Some highlights from life in Kuala Lumpur

1.
In local supermarkets, almost all the food are Halah food for Muslims, as Islam is the official religion of Malaysia.
In some large supermarket or supermarkets operated by foreign comapnies like JUSCO,
they do have "Non-Halah" session, but you have to pay for that in a non-Halah cashier counter.
As almost all are Halah food, this means, NO pork.
And therefore, I found this:

Vegetarian Cha Siu Bao
( Vegetarian version of BBQ pork bun )

I wonder, in Hong Kong, we seldom saw sign of Halah food,
& while pork is such a common food element in HK, could the Muslims live a normal life in HK?!



2.
Living in Malaysia could train up your patience, especially when you need to wait for the bus.
Better bring with you some snacks, or some kind of entertainment,
because you never know how long you gonna wait.
Although they do state on the bus-stop sign that every 15-20 mins there will be a bus.
Usually I wait for 30mins. AT LEAST.
I bet they are stating the minimum waiting time? huh ?
(Sorry for being in a bit agitating tone...
as just the past FridayI have waited nearly 1.5 hrs for a bus after work. =.=)

The Bus stop which I usually wait desperately for the bus to go to office. =.=
As bus is the only way I could get to the city centre fr. my apartment.......




3. Confusion of language
First time I bumped into Chinese people in Malaysia,
I was about to speak English because I was conscious that I am in Malaysia,
I assume English would be the most secure language that they will understand.
In turn the person speak to me in Cantonese.

Then when I bump into another Chinese,
when I am about to say cantonese,
he/she will speak Mandarin to you.

Next time when I bumped into the similar type of person,
I'm about to speak Mandarin, yet he/she greets you in Cantonese. @@

I've decided to speak English first at all first encounter with anyone. lol



4. Little guess game



What do you think the man in the picture is doing?
I shot this on Sunday morning around 11:30.
=p
Leave a comment to guess XD

See youuuu

Cluj-Napoca

11/3

I got up at nine something and went to the train station with Mada. It was so lucky that Mada was with me because the train was delayed again for 40 minutes. She stayed with me and we talked with lots of things, like economy, politics, police, etc. If she weren’t here, I may start to worry because the train hadn’t arrived for so long and it was a bit dangerous for me to stay in train station for so long alone. Finally, I got on the train and I really missed Brasov. But life must go on…

Train was heading to northern part of the country. It was quite boring in the train, so I started to write the blog entries during the journey. There was a very interesting thing I encountered on the train. The train officer asked me for the ticket to give to someone, which means that she was going to let some people travel without any cost. After long haul journey, I arrived at Cluj around 5:30pm. And there was a punch of people holding the banner to welcome my arrival, thus I was so happy about that. There were almost 10 people, including Laura, Oana, Anca, Ella and so on. I knew that I will be very integrated to this LC because people there were awesome.

We first went to the AIESEC office, which was as nice as the office in Brasov. Anca, who was the OCP of CR Revolution (an outgoing PBoX related to CSR), let a place for me to sleep. I was also having fun in the office, with the surprise that everyone knows my name…I was so famous here. Finance team was doing a handcraft in the office, which was about the project 2%. It was about contributing 2% of the income as tax deduction to AIESEC, which was a NGO here. It was just so funny!

Oana, who was the VP ICX (non-corporate) elected, accompanied with me to meet people from NGO for the project. We had a short meeting in a café nearby. The NGO was an environmental related organization, which had just resturctured the hierarchy. I will be working there for launching some projects, at the same time, doing some coaching and training for the members. It sounded interesting to me as it was not so developed for the organization. Whether they will accept me as their intern is crucial to raise sponsorship for my food and accommodation. I am looking forward to work in this organization and achieve more, thus helping this organization to grow.

I bought some instant noodles before going to Anca’s place. I missed food in Hong Kong a lot, so I was excited that I would find some instant noodles here. Anca told me a lot about the PBoX I am going to help. I was invited to tell delegates about CSR in China and Hong Kong. Anca was the kind of person who cannot live without music. She also showed me numerous postcards that were written in different languages, which were given by trainees. I will write her some Chinese words too in the future. Cluj was really a nice city to stay and I haven’t made a wrong decision to come here.

At train station- so warm

AIESEC Office at Cluj

Drawing and fun

Last day in Brasov

10/3

This was my last day in Brasov and I was going to miss everything here.

It was a sunny day with blue sky. We went to the high school again, but this time with a Nigerian International student. Once again, we were surrounded by the students. Then I rushed back to the campus since I will be participating in the International Experience Forum. It was my honour to be there because I met the elected MCP in Romania, Laura, there. She was very brilliant and charming. Though the forum did not have lots of participants, it was really a new experience for me to speak in front of so many people. I enjoyed it too since I would help to bring more life-changing stories by sharing my own thoughts and views. At the same time, I could know other AIESECers' stories there.
After the forum, Alex and Ionut took me to try some traditional Romanian dishes like mamaliga. On the way to the canteen, Diana talked to me about bears in Brasov. Her house was located very near to the forest, where you can see bears hanging around. I was so surprised when she told me some of the stories with bears. Her family was nearly attacked by three bears; she saw a bear was hunting a deer and so on. If I had time to visit Brasov again, I must go to her place.
I failed to try the Romanian dish again because the lunch time was passed. Then I went to Ionut's dorm to access to the internet. Ionut was a newbie, who was only recruited in last October, but he had a great experience till now. He was now in ER and Finance team at the same time. He told me that he had developed a lot since he joined AIESEC. I also saw his passion in his eyes and I thought he will be in a higher position later on. His experience reminded me that how about our members in our LC. Why our members don't have the similar experience as Ionut had?
Meanwhile, I was just to happy and excited to know that I will be the faci after Ana, the conference manager, phoned me.
In the evening, we had a welcoming party for all internationals there, yet sadly, it was my farewell party. We danced, drank and had fun together in a club. The part lasted till the midnight and we walked back to the dorm. Two CEEDers from Poland, Pauline and Joanna, were also lived in the dorm but I didn't have a lot of time to talk to them.
It was another wonderful day in Brasov but I needed to leave this lovely place the next morning.

Central Square with pigeons

I love Brasov on the snow

International Experience Forum

Me and elected MCP, Laura

Alex and me

Ionut the sales

Farewell Party

Last shot in Brasov

gROw and LC meeting

9/3

David and I got up very early in the morning and the weather kept freezing.
We visited two high schools in promoting the gROw Project. It was interesting that we can go into the classroom for promotion at our will. Teachers didn't mind about disrupting their lesson. I was always a special one when I entered into the classroom. Nearly all the boys and girls were staring at me and some of them were even laughing. Perhaps it was the first time in their life to see a Chinese. During the visit in one school, some of junior students even asked me for the signature, LOL.
Time passed very fast since I could chat with different people, who had different mindsets and personalities. Paul, one of the AIESECers, even invited me to go to hill for snowboarding, since he was a snowboard instructor. Cultural exchange really started with conversations and reinforced by mutual respect and understanding.
I was rushing for two things: one was for applying for faci in a conference held in 19 Mar-21 Mar and another one was about the country presentation in the LC meeting. The LC meeting started when I was still working on the application form.
The atmosphere of the LC meeting was really cool. Nearly all of the LC members came to the meeting. Weekly report of each department was made during the meeting and they will appreciate one person in each department by giving a little candy. Jokes were not absent in the meeting. Among the laugh, serious issue such as the recruitment was also mentioned and emphasized in the LC meeting. I can feel their motivation and passion towards the LC, which was quite hard to find in our LC. Also, I was so glad that I can see the country presentation from Georgia as well as Moldova.
I finally sent my application before the deadline. We went to a pub for drinks afterwards. There was a lot of fun, especially the jokes about Chinese. I enjoyed the good time we had together, though it was a long, tiring day for me.


High school visit

David and OCsss


@Brasov LC meeting

International Women Day

8/3

Today was the Woman’s Day as well as the Mother’s Day in Romania. Men will buy flowers or even a present for girlfriend and mother.

Since Mihai needed to move out of his department very soon, David and I need to move to another place to stay. Maria first took me back to the information desk but there was sudden change that I could live in the dorm with David. (I have moved to Dany’s place and later moved back) It was good news as well as a bad one. It was because there was no internet in the dorm but it will be better not to disturb other people.

At the same time, another trainee for the World Citizenship Project arrived, who was called Cristina. She was from Moldova, the neighbouring country of Romania. The political issue between Moldova and Romania was similar to the case of Kosovo. This political dispute hindered the development of Romania and Moldova. In reality, they shared the same culture and the same history, but now it even needed a visa for people to travel to another country. Under the Russian influence, people in Moldova now can speak Russian as well as Romanian.

Mihai and David met me at the bottom of the hill and we went to eat some large sandwich clubs at Ando. I was invited to join the meeting of World Citizenship Project and I experienced a different working style from them. They were quite inefficient since even deciding a little thing casued so much time. Not many outputs were generated in the meeting. It will be interesting and challenging to work with them.

Snow didn’t stop falling and it was really cold in the night. >.<

Flowers sold in the street

Mihai and David in Ando

Meeting in a pub, lol

Sinaia

7/3

When I got up from the morning, it was around 11 and it was not snowing. Thanks to the weather because I will be going to Sinaia today. Sinaia was located between Brasov and Bucharest, which was also in a valley. I got there by train and not surprisingly, train delayed for 20 minutes. Sinaia was really a small town but it was very famous for the winter sports like skiiing and snowboarding. Another main attraction was the Peles Castle which was the summer residence of King Carol I.

On the way to the Castle, there was a Sinaia Monastery which was also very beautiful and orthodox in style. I continued to go to the Castle first since I was afriad that it will be closed soon. It was just incredible when you saw the castle far away. It was so gorgeous that when you saw it closely. It was even more breathtaking when I got inside the castle, though it was so sad that I cannot take photos because it required extra fees. There was a tour in English when you were visiting inside. It was a luxurious summer residence which even had central heating, electricity and vaccum system. I was quite surprised at the first time since I didn’t expect this was so thrilling and magnificant. Different rooms had different kind of style of architecture including French, Turkish, German, etc. Rooms were glamorous as the decoration was in gold and silver. The sculptures were wonderful and you will be amazed when you saw the collection of weapons and books inside. It was just incredible that I cannot describe all of them. I have only joined the short tour instead of the full tour because I do not know it will be so beautiful inside.

After the visit, I surprisingly found one nice souvenir from the gift shop, which was not easy because all the souvenirs were like the products in China 5 to 10 years ago. It was cloudier when I got out of the castle. Right to the castle, that was another nice building called Pelisor Palace, which was the place where the queen stayed. A good villa was built next to the Palace, which could be a perfect place for staying in Sinaia. It started to snow again when I reached the bottom of the hill. I just hanged around and found something to eat. But unfortunately I needed to wait for the train for 40 minues more becaues it was delayed again. All in all, I love Sinaia and I think it is a place that you must visit in Romania.

At night, there was a lot of fun. David would like to cook some Georgian food to us. But unfortunately, he cannot find the ingredients he need, thus another dish was produced, lol. Mihai also made a salad with David, which was more normal. Besides, I successfully taught David and Mihai to use chopsticks to eat. Mihai just cannot stop eating with chopsticks even though he was full. lol~

Pele Castle

Incredible~

Pelisor Palace

Sinaia Monastery

David the chef~LOL

First week in Kuala Lumpur

HEY AIESEC !
Sorry for late updatessss
As I arrived in Kuala Lumpur on 15th night,
and I started working on 16th morning. ( Crazyyyyy!!! )
Though it's kind of exhausting, it's quite fulfilling.

Brief Background of my internship

The organization I am working in, in short form is called MAKNA,
( complete name in Malay ).
It's a foundation who work to combat against Cancer through helping the cancer patient,
as well as public education.

On one hand,
the organization is going to set up new office in neighboring countries like Thailand and Singapore, one of the destination is HK.
So I have been working in the International division to help them research on the details needed for setting up an office in HK.
The supervisor of the division is a Brazilian, former AIESEC intern which stays in MAKNA after his internship.
I also work with a Brazilian girl on the HK office things.
In the division there are also 1 Saudi Arabian, 1 Dutch and 1 Bangladeshi.

On the other hand,
I also work in the Fund raising department with local Malays.
Basically I help them to see how they could adhere, organizational-wise, to the international standards set by an org. called BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
This is to secure the confidence of more donors.

Chinese in Malaysia

Bet Chinese should be prestigious in Malaysia, huh ? Coz perceptionally they are rich?
NO!
On Friday, I just had a conversation with my Chinese Colleague.
( He's so nice and friendly to me after knowing that I 'm from HK. XD )

The afternoon he told me that being a Chinese in Malaysia is quite helpless.
As the government always want to leverage its own race, the Malay,
they have a lot of subsidy and privilege to the Malays
while for the same size of land,
the Chinese have to pay extra tax and even a higher price.

The situation is so serious that Chinese have to pay a higher price for newspapers.
Even for working /owning street stalls,
the government will have subsidy for the local Malays,
but for Chinese, if the police walk by, the police will ask money from Chinese in which the money
doesn't go into the government nor any organization.

For university,
70% of seats are reserved for the local Malays, regardless how they perform in the exams,
while only 20% of seats are for Chinese, and the remaining 10% for the Indians.

While being asked the feeling,
my colleague says it's kinda helpless,
the policy is so unfair, yet no one could speak for them,
even for the Chinese that are with significance in the society,
Coz there is a law that states whoever tries to cause instability in Malaysia will be sent to jail for 2 years without going to court.

The government have all kinds of these policies because of the given fact that Chinese are so rich and success in Malaysia,
the government want to leverage the local Malays to the same level with Chinese,

Yet, in recent years,
the government, the minister is quoted as saying,
we are spoiling our Malays too much.

My colleague, near the end of the conversation,
saying that it's helpless,
also in the sense that they could do nothing to improve their next generation's situation in Malaysia.
The only thing they could do is to earn more money, to secure that their children will be able to sustain through these unfair policies.

We talk for like half and hour,
hahaha~ coz today is friday,
the Muslims have 2.5 hrs lunch for praying,
Since Muslims comprises of 70%-80% of the employees,
The office is kind of empty. lol

Gosh, the internet connection in my apartment is so weak that I couldn't upload the photos!!!
Will try tomorrow when I get back to the office,
will arrive at the office ahead of time before I should start working to upload that. =ppp


So how are you all, esp. my exchange mates???
Look forward to hearing the updates from you! =)))))))))))))

Will update this blog again soon. =)

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Bran Castle and Rasnov

6/3
When I woke up, it was still snowing, which was a bad news to me since I will be going out to Bran and Rasnov today. To encounter this tough environment, I had worn quite a lot of clothes. It was really freezing and I thought the temperature was around zero. I reached the bus station by foot and waiting for the bus to depart. It was not really a good experience since when you are standing still during the cold weather, you will be stumbling very soon. I have waited more than 30 minutes to get on the bus. There were quite a lot of old people taking the same bus, perhaps it was a local tour. In Bran, it was where the Dracula Castle located. The snow covered everywhere, including the roads and the trees. Walking up to the castle was not easy since it was quite chilly and windy at that time. But it was really worth to be there because the castle was so quite awesome. Inside the castle, it was very medival in style. If you were a fan of Dracula, this was a place that you cannot miss. Explanation of Vlad as well as the history was also displayed inside the castle. Even if you were not interested for the things above, a beautiful scenary can be found by looking out of the window. The castle was really nice, especially with the snow. On the way back to the bus station, there were numerous stalls selling various kinds of souvenirs, which were not really appealing to me.
The next station was another small town called Rasnov. The weather was even worse because it was snowing more heavily. There was another Hollywood like words in the hill, besides the large fortress. I decided to climb up the snowy hill even it will be harsh since I knew that I will not be having the same chance to go here. It was quite tough for me, because the snow was falling heavily at that time, and the road up to the hill was quite slippery. Moreover, I saw no one was doing so while I was the only one climbing up there. I kept climbing and finally I reached the top. The words ‘Rasnov’ was just next to me and I was able to see the whole view of the town. Yet, I was quite disappointed when I knew that the castle was not opened. Though I was disappointed, I still felt the sense of achievement that I was able to get there alone, despite the tough and harsh journey. There was something that I can be proud of and tell others about that. It was really kind of taking challenge and stepping out of the comfort zone. Eventually, I was safe to get back to place where I got off the bus. However, another challenge was waiting for me. I was waiting for the bus there for more than 40 minutes. You can imagine how cold I feel because there was a blizzard and snowing crazily. I was standing still there and doing nothing because it was too cold. There was not any shelter or cover avaliable for me. It was quite despair, but I thought that somehow when you are young, you should be trying something different, which included the suffering. I can take a car or cab if I do not wait for the bus. But I didn’t want to spend so much, accounting for why I persisted to doing so. I finally got back home at around 6. Miha’s place is so warm when comparing with what I have experienced few hours ago. I can take some rest there after such a long day. David and Miha were so curious about using the chopsticks to eat. And I taught them how to use properly and they have done it within half an hour. It was so great! Yet, more exciting thing is coming because we will be having a party at night. There were around 15 AIESECers coming to Miha’s place, which was really nice. They were bringing some wines, soft drinks, sunflower seeds and also flours. I really enjoyed the time there because I made a lot of friends, who were very friendly and nice. Though they were not speaking in English all the time especially in arguing something, we will tell them to switch to BBC/CNN when they are communicating in Romanian. We played game such as the black magic and watched movie together. And of course, we were having a lot of fun there. Even more surprisingly, Alex, the OCP of recruitment, made us the pancakes in Romanian way. They were served with different kind of jams, and they were so delicious. That was such a wonderful and marvellous night.


The Bus I took to Bran

Cold.....><

Dracula's place with snow

Inside the castle

Bran Castle

A hot coffee is so warm~

Tough and harsh

Birdview of Rasnov

Party!

Alex is cooking pancakes, yummy =)

AIESEC Brasov

5/3

When I woke up this morning, this was snowing outside! Snowflakes were flying around and the weather became colder. I went with Miha to his university and I saw the recruitment counter there. It was larger than ours one, which was decorated with different national flags. I have met quite a number of AIESECers and talked there. Do you guess what I have seen there? I saw a Freddy’s photo in the promotion video! We were connected when we shared the experience of doing AIESEC recruitment. When we walked out of the university building, it was snowing heavily outside and I haven’t experienced that since the heavy falling of snow in Hokkaido. We managed to walk to the AIESEC office and got into this time. There was a training held by VPTM and VPX about the recruitment to AIESEC members. It was like a little classroom which was full of AIESEC materials. After the training finished, the VPTM who was called Cristina, told me that she knew Freddy and Dominic Lam from Hong Kong. The footprint of Hong Kong AIESECers was truly spreading around the globe. We were so happy about that. I kept staying in the office to talk with different AIESECers and also surfing the internet there. I was planning my trip and facebooking there. It was until 5, I went with Edith to the city centre again to see whether I can get the money from the ATMs. And it time I was successful as the ATM was able to provide enough cash (I failed several time in Bucharest). When we walked by the city square that we have been to yesterday, the landscape was totally different because of the white coating of snow. It was another kind of beauty, right?

I took a bus to Miha’s home since it was too cold to walk back there. It was so warm with the heater and I found that I can watch football match in the television. This place was so nice to me except I was not able to access to the internet.

Slope before getting to the University of Transylvania

Recruitment Counter- Robot made by Cigarette boxes

Snow on my head

AIESEC Office in Brasov

The central square covering with snow