I am going to begin this by saying a very, simple, possibly non-agreeable (to some others) thing:

I love Malaysia!~ ^_^

There, said. Surprise surprise?

Well believe it or not this country is pretty darn cool by me. And I've done some decent travelling around here and there to know this much. Malaysia may not be the most ideal place to live for some people (most likely the non-bumiputras) but in my opinion it is a great place with ample potential. I mean come on, we have all that lovely tropical greenery while America has barren dessert soil - not that America isn't beautiful in its own stature.

I honestly just think that we (Malaysians - most of, anyway) seem to take the beauty our young country bears for granted, as is the power behind the Western influence. Sure there is a lot of corruption and less-than-favorable happenings going on in our place but there are the good stuff too - Malaysians, you know what they are. Downright evident, our people need to improve - get their heads in the game - if we're ever to be fully recognized as a developed nation come 2020.

It being Chinese New Year here at present, one thing I love about this country that comes to mind has definitely got to be the festive celebrations. Living here as a citizen, no matter who you are or what race, religion, color, etc. you get to join in with the festivities just out of the fact that you ARE Malaysian.

Isn't that great?

Being mix-blood, I'm very content with the knowledge that I am half-half (Malay-Chinese, that is). And while I am a Muslim and considered a Malay, fact that I am part Chinese makes me feel almost right at home with them pures as well.

It is honestly fun, and an astounding honour to me - being able to celebrate not only Hari Raya but Chinese New Year as well with full fervour; heck, let's chuck Deepavali and other festive holidays in there as well. It's really great being Malaysian - life is colorful.

We are a unique people, whether we choose to accept that or not. And there is absolutely nothing negative about it.

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It is highly likely that this will be my last Chinese New Year here for a while, what with my eventual (and temporary) relocation to Melbourne to continue with tertiary studies.

Drinking in the sights, I know I shall sorely miss many things about this world of which I am so fond of, though perhaps refrained from expressing so. But as always, there are the few things I shall not miss and feel quite liberated to be away from - isn't that how everyone feels when they leave a place called home?

My parents coaxed me into a light shopping trip to Pavilion today of all things. It was nice though, they got me a really sleek Paris Hilton purse as a CNY gift - a whole-hearted 'thank you' goes out to them both for that. Also managed to solve the issue of choosing a farewell gift for one of my dear cousins heading off to Perth next week - sure hope she likes it.

Dinner was the highlight of my CNY, as always, I cannot get enough of Yee-Sang - I surprisingly love it (have been waiting ever impatiently for CNY since after last year's just to eat it again). I can still remember Kimiko comparing me to the dish at some point. The reason? Unfortunately escapes me.

Here we are before the mix.

And there we go, looks more vibrant now doesn't it?

A splendid individual Four Seasons course. I shall dearly miss halal Chinese food.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR everyone!!!