Just to catch up. K is now in standard 1. the Js are in Standard 4. Finally all are in the same location. It sure saves on petrol LOL

D and I are now full time on the business and working from home. Its definitely a roller coaster ride, especially financially. It still feels like the right thing, although some days its harder to find that reason. Its also been a learning experience, not only managing our time, business and relationships with each other, kids and those around us.

Projects for 2012 (personal) (in no particular order):

Decluttering the upstairs (its going to take some time haha).

Be more green, use less plastic bags for our frozen food storage and so on. Sort out our rubbish. Recyle/Re-use/refurbish more

These are the projects based on present circumstances. Some will be easier than others, but need to be done nonetheless. There will be days I will falter, for sure, but I think it’s manageable, together The hardest is the improving our budget I think. Gotta keep the faith!

I havent included blogging more. although I should

Happy new year everyone! May 2012 be a good, healthy year for us all

CF.

I want to teach you..
Dedicated to my sons.

I want to teach you that education is not just about being in a classroom and learning can be done in so many ways.

I want to teach you that there’s beauty and joy to be found in the things around us, even if you can’t find it the first time around.

I want to teach you that there’s more to our beautiful country ready to be explored.

I want to teach you that being compassionate, kind, respectful isn’t a weakness.

I want to teach you that being a real man means that you are a helpmate, not a lord and master.

I want to teach you that skin colour and religion do not make a person lesser or better, only more interesting.

I want to teach you that no one can make you feel less than you are, unless you let them.

I want to teach you that balance in the way you live is a good level to reach.

I want to teach you that you can stand up for what you believe in, especially for those who have no voice, but pick your battles and always maintain your calm.

I want to teach you that our heritage may be from all over, celebrate it but who we are, is Malaysian and never let anyone tell you any different.

I want to teach you that it’s ok to be different, to dream, to believe, but never lose sight of your humanity.

I want to teach you to tidy your rooms without being told, but I’m not holding my breath on this one.

I want to teach you that love comes in all forms, and isn’t perfect, but can be a great source of comfort and inspiration.

I want to teach you to continue your love of life, the curiosity in how things work or to pursue learning, whatever the method.

I want the best for you, to give you a future, whatever you choose to do.

Always believe that no matter how old you are, you can make a difference and to change things for the better, no matter how small a step you take.

I want to teach you all these things and so much more so you can grow up to be good people and I will continue to feel the pride and joy I feel when I see you being you.

Angelia Ong
29 Sept 2011.

may you find that inspiration to pursue your dreams too.

You Will find the Strength

Although times may seem dark and dreary

You will find the strength to go on within yourself.

When life seems on a downward path

When tears seem to fall on a regular basis,

When it seems as if you are alone,

You will find the strength within your self.

When the day seems an uphill battle

When the wrongs seems to be more than the rights

When everyone seems to be against you

You will find the strength within yourself.

When the day seems long and hard

When worries seem to pile up

When fights erupt around you and the world seems uncaring

You will find the strength within yourself.

Strength lies deep within yourself

Pools of resolve which you can draw on

No matter what pain, dramas and battles you will face over the years

You will find the strength to carry on

You don’t have to look far, just within yourself

You will find the strength within yourself.

Angelia Ong

13 Dec 1999

For every dream in your heart,
I wish you greater inspiration

(uncredited).

It’s been a while. been going through my stuff as well. Ive been so busy running home, kids, biz etc, the creative stuff (services stuff doesn’t come under this hehe) has been sidelined. Need to write again.

They Wept

THEY WEPT WHEN YOU TOLD THEM WHY YOU HAD TO GO
THEY WEPT AS YOU KISSED THEM GOODBYE WITH NARY A GLANCE
THEY WEPT AS THEY WAVED BY THE WAYSIDE
THEY WEPT WHEN YOU MARCHED GAILY OFF TO WAR.
THEY WEPT WHEN THEY READ YOUR LETTERS HOME SO FULL OF HOPE AND VITALITY.

NO ONE WILL WEEP FOR YOU NOW, YOUNG SOLDIER
GONE AND LONG FORGOTTEN,
ONE FIGURE IN THE CASULTIES OF WAR
NO ONE WILL WEEP FOR YOU NOW.

Angelia Ong
Dec 2008

mostly good, some meh, some down right no fun at all.

This year will be even more of a whirlwind, a roller coaster. More on this soon.

Happy new year, Lunar new year, all manner of festivals.

There’s nothing wrong with being a nation of immigrants and national pride.

Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 11:10am | Edit Note | Delete
Every country in the world, 1st, developing, 2nd, 3rd, or whatever title they wanna throw at you, has immigrants. We can’t deny that.

America, Australia are two examples that immediately spring to mind of those countries who have thrived based on the immigrants who have sought a life on their shores (whether it was a better life or not, depends on the individual).

They take pride in their immigrant past. (well most of them, there’s always those naysayers). It is what built their country into what is. That is why they still court immigrants, usually of a certain level etc.

Why am I mentioning this? Well, our country is also a nation of immigrants. Not just the real “bumiputras” but those who came from all over the world seeking a better life for themselves and their future generations. India, China, Indonesia are just some of the countries from where Malaysians spring from. There’s no shame in it. We all had to come from somewhere

The sooner we acknowledge that we have pride in our history (and not just selected or edited elements of it), the sooner we can come out of our present status. Perhaps it’s more of a naive viewpointlah. But I feel that the sooner we give a proper nod to our immigrant forefathers and preserve their history (our buildings, artisans etc), the sooner we can be more accepting.

Tolerance is not a word I’m advocating. I;m all for ACCEPTING. Our immigrant forefathers are part of our history, our culture, our heritage. It is what shapes us as MALAYSIAN. NOt just in our food but many of our daily practices. IT’s about pride. Pride of our heritage (no matter where it origainated from). Walking around a shopping mall (that’s a very Malaysian habit these days!), you see the faces that are milling around. You can’t always tell who is Malaysian and who is not.

The sooner that the powers that be ACCEPT this, the better. Although I guess for certain groups, ACCEPT means a loss of power and privilege. Thug Rule shouldn’t be the way. We see it in our daily life. The “louder” you shout (never mind what the majority feels), you can “win”. How is that acceptable to us? Is that how Malaysia has turned into?

As a kid growing up here (in Penang!), there was more acceptance, (allowing for a tinge of nostalgia), less of any idea of superiority, one group above the other. I saw it in grown ups, not just among kids cos kids are colour blind.

I see such potential in our country, such capabilities, and I don;t mean the biggest shopping centre, building or ketupat in the world, I mean artisans, artists, scientists, everything. It’s being squandered right now, for power and privilege.

Many lament the state of things now, they can yak away at our mamak stalls and kopi tiams. Then you find out they don’t vote or they aren’t even registered to vote. They say oh haiya, doesnt make a difference lah. .. Apathy is what got us to this level (other than the divide and rule idea). One vote can make a difference. Would you rather wait until there’s NO vote whatsoever? Emergency rule declared, all elections no longer an option. IF the superiorists win at all costs, and they take away a non-believer’s right to vote, then how?

Why am I rambling about this? I guess after reading the headlines, moreover in the last 2 months (At least), Im increasingly saddened by what’s happening. I didn’t feel like celebrating merdeka day, or flying a little flag or 2 (for which my kids did tell me off for lol), we watched what counted as a “merdeka” celebration, it was more like an elitist lil get together than anything real.

What do I want for my country? I want to stop cringing now every time Malaysia is mentioned everywhere. I want to continue to feel pride, pride that I am Malaysian. Pride that I represent my country where I go. I want to continue to write MALAYSIAN in big black letters across the race section of any form or ITS PERSONAL across the religion section of the same form until all that disappears. I want my children to feel the same pride, the same idea of everyone playing together, hanging out together, a great sense of community. I dont want them to start saying “this is my chinese friend, my indian friend, my malay friend etc”. We are trying to teach them that we are all Malaysians together, whatever our heritage and the only time anything needs to be different is when it comes to food, non halal, halal, no beef, or vegetarian, and that’s only a matter of RESPECT and understanding, not “TOLERANCE”.

Things have to change and it does start with us, the grown ups, the parents. We have to teach our kids this ACCEPTANCE and RESPECT and NATIONAL PRIDE not this sense of elitism, this thuggish style. Education is not just how many As you score, it’s so many levels.

I have to believe that my country is going through “growing pains” right now, that we have to hit rock bottom before we can climb up to be the glorious country that I know we can be, and I will continue to do my small part of teaching my kids the above as my parents had taught me, both by example and speech, after all, they are our country’s future. I;m sure I will stumble at times or catch myself doing/saying things that perhaps I shouldn;t or cynicism will pop up now and then

The sweetest moment on merdeka day for me was singing (and I use this term loosely when it comes to my singing ability) the national anthem with my kids who sang it with great pride (and volume haha) and a smile, when it was playing on TV. May that feeling last their whole lives.

Being Malaysian is what we are, it’s what shapes us at so many levels. The sooner we ACCEPT that, the sooner things will improve.

Selamat Menyambut Tahun Merdeka yang ke-52.

Dari Satu Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

ahhh… Cuddly HOspital now

more foodie moments coming soon!

J2 has got chicken pox (it’s been a week now). poor lad. Waiting to see if the other 2 get it..

new ideas for the blog, coming soon!