Square Pegs, Round Holes….

“Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion.”

When talking to friends I always hear complaints about people they work with that do not complete work properly, do not go the distance, do not care. It got me thinking that I am lucky to be doing something that I AM passionate about, I BELIEVE in. I am also passionate about my photography and diving. I back a football team that I support with a passion.

Because I am passionate about what I do therefore I will probably ACHIEVE more than a person who doesn’t care.

I’m not saying that I didn’t have to try something to find out if I liked it or not. I tried marketing but found out that music was my passion. I tried sky diving but figured out that scuba diving was my passion. Passion and purpose go hand in hand. When you discover your PURPOSE, you will normally find it’s something you’re tremendously passionate about.

Recognizing what you love is NOT enough. It isn’t passion without commitment, without intimacy, without self-giving… that is why passion is that one step further.

In Malaysia we grow a culture of square pegs in round holes and inevitably the “tidak apa la / chin chai lor“ attitude. People doing things they really don’t WANT to be doing but rather NEED to be doing. Sometimes pushed by the necessity to survive, sometimes pushed by others, sometimes just being unfocused. But they live with complacency and have a tendency to accept things…no reaction, no questions asked, no reasons given… I find a strong lack of passion missing in Malaysians in general…. the want to do more, the need to make a difference, the pride of place.

We should constantly need to..... want to strive for better, reach higher, achieve more but this is impossible without passion. We need that fire that comes from inside to propel us to accomplish things that we only dream about.

I'm not talking about just work I'm talking about everything we do in our lives.... work, love, life should be passionate...

“If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you.”

For everyone my wish for you is that you find your passion…..

Peace, Love and Respect,
Jenn

Of Flashing Lights and Sirens...

This is a subject close to my heart. My office is near Hospital Besar Kuala Lumpur so seeing ambulances with sirens blaring is a normal occurrence. Also because it is near the Mahameru highway and the Tun Razak flyover traffic jams are also a normal thing.

Now if you see an ambulance hurriedly coming down the road, sirens blaring what should you do :

a) Step on the accelerator. The ambulance will NEVER catch up with you;

b) Wait for the ambulance to pass and then step on the accelerator and follow it down the road it’ll help you get to your destination faster;

c) Just drive normally it’ll avoid you and after all, even if it passes you, it can’t go anywhere it's already jam;

d) “Aiya! Bet the ambulance driver is rushing to eat lunch!! Who cares you think you’re the only one that hasn’t eaten ah?”

ALL OF THE ABOVE is what most Malaysian drivers do.

Now put yourself in the ambulance. You have a family member that’s dying and in need of immediate hospital care, then you understand why you need to yield and get out of the way. In situations like this time is of the essence. I’ve been there with my father who had suffered a stroke, his heart had stopped and he was turning blue. The sense of helplessness is alarming. You can only but pray and hope that traffic moves faster.

My father survived the ordeal but I learnt and invaluable lesson which I hope to pass on to anyone reading this. PLEASE when you see an ambulance approaching get out of the way move over, let the ambulance through…. Someone’s life may depend on it.

Thank you. Peace, Love and Respect,

Jenn

There goes the last of the good men. Tiger Woods has had an affair *gasp* and *shock horror*. What has the world come too. Is life full of escape, backspace and undo buttons?

I don’t want to go on a rant but I find guys stop maturing at fifteen and they always think with their d*@ks. Emotionally guys are the weaker sex. Never satisfied with what they have. When the girlfriend/wife tries to communicate you either get -
a) The Silent treatment;
b) Code Red : All systems shut down (sleep); or
c) I’m going to turn to another woman who understands me.
And if they have had enough time to think about it the whole issue becomes your fault or problem, “You drove me to do it!”. …ESCAPE button….

Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE men. They are adorable, helpless, charming (when they want to be) but sometimes they can be downright self absorbing, selfish, pompous. Sometimes I think the woman is at fault. In the beginning of relationships they bend over backwards to please, give up part of their life, pamper the man…. then when the focus turns over to the kids (who need attention 25 hours a day) or work, the man feels he’s lost the attention of the woman. You can’t win…. BACKSPACE key…

The problem with relationships is that you are NEVER sure of the other person. You’re always questioning, “Do they love me!”. You can only be sure of how YOU feel. Women ask this 200 times of their men. Not because they don’t trust you but it’s because they want to hear you say it, stoopid!! But then again 200 times is a biiiiiit much. Moral of the story - Everyone needs to remember people aren’t mind readers, sometimes you need to show how you feel. There is NO harm in once in a while showing affection, showing appreciation… people constantly crave response…

We are always tested in life. When you have a relationship/marry someone they are not perfect and neither are you. Then comes along someone who has that missing component that you miss and the more you see it the more you miss it…. Then if your relationship is not strong you begin to find fault in the person you’re with and you find every possible excuse to call it quits. Yes, unfortunately, that has become the ‘name of the game’…. UNDO button

Before people worked harder at their relationships perhaps because they were not under so much pressure to perform at work AND constant communication (mobile phone, internet, etc.). Priorities in life have changed so much. Sad but true…

Love is simple and uncomplicated. We expect too much from each other. The support should be equal, the responsibility should be equal and the respect should be equal. No one is lesser than the other…. No one loves the other more….

Yeah… one day my prince will come…..

Peace, love and respect,
Jenn

YOU-nique

It’s been a hard month so we took a break to Bangkok (13-15th. November, 2009) … and it was a great trip. Good company, Good shopping (not enough money :)) all in all a hilarious time. Life should be like this… work hard, play hard. Then you get a balance.

Then straight into the Islamic Fashion Festival (23 – 25th. November, 2009). This show is interesting, different and should be given international recognition as it is truly away for people to see that you can be fully covered yet chic, dress elegantly or even have style with panache. And although it’s grueling, sometimes you just feel like dying but enjoy working like this. I got to work with Dato’ Mahadzir Lokman and Dato’ Yasmin Yussoff after a long time, both professionals at what they do and we have yet to find emcees that can take their place for protocol events such as these.

(Picture courtesy of : Nadiah Ramli my talented photographer daughter)

Nadiah came by to get more shooting experience which is good for her but unfortunately felt rather sick on the morning of the second day so she went to see our trusty family doctor (Dr. Shanta Oomen) and went home to sleep it off. Nowadays you just can’t take risks when you don’t feel well… GO TO THE DOCTOR!!

After the last show Jay and Jue tried to get me to go to dinner before waiting for the post mortem meeting but I decided not too and whilst waiting for two hours kept on getting sms’es asking me about food. Yes, I was hungry… but NO I was not going back before the meeting. Only to find that in the hotel room were Koi, Itcha, Jue and Jay… food and a present (for my birthday). Hahaha.. so that’s why they tried to get me to eat sooner... Sorry guys trying to con a Saggitarian is like, impossible… they either read you and con you back or are completely oblivious to reading between the lines because they’re busy concentrating on something else!! But my heartfelt thanks and love to all of you.

(Picture was taken with my new Tamron 10-24 lens... ilike)

Yeah it’s been one hell of a November.. busy, fun, reflective and thankful.

After OD’ing over fashion and mixing with the beautiful people the whole month of November, it got me thinking. Everyone always wonders why they aren’t as good looking, why they aren’t as rich, why they aren’t so lucky… don’t wonder. Each and everyone of us is unique, each of us has a ability or combination of abilities, each of us has a weakness, each of us is beautiful in some way or another, each of us is ugly in some way or another…. Just like our fingerprints are unique so are we as individuals…… God IS Great!

When you want to feel sorry for yourself, wonder why life is treating you badly or wondering why you aren’t given chances… pick-up the newspaper and read any page. When you read about people losing homes in floods or fires, losing love ones to a tragedy, have no food to eat, are innocent victims of war, human greed and inhuman conditions… counting your blessing and give praise, if you think your life is bad… think again there is ALWAYS someone worse off than you.

P/S : I rescued a Zebra from the shelf in Parkson this month... What have YOU done?

Meet Stripe.... he is an efficient communicator. He can work a blackberry and send out e-mails via computer. He likes eating at chilis!!

Peace, Love and Respect,

Jenn

Don’t Run Away, Baby, It’s Only Life….

The last two months have gone by in a blur, no time to blog….

Let’s see. Hari Raya came and went but rather than spending it staring at four walls I decided this year I would do something about it. Not that I didn’t wish to celebrate Adil Fitri but I always believe the kids should go back to Singapore (their real kampung) and spend time with the family there, where there is the spirit of Raya. So I packed my bags and celebrated by diving in Manado (September 19 - 24, 2009)

And what a celebration of life. Manado is a gorgeous divesite on the northern tip of Sulaiwesi, a 4 hour flight from Kuala Lumpur. In pristine condition I would rate this the best wall diving I have seen. As if the joy of diving were not enough we were bestowed the luck of seeing a pod of dolphins one morning, a pod of pilot whales the next and to top it off a mother and baby sperm whale (a rare sighting which even the divemasters there were excited to see). Although all of them were close surface sightings it is an exhilarating feeling to have the chance to see these majestic animals in the wild.

Next came the challenge of the century…Gen’s Wedding (October 10, 2009). Weddings are scary. They are a once in a lifetime event for the couple and their families. And of course they want perfection because the event means so much to them. What more it was a garden wedding in the middle of rainy season. So the wedding planner has sleepless nights, cold sweat, butterflies flitting around in the stomach. 20 AIMs would be easier than this. I guess a number of us prayed hard enough and the wedding was a success… Thank you GOD. So maybe it’s not as bad a 20 AIMs after all.

After that it was the final diving trip of the season (October 19-21, 2009) with Acis, Sheila, Shah, Intan and Siti. It was my first time leading a trip out but it was fun. Company was good, Daniel of Sealantis proved to be a great guide and storyteller; and Abbas is the best boatman ever. I’ve always enjoyed Tioman, it feels like home. Although this year the visibility has been dismal this trip was the best viz I had seen all year and although I have been countless times to these divesite they still provided excitement and wonder. Labas and all it’s swin throughs, Tiger Reef is gorgeous when the current isn’t ripping and Batu Malang is always a beautiful sight/site. Yes, diving is definitely my second calling!

Back to life, back to reality. Just when you think you’ve done it all, you really haven’t. The Malaysian International Fashion Week 2009 (November 4-8, 2009) provided non-stop action... first time doing 18 shows over 5 days, first time working a project with only Jay and Jue. At the beginning of the project it felt like a mountain to climb, with us standing at the foot and looking up at the summit. Tiring, testing, taxing but challenging and the euphoric feeling of achievement erases everything. I LOVE my work without a doubt.

(Picture courtesy of Nadiah Ramli, my extremely talented photographer daughter)

Life is ever changing, ever evolving. Over the last six months a road that I thought was going to end has proved that it has a continuation and a new journey. That has been given to me by the new team, a new breath of life; as much as they turn to me for guidance I have learnt that teaching people means teaching yourself. They push me to challenge my ability and myself once again.

Yes life is putting the pedal to the metal and living it to the maximum, passionately whether it be work or play, then only you can say you’ve lived.

Peace, Love and Respect,

Jenn

Emmanuel Adebayor..Serena Williams…Kanye West… Role Model Responsibility

Just because you’re under pressure it doesn’t give you the right to rant on other people when things don’t go your way neither do you rub it in someone’s face when it does! The weekend saw the ugly side of famous personalities who are supposed “role model” to the younger generation losing it in front of millions of people.

Scenario #1
English Premier League - Manchester City vs Arsenal….
Adebayor ex Arsenal player ran the length of the pitch to taunt and antagonize the Arsenal away supporters after scoring City's third goal. Are the Arsenal fans to blame for throwing things at him and in the process hurting a Man City steward… I think not. Adebayor had earlier appeared to kick his former team-mate Robin van Persie in the face.

So the Arsenal fans never showed their appreciation? Hey FYI respect is earned… the fans always loved and respected Bergkamp, Henry, Ljunberg, Reyes, Pires, Viera


Scenario #2
US Open Tennis – Serena Williams vs Kim Clijsters….
With Clijsters on the brink of victory, defending champion Williams was called for a foot-fault on a second serve to go match point down.
Astounded by the verdict, Williams immediately saw red and threateningly marched up to the official. She waved her racket ominously and thrust the ball into the lineswoman’s face as she launched into a tirade. “I swear to God I’m… going to take this (bleeping) ball'' and stuff "it down your (bleeping) throat, you hear that? I swear to God,” Williams told the line-judge.
Having already received a warning earlier in the match for smashing a racket, Williams was handed an automatic point penalty for “unsportsmanlike conduct,” giving Clijsters the match.


Scenario #3
Video Music Awards – Taylor Swift vs Kanye West….
The presenters announce Swift as winner of Best Female Video. She goes up to stage and begins her acceptance speech. Suddenely West rushes onstage, grabs her microphone and lets loose an outburst on behalf of singer Beyonce Knowles, who had lost out in that category. “Taylor, I'm really happy for you, and I'm gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time,"


What in the world was going on in the minds of these role models. They are being watched by millions of people, they are respected personalities (earning insane amounts of money) in their professions and they go on an inexplicable, unforgivable rant and then apologize half-heartedly saying their emotions got the better of them but they still believed that they were right.

Disgraceful and inexcusable that’s all I can say. With the number of kids that watch these programs and look-up to these people as role models they should be severely punished. Show some responsibility!

They have no idea what the repercussions of their actions are. Inciting crowds, causing fights and worse, showing people that you can just DO what you want WHENEVER you feel. Yes having your own opinion is great but showing patience is greater…. After all things don’t go your way ALL of the time… LIVE with it!

One-Malaysian-ness

Yesterday I went to the Post Office to invest in Amanah Saham 1Malaysia.

With form filled, Mykad photostated and money in hand I waited patiently. As my number was called and the person behind the couner checked my form they looked intently at me and asked what my race was.... hahaha.... cruel joke.... Here we are trying to recognize every culture under the Malaysian sun and happily categorizing people... and here I am, poor un-categorizable persun I am, trying hard to explain that I beong in the "dan lain-lain" (others) column as I do not fit the criteria of the rest. Yes... Race : Others.

The best part there was NO "dan lain-lain" so I waited for them to find a recent letter they received to tell them what category code number I belong to. Finally the computer accepted me...

I belong to a minority race. Laughable at best. No I do not want to stir racial tension. No I do not want to fight for my Irish-Australian-Chinese-Malaysian rights. But yes I want to be a part of bangsa Malaysia where there is no racial segregation.

So "dan lain-lain" it is until the day we truly acheive one-Malaysian-ness.....

Peace, Love and Respect,
Jenn

1Malaysia... Brave New World?

52 years and another Prime Minister later we follow another dream called 1Malaysia.

I’m having trouble understanding the concept although in essence I love and support the idea. It is a call for acceptance, to recognized and take into consideration the needs of every ethnic group. We would be having to take a holiday every other day, speak 200 different languages and understand a myriad of cultures, which mind you also change with the times.

Tolerance… will never lead to true unity. The meaning of the word is enough to make you cringe… forbearance, endure, acceptance…. doesn’t all this point to a capacity, a limit. We need to get to a point where we don’t even think about race, break down all the barriers and take that step towards being true Malaysians, become one nation.

And what does 1Malaysia have to do with the tagline “Rakyat didahulukan, Pencapaian diutamakan”? (People first, Achievement Now) this NEEDS to be a maxim for the government not the people!! We don’t need to understand that the needs of the people go first and that meritocracy rules. This IS what WE the people have always wanted anyway (unless you are greedy, selfish or uneducated).

Before the National Anthem required an official function before it was sung. Why? Why can’t it be sung everywhere? Football game? Cinema? Before any event? Where there is alcohol served? In a church? In a mosque? WHY NOT? When we play the national anthem and we can moved people to feel proud to be Malaysia, shed a tear understanding the lyrics, … does it matter where they are, who they are, what their background is? Negaraku never fails to move me….

Like as in all things understanding comes with education. If we want our children to throw rubbish in a dustbin, cover their mouths when they yawn, get up and offer a seat to someone who needs, respect their elders it needs to be taught when they are born and continue right through their school life not at primary school level when they already have bad habits and preconceived ideas. They need positive role models from their parents to their teachers. The nationalistic spirit needs to be instilled to a point where it is runs on auto and comes without thought.

I never think of my friends as Indian, Chinese or Malay. This has been true since school until this very day. We are friends because we share the same aspirations, interests, uncanny sense of humor and enjoy each other’s company. Creed, colour and race bears no significance and only passion and the desire to do the best you can for yourself, your family, your country that allows you to work with others to achieve. I’m sure Nicol David, Tony Fernandes, Lee Chong Wei, Karamjit Singh and others who have achieved the Malaysian Dream never thought of themselves as anything but Malaysians wanting to succeed.

It is a brave new world… we take the step to become one... this all starts with you and me… we make the difference no matter how big or small the contribution there is no such thing as insignificance in effort….

I have a dream…
No oppression, No discrimination, No segregation

Negaraku

Tanah tumpahnya darahku,

Rakyat hidup

bersatu dan maju

Rahmat bahagia

Tuhan kurniakan,

Raja kita

selamat bertakhta

Rahmat bahagia

Tuhan kurniakan

Raja kita

selamat bertakhta

Peace, Love and Respect,

Jenn