Channel 707: You Made Me Smile For Being Malaysian

It's Merdeka Day today. Today marks the 52th anniversary of the nation's independence. H1N1 is still spreading like wildfire, I'm preserving my energy in the fasting month, I've done my necessary shoppings. So what better way to spend a public holiday of doing nothing rather than living a bum marking on the couch. I've always enjoyed watching channel 707 (Astro translation: Discovery Travel & Living). I've always been fascinated with all the great places to go around the world, to explore the great people and the great food around the world. The travel journalist sure did their job well. I just feel like not working, spending a whole year just, travelling.

But today, channel 707 did more than just that. Channel 707 brought me back home and make me realise how great it is to live here in Malaysia. I was watching back to back episodes of Passage To Malaysia and I have to say 'Hey, being Malaysian is not a bad thing at all'. One episode talks about how Jamie (the host that is) went throught the festivities celebrated here in Malaysia (i.e. Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali), and how the concept of warmth, family, togetherness being portrayed. It's cool to see Jamie celebrated Hari Raya with the Negeri Sembilan royal family, chatting around with the now Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar, and enjoying great hospitality by the royal family. Then you see Denise (another host, which is interestingly hot) travel down the waters of Langkawi, Penang, Pangkor & Melaka, exploring the wonders of flora & fauna, culture & history. I was amazed to see a Caucasian family been living in Pangkor Island for the past 4 generations, settling down with the locals and loving it. Woww, it just amazes me that we are so proud and bragged about living overseas, yet little that we know that the foreigners think Malaysia as more than just home.

Another show, 'Food Safari' talks about Malaysian food loved by the Australians. There's a Malaysian restaurant owned by a Chinese family and they cook and serve beef rendang, laksa, even roti canai. Malay cuisine being prepared by a Chinese? That is just so 1 Malaysia. And some time ago I've watched Anthony Bourdain's show about his journey into Malaysian culinary world and how he was just mesmerised by the fusion that is going on. Wow, I do watch a lot of TV, haha...

So there you go, watching these shows made me realised that Malaysia is home. We arm warm, fun loving people with nice food to eat and nice places to go to. The foreigners gave two thumbs up to what Malaysia has to offer, and so why can't we? Yes of course, we have cracks and voids here and there in our system. To Astro, I think your Negaraku concept of airing Malaysia related material during Merdeka month is just brilliant! As a Malaysian I just want to say terima kasih...

P.S: I just laughed my ass off hearing Denise's pronunciation of an-gin lembut lembut...

See Malaysia From The Eyes Of Malaysians...

In the spirit of Merdeka, I came across the website of 15Malaysia. Basically it is a short film project, led by Pete Teo addressing some aspects of Malaysia life. Why 15? Well, according to the website's FAQ, it's simply because it is a nice number (not to mention that there are 15 featured short films in this website). Filmmakers of these films ranged from the unknowns to the reputable ones, like the late Yasmin Ahmad.

I happened to stumble on this site while surfing a gossip column (That's right, I admit it. I enjoy gossips once in a while, haha). At the moment not all videos have been featured; they have their own release dates. I have however check out some of the uploaded videos. 'Potong Saga' tells a story about how a guy was misinformed on how Islamic banking works; but in the end unfolds something more; the fact that people can easily be misinformed and have the tendency of 'following without questioning'. 'Chocolate' by arwah Yasmin Ahmad reminds us that life goes on- even if not all of it is sweet (how I like this statement). Owhh not to mention, we even have politicians of different political background willingly participate in this project. In 'The Tree' the great Tuan Guru himself was the principal cast, giving his words of wisdom in a subtle yet meaningful way.

So, enough reading my thoughts about this. Go check it out yourself! You may have a diiferent word than what I have said. Heck, there's even one video which I thought was great but the ending scene brought me to a conclusion that the filmmaker could be insensitive. (you may know ehich vid I'm talking about once you've watched it). As a teaser, here's one of the showcased short films. Have a good weekend:)

In The Spirit Of 1 Malaysia

You can't help but think that Malaysia is such a wonderful country to live in. People all different race, colour & religion can live happily in harmony, and the examples are right in front of our eyes. That's why I think the introduction of the 1 Malaysia concept is a good idea! (political ideologies aside, of course). I the spirit of embracing this concept, here's a song creatively crafted for our listening pleasure, courtesy of the AMP Networks. Enjoy:)
Download

Satu Malaysia - Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan

Verse 1

Oh indahnya pabila
Kita bersama
Kau, aku, kita semua
Tiada bezanya

No matter whatever the challenge may be
We’ll face it together, the stronger we’ll be

*Tamil lyrics*(淡米爾語)
Ondraga seinthu, endrendrum vazhvom Santhosham neeranthaeram
(Together we come united as one, and live forever, Our happiness is permanent.)

Chorus

Satu Bangsa
Satu Suara
Satu Nada
Satu Irama
Bersama kita capai semua
Satu Malaysia

Rap

Satu Bangsa we're united in music
Satu Irama united we stand
I feel the hearts of my people when we struggle everyday to be the best that we can
We share the food that we eat, we share the words that we speak, I say what’s up? You say “apa cerita?”
You hungry bro?, jom makanlah!

Verse 2

We go up, never go down
We go up together

*Chinese lyrics*(華語)
Wo men shi yi ge Malaysia (we are one Malaysia)(我們是一個馬來西亞)
Wo men yong yuan zai tong yi ge jia (we are one family)(我們永遠在同一個家)

Together we are strong
Tuan jie yi qi bu fen bi ci (unity with one vision)(團結一起不分彼此)
Together we are strong
Xiang qin xiang ai wan zhong yi xin (we love each other and we share a vision)(相親相愛萬眾一心)
United we stay, forever and ever
That's the way it's gonna be

Chorus 1x

Bridge Sketch

Ean: Dude, JJ!
JJ: Yes Ean.
Ean: You know what part is this in the song
JJ: Yes it’s the part where they go 1 key higher
Ean: Okay we’ll be quiet now okay
JJ: Yea coz we can't sing but everyone else, 1 key higher!

Chorus 2x

Eh, dah habis? Saya nanyi bila?
Eh engkau dah tua dah.
Engkau dengan aku tak nanyi.
Tepuk tangan je.

Malaysian Taxi Drivers, Wannabe Posers & Brawn Domination: My Two Cents Worth

My internet connection back in my home in Malacca is not working, so I can only update my blog during the weekend. Anyway, a few things caught my attention throughout the week. One comes from a comment sent by a reader in The Star's webpage about the disgrace of our very own Malaysian taxi drivers. We have heard so much about them; about them overcharging their fares, not using their metres, being snobbish and rude, and picky about destinations. In a way, they have portrayed such a bad image towards Malaysia. The government has spent millions of ringgits in tourism, promoting Malaysia as 'truly Asia', yet the attitude does not represent Asia at all. According to the reader, even taxis in the Philipines and Thailand are better and more ahead than us, not to mention our closest neighbour, the Singaporeans. Are we too late or is there still something up on the Government's sleeves to solve this problem? All Malaysians ever want is a decent ride to get us from A to B with comfort, drove by a decent, well-mannered Malaysians. You may search in Google for answers, but may I suggest the search engine in The Star as a good start to understand to the core the frustrations faced by all of us. Dear CVLB (Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board), do something!

Thursday was the Malaysian premierre of the long awaited Fast and Furious. This time, it goes back old skool (yeah, just like the first movie). Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster (damn she's hot!) is back in action. I would not say it is as good as the original (nothing beats the original), but an entertaining action flick I must say. I would give it a 7 out of 10. Actually I'm not here to comment about the movie. You've got to see it for yourself! What I'm interested to write about is what happens after that. My friends and I were queuing up to pay the parking ticket, and there it was; a bunch of immature wannabe posers who suddenly acted as if the're in the movie. They started revving their not so powerful engines to the max, trying to create a scene with hope everyone starts to admire of their ride's 'potential'. I mean come on! it's not that you're riding a R-34, a Sylvia or even a Golf GTi!! You guys drove only a mere timid Proton Satria with some add-ons and mods. Big deal! If you asked me, I'm not at all impressed. You will get my attention and respect if you're in one of those real rides. And the funny thing is, those who are in this genuine rides did not show off at all. They acted all poised and cool. Not like them posers. God I hate them. At one them, I just wished them to bang at some lamp post or wall or something. That will teach them a lesson.

Anyway, today is the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Sepang. It's the tenth anniversary of Malaysia organising this prestigious event, and yours truly is going! Formula 1 has always been my regular staple in my life calendar. And looking at the qualifying yesterday, Brawn has done it again! Button has scored yet another pole. Wow, this underdog is a must watch. The favourites (Ferrari, McLaren & BMW) have not been impressive in the track. Well, today is the race day, and we'll see if Brawn can do it again! You know what, I'm gonna look up for a Brawn cap. I have 'switched' my allegiance to Brawn GP (Sorry Sauber!). To top things up, Jamiroquai will be performing in a post race concert. Hopefully the weather is on our favour, and we're promised to a top notch racing action.

Till the next post. Vroom Vroom!

Honk! If You're Malaysian

I am telling this in my most humble, honest opinion; literature is not my thingymajiggy. Magazines, newspapers, comics; now that's a different story. Reading has not always been my regular cup of tea. But once in a blue moon, I do get caught on reading some interesting stuff. And so in this post, I would like to introduce a book about Malaysians, written by a Malaysian..simply said, it is uniquely Malaysian. I'm talking about 'Honk! If You're Malaysian'.

"Lydia Teh, the observer of the absurdities of Malaysian life, returns with more absurdities of life and oddities of human behaviour. Everything in life is grist for her mill; there's always something in the nothingness of everyday life that does not escape her pin-sharp eye. In this collection of anecdotes, she brings on more trenchant observations that capture the variegated textures and nuances of Malaysian life as it is lived." Eric Forbes

It is a simple, light reading on how Malaysians live and work, the culture, the language..basically the core fundamentals of being Malaysian. I have enjoyed reading this. The author has been spot-on observing Malaysians in her everyday life. I have to admit, reading it makes me proud of being a Malaysian.

The book is available at all major bookstores. So, feel free to check it out!