The day started with an early sun rise. I got up and get ready while waiting for my uncle and sister-in-law to go to the market. Today their market business is closed as Monday normally has the least crowd. My grandma asked me to follow my youngest aunt but I told her that I will follow my uncle. Nothing personal, it’s just that I’m more comfortable with my uncle and sister-in-law. They are more genuine and easy going.
The day started by my uncle dropping off the bean spouts and yellow noodles to his clients. Then we went for breakfast. We had Sasak noodles. It was a large plate. I had my noodle together with ice Milo. One thing I found out here is that the food is very salty. Each time I eat, my tongue is salted. I end up having to drink a lot of water. Maybe the food is salty due to the hot weather we experienced in Labuan. People are so used to eating salty food. My niece, Wanda, was really funny that she introduced her mom and dad to me. She was able to eat herself even though she’s only over a year old. She is able to hold the spoon and eat by herself until finish without much mess.
After breakfast, we walked to the gold smith shop where I want to buy a CAT watch. It was still too early when we arrived so we walked around the area. I stopped by a shop to buy Indonesia batik. The batik here is so cheap and with wide varieties. It’s a recommended souvenir to purchase when one come to Labuan. I don’t go to the sights seeing areas because I’ve visited it many times previously so this time is more to buy selected items and visit my relatives. I bought 4 batik clothes for myself and 2 as a souvenir to my colleagues. After that, we stopped by a shoes shop and I bought a pair for Wanda. I wanted to buy one for Gigi but don’t know her size.
After that, we walked back the goldsmith shop and I was glad that it opened. It’s not easy for my sister-in-law to accompany me with a small child tagging along. I choose my watch and bargain. I managed to get a limited diesel edition CAT watch with a 30% discount. I saw they have ceramic edition of RADO watch too. I’ll check KL price first before I come to buy one here on my next trip. After paying my watch, we stop for a quick drink before headed home. My uncle needs to water the bean spouts every 2 hours with 3 gallons of water. It’s a tough job but he and his wife is the breadwinner in the family. My aunt has her son, in-law and grand daughter living together at my grandma’s house but they didn’t fork out a penny for others. That’s why my dad is disappointed with them and wanted them to move out within 2 years.
When I reached home, my other niece, Gigi was waiting for me. She got up from her sleep and came to greet me. She is a bit pampered but I don’t mind. However, this behaviour is not favourable in this household. So, I can’t pamper her too much. Now she follows everywhere I go, even trying to follow me to the washroom! After playing with Gigi and Wanda for 2 hours, I follow my uncle out again to one of the shopping centers called Financial Park. There are a few local banks but I don’t see any foreign bank. Shops are not fully occupied and the lighting was dim. We walked around and I bought T-shirts. One for my friend, 2 for my sister-in-law and one for me. Then we headed home for lunch.
Lunch was nasi lemak my sister-in-law bought this morning with dishes. I had broccoli and it was nicely cooked. I went up to my room room after that to watch my DVD. Unfortunately, Gigi wanted to follow me so my uncle stopped her and she cried. Poor girl but I want to be alone.
Dinner was awesome! I had pig leg cooked with sweet vinegar. It has been more than 10years since I last had one. It was due to the hygiene issue. Here, pigs are rear naturally and clean. After dinner I chat with my uncle and in-law and get to know them better. They also told me their problem with the household here and having to bear everything and feed 2 families. I hope they will do well.
I went up to my room to continue my DVDs and fell asleep around 10pm. I seem to tired very early here.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Seafood Glorious Seafood Wonders - April 13th
Last night was a bit difficult to sleep although I was sleepy and tired. Maybe I was at a new place. I don’t remember what time I dozed off. I woke up this morning from my grandma’s call. It was 6.30am and it already full day light. 6.30am equivalent to 8am KL time. I showered and got ready for our breakfast outing. I’m so glad that grandma still goes out every Sunday for breakfast and meeting family members. Life is meaningful to her.
Grandma and I waited in my uncle’s 4WD while he carried all the noodles and bean sprouts to be sold at the market. It has been a long time I went to a wet market and Labuan market. The journey took merely 10 minutes with 45kmj speed. The streets along the market were narrow and cars line up alone both side. My uncle skillfully park at a street junction and we got down and walk to the market. Our stall was reasonable size but I think it is now smaller than 10 years ago. The market now relocated to the ground floor only. The top floor has been converted to offices. I guess business wasn’t as good as it used to be. I still remember the market was fill top and ground floor with stalls of vegetable sellers, on the top floor and ground floor was occupied by fish and meat stalls. Now there are far less sellers and stalls. Not to mention the space for each seller has been reduced to half the size. The walkway was only half meter width and lighting was really dim. The crowd was lesser than it used to be and I hardly see the commotion of exciting sellers trying to make a sale. Things are different now.
Labuan is a fail Federal Territory! They can build new library and new JKR housing apartments but the reality is economic is not moving and is gone backwards. The street children are as many as ever. I saw around 8 of them trying to crap through the burnt stalls, a portion of the market. Grandma said it is the third time a fire broke out at the market stalls. I wonder if is genuine or due to economic pressure. Where is the helping hand from the government? Have anyone highlight the condition of Labuan, our free zone financial park?
Back to my trip, my aunt and cousin brought us to breakfast. They had noodle soup and I ordered fried rice noodles and a glass of Milo. The rice noodle was big portion and tasty, Milo was perfect taste, unlike the one you find in KL where they put a lot of sugar to replace the milk and very little Milo. The rice noodles have at least 6 fresh prawns, 4 big pieces of chicken meat and cabbages. There’s still value for money here. I strongly recommend anyone to eat at the stalls at Labuan. You can walk into any stall and food will be great. One thing one has to be aware is the waiting time. It may take longer than the normal serving time in KL.
After breakfast, my aunt and cousin went shopping for groceries. I heard that people here also shop for one week groceries. Maybe there are more people working now compare to last time. After shopping, my aunt sent grandma and I back home. My niece was with us.
Did I mention that I now have 7 nieces and nephews? My grandma is already a great-grandma. Two of them live with my grandma. They are my youngest aunt’s granddaughter and my youngest uncle’s daughter. One is 2+ and another 1+. Both are very cute. One of them is a bit pampered but it is ok by me. Both can’t speak yet and are still using their baby languages. They are getting use to me on the second day. The elder one started coming to my room to play with me. I try to train her to speak a few words. I was surprise that at both ages, they can’t speak anything yet. Could it due to the duel languages they listen? Can’t be because child below 6 years old are super fast learner and it’s their brain development’s peak. Both my cousin-in-law and nephew-in-law are Native Sabahan. One of them already speaks Hakka fluently. Both live a simple lifestyle. How I wish I could do the same too? Living in metropolitan is super costly and complicated. Not to mention the competitions among metropolitizen in work, lifestyle, dollars and cents, the many C’s and achievements. All this are very tiring, that’s why heart attack patients are getting younger and some as young as 30’s. Is all this worth a living life?
My niece, Gigi
Back to my trip again, lunch was crabs, prawns, cuttlefish and overnight brinjal. I love them all and there are delicious. I think I can forget my diet again, postponing it again. After lunch, I went to my room to watch my DVDs. I was sleepy but the afternoon heat was unbearable. After a short nap I woke up at 4.30pm. Now I know the hottest time in my room is 4.30pm – 5.30pm. After that, it cool down and at night it’s going to be cold again.
Dinner was great and I ate a lot more crabs. I better watch it or my skin inflammation will worsen. Tomorrow I will eat a kind of noodle only available in Labuan called Susuk noodle. After that, it’s shopping time; I’ll probably buy some electronic stuff because clothes are not that in trend here. Anyway, first thing tomorrow when I go to the market is to walk around the area and take some photos.
This is what's left...
Grandma and I waited in my uncle’s 4WD while he carried all the noodles and bean sprouts to be sold at the market. It has been a long time I went to a wet market and Labuan market. The journey took merely 10 minutes with 45kmj speed. The streets along the market were narrow and cars line up alone both side. My uncle skillfully park at a street junction and we got down and walk to the market. Our stall was reasonable size but I think it is now smaller than 10 years ago. The market now relocated to the ground floor only. The top floor has been converted to offices. I guess business wasn’t as good as it used to be. I still remember the market was fill top and ground floor with stalls of vegetable sellers, on the top floor and ground floor was occupied by fish and meat stalls. Now there are far less sellers and stalls. Not to mention the space for each seller has been reduced to half the size. The walkway was only half meter width and lighting was really dim. The crowd was lesser than it used to be and I hardly see the commotion of exciting sellers trying to make a sale. Things are different now.
Labuan is a fail Federal Territory! They can build new library and new JKR housing apartments but the reality is economic is not moving and is gone backwards. The street children are as many as ever. I saw around 8 of them trying to crap through the burnt stalls, a portion of the market. Grandma said it is the third time a fire broke out at the market stalls. I wonder if is genuine or due to economic pressure. Where is the helping hand from the government? Have anyone highlight the condition of Labuan, our free zone financial park?
Back to my trip, my aunt and cousin brought us to breakfast. They had noodle soup and I ordered fried rice noodles and a glass of Milo. The rice noodle was big portion and tasty, Milo was perfect taste, unlike the one you find in KL where they put a lot of sugar to replace the milk and very little Milo. The rice noodles have at least 6 fresh prawns, 4 big pieces of chicken meat and cabbages. There’s still value for money here. I strongly recommend anyone to eat at the stalls at Labuan. You can walk into any stall and food will be great. One thing one has to be aware is the waiting time. It may take longer than the normal serving time in KL.
After breakfast, my aunt and cousin went shopping for groceries. I heard that people here also shop for one week groceries. Maybe there are more people working now compare to last time. After shopping, my aunt sent grandma and I back home. My niece was with us.
Did I mention that I now have 7 nieces and nephews? My grandma is already a great-grandma. Two of them live with my grandma. They are my youngest aunt’s granddaughter and my youngest uncle’s daughter. One is 2+ and another 1+. Both are very cute. One of them is a bit pampered but it is ok by me. Both can’t speak yet and are still using their baby languages. They are getting use to me on the second day. The elder one started coming to my room to play with me. I try to train her to speak a few words. I was surprise that at both ages, they can’t speak anything yet. Could it due to the duel languages they listen? Can’t be because child below 6 years old are super fast learner and it’s their brain development’s peak. Both my cousin-in-law and nephew-in-law are Native Sabahan. One of them already speaks Hakka fluently. Both live a simple lifestyle. How I wish I could do the same too? Living in metropolitan is super costly and complicated. Not to mention the competitions among metropolitizen in work, lifestyle, dollars and cents, the many C’s and achievements. All this are very tiring, that’s why heart attack patients are getting younger and some as young as 30’s. Is all this worth a living life?
My niece, Gigi
Back to my trip again, lunch was crabs, prawns, cuttlefish and overnight brinjal. I love them all and there are delicious. I think I can forget my diet again, postponing it again. After lunch, I went to my room to watch my DVDs. I was sleepy but the afternoon heat was unbearable. After a short nap I woke up at 4.30pm. Now I know the hottest time in my room is 4.30pm – 5.30pm. After that, it cool down and at night it’s going to be cold again.
Dinner was great and I ate a lot more crabs. I better watch it or my skin inflammation will worsen. Tomorrow I will eat a kind of noodle only available in Labuan called Susuk noodle. After that, it’s shopping time; I’ll probably buy some electronic stuff because clothes are not that in trend here. Anyway, first thing tomorrow when I go to the market is to walk around the area and take some photos.
This is what's left...
Trip To Labuan...Huhuhu - April 12th
After 10 years I finally went back to visit my grandma on 12 April 2008. I woke up 8.30am. It wasn’t easy since I took my anti-histamine last night and was still a bit drowsy when my alarm clock strikes. After a few snoozed, I got up from bed and showed. After drying myself, I prepared breakfast. It was just heating up my mom’s pao from the fridge.
When the pao was in the pot, I started pack my bag for the trip. I’m going to be there for 4 days. I still remember Labuan is a very humid and hot place due to the wind from the sea. I’m a light traveler but for this trip, I pack enough for 4 days. Oh, I mustn’t forget my tooth brush and creams. I going to try the hair product I bought yesterday, so in it goes into my faithful red Addidas hand carrier. Half way packing, my pao was cooked so I took it out from the pot and put in another one. I took a break and ate my pao. When the 2nd pao cooked, I ate that too. After that, I continued packing until I’m done.
The taxi was fairly fast after I made the call. It took me 40 minutes to arrived at the LCCT via the new Putrajaya highway. I sometimes drag the journey because the driver normally feels sleepy while driving. There was a time in the early morning trip that the driver dozed off a few seconds. I panic! Today’s driver wasn’t bad; he managed to stay awake until I reached LCCT. I paid RM70, which was RM5 extra from the supposed charge. I just obliged because I don’t want to miss my flight.
When I was walking towards the check-in counter, I suddenly felt someone pull my laptop bag…that has my valet containing money I just redrew from the ATM machine!! Luckily my laptop was very heavy and I have my hand around it that it wasn’t pull away. The indon guy has the cheek to say sorry and walk off. I gave him a stern stare. Just a few minutes later, a woman approached me asking me if I’m going to Labuan. I reluctantly asked what she wanted. She said she wants my help to carry some of her bags! Hello, don’t you read the newspaper where gullible girls were caught for drugs trafficking after helping a stranger? I have a no mercy policy when it comes to helping anyone carry things through airport. Why is this happened to me again? Why people approach me again? Is it because of my new hair cut? I really hope I don’t make the wrong choice with my new hair style.
After check-in, I proceed to the departure hall and waited for the flight. 1.5 hours to kill so I bought today’s paper. There was an interesting article about an interview with Annuar Ibrahim. People are getting more and more now and the place was getting nosier. There’s a different when you use MAS ans Airasia. The target market is different, therefore the passengers background is different too. Most I encountered are ‘less refine’ attitude and personality. The minute the flight number appeared on the display board, 99.99% of the passengers hogging the line in front of the gate. I paid extra RM20 for the express boarding. It was worth it looking at the circumstances. I remain seated until the controller mentioned passengers on express boarding to queue at the next line. It turned out only 5 passengers use it. There was a family with small kid queuing at that line but was later asked to return to the normal queue. The father asked the flight attendant why there was no specialty for family travel with small child. I guess he must have forgot to ask himself why he used Airasia. You have to pay for extra services. If one demand this and that, go use MAS. This is a typical Malaysian who blames other but never themselves. Never look at oneself in the mirror.
Once on the plane, we were asked to sit after roll 7. I heard an old man and a lady nagging why they can’t sit at the first roll. Here goes the whining again. The plane took off 15 minutes earlier. After an hour, I had hotdog and instant coffee for RM11. After my meal, I took a nap before reaching to Labuan. I was still very tried after all the final renovation work and moving in process during last Saturday, Sunday, Monday. I had to take last minute leave on yesterday to settle my house matters due to the developer’s mistake. Later that night I sent off my sister at the KLIA and took a taxi home quite late. Basically, I haven’t rest for more than a week. I hope I can rest for 2-3 days during this trip.
I arrived at Labuan airport at 3pm. It was a new airport, which shows how long I haven’t been here. Luckily the walk from the plane to the entrance was less than 5 minutes. I found my uncle waiting for me outside the airport. It took us 3 minutes to arrive my grandma’s home. I guess I don’t have to go early to the airport on Wednesday.
My grandma greeted me. I think she was shock to see how I changed. Anyway, I gave her a big hug and saw my aunt. There were 2 little girls. They are my grandma’s great grandchildren. Time flies and I’m still single. As expected, the weather was so hot and humid. After talking to my grandma a while I went up to my room for a nap. It was difficult and I ended up sweating all over. One thing good is that you don’t need water heater because it will never be cold no matter what time you shower.
I met my uncle’s wife whom my sister compliments a lot and know how to cook very well. Dinner was big, fresh prawn, sotong, terong and kangkong. The way of cooking was different and I love it. It’s very traditional and local taste. It has been so long since I last taste a real traditional, local style of cooking. I ate a lot for dinner. My uncle and his wife have to go to work after dinner. They sell bean sprout and Chinese noodles at the market and to the supermarkets. I’m going to follow him out at 7am tomorrow. My grandma said I will be meeting the rest of my relatives tomorrow during their Sunday outing. It’s nice to have a family gathering every Sunday. Values that I have forgotten after a decade I live in the metropolitan city. Everyone asked me what and where I want to shop and I told them I don’t really like shopping for clothes. I normally shop for books and crafts. Maybe I can buy some cheap and nice wooden crafts for my house.
I better sleep now as I have a early start tomorrow. I’m feeling sleepy too. See you tomorrow teddy.
When the pao was in the pot, I started pack my bag for the trip. I’m going to be there for 4 days. I still remember Labuan is a very humid and hot place due to the wind from the sea. I’m a light traveler but for this trip, I pack enough for 4 days. Oh, I mustn’t forget my tooth brush and creams. I going to try the hair product I bought yesterday, so in it goes into my faithful red Addidas hand carrier. Half way packing, my pao was cooked so I took it out from the pot and put in another one. I took a break and ate my pao. When the 2nd pao cooked, I ate that too. After that, I continued packing until I’m done.
The taxi was fairly fast after I made the call. It took me 40 minutes to arrived at the LCCT via the new Putrajaya highway. I sometimes drag the journey because the driver normally feels sleepy while driving. There was a time in the early morning trip that the driver dozed off a few seconds. I panic! Today’s driver wasn’t bad; he managed to stay awake until I reached LCCT. I paid RM70, which was RM5 extra from the supposed charge. I just obliged because I don’t want to miss my flight.
When I was walking towards the check-in counter, I suddenly felt someone pull my laptop bag…that has my valet containing money I just redrew from the ATM machine!! Luckily my laptop was very heavy and I have my hand around it that it wasn’t pull away. The indon guy has the cheek to say sorry and walk off. I gave him a stern stare. Just a few minutes later, a woman approached me asking me if I’m going to Labuan. I reluctantly asked what she wanted. She said she wants my help to carry some of her bags! Hello, don’t you read the newspaper where gullible girls were caught for drugs trafficking after helping a stranger? I have a no mercy policy when it comes to helping anyone carry things through airport. Why is this happened to me again? Why people approach me again? Is it because of my new hair cut? I really hope I don’t make the wrong choice with my new hair style.
After check-in, I proceed to the departure hall and waited for the flight. 1.5 hours to kill so I bought today’s paper. There was an interesting article about an interview with Annuar Ibrahim. People are getting more and more now and the place was getting nosier. There’s a different when you use MAS ans Airasia. The target market is different, therefore the passengers background is different too. Most I encountered are ‘less refine’ attitude and personality. The minute the flight number appeared on the display board, 99.99% of the passengers hogging the line in front of the gate. I paid extra RM20 for the express boarding. It was worth it looking at the circumstances. I remain seated until the controller mentioned passengers on express boarding to queue at the next line. It turned out only 5 passengers use it. There was a family with small kid queuing at that line but was later asked to return to the normal queue. The father asked the flight attendant why there was no specialty for family travel with small child. I guess he must have forgot to ask himself why he used Airasia. You have to pay for extra services. If one demand this and that, go use MAS. This is a typical Malaysian who blames other but never themselves. Never look at oneself in the mirror.
Once on the plane, we were asked to sit after roll 7. I heard an old man and a lady nagging why they can’t sit at the first roll. Here goes the whining again. The plane took off 15 minutes earlier. After an hour, I had hotdog and instant coffee for RM11. After my meal, I took a nap before reaching to Labuan. I was still very tried after all the final renovation work and moving in process during last Saturday, Sunday, Monday. I had to take last minute leave on yesterday to settle my house matters due to the developer’s mistake. Later that night I sent off my sister at the KLIA and took a taxi home quite late. Basically, I haven’t rest for more than a week. I hope I can rest for 2-3 days during this trip.
I arrived at Labuan airport at 3pm. It was a new airport, which shows how long I haven’t been here. Luckily the walk from the plane to the entrance was less than 5 minutes. I found my uncle waiting for me outside the airport. It took us 3 minutes to arrive my grandma’s home. I guess I don’t have to go early to the airport on Wednesday.
My grandma greeted me. I think she was shock to see how I changed. Anyway, I gave her a big hug and saw my aunt. There were 2 little girls. They are my grandma’s great grandchildren. Time flies and I’m still single. As expected, the weather was so hot and humid. After talking to my grandma a while I went up to my room for a nap. It was difficult and I ended up sweating all over. One thing good is that you don’t need water heater because it will never be cold no matter what time you shower.
I met my uncle’s wife whom my sister compliments a lot and know how to cook very well. Dinner was big, fresh prawn, sotong, terong and kangkong. The way of cooking was different and I love it. It’s very traditional and local taste. It has been so long since I last taste a real traditional, local style of cooking. I ate a lot for dinner. My uncle and his wife have to go to work after dinner. They sell bean sprout and Chinese noodles at the market and to the supermarkets. I’m going to follow him out at 7am tomorrow. My grandma said I will be meeting the rest of my relatives tomorrow during their Sunday outing. It’s nice to have a family gathering every Sunday. Values that I have forgotten after a decade I live in the metropolitan city. Everyone asked me what and where I want to shop and I told them I don’t really like shopping for clothes. I normally shop for books and crafts. Maybe I can buy some cheap and nice wooden crafts for my house.
I better sleep now as I have a early start tomorrow. I’m feeling sleepy too. See you tomorrow teddy.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Proposal to prosecute non-Muslims for khalwat - WHAT A FUCK!!!
Today's news about a proposal to prosecure non-Muslims for khalwat in the mainstream newspaper shocked me. As a non-Muslim, I demand democracy. What has become of my country? Why bring up another stupid sensitive issue?
We are now in the 21 centuries but our mind is getting narrower by the day. Why force reglious issue down ones throat when clearly this will spice up anger? So what if someone is having sex with another person? They are adults and they have their human rights. I'm not here to preach or anything. For the religious people, they have their way of life. For the not-so-religious people, don't they have the equal rights to live their way? I don't think it is anyone business how one choose to live his live.
Now, there's proposal to prosecure non-Muslim for khalwat. Sure, all religious is against outside marriage extra activities but as a non-Muslim, only GOD can punish me. Period! Not some civil court. Furthermore, this is a proposal in a multi-racial country! If close proximity an offence for non-Muslim, will we be charge later for walking a dog at the park or open area with multi-racial? Will we be charge for holding hands in public? Will we be brought to court for kissing in the open?
The gorvernment should stay out of the right of personal choice and focus more on the big issues like why 2 babies were dumped and died within 5 days? Why are young girls choose this path? Is it because we don't have a choice of abortion? Is it because there's no facilities for young girls to give-up their baby if she's unable to care for the baby? Is it because of our government narrow minded that push the girl to take such action? Is it not possible to leave the new-born baby at the hospital door without legal action taken to the girl? The lis can go on.
How about the land thieve? Why does this happen in the first place? Why wasn't there sufficient law previously to protect land owners or catch the thieves. Why must we wait till the barisan rakyat cope up the dirt on the land issues? How about the rights to a public legal council if we con't afford one? All these big issues were like panas-panas ayam for years and batuk di tepi tangga je. Think big. We don't want to remain jaguh kampung je, dah tak main dah hang tu...
So, goverment, stay out from prosecute non-Muslim for khalwat. FUCK OFF!!!!
We are now in the 21 centuries but our mind is getting narrower by the day. Why force reglious issue down ones throat when clearly this will spice up anger? So what if someone is having sex with another person? They are adults and they have their human rights. I'm not here to preach or anything. For the religious people, they have their way of life. For the not-so-religious people, don't they have the equal rights to live their way? I don't think it is anyone business how one choose to live his live.
Now, there's proposal to prosecure non-Muslim for khalwat. Sure, all religious is against outside marriage extra activities but as a non-Muslim, only GOD can punish me. Period! Not some civil court. Furthermore, this is a proposal in a multi-racial country! If close proximity an offence for non-Muslim, will we be charge later for walking a dog at the park or open area with multi-racial? Will we be charge for holding hands in public? Will we be brought to court for kissing in the open?
The gorvernment should stay out of the right of personal choice and focus more on the big issues like why 2 babies were dumped and died within 5 days? Why are young girls choose this path? Is it because we don't have a choice of abortion? Is it because there's no facilities for young girls to give-up their baby if she's unable to care for the baby? Is it because of our government narrow minded that push the girl to take such action? Is it not possible to leave the new-born baby at the hospital door without legal action taken to the girl? The lis can go on.
How about the land thieve? Why does this happen in the first place? Why wasn't there sufficient law previously to protect land owners or catch the thieves. Why must we wait till the barisan rakyat cope up the dirt on the land issues? How about the rights to a public legal council if we con't afford one? All these big issues were like panas-panas ayam for years and batuk di tepi tangga je. Think big. We don't want to remain jaguh kampung je, dah tak main dah hang tu...
So, goverment, stay out from prosecute non-Muslim for khalwat. FUCK OFF!!!!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Spending Power
With the global economic slowdown and I just read from a blogger talking about China's slowest growth in 6 years. China as one of the biggest exportor to US is already feeling the pain. This will surely affect China, hence the region. Furthermore, our Market is not been performing well since early this year and worsen after the G.E.12.
As an ordinary person, I have been feeling the pinch since late last year. It's getting harder to juggle around the salary I have until the next paycheck. Things I don't pay attention like surveying prices, calculate my buying budget, limit my budget on groceries and shopping each time I go out have now became a norm. Life is not easy nowadays. Everyone is waiting for the yearly bonus announcement. We have to wait until our parent company announced theirs in April. Most of us already calculating how much bonus we might get based on the performance reviews. Most of us already planning how to distribute the small bonus that we might have later. I bet all will have the similar answers. The bonus is not enough to offset the credit cards, not enough to offset monthly installment, not enough to pay loan, not enough to pay back friends, or not enough to buy a new furniture for a new house.
My spending power is getting smaller and smaller by the day. The up-market restaurants are not doing so well either (from a conversation with a friend). Shopping malls have to continously promoting "sales" to lure customers to buy and shop. However, from my observation, shoppers are not likely to go to areas with 30% and below. Most will go to areas with 50% or 70% discounts. Even I won't buy anything that starts with a 4. My limits now is at 3. If a shirt cost $30, it's now too expensive for me. Sometimes I will buy if the materials are of good quality but I normally settle for $20+. There is no need to dress expensive as I'm sure everyone is tight on the budget. As for eating out, well, this is the only thing a family can do on an outing that doesn't burn a big hole. Since a mom and dad can't really buy many toys or clothes or holiday for their family, go window shopping and eat at the food court will be the weekend entertainment and family gathering. For budget concious person like me, I don't really go out to eat anymore. I calculate ev everrything I spend and I limit my spending amount every week. Even with that, it's a struggle to keep end meets.
Looking at my situation, I'm consider blessed compare to so many people who go hungry everyday. In my company, most of the staff are unable to save for emergency. Their only saving is the employment provision fund. It's sad that in a civilised world, we are still struggling. Some of them have part time jobs to earn extras. Some share their lunches during month ends. Most of their lifestyle are very simple. Even their food and groceries are simple too. The store below my office usually sells over-night meat or fish in bundles. These are sold in an open space and not place in a freezer. Therefore, its normally not fresh the next day but still edible. They also sells vegetables and fruits in bundles too. What the store assistants did were to cut out all the good portion of the vegetables and fruits. Then they pack it together in a plastic bag. These bundles are sold in a very cheap price. You can get a packet for $1 - $2 only. Sometimes, it's a big packet. This is how most of staff buy their groceries. It's sad that not everyone can afford to eat fresh vegetables, meat and fish.
Being a US dependence country, the global slowdown will affects everyone even more this year. Time to put away as much pennies we can spare.
As an ordinary person, I have been feeling the pinch since late last year. It's getting harder to juggle around the salary I have until the next paycheck. Things I don't pay attention like surveying prices, calculate my buying budget, limit my budget on groceries and shopping each time I go out have now became a norm. Life is not easy nowadays. Everyone is waiting for the yearly bonus announcement. We have to wait until our parent company announced theirs in April. Most of us already calculating how much bonus we might get based on the performance reviews. Most of us already planning how to distribute the small bonus that we might have later. I bet all will have the similar answers. The bonus is not enough to offset the credit cards, not enough to offset monthly installment, not enough to pay loan, not enough to pay back friends, or not enough to buy a new furniture for a new house.
My spending power is getting smaller and smaller by the day. The up-market restaurants are not doing so well either (from a conversation with a friend). Shopping malls have to continously promoting "sales" to lure customers to buy and shop. However, from my observation, shoppers are not likely to go to areas with 30% and below. Most will go to areas with 50% or 70% discounts. Even I won't buy anything that starts with a 4. My limits now is at 3. If a shirt cost $30, it's now too expensive for me. Sometimes I will buy if the materials are of good quality but I normally settle for $20+. There is no need to dress expensive as I'm sure everyone is tight on the budget. As for eating out, well, this is the only thing a family can do on an outing that doesn't burn a big hole. Since a mom and dad can't really buy many toys or clothes or holiday for their family, go window shopping and eat at the food court will be the weekend entertainment and family gathering. For budget concious person like me, I don't really go out to eat anymore. I calculate ev everrything I spend and I limit my spending amount every week. Even with that, it's a struggle to keep end meets.
Looking at my situation, I'm consider blessed compare to so many people who go hungry everyday. In my company, most of the staff are unable to save for emergency. Their only saving is the employment provision fund. It's sad that in a civilised world, we are still struggling. Some of them have part time jobs to earn extras. Some share their lunches during month ends. Most of their lifestyle are very simple. Even their food and groceries are simple too. The store below my office usually sells over-night meat or fish in bundles. These are sold in an open space and not place in a freezer. Therefore, its normally not fresh the next day but still edible. They also sells vegetables and fruits in bundles too. What the store assistants did were to cut out all the good portion of the vegetables and fruits. Then they pack it together in a plastic bag. These bundles are sold in a very cheap price. You can get a packet for $1 - $2 only. Sometimes, it's a big packet. This is how most of staff buy their groceries. It's sad that not everyone can afford to eat fresh vegetables, meat and fish.
Being a US dependence country, the global slowdown will affects everyone even more this year. Time to put away as much pennies we can spare.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Something I received
PLUS - Pay Lebih Untuk Sami
KTM - Keretapi Taktau Masa
JKR - Jangan Kerja Rajin
PLKN - Perempuan Letup Kerana N***b
DBKL - Datuk Badawi Kahwin Lagi
RTM - Rehat Tunggu Mati
BN - Barang Naik
KTM - Keretapi Taktau Masa
JKR - Jangan Kerja Rajin
PLKN - Perempuan Letup Kerana N***b
DBKL - Datuk Badawi Kahwin Lagi
RTM - Rehat Tunggu Mati
BN - Barang Naik
The Cross Road
This year I experienced a kind of election that I only hear about during my childhood. People always said about the 1969 victory but I've never really understand it until yesterday. Internet was a bit slow for the first time in my area. Note that my area doesn't has high usage of streamyx. The newspaper was selling like hot cake or in our term GORENG PISANG. Thank goodness for the internet and blogs I can get updated information faster than the super slow result on TV Saturday night.
The one that sank in my mind was the speech by Koh Tsu Koon on his defeat in Penang. As a politician, he has character and integrity from every word he speaks during the TV appearance. I wish more of our leaders are like him, regardless of BN or Opposition. This should be the way in a politic - humble in victory, gracious in defeat. He is a brave man to face the truth and admit is defeat graciously. He won admiration from me.
Our current government lost Penang, Perak, Selangor and Kedah (I believe WP too..)and lost terribly in Kelantan. I'm sure the Opposition never expect a wind fall either. The numbers of votes didn't decline either. This shows the Rakyat has spoken. We are now at a cross road. Before the election, the minorities are united and committed for a change. We want change. We want unity for all, not for a specific race but all, we are Malaysian. We want equal opportunity. Previously, Government can say they gave equal opportunity but I as a rakyat fell to see it. In fact, I see a declination. If I can see it, I'm sure there are a lot more like myself.
Yes, cost of living is an issue. Everyone knows that. Urban voters knows that even more. So what do I want? It's not because the Opposition said they are going to reduce it in their manifesto. It's because I want someone to try hard to reduce it. Explaination means nothing to me if one haven't try hard enough. I went though the 1999 economic crisis. It was my first taste in the working force. However, it was different then. I see how our formal PM and tried really hard to help us ease the burden. No doubt, there are those who only whinned during the 1999 crisis but life wasn't so bad for me. Yes I get a peanut salary but I have a job. I can feed myself. The essential items were more under control. Life wasn't so tough. Food and public transports still manageable with my peamut pay.
Nowadays, my salary has triple but I felt a hard pinch and my government didn't do much. Yes, Government did something but it wasn't enough. Government can't justify themselves just because they did something. That's wrong. Don't use the excuse of global economic issue and the petroleum issue that Government can't do much. Well, as a Rakyat, I want more to be done. More initiatives to curb and reduce the global hike. If Tun can prevent Malaysia from being under IMF, why can't Pak Lah govnerment do something? If Tun can peg our currency against US dollar to stop it from further downfall, why can't Pak Lah and team do something?
We are at the cross road. Now that Rakyat given the Opposition more seats in the Paliment and states, we want to see if there are changes. No doubt it will be more difficult to get a 2/3 majority for any implementation of policy and the so on...(not good in the politic terms and jargons) at least we won't see the the government misuse their authorities and power given. I don't want to hear excuses or justifications on the newspapers. I don't want the goverment to misuse fund and promote their families and relatives. I don't want the government to be ego and get away with their mistakes. I want check and balance. I want better opportunity for all races. I want the civil servants to work harder and termination if one preform way below par or standard. I want the councils and mayors to see themselve in Rakyat shoes. I want transparency. Show me actual facts that our inflation is only 2.5% and not 6%. Show me facts that crime in urban areas and cities are declining. All I heard when I go back to my hometown is my mom mentioned to me to be careful all the time, my sister from overseas remind me to be careful all the time, my mom and aunts informed who has been rob and snatch how many times!
Now that the Rakyat given more seats to the opposition, we want to see changes. We want to see if they keep their promises. We want to see if there's improvement in our daily lives. We want to see is there's improvement in the economic. We want to see if there's more transparency. If it works during this 4 years, the future for Malaysia will change hand.
The one that sank in my mind was the speech by Koh Tsu Koon on his defeat in Penang. As a politician, he has character and integrity from every word he speaks during the TV appearance. I wish more of our leaders are like him, regardless of BN or Opposition. This should be the way in a politic - humble in victory, gracious in defeat. He is a brave man to face the truth and admit is defeat graciously. He won admiration from me.
Our current government lost Penang, Perak, Selangor and Kedah (I believe WP too..)and lost terribly in Kelantan. I'm sure the Opposition never expect a wind fall either. The numbers of votes didn't decline either. This shows the Rakyat has spoken. We are now at a cross road. Before the election, the minorities are united and committed for a change. We want change. We want unity for all, not for a specific race but all, we are Malaysian. We want equal opportunity. Previously, Government can say they gave equal opportunity but I as a rakyat fell to see it. In fact, I see a declination. If I can see it, I'm sure there are a lot more like myself.
Yes, cost of living is an issue. Everyone knows that. Urban voters knows that even more. So what do I want? It's not because the Opposition said they are going to reduce it in their manifesto. It's because I want someone to try hard to reduce it. Explaination means nothing to me if one haven't try hard enough. I went though the 1999 economic crisis. It was my first taste in the working force. However, it was different then. I see how our formal PM and tried really hard to help us ease the burden. No doubt, there are those who only whinned during the 1999 crisis but life wasn't so bad for me. Yes I get a peanut salary but I have a job. I can feed myself. The essential items were more under control. Life wasn't so tough. Food and public transports still manageable with my peamut pay.
Nowadays, my salary has triple but I felt a hard pinch and my government didn't do much. Yes, Government did something but it wasn't enough. Government can't justify themselves just because they did something. That's wrong. Don't use the excuse of global economic issue and the petroleum issue that Government can't do much. Well, as a Rakyat, I want more to be done. More initiatives to curb and reduce the global hike. If Tun can prevent Malaysia from being under IMF, why can't Pak Lah govnerment do something? If Tun can peg our currency against US dollar to stop it from further downfall, why can't Pak Lah and team do something?
We are at the cross road. Now that Rakyat given the Opposition more seats in the Paliment and states, we want to see if there are changes. No doubt it will be more difficult to get a 2/3 majority for any implementation of policy and the so on...(not good in the politic terms and jargons) at least we won't see the the government misuse their authorities and power given. I don't want to hear excuses or justifications on the newspapers. I don't want the goverment to misuse fund and promote their families and relatives. I don't want the government to be ego and get away with their mistakes. I want check and balance. I want better opportunity for all races. I want the civil servants to work harder and termination if one preform way below par or standard. I want the councils and mayors to see themselve in Rakyat shoes. I want transparency. Show me actual facts that our inflation is only 2.5% and not 6%. Show me facts that crime in urban areas and cities are declining. All I heard when I go back to my hometown is my mom mentioned to me to be careful all the time, my sister from overseas remind me to be careful all the time, my mom and aunts informed who has been rob and snatch how many times!
Now that the Rakyat given more seats to the opposition, we want to see changes. We want to see if they keep their promises. We want to see if there's improvement in our daily lives. We want to see is there's improvement in the economic. We want to see if there's more transparency. If it works during this 4 years, the future for Malaysia will change hand.
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