Malaysia in May: Stories of Landlords, Cousins and Amy Winehouse

Hey guuuuuys! I'm back! I hope you missed me. I've been super-duper busy with everything going on in my life: My choir, my new (and amazing) yoga classes twice a week, my travels, all the new projects that I've been given at work, and of course, all the "socializing" that I have been doing. Actually, the only reason why I have some time to sit down and write again is because my body has basically forced me to sssssssllllloooooowwwwww things down by picking up a lovely pair of viruses. Yes, a pair. Two. So please, send me some healthy vibes so I can get back to my regular (but maybe a little bit more toned down) lifestyle.

As always, I have lots to update you on. Since the elections, I travelled to Langkawi for my company's annual Team Retreat, I was treated to a visit from Devesh, and I renegotiated my lease with my landlord (which was probably one of the biggest challenges I have faced since moving to Malaysia). And the best thing that's happened to me since we last saw each other is that Henna came back to KL for summer holidays and began working with me at Mindvalley as an intern AND Sumira also decided to come visit home (for an all-too-short 10 days). It's a full house (plus one more - I totally crashed it, being the baby that I am, so that I didnt have to be a super woman and take care of my sickly self).

Okay. Where do I stat?

Langkawi. Once a year, my company takes advantage of the fact that we can get to a beautiful beach in approximately one hour by airplane and moves all 120 of us to a place where we can chill out, swim, party, build sandcastles....and work :-P. This year, the team got moved to Langkawi which is an island off the northern west coast of Malaysia which is known for its beautiful beaches, jungles, waterfalls, mountains, and tax free alcohol :) When you look at pictures of this place, it is totally spectacular. When we finally reached there on Thursday afternoon, Langkawi did not disappoint. We stayed at the Berjaya hotel where we had a beautiful view of the ocean from our rooms.

Malaysian Elections - A Canadian's Perspective

It's May 5th and 4:00 pm and I'm sitting at my Aunt's house waiting to hear what the results of the Federal election in Malaysia will be (which we be known in a few short hours).

It has been a pretty intense process for me to take in everything election/politics related over the last month here in Kuala Lumpur as I am used to living in a country where your political alliance is a vey private matter and a private decision. It is not a topic of discussion during parties (at least among my friends), nor appropriate conversation for a nice sit down dinner, or part of the useless banter/small talk with your taxi driver. It is here. This year is a year unlike any others when it comes to politics in Malaysia. The Malaysia government can call an election when ever they desire within the 4 years that they are in power. This year, the ruling party (called BN) waited till the end of their 4 years to call the election and refused to tell the public exactly which day the elections would be placed on.

Signs that an election was coming started with strangely flags scattered along the roads about 3 months back. At one point, I asked if there was a festival going on! Then BN started handing out ...well...handouts and things to certain racial groups in Malaysia about 2 months ago (around the time that I went to Ipoh) and this eventually resulted in a build up of political discussion and a hugeeeeeeeeee build up political flags.

This year, there is very little certainty regarding who will win the election. For the last 50 years, the country has been under the control of BN. There has been no change for FIFTY YEARS and in the last few years the party has even stopped trying to hide the corruption going on within the government. After 50 years the population seems like it is ready for change and it seems that there is A LOT of talk in support of the Opposition party.

Let's talk about some ways that the Canadian elections differ from the Malaysia elections.

1. There is political signage EVERYWHERE.... and it seriously appeared over night on every sign post, on every street where ever space is available (not just on people's front lawns). I don't really know what BN thinks is going to happen if they put up more and more flags but...whatever.