extremely lazy and pampered and do not care at all about the environment. Because everything has been so comfortable, oil is so cheap, and driving is so convenient that we drive EVERYWHERE! Even if the place is within walking distance. I actually used to drive from one building to the next, which is only 2 minutes walking distance. That was how lazy I was. Now, because the price of petrol is so high here, I have to keep a close tab of how much I drive. Even then, I do still carry the "laziness" gene, and drive from my house to my workplace which is 15 minutes walking distance and less than 5 minutes biking distance... but I do that only during the winter when the weather is cold and rainy, or when I have to stay past midnite in the lab. But actually by driving such short distances so often, we are killing the environment. But for convenience, we Malaysians overlook it. I think it's a good move to increase the price... not because I'm not living there, and I don't feel the pinch (my parents and sister are still living there, and I would like them to live as comfortably as possible)... but because it's time for us to change... we should think twice about driving, and to think more for the environment. So Malaysians, don't complain. I pay RM8/liter. And the price of rice for me now is RM50/5kg. If you want to compare RM to RM, then compare with me.
HOWEVER (there's always a however), I think the standard of living is VERY high in Malaysia. But the thing is Malaysians seem to like it very much. I earn less than an average Bachelors graduate ($1650). I have to think 5X before I buy a shoe that's $20, a shirt that's $15 or a dress that's $25. I have to wait for ZARA to have sales, and buy the items which are in a pile for $3/T-shirt. And for food, I have to cook at home because eating is so expensive outside, so I spend about $30/week on groceries. But Malaysians who are JUST students, or new graduates (who earns let's say $2000) easily buys a shoe for more than $100, a shirt for $60 or a dress for $150. And food... well... Malaysians are known to eat A LOT... when I was in UPM, I spend at least $100/week on food! There's breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, supper, late supper... and because all requires eating outside, it would at least e $3/meal. That was 5 years ago... now it's probably $5/meal. But it has NEVER occured to us to save money and COOK instead. It was just more convenient to eat out! When I was back home, and met a high school friend who lives in UK now, she was just complaining about how expensive things are... we ate at Dome, and it was on average like $20 per person! And the thing is it's such a norm to do that! These restaurants or cafes are ALWAYS packed! I sometimes eat out with my friends here, and it costs also about $25/person... but I do that less than 5 times a year! I do it more often nowadays because I want to treat and bless my friends who are students. But 90% of the time, when I eat with my friends, I invite them to my place and cook for them. It's not because I'm great at cooking or like it sooo much, but it is more economical.
HOWEVER... there are GOOD things about Malaysia, that nobody notices. For example, I was really dissapointed with the medical system here. The procedure here goes like this... sick... call clinic to make appointment.... appointment in 1 week.... sick for 1 week.... appointment time... too sick to go to clinic/sometimes if lucky feel better already... and if manage to see doctor, get perscription.... hunt for pharmacy.... get medicine from Pharmacy. In Malaysia, sick... go to clinic... wait max 1 hour (if private probably immediately or 5 min)... see doctor... get medicine (from the clinic). Being sick here is such a hassle that I don't dare to be sick! My boss knows now that if I'm sick, I just call and tell her that I'll sleep at home for a day. Doctors suck here! I used to think Malaysian doctors sucks... but at least I've met one doctor that I like, she was my child doctor. I have yet to meet one here that is good. Either their English is not good, or I seem to know more than them! And to think they study for 6 years!!
#2 is the income tax. My measly pay gets taxed 35%! In Malaysia, for that amount, I don't think you'll even be taxed! And it's obligatory for me to get a health insurance, which is not paid by the company, and that costs about $100-120/month (The good thing is if you are terminally ill, the insurance company CANNOT deny you an insurance policy just as the others have). Taxes and third party insurance only for driving a medium sized car (like an iswara) is $40-50/month. Parking is $2.50/hour!! How can you even compare that to the comfortable lifestyle in Malaysia!! We Malaysians just spend and spend and spend our money unnecessarily and complain how expensive things are!
No doubt politically.... there are things which has to be changed. Corruption does run quite high, so does nepotism... public transport system has to change... we should STOP trying to "beat"others unnecessarily by having the tallest building (which would not last long)... or go on silly trips to the moon and do silly tests which does not impact the world one bit, and is not even with our won technology.....or build unnecessary projects like the BioValley (which I had so much hope in) which is now a white elephant. Channel the money towards good use. Charge higher taxes if necessary, increase oil prices if necessary... but please channel the money to good use. Leaders... lead well. Malaysians... live well... and stop the complaining. Open your eyes and be truly objective to what is fair and what is not. I will not give up on Malaysia. She is my home.
The hottest topic among Malaysians now is the rise in the oil price. True, the increase is rather drastic... very drastic I would say. But for a true change to happen, drastic measures has to be taken. However, as much as I think it is reasonable that the oil price is increased, the government should have taken steps to improve the public transport system. Memories from school still haunts me... of waiting for hours for the bus to go home! Here in NL, the bus comes every 10-15 minutes, and during peak hour, even every 4-7 minutes! The people here are just as savage as us Malaysians... it's the survival of the fittest... whoever is strongest gets on the bus, or in my case, small enough to squeeze between everyone. England is better.... even if there are 60 people waiting for the bus, there is an orderly queue. Now back to the oil price... we cannot compare ourselves to major oil producers of the world. Although we are an oil producing country, oil is NOT out major commodity! We are not even in the top 15 oil producers in the world! If were to compare directly everything, then for example Holland is a dairy product producer. I actually pay RM5/liter of milk! Do Malaysians even pay that much?? You CANNOT compare the exchange rate, and say that the other oil producing countries pay so much less (in RM) for their oil! There are things that are cheaper in their country and things which are more expensive. There is always a balance. I do agree that the timing for this increase in oil was not very timely. People are already struggling with the hike in rice, electricity and food in general. And this does ADD to the burden of the people. But one thing I noticed (and I am also myself, so I have the right to criticize), is that Malaysians are extremely lazy and pampered and do not care at all about the environment. Because everything has been so comfortable, oil is so cheap, and driving is so convenient that we drive EVERYWHERE! Even if the place is within walking distance. I actually used to drive from one building to the next, which is only 2 minutes walking distance. That was how lazy I was. Now, because the price of petrol is so high here, I have to keep a close tab of how much I drive. Even then, I do still carry the "laziness" gene, and drive from my house to my workplace which is 15 minutes walking distance and less than 5 minutes biking distance... but I do that only during the winter when the weather is cold and rainy, or when I have to stay past midnite in the lab. But actually by driving such short distances so often, we are killing the environment. But for convenience, we Malaysians overlook it. I think it's a good move to increase the price... not because I'm not living there, and I don't feel the pinch (my parents and sister are still living there, and I would like them to live as comfortably as possible)... but because it's time for us to change... we should think twice about driving, and to think more for the environment. So Malaysians, don't complain. I pay RM8/liter. And the price of rice for me now is RM50/5kg. If you want to compare RM to RM, then compare with me.
HOWEVER (there's always a however), I think the standard of living is VERY high in Malaysia. But the thing is Malaysians seem to like it very much. I earn less than an average Bachelors graduate ($1650). I have to think 5X before I buy a shoe that's $20, a shirt that's $15 or a dress that's $25. I have to wait for ZARA to have sales, and buy the items which are in a pile for $3/T-shirt. And for food, I have to cook at home because eating is so expensive outside, so I spend about $30/week on groceries. But Malaysians who are JUST students, or new graduates (who earns let's say $2000) easily buys a shoe for more than $100, a shirt for $60 or a dress for $150. And food... well... Malaysians are known to eat A LOT... when I was in UPM, I spend at least $100/week on food! There's breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, supper, late supper... and because all requires eating outside, it would at least e $3/meal. That was 5 years ago... now it's probably $5/meal. But it has NEVER occured to us to save money and COOK instead. It was just more convenient to eat out! When I was back home, and met a high school friend who lives in UK now, she was just complaining about how expensive things are... we ate at Dome, and it was on average like $20 per person! And the thing is it's such a norm to do that! These restaurants or cafes are ALWAYS packed! I sometimes eat out with my friends here, and it costs also about $25/person... but I do that less than 5 times a year! I do it more often nowadays because I want to treat and bless my friends who are students. But 90% of the time, when I eat with my friends, I invite them to my place and cook for them. It's not because I'm great at cooking or like it sooo much, but it is more economical.
HOWEVER... there are GOOD things about Malaysia, that nobody notices. For example, I was really dissapointed with the medical system here. The procedure here goes like this... sick... call clinic to make appointment.... appointment in 1 week.... sick for 1 week.... appointment time... too sick to go to clinic/sometimes if lucky feel better already... and if manage to see doctor, get perscription.... hunt for pharmacy.... get medicine from Pharmacy. In Malaysia, sick... go to clinic... wait max 1 hour (if private probably immediately or 5 min)... see doctor... get medicine (from the clinic). Being sick here is such a hassle that I don't dare to be sick! My boss knows now that if I'm sick, I just call and tell her that I'll sleep at home for a day. Doctors suck here! I used to think Malaysian doctors sucks... but at least I've met one doctor that I like, she was my child doctor. I have yet to meet one here that is good. Either their English is not good, or I seem to know more than them! And to think they study for 6 years!!
#2 is the income tax. My measly pay gets taxed 35%! In Malaysia, for that amount, I don't think you'll even be taxed! And it's obligatory for me to get a health insurance, which is not paid by the company, and that costs about $100-120/month (The good thing is if you are terminally ill, the insurance company CANNOT deny you an insurance policy just as the others have). Taxes and third party insurance only for driving a medium sized car (like an iswara) is $40-50/month. Parking is $2.50/hour!! How can you even compare that to the comfortable lifestyle in Malaysia!! We Malaysians just spend and spend and spend our money unnecessarily and complain how expensive things are!
No doubt politically.... there are things which has to be changed. Corruption does run quite high, so does nepotism... public transport system has to change... we should STOP trying to "beat"others unnecessarily by having the tallest building (which would not last long)... or go on silly trips to the moon and do silly tests which does not impact the world one bit, and is not even with our won technology.....or build unnecessary projects like the BioValley (which I had so much hope in) which is now a white elephant. Channel the money towards good use. Charge higher taxes if necessary, increase oil prices if necessary... but please channel the money to good use. Leaders... lead well. Malaysians... live well... and stop the complaining. Open your eyes and be truly objective to what is fair and what is not. I will not give up on Malaysia. She is my home.
Friday, June 6, 2008
oh my heart yearn...
Saw a couple walking hand in hand, and the girl was smiling and looked up, and the guy bent down and kissed her. I miss him....
Monday, June 2, 2008
Blog moron
Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Lack of inspiration to blog + Lazy to blog = Blog moron. Been back home to KL, Malaysia for 3.5 weeks. It was really really nice to be home after such a long absence. Many things has changed since the last time I went back:
1. My sis has a baby, and she's almost 9 months old now. She's such a cutie! I call her Si Menangis (Miss Cry Baby) because she is such a pampered princess and cries all the time. But she is just sooo adorable, that it's hard to be annoyed with her! She probably hates me, because I'm the only one who doesnt give in to her whims. Church kids ministry has toughen me up against babies crying.
2. Shopping complexes have evolved. Mid Valley Megamall now has an extra wing called the Gardens... which houses super posh brands. There is also Pavillion in Bukit Bintang area, which is also another posh place. Even Suria KLCC has an extra wing... shopping bliss.....
3. The squatter houses near my parent's place has all been cleared away. Look even uglier now... barren land.... and the squatter house just next to the river opposite my parent's house is also gone. Don't seem to see the scary mad looking red eyed dog anymore, but there are new addition to the family now, 2 crippled dogs. The "owners" still come and "feed" the dogs i.e. throw a plastic bag of food in the middle of the road.... and the dogs just rip it open.....sheesh... talk about civic mindedness.
4. Bus 165 Len Seng has been replaced by Rapid KL?!?!? 165 brings back such memories.... actually mostly really bad ones... but oh well, bad experiences build character eh?
5. CIty Harvest Church is now more than 1000 members!! Wow! I barely know anyone there now. The first week, I even had to sit in the overflow area OUTSIDE the church. It was scorching hot! The message was good, so it was worth it.
But some things remain the same....
Hokkien mee good as ever.....
Wantan mee good as ever....
All SJI teachers are still there...
Sisters annoying as ever... well, sometimes in a good way *grin*
Dad still has his "plantation" ... this time it was pineapples.
too many too list.... lazy liao.... that's it lar. I gave my 20% perspiration to write this blog....
1. My sis has a baby, and she's almost 9 months old now. She's such a cutie! I call her Si Menangis (Miss Cry Baby) because she is such a pampered princess and cries all the time. But she is just sooo adorable, that it's hard to be annoyed with her! She probably hates me, because I'm the only one who doesnt give in to her whims. Church kids ministry has toughen me up against babies crying.
2. Shopping complexes have evolved. Mid Valley Megamall now has an extra wing called the Gardens... which houses super posh brands. There is also Pavillion in Bukit Bintang area, which is also another posh place. Even Suria KLCC has an extra wing... shopping bliss.....
3. The squatter houses near my parent's place has all been cleared away. Look even uglier now... barren land.... and the squatter house just next to the river opposite my parent's house is also gone. Don't seem to see the scary mad looking red eyed dog anymore, but there are new addition to the family now, 2 crippled dogs. The "owners" still come and "feed" the dogs i.e. throw a plastic bag of food in the middle of the road.... and the dogs just rip it open.....sheesh... talk about civic mindedness.
4. Bus 165 Len Seng has been replaced by Rapid KL?!?!? 165 brings back such memories.... actually mostly really bad ones... but oh well, bad experiences build character eh?
5. CIty Harvest Church is now more than 1000 members!! Wow! I barely know anyone there now. The first week, I even had to sit in the overflow area OUTSIDE the church. It was scorching hot! The message was good, so it was worth it.
But some things remain the same....
Hokkien mee good as ever.....
Wantan mee good as ever....
All SJI teachers are still there...
Sisters annoying as ever... well, sometimes in a good way *grin*
Dad still has his "plantation" ... this time it was pineapples.
too many too list.... lazy liao.... that's it lar. I gave my 20% perspiration to write this blog....
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
