Why Malaysians should go back to Malaysia

Hey guys,

I have been in Australia for about 8 months now and I realised my perception towards Malaysia has changed.

Prior to my journey in Australia I had always have negative comments about my own country. However, after spending 8 months abroad and looking at Malaysia from afar I realised, "Hey, Malaysia is amazing. We just don't see it until we look at it from afar".

Here is the thing, every country have problems. If I were to ask, "What complaints do you have about Malaysia?", there are probably a list from A to Z you could list down.

The question is: WHO IS GOING TO CHANGE THAT?

If you have the opportunity to study abroad, learn the culture and ways of doing things there but you do not come back and implement these new found knowledge to help create a better Malaysia then Malaysia will never improve.

Malaysia will only improve if we, the children of Malaysia come home and help improve it.

The temptation to stay with the supposed promise of a better career choice in Australia was strong in my first months in Australia.

However, as the months passed by I realised, Australians will always look out for their own country. Why am I, as a Malaysian not doing the same for my own country?

Maybe, maybe Malaysia is not as good as we want it to be now but if we start now, if our generation starts making a difference, slowly but surely, Malaysia can change.

Today, 27th of September 2014, I had the chance and opportunity to attend Graduan Australia Recruitment Drive and listened to a lot of passionate individuals from Malaysia speaking of their aspirations and dreams to make Malaysia a better nation.

The time is now, we can change Malaysia.
The moment is coming, Malaysia is the future.

I have my dreams and goals. As a Malaysian, I will contribute back to Malaysia because this is how it should be. Perhaps I will not reap the benefits of Malaysia today. However, slowly but surely, the future in Malaysia is bright.

Love,
A Malaysian who cannot wait to be back in Malaysia; Amy Lim

6.1.2014// The word today is kindness #100happydays

I have just finished grabbing everything I need for tomorrow's lunch. There are two packets of frozen fish belly I have been wanting to purchase, packets of frozen corn, Japanese mushrooms, a few tubs of 100% fat free yoghurt in various flavors and chocolates in the shopping cart. That is about all I need for a week's worth of meal considering it is only for lunch. As I was walking towards the check out counters I am already wondering what to prepare for Sunday's dinner with the team. 

Eventually, I found myself situated behind two separate couples at the check out counter on the left. I fiddled with my mobile phone while waiting and as the couple in front of me is beginning to leave I put my items on the conveyer belt. However, just then, a middle age looking woman was queuing behind me with only a detergent on her hand. 

Without hesitation, I made this hand gesture indicating she should go ahead of me. An expression of surprise panned across her face. Simultaneously, she was puzzled yet grateful towards me. I just smiled at her as she advances to pay her item while I patiently waited for my turn next. As the cashier was scanning the item the lady asked me, "Ni shi ben di ren ma?" (Are you local?). This was the beginning of a short yet pleasant conversation. 

I think she talked to me to fill up the waiting time since I let her go first though it was suppose to be my turn. Regardless the reason, it was nice to have had a quick chat with a random stranger who appreciate your kindness. Also, I did not stop smiling after she left because I could see the delight in her eyes when she thanked me again and said good bye. 

Sometimes, you just do not know when a random act of kindness could make someone's day. It could be allowing someone behind you to go first at a check out counter. It could be waiting for someone to enter the lift before pushing the 'close' button though they might be quite a distance away. It could be holding a door open for someone behind you at public complexes. It could be any random act of kindness!! 

Go on, just do it, just do one random act of kindness and the pleasure of doing it will encourage you to make it into a habit.

I myself, have three random act of kindness that I practice as a habit. 

1. I always hold the door open for someone behind me at public places
2. I will always wait for someone to enter the lift as long as I can see them already from a distance
3. I will always stop my moving vehicle to let someone cross the road (usually not at zebra crossings)

Perhaps I will add one more to the list of habits, always allow someone behind you at the check out counter to pay first regardless of the amount of items they have in their shopping cart. Simply because, it makes me happy to be appreciated and to see the delight in their eyes when you have done something kind for them.

Cheers, Amy Lim Su Yen.

Are you afraid?

I wrote this in August 2013 on my private blog. Just thought I would share it with the world because I have overcome all these fear listed below.

Fear is what defeats us.
I know it yet I still succumb to it.

I fear of failure.
I know it yet I don't walk away from it.

I fear heart break.
I know it yet I think of it.

I fear change.
I know it yet I don't want it.

I fear not changing.
I know it yet I want it.

Fear breaks oneself.
I know it yet I still fear it.

Learn to overcome fear, with love.
Amy Lim Su Yen

Ask me about year 2012; answered

Ask me about my year 2012 

• 1: What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
• Walk around nude in a hot spring bath and in the women's locker in Korea
• 2: Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
• Honestly, I did not have new year resolutions for year 2012 but I will definitely start one this year
• 3: Did anyone close to you give birth?
• Definitely not
• 4: Did anyone close to you die?
• Thankfully not
• 5: What countries did you visit?
• Korea from Dec 12-20 and it was amazing
• 6: What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012
• Self discipline and determination
• 7: What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
• 14 February, 21 July, 25 December and 31 December. Those are all the dates I spent together with le boy. From the shout out he did in front of 20 more people during Valentines, confessing his love to me, to the birthday surprise he organized, Christmas with his pox and the wonderful lunch and movie during new year's eve
• 8: What was your biggest achievement of the year?
• Getting into the semi-finals for Loreal Brandstorm with ARTENTECH
• 9: What was your biggest failure?
• It is a secret but a failure that I will never repeat 
• 10: Did you suffer illness or injury?
• Injury....perhaps, emotional injury
• 11: What was the best thing you bought?
• Jamie Oliver cook book for my mother. Here comes all the delicious meals from her
• 12: Whose behaviour merited celebration?
• N/A
• 13: Whose behaviour made you appalled?
• Secret
• 14: Where did most of your money go?
• Food and misc things (usually, the cute things that got me attracted and buying them for no absolute necessity or valid reasoning) 
• 15: What did you get really, really, really excited about?
• Loreal Brandstorm 2013 
• 16: What song will always remind you of 2012?
• Gangnam style. Please don't ask me why 
• 17: Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
• Happier and thinner. I'll answer richer or poorer when I start earning my own money
• 18: What do you wish you’d done more of?
• Studying and exercising 
• 19: What do you wish you’d done less of?
• Caring for people who does not deserve me
• 20: How did you spend Christmas?
• With my family and love 
• 21: Did you fall in love in 2012?
• Yes I did, again and again since July year 2011
• 22: What was your favourite TV program?
• Doctor Who and Heroes 
• 23: Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
• Yes, yes I do but it is not hate for hatred is bad for the soul. It is rather more of disappointed and fed up with
• 24: What was the best book you read?
• Between the lines, still reading it
• 25: What was your greatest musical discovery?
• IU 
• 26: What did you want and get?
• I wanted to get into the semi-finals for Loreal Brandstorm, we got in 
• 27: What did you want and not get?
• I wanted to win at least Most Progressive award
• 28: What was your favourite film of this year?
• Rise of the Guardians
• 29: What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
• Changes
• 30: How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
• Comfortable (extremely comfortable) 
• 31: What kept you sane?
• My love 
• 32: Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
• IU 
• 33: What political issue stirred you the most?
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual identification guidelines published which was endorsed by the Ministry of Education, absolutely absurd 
• 34: Who did you miss?
• N/A
• 35: Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
• That life is only going to get harder. However, even when life becomes unbearable, we must not give up. Also, there will always be someone, if not all, but at least one who will always be there to support me through the hardest part of life 
• 36: Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
• I won't give up- Jason Mraz

Welcoming new year; 2013

The year 2012 is coming to an end! As usual, people are excited to talk about their new year resolutions and reflection on the past year. To join in the excitement, there are quite a number of things I am grateful for in year 2012.

I'm grateful list

#1 My family 

Families are not perfect. However, it is these imperfections that makes the whole perfection. We fight, cry, disappoint and etc but at the end of the day, family is always family.

#2 My love 

"I don't believe in love at first sight" - That is the truth. For me, love is like women. Something that you can never understand no matter how hard you try. In year 2012, I think we have went through one of the most times of ups and downs. However, at least, we are there for each other.

#3 Lessons learned in Monash

Monash is different compared to high school or pre-U. I am grateful that in year 2012, my first year in Monash has opened my eyes to the true meaning of hard work and discipline. You snooze, you loose! University life is the pre-quel of reality. This is the time to adapt ourselves to challenges.

#4 Celebrating another birthday for my grandmother

I am grateful that we celebrated another birthday for my grandmother this year. I wish to celebrate many more birthdays for my grandmother after year 2012. She is the strongest women I know in the family.

#5 My partner-in-crime aka best friend aka Nge-Nge's guardian aka Gabby Ng Chee Kar 

The title is self explanatory. Where else can you find someone as awesome as him to be your dearest friend? Al though a long distance relationship is sometimes frustrating but his jungle isn't that bad anymore. Nge Nge keeps him company teehee!

#6 My mama aka Kawee aka Kavidha Natarajan 

The title again, need no explanation. If there is one word to summarize someone who is always there to put your mind back to where it belongs, keep you sane, make you laugh, understands you inside out and so much more then please tell me that word. For the time being, I'll assume that word is Kaweeeeeeeeddddhhhaaa. Teehee!

#7 The opportunity to meet Poto, Gabrielle and Imran during a AIESEC conference 

#8 Changes 

I'm grateful for the changes I have undergone this year. From the unbelievably timid self to a stronger growing women. If I were to mention all the changes I experience in year 2012 it would probably be too long to be published in this virtual space.

#9 ARTENTECH 

In year 2012, is the stepping stone towards something big in year 2013. I am grateful that my dear Wei-Lim and annoying child David Nge is in this journey with me. I would have never achieved anything without them.

#10 Close bond with Sri Damai (childhood friends) 

I mean, we know each other since 12 years ago. How crazy is that?

#11 onecubetwo

I call it my family minus the blood relationship!

#12 Alive, healthy and still able to write this post

Thank you 2012 for a life changing experience.
Welcome year 2013 for yet another life changing experience!! =)

Quotes and I

What is a quote? Quotes are something I read to gain inspiration and motivation. People who understand me would know I spam quotes on Twitter and Facebook when I am feeling emotional. Therefore I have decided to take the spamming to a whole new level. Instead of just spamming I shall make it into simple pictures.