Joy in meeting new people - Reason #1

Miri has been good since my first blog post. Aside from GE 13 and assignments and holding up as an Uni student, things are going on pretty well. 

While battling through worksheets, tutorials, classes and the ability of consuming knowledge itself, it's a pure joy to meet new people along the way. As mentioned in my earlier posts, it is always a joy for me to connect with people, especially new people with their own stories to tell. How can you not get excited about that?!

One of the people I've befriended with was a girl name Heather. She's from China, graduated from her first degree in Perth last year. This genius is earning around 400 AUD a WEEK from her business in Perth while studying her second degree here in Miri. Yes, do the maths, she's getting more than my mom's pay! That's crazy! And she's getting the money just by being a sleeping partner.
Translation by Alicia : Dumps in the money, sleep while the business runs itself, get money in your pocket while sipping your coffee with a comfy couch and your favorite book in your hands. After hearing her amount of income, every living body cell inside of me was screaming :

THE DEVIL'S A LIAR! HE TOLD ME I WAS TOO YOUNG FOR BUSINESS!

Her working experience inspired me! Of course, she told me it wasn't easy as well. She worked her butt off in earning money. Then one day, it so happens that a business owner was selling away his business for only 70K, but the business worth 150K. Lucky? You tell me. She wasn't interested in investing at first, but her friend was very interested in acquiring the business. So it began with a step of helping a friend and invested 20K in the business. Of course, with some help from family, friends and the income she earned by being just a salesgirl or a waitress, she came up with the 20K back then. Today, she's earning 400 AUD a week by being the sleeping partner of that business.

She also had her lows as well. She got fired before in one of her jobs. The workload itself tires her. This is reality tv of a young business lady, people. Right there. After June's final exam, she'll be travelling to THREE places in just ONE short month - Singapore, one of the famous places in China with her grandpa (as a personal gift for her grandpa's 80th birthday) and Bali. You kidding me? Being able to provide financial aid in a travelling experience as a gift to another person? And being able to afford to travel to not just one. not two. but three places? Again!

THE DEVIL'S A LIAR! 

After hearing Heather's story, I do not fantasize me living a life with money coming in like how Bieber's fans would "heart" his instagram photos in seconds (although it would be a bonus in life), but I was inspired! My eyes were opened a little bit more, my mind is exposed to the business world, be it just by an ounce. And having Marketing and Management as my major, how can I not be interested in learning a little bit more about the business world? Even it meant knowing just a tiny bit more. 

This is one of the many reasons why I love. love. love. meeting new people. In the exchange of stories and mindsets (and life itself), we learn. I learnt. And still learning. Even if the gain of exposure has been just so little.

Eyes opened. God, may it be more.

Your voice matters

After Malaysia's General Election 13 results are announced, it was a day of disappointment for me. It was a glimpse of hopelessness for one short moment of my very own country I live in, my Malaysia. I believe a lot of my fellow Malaysians feel the same way too. Facebook profile pictures are changed to black, indicating that democracy has died in our country. This dud results were announced on the 6th May midnight. 

Last night, 8th May.

Something changed.

Something shifted.

Something moved in the Rakyat's spirit.

When Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim stood on the stage of Kelana Jaya alongside with the opposition leaders, it was a new moment mark in the history of my country. 

It was a new hope mark in the hearts of the Rakyat.

That maybe. Just maybe. It's not the end yet.

That maybe. Just maybe. That the voices of Rakyat STILL matters.

It was a historical moment where Rakyat are united as MALAYSIANS and gathered for one cause.

Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim

This man changed my perspective towards politics and politicians. Well, at least for now.

I am grateful that at this age of 20, I get to witness all these scenes. As much as corrupted politics can be, I am utterly grateful for this man. I get to witness a leader that fights not for his own reputation and comfort, but he fights for a better future of the younger generation. I am beyond humble by what he went through and still STAND, or stand even STRONGER than before just to see justice prevail in my beloved homeland. 

All of this changed my view towards my own life and my future. No, I don't dream to be a politician. I don't have the burden or calling to be one, at least not for now, but all these events - from the phantom voters, to the corrupted election system, to the "indelible" ink, sudden blackouts during vote counts;

to people being united in seeing fair and clean election, to the Rakyat gathered in Kelana Jaya, to see Malaysians from oversea that showed their love and support towards our country.

All this.

All of this.

All the process.

Proves that there is always HOPE.

THIS.

Is a mark of new HOPE in my country.

I am a Malaysian.

And I am proud of it.

You've got the words to change a nation
But you're biting your tongue
You've spent a life time stuck in silence
Afraid you'll say something wrong
If no one ever hears it how we gonna learn your song?
So come on, come on
Come on, come on

You've got a heart as loud as lions
So why let your voice be tamed?
Baby we're a little different
There's no need to be ashamed
You've got the light to fight the shadows
So stop hiding it away
Come on, Come on

I wanna sing, I wanna shout
I wanna scream till the words dry out
So put it in all of the papers,
I'm not afraid
They can read all about it
Read all about it

At night we're waking up the neighbours
While we sing away the blues
Making sure that we remember, yeah
Cause we all matter too
If the truth has been forbidden
Then we're breaking all the rules
So come on, come on

Come on, come on,
Let's get the TV and the radio
To play our tune again
It's 'bout time we got some airplay of our version of events
There's no need to be afraid
I will sing with you my friend
Come on, come on

Yeah, we're all wonderful, wonderful people
So when did we all get so fearful?
Now we're finally finding our voices
So take a chance, come help me sing this
Yeah, we're all wonderful, wonderful people
So when did we all get so fearful?
And now we're finally finding our voices
Just take a chance, come help me sing this