Happy Chinese New Year!

This year's Chinese New Year is harder for me because I managed to celebrate it with family last year. In addition, it is also Dad's birthday today. However, I am grateful for the friends I have here in Sydney who I refer to as my Sydney family, who are here to celebrate with me. Although a little watered down compared to celebrations back home, the Year of the Horse is going to be yet another amazing year Down Under.

Here is to wishing family and friends around the world a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Chinese New Year of the Horse!

Taska & Tadika Kembangsari: Concert & Graduation 2013

I think by now everyone knows that I make a trip back in November every year. The reason I make this annual trip, or try to, is to be part of our centre's Concert & Graduation, which is the biggest event on our calendar. This year, this event is extra meaningful because it is to celebrate our 20th anniversary.

Mum postponed it to the final week of November, instead of the usual 3rd Saturday of November to accommodate my schedule. I missed not being part of the setting up, especially to be there at the school hall to watch the stage come to live. There is much involved in making a large empty stage fit for a childcare centre/kindergarten concert. Our main props: colourful balloons and long pieces of cloth.

Oh, and lots of wire, fishing line and stainless steel rods.

Not to mention lots of (loud) coordination between the people on the stage, below the stage and right at the top.

We had two staff members and an ex-student who decided to overcome their fear of heights to help with the tying of the cloth.

Slowly but surely, we filled up the airspace and had quite some fun positioning the different pieces of cloth.

Of course, the stage would not be complete if it did not had the theme displayed:

As the children and educators had already prepared the backdrop, we made use of it after we added some glitter to it.

The result was fantastic:

I really liked how the shadow dances as the stage lights switch. From down stage, that depth effect was mesmerizing.

The hall was full for the entire evening, something we are very proud of every year - supportive families who stay till the very end of the event.

After a successful evening, we took down everything the next morning and brought the balloons back to the centre. Like we do every year, we gave the balloons out to the children during the year end party.

Here is to thank everyone who has supported us throughout the years. Honey Bee would not be what it is today without all of you. Thank you!

Taska & Tadika Kembangsari: Double celebration

The educators started to ask which day are they to stay on after work to help pack the goody bags for the children. Mum simply replied that they will be informed. After a few days, slightly agitated, they asked again. Mum decided that this year, none of the educators will have to stay on after work because the children will be part of the packing.

Some time during lessons were used to implement this special "activity" that incorporated teamwork, communication, turn-taking, counting, sorting and sharing. This special activity in packing goody bags for everyone in their group not only allowed them to learn the fore-mentioned but also to take pride in their own contributions to the group, as well as develop a sense of belonging.

"Look, my mummy made these for us." "My daddy bought these for us." We could just feel the happiness and pride. We were done with the packing on Wednesday, our earliest to date. Previously, the packing would go on till after dinner on the night before the actual day.

Since we had Thursday free, we started blowing the balloons. More were blown on Friday morning. With the passing breeze, the children were welcome to school on Children's Day by a floating display of red, fuchsia, orange and yellow.

The children love this day. Some parents even revealed how their little ones have never gotten ready as quickly as on this morning. How could they not be excited and not look forward to having a full day of games and laughter with their friends wearing masks and party hats they made themselves?

Year after year, the parents never fail to impress. This year, this was even more so the case, as some parents contributed not just once but twice, which resulted in three things. Firstly, the children had so many presents in their goody bags this year.

Secondly, we were all spoilt for choice when it came to food.

It was like a competition to see whose contribution was the best - there were so many home-made things like jellies, cakes, cupcakes, muffins, puddings and even carved fruit!

We were so touched with the amount of time and personalised effort that the parents had invested into preparing their contributions.

 

Thirdly, not only were the children happy, so were the educators - so delightful to see the children thoroughly enjoying themselves! Of course, secretly elated that there was so much to eat, too!

But the icing on the cake would have to be that unexpected phone call from the Selangor Department of Community and Welfare asking Mum when she would be going in to collect her "stuff". Mum was not sure what "stuff" it was but the lady over the phone said that it has been there since December waiting to be collected.

Little did we know that while Mum and Dad were in Melbourne for Pei Shin's wedding with me last year, the department awarded us Model Childcare Centre for the municipality of Subang Jaya for the year 2012. Wow, we were stoked and felt very honoured! In all honesty, when Mum sent this photo to me over Whatsapp, I could not contain my excitement. I was so proud of Mum, I had tears in my eyes.

It has been a wonderful week for us at Honey Bee, a week worth celebrating.

To all our wonderful children, Happy Children's Day and to our remarkable staff members congratulations! This award would not have been possible without each and every one of you and your understanding families!

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

How time flies, yet another year. I still remember that I had a mooncake bigger than my face last year. A close friend also shared with me photos of his family dinner on Whatsapp. Photos of the tableful of food and also the colourful paper lanterns in his front porch made me miss home more, actually. But, I was thankful for the warmth sent from afar through his photos and also my phone conversations with Mum and Dad.

This year, it is another Mid-Autumn Festival away from home. Instead of the usual 月亮园 by 山脚下男孩, I feel more of a connection to 我们的月亮一定圆 this year. I especially like these three phrases:

如果没有跌跌撞撞  (If there is no falling over)

永远都学不会坚强 (There will never be growth)

熬过绝望就­有希望 (Overcoming despair will bring hope)

我们的月亮一定圆

词: 黄威尔 / 李志清

曲: 黄威尔

唱: MY FM DJ

我们的月亮一定圆   一家人今天来团圆

我们的月亮­一定圆   手牵手我们心­相连

疲惫在寻找著臂弯   眼泪在等待被抹­干

贫穷或富有都一样   明月光 把黑夜点亮

我们的月亮一定圆   一家人今天来团圆

我们的月亮一­定圆   手牵手我们心相­连 (手牵手 牵成一个圆)

如果没有跌跌撞撞   永远都学不会坚强

熬过绝望就­有希望   明月光 把黑夜点亮

我们的月亮一定圆   一家人今天来团圆

我们的月亮一­定圆   手牵手 我们心相连

我们的月亮一定圆   一家人今天来团圆

我们的月亮一­定圆   手牵手我们心相­连 (手牵手 牵成一个圆)

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone!

祝大家中秋节快乐！

Happy 56th Merdeka Day, Malaysia!

Crying Out Love 呼唤爱

Composed, Lyrics and Produced by 彭学斌 @ Pocket Music Malaysia

Artistes: Z-Chen 张智成，Yu Heng 宇珩，Eric Lin 林健辉，Henley Hii 许亮宇，Meeia Foo 符琼音，

Tedd Chan 曾国珲，Yise Loo 罗忆诗，Vivian Chua 蔡忆雯

如果地球有一张脸   是不是一张和谐的容颜

如果希望是一盏灯   能不能照亮每一个心愿

如果生命是一首歌   是不是唱着幸福和快乐

如果爱是一种颜色   彩虹会不会出现在这一刻

抵挡不需要拳头   言语不需要战火

朋友不需要明说   微笑和眼神就足够

站在高处往下看   其实我们都一样

We are one   世界就是一个家

大声呼唤大声唱起来   让所有人知道我们有多爱

手中握紧自己的未来   不让别人主宰生命的精彩

衷心祝福我们这时代   沿途在多障碍我们一样爱

心是小孩最真诚的期待   相信明天的光更灿烂地盛开

My own rough translation:

If the Earth had a face, would that face be a harmonious face?

If hope was a light, would it illuminate every wish?

If life was a song, would it be a song of happiness and joy?

If love was a colour, would a rainbow appear at this moment?

No need for fistful resistance, no need for verbal wars

Friends need not words, a smile and a look suffice

Standing high and looking down, actually we are the same

We are one, the world is one home

Call out loud and sing out loud, let everyone know how much we love

Holding tight to our own futures, not allowing others to dictate our wonderful lives

Whole-heartedly wishing our generation, to love not matter how many obstacles are along the journey

The heart is the child's most sincere expectation, believing that tomorrow's light blooms more brilliantly

❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥

As long as there is love. As long as we believe.

Believe in a better Malaysia.

Selamat Hari Merdeka, tanahairku Malaysia!

GE13: 5th May, D-Day

The walk from the bus stand back home last night was extraordinarily chilly. Winter winds are creeping in. Propped the handbag on the table and made a dash for a warm shower before making a mug of comforting hot Milo to consume while Mom updated me on the phone...

We waited in the queue for 1.5 hours. We were in a different saluran. I think we line up according to age because your brother was in a different queue. He had to wait for 2 hours. Miss Tai told us she had to queue for 3 hours. Then in the afternoon, your father and I went out for a drive to you know, '8' a bit la. Went to see the other polling centres. You know the surau near our place? It was very well guarded. I think it would be hard for anyone to get past that wall of people. Even at the secondary school. So many people there to make sure no wai lao would get in. And many of them were young people. It's good.

Turned the lappie on. Had a few tabs open for live updates. Slowly, the results were released. One seat for BN. Then it was three. Then it went up to seven. PR had only one. Then it was three...

Oh my goodness! So kancheong! The last time I felt this kancheong was that nail-biting match between Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan at the London Olympics. Where is an open air mamak stall with wide screen projector when I need one?!

Had Mel on Skype. Then Xin Wen and Deidre on speaker when they rang the mobile. Should have heard us girls during that virtual gathering.

Are you watching the election results or not? Watch the Astro Awani one, it's faster. Wah, I think my BM has returned to me. I can speak it so fluently again... Aiyo, Chrys, so sad la. I want to fly home and educate my people (in Sarawak) already la. I so sad until I already had four Oreos, you know!

My electronic gadgets buzzed non-stop. WhatsApp continuously notified me of messages from the family group chat, Sonia and Ray (who, bless his soul, was a volunteer). So did Facebook Chat, with messages from Ming Wei. Rotated between WhatsApp, Facebook, Skype and phone call.

Yes, I had work to be handed in but I think the future of my country is more important than my PhD studies this weekend, thank you very much. But I could not stay awake. It was nearly 2:00am and after spending half the day traveling, my eyelids were heavy. 

I woke up to a Facebook wall full of black boxes. Initially, I thought there was a glitch but on closer scrutiny, it was a response to the results from the night before. Admittedly, although it was not a surprise, I felt the heartbreak, too...

以为就此告别了凉意
依然推不翻过去
走不出寂静
白色的脸有黑色的投影 － excerpt of lyrics from 窗外 by Penny Tai 戴佩妮

Many Malaysians were dissatisfied not so much with the results but with how the results were manipulated. From the updates on my Facebook newsfeed (which by the way, has never been as busy as this weekend), the general consensus is that we as Malaysians are ready to continue the battle for a better Malaysia. That we, as the Rakyat and not as me, you, aku, dia, Malay, Chinese, Indian or Others, are prepared to accept this challenge to better inform ourselves, our East Malaysian brothers and sisters, as well as those residing overseas for GE14...

Seia sekata sehati sejiwa, menghadapi cabaran - excerpt of lyrics from Sejahtera Malaysia

My opinions are personal and my opinions are not representative of all Malaysians but there are some of us who believe in fighting this battle. We believe that no one understands the frustrations of Malaysia better than we do because we have lived through it firsthand. And like how I teach my students, when we want something, we have to work for it. Nothing comes for free, not even an eye-catching crisp purple RM100 note lying on the pavement. If you want that RM100 note, you would have to get off your behind, walk towards it, bend down and pick it up to have it.

No one said that it will be an easy task. What is easy in life, anyway? Some say that we are fighting a lost cause but every battle is worth fighting because we believe that Malaysia and her people deserve better and are capable of so much more...

Kami rela menjaga namamu, sejahtera Malaysia - ending lyrics of Sejahtera Malaysia

2013, 5th of May was D-Day for the nation. We now know that Malaysians young and old regardless of background are able to work towards a common cause, to speak up. No resting on our laurels now for we have gained invaluable friends and experience. We have 5 years to educate ourselves, to better ourselves, to be less selfish, to be more Malaysian. And this education starts now for the 1Malaysia that we have in our blood and soul and not one that is used as a marketing tool...

Negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku - opening lyrics of Negaraku

GE13: For a better Malaysia

I woke up bright and early on Sunday, when normally, I would sleep in. In fact, I hardly had any sleep due to the excitement. I could not wait for the day trip to Canberra to begin. It was a special trip. In fact, any trip we make to Canberra is special because we were not going to drive for 3 hours to a place as boring as Putrajaya for no good reason. Okay, I admit, not as boring but nearly. At least Canberra is more picturesque.

This particular trip was extra special. This trip may be the one trip that will change our homeland.

I made this trip with a Malaysian family I got to know recently. They very generously offered me a ride down south and it was one joyful ride with Mandarin children's songs playing half the time. Their adorable two-year-old was so well-behaved the whole trip. As we made the turn off Hume Highway onto Barton Highway at Yass, she asked ever so innocently, "Why so long? We there?"

It was like an omen - the transition of lush summer green to red and golden autumn was symbolic of change. Not only did we have fantastic weather that day, we did not face issues with traffic and were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of fellow postal voters at the High Commission. The sides of the roads were lined with cars, there were children playing happily in the adjacent playground and there were people making new friends. Such a heartwarming sight.

In all honesty, I was expecting a more serious atmosphere. I am new at this, you know, this being my first voting experience. As laughter was heard as we approached the gate of the Malaysian High Commission, I wondered if we were there for the right event.

We were greeted by friendly, smiling faces. Interestingly, almost all personnel on duty were men of Malay ethnicity. Perhaps two or three were women and only one was a Chinese man. We recorded our details in the Visitors Log. The time was 10:30am and I think it was about 70 names before us. Security personnel screened us using a metal detector and had a quick look at the insides of our bags. Even the little one looked up at all these strange uncles, replied them 'Good Morning' and also held her hands up for them to screen. They liked how adorable she was!

A local Aussie personnel checked our ICs, matching the photo on the IC to the cardholder. "Yup, that's definitely you, alright..." before we signed another logbook on the way up to the building where the 'serious business' was taking place. The two Malay pakciks manning this counter asked us where we traveled from to get there and when we asked if there were people from places further than Sydney, their reply was, "Oh yes, some came from Brisbane!" I take my hat off to the Queenslanders. Makes our drive from Sydney seem like nothing compared to your flights from Brisbane. And if you were not on a direct flight to Canberra, you would have had to take a bus or train to Canberra from Sydney, where more flights stop. Respect!

Two entrances to separate voters according to state, I queued behind Kar Meng at the entrance that included the state of Selangor. Wan Fei's entrance did not have a queue so she went straight in. We had to wait for about 10 minutes before we were welcomed in by the two pakciks who checked our names against their list of registered postal voters, searched for our envelopes and crossed our names off the list.

With Very Important Envelope in hand, I waited for my turn to approach the witness table. A very friendly Malay chap, he patiently went through the procedure with me, explaining which forms go into which envelopes and all. Mistake #1: After checking the spelling of my name and my IC number, I immediately initialed the form. My excitement to be voting for my first time clouded my senses so much that I did not even think of reading the form, to find out what I was initialing my life away to. Mistake #2: I did not check that I had the correct ballot papers. Thank goodness I had them, though.

No use of indelible ink, which meant that I did not need to bring the cling wrap, nail polish remover and facial cotton. I brought them in the event that other voters may require them. Oh well...

Very carefully, I retrieved the ballots. I scrutinised every inch of the paper for suspicious marks. I made sure the surface of the table was clean before I drew two big pangkahs, one for each ballot using the Sharpie pen provided. I even fanned and blew the ballot papers so that the ink would not stain other parts of the paper when folded. I think it would be hard to somehow 'move' the pangkah to a different box because the Sharpie ink soaked straight through the paper! You could see that big black pangkah from the back!

Even more careful than when I retrieved the ballots, I attentively matched the right Borang 2 to its Sampul B and enclosed with this Borang 2 is Sampul A containing the matching ballots. A sudden urge to be kiasi had me using the gluestick they provided to glue both envelopes.

Mistake #3: Apparently, we had to drop our envelopes into the diplomatic bag hung on the same side of the room as the entrance we entered. Wan Fei was informed by the witness who attended to her. I, on the other hand, was not told this piece of information, therefore my assumption that either diplomatic bags would be fine. Still, I walked out of the voting hall with a sense of achievement. My first vote - done!

A lady from Jom Balik Undi queried us on the voting process. I thought it went smoothly, in all honesty. My friends concurred. In fact, we were all first-time voters and found the process pretty straightforward (despite the discrepancies mentioned above).

We joined in the festivities on site. Tables and benches were set up for voters to enjoy home-cooked Malay food, just like what we would get at those roadside gerai set up by makciks and pakciks.

I bought a box of nasi ayam for $5 and a box of kuih for $3. Ah, so long since I had authentic Malay food. And the kuih, the lady even ensured me, "Amoi, kuih ni sedap tau. Yang sirap ros ni, dari Malaysia. Nak tak? Yang ni ade jagung, yang ni ade coklat. Mau kotak ni?" Yes, rose syrup kuih. I was totally sold.

During the 3-hour car ride back to Sydney, I took a jog down memory lane. I remember how I partook in the Bersih 2.0 rally here in Sydney in 2011. I remember getting myself registered as a voter at the post office back in KL. I remember praying for friends and family who were at the Bersih 3.0 rally back home. I remember keeping abreast with news regarding voting for Malaysians overseas. I remember understanding and ensuring my eligibility to be a postal voter, downloading, printing, scanning and e-mailing the application form to SPR to register as a postal voter. I remember how every other week I keyed in my IC number into that SPR link to confirm, double confirm, triple confirm that I am a registered voter. I remember the anxious wait for my application to be a postal voter to be accepted. I remember the elated feeling when this flashed before my eyes:

From that first Bersih rally I was part of 2 years ago, look at where we have arrived. In true Malaysia Boleh fashion, we made overseas voting possible. And just like how the seniors of the University of Malaya Yao Lan Shou Music Composing Unit (马大摇篮手音乐创作坊) very aptly put it, perhaps we are at the last hurdle of a better tomorrow...

This is a music video of a song produced, composed and performed by ex-students of the above-mentioned unit. They included lyrics in Mandarin with English translation. Many of the faces you see in this video are Malaysians residing outside of Malaysia, who will be traveling home for the elections.

As we were leaving the High Commission, more people began to arrive. It was a moving sight to see that there were more Malaysians than I thought who are still deeply concerned in executing their Malaysian civil duties.

Like the colour change in the Australian autumn landscape, it is time for a change in the Malaysian political landscape. We owe it to ourselves and our future generations. Do not underestimate the power of one vote, for we do not know what the future holds for us from the ripple effect of one small, seemingly innocent action. 

My respect, prayers and well-wishes go out to all who are heading home for the real deal. Stay safe, stay strong.

To all back home, we have done our part. On 5/5, it will be over to all of you.

For a better Malaysia, let's have our voices heard and votes counted.

Sydney Basket Brigade Packing Day

One Thanksgiving Day many years ago, a young family awoke not with a sense of gratitude many associate with the holiday but with a preoccupation of where its next meal would come from. Too proud to contact a local charity and too frustrated to celebrate the gift of togetherness, the parents lashed out at each other, turning the holiday into a day of devastation. The oldest son could do nothing but watch in despair. 

Then, destiny intervened with an unexpected knock at the door. The family was stunned to find a man standing there, grinning broadly and carrying a huge basket brimming with Thanksgiving delights.

In that moment, this young boy's life was forever changed. He learned with this simple act of kindness that hope is eternal and that people, even strangers, really do care. He was overwhelmed with gratitude and swore that he would someday become successful enough to give something back to others.

On Thanksgiving some years later, the boy, just 18, went with his scant earnings to begin to fulfill that promise. He bought bags and bags of groceries and delivered them to a woman with six children whose father had abandoned them. The woman was elated, and the children shrieked with delight.

The young man was moved to tears. In that moment, he realised that his horrible day years ago was actually a gift that had brought him the fulfillment he now felt, and he knew with absolute certainty that whatever challenges came about now would be turned into valuable lessons.

The boy, was Anthony Robbins, and the moment marked the birth of the Anthony Robbins Foundation's International Basket Brigade. Inspired more than three decades ago by one simple act of generosity on the part of one caring person, the International Basket Brigade has blossomed into an astounding collective effort that now feeds more than two million people in 74 countries. Throughout the holiday season each year, Basket Brigade volunteers in all parts of the world deliver food, clothing, and hope to those who need it most.


There currently are ten Basket Brigade teams across Australia who help thousands of people every Christmas with food and toys. Entirely run by volunteers, Basket Brigade works with local grass root organisations that work with families on a regular basis to assist those that are truly needy. Basket Brigade has no religious or political affiliations and anyone is welcome to donate to the cause, may it be in the form of funds, products or services, or as a volunteer.

I got to know about Basket Brigade through the most effective social networking website - Facebook. A member of Malaysians Sydney Chapter shared a video of last year's Packing Day, which she was a part of. Packing Day is the day volunteers meet up at a designated warehouse to pack these Baskets.

It looked and sounded like lots of meaningful fun to me so I checked my diary to make sure that I did not have an interviewed scheduled for the day. When the online registration link was accessible, I logged on and registered. An e-mail then arrived, confirming my participation and providing the when and where details of this year's Packing Day.

Fast forward to today. I woke up early to take a bus to Epping. Due to track works, I took a Cityrail bus to Strathfield where I took the M90 to Chullora and walked the rest of the journey to the warehouse in Greenacre. I was welcomed graciously at the gate and was directed to the registration counter where I handed in my paperwork. Right after the lady behind the counter strapped my left wrist with a red paper band (those that are waterproof and really hard to tear off), my lovely friends from Malaysians Sydney Chapter walked up the ramp.

I take my hat off to the committee who made the event possible. During the briefing session, we learnt that one committee member did some of her liaising from South Africa. Talk about dedication and commitment. We were also reminded to work at a leisurely pace to prevent injury and more importantly, to ensure that all Baskets (boxes, actually) contain the right amount of content according to the labels.

Let me share my first Packing Day experience with you. I was part of the human production line, where I started with an empty box that was gradually filled to the brim at the end.

There were so many boxes. In fact, over 2,200 of them! However, due to fewer sponsors and donors, this amount is no where near the 4,000 boxes packed last year. Everyone is feeling the economy pinch, I suppose.

Each box was either painted on or decorated with hand-drawn Christmas drawings and greetings.

Just to let you gauge the atmosphere in that warehouse...

I was not even halfway through the line for the amount of food in the box below...

... and no, not lying because look, tell me if you are able to see the end of the line...

There was little room left in the box for the presents (they go according to gender and age of the recipients) and in some cases, no room left at all!

The presents were carefully wrapped by volunteers working in a special wrapping section of the warehouse.

The committee stressed that the Baskets are given anonymously. The only note for the recipients asks them to take care of themselves and if one day, they find themselves in a position to help another, then we encourage them to do so - the "pay it forward" concept. This note was placed inside the box right before it gets taped up by other volunteers. The Baskets were then moved onto the floor space and sorted according to area, for other volunteers to deliver.

To me, what made the day all the more meaningful was the sight of parents with children in tow, young and old, groups and individuals, friends and strangers, all working together for one cause. Everyone showed enjoyment in their expressions regardless of their 'jobs'. Some carried  and distributed boxes, some the food items, some wrapped presents, some taped the boxes, some cleaned up, some manned the barbie. But all of us were happy to be there knowing that part of what we did this morning will put a smile on someone's face.

Thank you for sharing it with the group, Michaeline. It was so much fun to have your girls there with us, too, Charmaine and thank you for the ride to Chullora. And it was a pleasure getting to know you, Yasmin and John.

N.B.: All background information taken from Anthony Robbins Foundation's International Basket Brigade and Magic Moments Foundation Australia websites and Facebook pages.