Jalan Jalan

Walking down the streets of Malaysia, you can't help but read all of the signs.I love reading the name of streets. They surely do have interesting names for streets. Like this one in Johor, called 'Kolam Air' which could either mean puddle, or a pond or a swimming pool.

What can you find when you’re walking down the streets in Malaysia? Besides weird street names.
I notice if I walk anywhere down the streets, I will most likely end up at a fruit stall. I am a big fruit lover, and Malaysia is a tropical country with many fruits.
And to be honest, streets of Malaysia are quite pretty to walk along at night --with the lights, and the smell of the musky air. It’s quite nice.

Streets of Malaysia does have its own uniqueness.
You can almost always get what you want in just one walk. At the right places of course.
Example, walk around Jalan Masjid India.
You'll get clothes, then you can stop to eat, and there's a nearby mall you can go to. All in that stretch of street. Awesome right?

And because of our rich culture, you can almost say that Malaysia's streets are one of a kind. Indian shops, with the uncle outside playing checkers. And the hindi music blaring at the background. It is quite nice to listen to, gets your body moving. I did once saw a foreigner danced to a hindi song while she was passing through the shop. Haha :D
Or the chinese shops, yes the play checkers as well. And they'd sell you all the herbal and traditional medicines, which smells unpleasant but is very good for you.
The malay shop, they don't play checkers but they just sit outside and try to lure you in. And the food's always good.

Talking about foods, the variety of food Malaysia has is incredible. Like no other place in the world!
I love sharing and introducing new foods to my foreign friends. It's life changing for them! Haha.

I believe that, to know a country, you have to walk along the streets and taste the food. And in Malaysia, any street you stumble upon, there will be food! So, Malaysia is a great country. :D

Streets Of Malaysia

If you ask any tourists, what name of the street they most likely know and want to go to? The answer is of course.

Petaling street or China Town as Americans know it.

In this most famous street in Malaysia, you can find almost absolutely everything!
Food, clothes, hand bags, t-shirts, souvenirs, DVDs, luggage, make up, jewelery! You name it, it's there!

This street is located at the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. As you may guess, it is full of tourists.
The stalls are opened mostly at night, and this is when all the tourists or even local come and bargain for things.

The things are cheap, if you ask my opinion.
My favorite things to get there would probably be jeweleries, because they sell antique looking ones (which i love) there!

I also took my foreign friends who visited KL to Petaling Street or PS for short. And they love it! Who doesn't love cheap things and quality ones at it too!

Although PS sounds like a shopping heaven on earth, there are downsides of it.
Like one, pick pockets. I know a friend who was a victim.
And of course, it is packed to the maximum. You have to push your way and weave your way out of the massive crowd of people!

This is shameful to admit, but the hawkers aren't friendly either. They will be to you if you buy their things but if you don't they might cuss you or harass you to buying their stuff. It happened to me a lot of times, so i learned my lesson.
And the environment is not a pretty sight to look at.

All in all, PS is one of a kind. With all the rats running around accompanying you :P

Paper towns.

July last year, i came back from the US and i had nothing but free time and space.
What i did was spend hundreds of ringgit buying books, or volunteering with my exchange student organization.
One of the books that is now my favorite is called 'Paper towns'
I have been looking for a book, that is a man's side of the story, and it seems like it was fate, when i stepped in Kinokuniya, the book was displayed all over the store. And it was like calling my name. I read the first 3 pages there, and i knew i had to have it. So i purchased it and took my copy home.

I started almost immediately, and yes, i love the book! It is by far, the most deep book i have ever read. The book is trying to understand this girl, Margo.

Let me just tell you readers about the book in a nutshell.
It is about this boy named Quentin. Who lives normally as a geek, the only child to both psychiatrist parents, they live in a lovely home in the suburbs in Florida, except for the fact that their neighbor is The Spiegelmans' -- Margo's family.
When they were a child, Margo and Q (quentin) were best friends, up till one day, they just weren't. I could really relate to that. One day we're friends, and the other.. I just didn't know what happened.

9 years later, they both 18, the high school Goddess Margo came back into Q's life. She came with a mission, and knocked on Q's window, and off they go to accomplish Margo's mission. Her mission's aren't necessarily nice things to do, but it sure looked fun! And along the way, Q discovered Margo, who was his ultimate crush since he was 9, and slowly he became closer in understanding this girl of his dream. And for sure, that one night was the best night of his life.

The night ended right before the crack of dawn, and Margo kissed him goodbye and she left. The next day, Q found out that Margo ran away.
She was also known to run away and leave little clues behind. So this time, Q was determined to find her. So he did all the things spy can do. One thing let to another, on graduation day itself, he find out for sure where Margo was.
She was in Agloe, New York. So from Orlando, Florida, Q and 2 of his best friends and Margo's best friend drove for 19 hours to get there. Along the way of course there were many obstacles and adventures.

Finally, he found Margo. And Margo was fine, but she didn't want to come back. So they kissed and promised to see each other every summer and every break.


About the book that i like is when Q was trying to understand Margo. He said this to himself.

All at once i knew what Margo Roth Spiegelman felt when she wasn't Margo Roth Spiegelman: she felt empty. She felt the unscaleable wall surrounding her. I thought of her asleep on the carpet with only jagged silver of sky above her. Maybe Margo felt comfortable there because Margo the person lived like that all the time: in an abandoned room with blocked-out windows, only light pouring in through holes in the roof. Yes. The fundamental mistake I had always made -- and that she had, in fairness, always led me to make - was this: Margo was not a miracle. She was not an adventure. She was not fine and precious thing. She was a girl.

This quote from Margo also mesmerized me:

"When the vessel cracks open, the end is inevitable. But there is all this time between the cracks start to open up and when we finally fall apart. And it's only in that time that we can see one another, because we see out of ourselves through our cracks and into others through theirs." - M.S


All in all, this book is a must have as it try to help me understand people better.


Nobody's perfect.

Much love,
Deanna.

Sayings.

I have always find words amazing. How one word can mean something bigger! Like the word ambiguous could mean vague, blurry, uncertain. Now imagine a phrase full of words, how big and meaningful that phrase could be!

When i was younger, my sister and i like to go to this antique bookstore, the books are incredible! (Again i have an astounding fascination for books!) And we would just sit there for hours looking for books that interests us. She would always go to the traveling session and i would go to the young adult session. I remember finding this book, which was way out of place, it was an inspirational book, stuck in between the other teen novels. I took that small book out, and the front cover reads.
'A Hero in Every Heart'

I was enticed in by the title! So i flipped through the pages and soon discovered that it was one of my favorites.

This small book, taught me a lot and helped me through my good and tough times.
This small book is about powerful messages, by everyday heroes.

In 1996, my father died, of what i myself am not certain. And my mom took care of all 6 of us, and we were all still in school. My dad left us a good sum of money, so we were able to keep afloat and live as we were about 5 years. Then, it all went downhill. But my mom fought her way up. And we are where we are now because of her.
This saying reminded me of her;

Courage is not defined by those who fought and did not fall,
But by those who fought, fell, and rose again.

When i want something real bad, i always think of this saying.

'Most look up and admire the stars,
A champion climbs a mountain and grab one'

And when i didn't do well on this very important examination, this saying kept me going.

' Success isn't forever, And failure isn't fatal'

This little book inspires me so much that going through the hard days are bearable.

Here's my favorite saying of all.

'I love the man that can smile in trouble,
that can gather strength from distress, and
grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink,
but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct,
will pursue his principles unto death'

Much love,
Deanna

Festivals

Malaysia, truly asia.

Here in Malaysia, we celebrate diversed cultures everyday, and on that one special day, we celebrate a festival. It could belong to the Malays, or the Chinese, or the Indians, or the Dayaks or any other races that houses in Malaysia for that fact.

Festival is the holy day, the day our respective religion summons us to celebrate and be joyful. The day that is significant to our religion and culture which we call a festival.

I am a malay, who celebrates Hari Raya Aidilfitri every year after a month of fasting. And during that month, we prepare for the next month (the festival month) with lots of sweets, and duit raya which is similar to Chinese's ang paw.

Because of the many religions and cultures in Malaysia, many festivals are conducted in a year. Consisting of Hari Raya Puasa for the Malays and Muslims, Chinese New Year for the chinese, Deepavali for the Indians and Christmas for the Christians.

But one the festivals that intrigues me the most would be Deepavali. Commonly known as the Festival of Lights, the celebration of Deepavali (or Diwali) marks the triumph of good over evil, the victory of light over dark. (www.allmalaysia.com , 2010)

Deepavali came from the ancient hindu scriptures, and the one story that is told widely is of about Ramayana in which Lord Rama reunites with his wife Sita following a 14-year exile, and after having killed the demon king Ravana.

In the epic tale, the denizens of the kingdom of Ayodhya celebrated the prince's triumphant return to his homeland and later, his ascension to the throne, by lighting up their homes and the streets with earthen oil lamps.

This happened on the night of the new moon and is commemorated hence, as the celebration of Deepavali. However, the story of Lord Rama's victory over Ravana is only one out of many that is said to have given rise to this annual celebration.

One other popular tale remembered during the occasion is that of the battle between Lord Krishna and the evil asura (demon) Narakasura. Krishna emerged victorious after a long and drawn-out struggle, and his victory was celebrated with the lighting of lamps.

Yet others believe that Deepavali marks the day when the prideful and evil Mahishasura was vanquished at the hands of the goddess Kali.

Variations notwithstanding, these stories share a common thread; that of the removal of evil, to be replaced by that which is good.

This sense of renewal is reflected in the way Hindus prepare themselves for Deepavali. (www.allmalaysia.com, 2010)

This story to me is very beautiful, and during deepavali i always get mesmerized by the wonderful lights all over the city.

I can't wait to celebrate Deepavali this year because :
1. i love the lights!
2. I enjoy the food.
3. I can look at the pretty kolam designs.
4. I may get to wear the beautiful saree.
5. IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

:D

Much love,
Deanna

Animal Rights (Part II)

The fight for animal rights these days has gone tremendously extreme. This particular story especially touches my heart. Hayden Panetierre, a well known actress and fellow peaceful protestors surfed into sea to stop Japanese fishermen in Osaka, Japan from further slaughtering pilot whales (which are group of the dolphin family). Sadly, their efforts were reacted with violence by the fishermen. This can be seen from the video. (Sources : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21587718/)
During her interview, the over whelmed actress shed tears and regret over this issue. I am totally with her on this. To have been in her situation, and see those poor voiceless animals to be butchered is not for the faint hearted. She and 5 other of the peaceful protestors braved themselves and d tried their best to help the animals. But sadly, nothing could be done. This venture was a risky one, as they could be charged for criminal trespassing, but they did it anyway, because they believe it was worth it. Hayden Panetierre is one of the thousands of people who are fighting for animal rights. Eveywhere in this world, every single hour of every single day, activists are trying to change the lives of the animals. They try different approaches, boycott of products that use animal skin or in any way harm the animal, and they try and enforce a law against people who harm animals. Many campaigns were made by different organizations and they tried to raise awareness. Sadly however, animal slaughtering still continues till today.

We all should believe that fighting for animal rights are worth it.




(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1pqfzfIpJ4 )

Animal Rights.

(http://www.furisdead.com/images/danitykane-ad-lg.jpg)

I'd rather go Naked, than wear fur.

Yes, i'd rather go naked than wear fur.



I started hearing about animal rights when i was about 12 or maybe 13 years old. I found that out when my mother told me about a crocodile skin handbag. I first thought that it was the name of a handbag, later i found out that it was made of real crocodile skin!
How is that even possible i wonder? And snake skin, i have always thought that it was not really snake skin, i thought it was somehow rather man made. But indeed, there are some people in this world who uses snake skin for their products. The things they do to sell their products!
Slowly in my high school i would occasionally hear my teacher talk about animal rights. How they torture these animals for human's own benefit. How cruel are these people?
Don't they have a heart?

I wonder what goes through their mind, and if their heart were filled with any guilt when they kill those poor animals.
I only know that only selfish people would do these kinds of things.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal or PETA is an organization that benefits animal and at the same time keeping environment and eco system in balance. It is the largest Animal Rights organization in the world.
This organization is the main protector of Animal Rights and till this date has conducted massive, uncounted campaigns to stop any animal slaughtering, torturing and such.
One of their campaigns that touched me the most is the 'I'd rather go Naked than wear Fur' campaign.
I saw the advertisement, and what they did to these animals. Some were my favorite animal - siberian huskies.
And i watch as they kill them mercilessly, as if these animal were born for their own purpose!
PETA did a campaign where they use famous artiste as their 'voice' to speak out to the world.
It was a huge success, and 2009 was certainly a great year for all their efforts!
Thousands of viewers reeled in and helped out the campaign, and as far as i am concerned, the issue has drastically subsided.
I hope that tomorrow will be a better day and place for the poor animals. I truly feel that this animal slaughtering should be stopped.

'Animal may not speak our language, but they have a voice in them that they are trying to reach out to us. '

Much love,
Deanna.