Back in the days when I was active in photography, I did some charity work as part of Photomalaysia forum where we help giving kids the opportunity to explore photography thru a program called KidsKlick.
This was an awesome program. Here is an example of the kids that we showcase. You can see how happy they were.
Earlier this year – I made the decision to travel. In the past couple of years, I’ve been pushing more travelling because of my high stress work environment. Finally – after many years of working extremely hard (allegedly), I decided to pull the plug to move on to a better environment. Sometimes – we have to make drastic actions. I made the move out of consulting and got into banking. Life I must say is much more relaxing now, lot less stress compared to before.
Before I moved on to greener pasture, I took a month off and decided to travel to Japan for 1 month. It was one of the best adventure that I ever had in my life. Travelling without the the need to think about work is probably the best thing ever. And now, 4 months on – I am feeling the itch to travel. Where should I go?
Kagoshima
In the past, when I travel, I always got stuck with email from back home, and had to attend few conference calls as needed. Finally – as I left my job I managed to leave all that in the past and just focus on travelling. I do wish I took a longer leave but I didn’t want to leave work too long. With much more leave, I should be able to travel more! With banking – there’s a compulsory block leave that I must take, as such I will travel more this year.
Can see from the above – I was so happy. Making idiot poses to be honest! Question is – where should I go. I do have about 23 days of leave this year and I do intend to take all the leave! I must.
I am thinking of Morocco? Good choice?
Honestly – I have not been writing on this blog consistently. If I was to look at the things that I write this year, it has not been much really. Honestly – I do want to write more but I always find myself not having the idea or the content to write. Like this posting – it seems that I am just writing because I wanted to write something.
This year alone – I have been posting different topics, from the start in which posted on my 1 month holiday, then as I moved into banking, I started to post things on financial services concepts then after that it just died.
Question – do I have the time to write? Yes I do but I have been slacking and spending too much time on TV rather than doing things that I should be doing to help me, which reading and writing.
I am not sure what I can do to push me to write more, not that I am any better in writing, but writing more will allow me to see what are the areas I can improve. I do want to do a lot of things in life, but writing seems to be one of the hardest. I have run this blog for the longest time, where my first post can be sighted as a early as February 2005! That’s almost a good 13 years. Damn.
So – again I am coming out with a challenge for me to write on a topic for 30 days straight, can I do it? I am not sure actually – but I guess its fun to try something new.
Blast from the past – a photo of me back in 2005, Taman Negara.
May 9th was Malaysia 14th General Election. Out of all the election that I have experienced in my lifetime, this seems to be the most important election ever. I have never seen such a strong showing from both opposing parties (coalition).
For the past 6 decades, Malaysia has been ruled by Barisan Nasional, and in recent years there have been plagued by various issues from GST, 1MDB to corruption and all sorts. The Rakyat is disgusted by some of the actions and events that had happened in the past few years and as any other democratic process, they have made their voices heard. I know that in the last General Election (2013) – they did try to unseat to switch over but that failed. And finally now it happened. In fact – I should not use the word they but should use the word we because I am myself a Rakyat.
I took upon myself to think about who I am going to vote – and of course my vote is a secret. I am not politically aligned to any party but I do vote based on what I think is right. I know a lot of people express their political affiliation in public, but I don’t. I do love the country and I will do what I can in my capacity to help. I may not have done much but I will try to do more.
I am very happy with the outcome of the election because I see the Rakyat’s voice has finally been heard. And to be honest – for once I see people becoming a lot more patriotic that ever. I have heard people saying that the national anthem “NegaraKu” being sung at odd places like pub and bars. Amazing. Felt like theres a renewed confidence in the country and this is good. Very good indeed. In fact – there’s so many things that I have not seen is happening now like – people reading newspaper! watching mainstream news like TV1 and TV3. I think things are moving to a the greater good now 🙂
We are moving into a healthy direction. People voices are now heard, the question now is whether the ruling government will make the best of their time up there. It is not easy to rule a country – what more fix what is wrong. The ruling government has less than 5 years to show and demonstrate that they can do the job. Otherwise the Rakyat will speak again and may even switch them out. Though its counter productive but this is how democracy works. I do hope that the ruling government will bring the best out of all Malaysians. I am looking forward for a renewed Malaysia.
There will be knee jerk reaction from the market – given that this is the first time that the government actually change! There will be a lot of new faces running the government. Most of them will be their first time. I believe that we can do this, for a better Malaysia.
🙂