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

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!! =)

[Personal] November in a glimpse

The month of November is almost over. I distinctively remember writing a blog article on the first of November wishing for an amazing month ahead. 25 days later I am wondering where did the month go to. So fast?!!!!

The truth is despite having holidays I spent half a November revising with le boy's for his exams and another half working on Loreal Brandstorm. Hence, I did not even have time to really sit down and have some me time which includes getting myself to write this blog article. So here I am recapping my month with the help of pictures.

(Mostly taken from Instagram, this is the importance of pictures for someone extremely forgetful like me)

Firstly I celebrate my mother's 48th birthday on the 5th. Then, I was invited to attend Taylor's University Awards Night. And guess what? AIESEC in Taylor's University was awarded best club (the most honorable award of the night, I was dumb founded)

A group picture;

My beloved Kavi and Richard, my team mates, my best friends;

Then the boy and I celebrated Deepavali eve with Kavi and Alvin.

Le boy also brought me to Bens and Nick's diner which served amazing food. My favourite was their mushroom soup.

We also celebrated Deepavali on the weekend's at Kavi's house. It was a potluck party so I whipped up some vegetarian dishes. My proudest moment would be the cream baked vegetables. Wan Sin really liked the prawn with egg dish. It was actually butter garlic prawns then I added the eggs into it.

The Sri Damai gang met up at Pitstop, PJ for our usual reunion/hanging out session/ dinner. As usual, I enjoyed my time with them tremendously! =)

The rest of the days it's just Loreal Brandstorm crazy. We have been going to Monash every single day of the week including weekends.

Also, the Christmas season is here and I am starting to have Christmas fever! Another thing worth mentioning is my new found love of healthy eating habits. I have been eating healthily avoiding all junk food, soft drinks and overly sugary food ( and I especially love Japanese food)

My favourite Cha Soba noodles (organic);

Udon, anyone?

That's all for now folks! =)

Till then.
Cheers, with love!

[Journal] Hello, October! =)

Welcome to the month October, the month of assignments week after week, day after day until final exams greets us at the end. It is a month of sleepless nights and endless hair pulling.

I started of my entire week of October worrying about a research paper that is still in process of completion and due date is less than 24 hours. Well, which Monash student won't be burning the midnight oil this month, right?

In the midst of an assignment frenzy month I still managed to purchase this gorgeous Fuschia dress from Zalora online. Al though I bought it one size too big for me since I couldn't estimate how the size will be. This is a UK8 and I'm a UK4/6 so it hangs loosely over me but it's still a good fit despite the bottom being too drape like.

This is Healthy C Juice from Tea Chansii. The drink is more pricey than Chatime at RM8.90 but it is a healthier option. The tea comes with slices of lime and oranges, aloe seeds and jelly. The sugar option is 30% so you can taste bitterness in the drink. Now, that's what I called a good refreshing juice! =)

Then again, right after a healthy juice my grandmother cooks me the most amazing pork and squid in oyster sauce dish. I distinctively remember telling her I liked it very much last week and here she is whooping up another this week. I love her! =)

Thursdays are filled with whole day tutorial classes. From morning all the way until the evening. Therefore, when it comes to the last class of the day, which is Journalism I'll usually be fighting to keep myself awake. This week was different. I managed to pay full attention to the lecturer! Why? This time, unlike usual, I did not sit in front of the laptop. Also, someone drew this meme on the whiteboard. I love our Journalism lab! =)

This was taken this morning at 2AM when I was still burning midnight oil for my research paper. I have yet to complete it and will aim to do so today. As it is due tomorrow and I have a habit to finish all assignments a day before. No earlier, no later. *Such a weird working habit, I have*

The highlight of my week, is related to the picture above. On Friday, Wei-Lim and I had lunch with Kavi. We ate at Nirvana's Banana Lead rice. One of my absolute favourite but quite pricey compared to a lot of other banana leaf rice. Usually we have lunch with our biffle couples on Fridays. We call them our biffle couples because Kavi is Wei-Lim's biffle and Alvin is my biffle! =)

However, this Friday was different because after lunch Kavi and Wei-Lim didn't have classes to attend so we decided to catch a movie. We watched Hotel Translyvnia in 3D. Guess what! 3D movies at Summit USJ GSC costs only RM7. That is a super amazing price for a 3D movie. The movie was fun, quirky and has a very good sense of humor. Very suitable if you're just looking to have a 1hr and 30min of fun and laughter. Not a very deep and intellectually challenging plot.

That's what we did for the day. Or so I thought it was the end. At 8PM, David called to go out for 'yumcha' session. It was so random but hey, who cares! It's with the gang. So I said yes, made Wei-Lim come and fetch me as well since I hate driving at night. Yes, I have a certain degree of night blindness and it's almost insane for me to drive at night because I'll feel like as though I'll run into something any second.

Anyways, we met up at British Coffee House, SS2. They open 24 hours so it was the perfect place to just sit and burn the night away. David brought Elicia and Kavi, while I came with Wei-Lim. So that makes 5 of us! =)

I don't remember what we talked about because it was one topic after another. Nonetheless, it was an amazing night. I also tried their carrot with milk drink and it's yummy! Very healthy as well. We went home past mid night and trust me, it was all worth it. Though I came home and bashed myself up verbally for not doing research paper that day. Still, worth it cause I love them so much! =)

Cheers, with love.

*Here is to another amazing week ahead! *

PS// My week starts on a Sunday.

[Personal] September recaps highlights

Yeah that's right, the month of September has already ended. I shall do a recap of what the month of September has been like. The best way to recall back memories are from photographs. Some people say, photography is communication. I believe it is true.

Non of the following pictures are in order. All taken from my Instagram because I upload pictures daily there.

First up I'll start with the high light of my September. I celebrated my dear's 21st birthday with him. On the day itself which, was 12 September (Wednesday) I organized a fail surprise birthday dinner for him.  Onecubetwo was there and we had an amazing night at Sakae Sushi.

On the Sunday, just the both of us, we went for a day trip to Desa Water Park located at Shah Alam. This theme park is priced at RM25 per entry for adults. Children admits free. I would have to say that this water park is highly recommended. It is not pricey and very worth the money. An amazing place to spend a memorable day with your loved ones or friends.

 Next! =)

Organized a farewell dinner for Gabby aka my partner-in-crime. This guy lights up my world! =) 
He's from UUM, I'm from Monash. So every time public University starts another semester it means departure and temporary separation from him. 

We also celebrated Wan Sin's birthday 2 weeks after my dear's. This time it was a successful surprise dinner. Initially, we wanted to kidnap the poor girl but our kidnapper failed at his job so we dropped the plan. We went to Upstairs Cafe at SS12 to have dinner. The whole team was there including Elicia, Alvin and Imran our latest family members. It was yet another amazing dinner! =) 

I also discovered my favourite Bah Kut Teh restaurant is none other than Chuan Chew Bak Kut Teh at SS14. Each person cost at RM10.

Address:-

Jalan SS 14/2, Subang Jaya, Selangor 

SS14, Subang Jaya. The restaurant is visible rom the highway itself. If you are studying in SS15, use the bridge that crosses over the NPE and you’ll land in front of a row of Bak Kut Teh restaurants.

My mom gave me this Braun Buffel bag to use. I've been using it every single day without fail. I extremely love the bright pop color. The bag has 3 compartments inside with 3 small pockets. It's a sling bag but the strap is adjustable to be used as a handbag. A very good buy indeed! =)

Summary:-

• I had Gong Cha 4 times this month and every single time I will order their Milk Green tea, less sugar and less ice priced at RM6.90
• Discovered my love for mille crepe cakes. Tried Ochado's and Hokkaido's mille crepe. I would say Ochado's mille crepe cake, both Mango and Vanilla flavours are amazing. Priced at RM9- RM11 each
• Tried velvet cupcake and velvet cake for the first time. Velvet cupcake was bought at a Charity Drive by Monashians. The velvet cake was for Wan Sin's birthday
• Attempted at my very first fashion post with the red cotton dress I bought at RM25 from Markets held at Jaya One
• Cooked my own lunch for 4 days during mid-semester break and I now have passion for cooking
• Tried Starbuck's new caramel jelly tea frap and it's delicious. If only their drinks has less calories. Perhaps I might drink more often but until then, it's once in a blue moon

More pictures:-

-TBC-

Cheers, with love! =)

Girls are thinkers

If you are a girl you are most probably thinking about something right now while reading this post. I am not stereotyping but based on personal experiences, girls are thinkers. As a girl myself, I would not deny the fact that I am thinking at every second of the day be it in the showers or watching television. Sometimes it annoys me to find myself constantly thinking about something. 

Credits Best Quotes on Facebook

On the other hand, this is also one reason why girls are more emotional creatures. When you ponder about something for too long it will lead to the negative side of it. Even the most optimistic people will find themselves dwelling on the pessimistic things. Why are girls so complicated? I do not know! 

Here is my assumption, girls think too much because of their motherly nature. Because girls are born to be mothers, they tend to think more about everything. Or in other words, they worry too much about every single thing that goes on in their lives. Yes or no? 

Love is in the air

What is love?