President Obama in Malaysia

Thank you US Embassy for the invitation to attend the Town Hall for Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) with President Barack Obama. I would like to share just a few general impressions of the event and President Obama's speech.

I felt so proud to witness the first American President since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966. YESEALI was held in Dewan Tun Canselor, University of Malaya at around 3.30 p.m. The security in the campus was very strict. The queue started around 11.00 a.m. in front of the Dewan Tun Canselor. 

Dewan Tun Canselor, University of Malaya

The participants that waited to enter the hall

The 10 flags in the hall represented the young leaders from the 10 ASEAN member countries to tackle what Southeast Asian youth have identified the greatest challenges i.e. civic engagement, education, economic development and environmental protection. 

OBAMA POWER! HAHA :D

The Town Hall session kicked start with Mr. Obama's greetings in Bahasa Malayu. He said that "Malaysia Boleh" was resemblance to "Yes We Can" throughout his presidency campaign. He emphasized the power of youth towards the nation building and transform the world into a better place. The vision of our world lies in the hands of the youths. Together, we can achieve just, prosperous and peace. 

Now I would like to share some highlight on President Obama's speech:-

1. Equality

"Malaysia won't succeed if non-Muslims don't have opportunity" the best quote of the day. He emphasized in the "togetherness" despite the races, religions, languages and differences. It is important to respect the diversity because it is the uniqueness of this nation. The diversity creates unique intersection of humanity. The equality of different background and ethnic groups is important to achieve a prosperous nation. He further expressed that we should appreciate our differences and background, it shouldn't be a reason to discriminate.

2. Perseverance

The problem that most of the youth facing today is being "impatience". Impatience is usually defined as irritation with anything that causes delay. It is a strength to change something but sometimes, we can be disappointed if change doesn't happen immediately. He pointed out the need to persevere and do not give up easily in whatever field that we are doing. I appreciate his encouragement because I face the same problem as well. I always look forward to achieve result immediately without realizing the importance of strong foundation. Daisaku Ikeda once said "What is easily done can be easily undone. To move steadily forward on one's chosen path, step after step, whether or not others are watching; to meet difficulties with the steady, relentless strength ceaselessly flowing water-such firmness of purpose, such integrity and perseverance builds a foundation that can be never compromised." Never give up. 

3. Money

Mr. President said if we want to start a business, we should be really excited about the product and it shouldn't just about how much money we can make. For example Bill Gates who started Microsoft are really interested in what they do and they really think that it can make a difference in people. He said "I think the most important thing for me was when I started thinking more about other people and how I could have impact in my larger society and community, and wasn't just thinking about myself." That's when your dreams can really come true, if we think about others, our world gets bigger. (Y)

4. Time

Mr. President discourage us to spend every minute of every day working (yayyy!) It is because we have to enjoy life. But it is also important to spend time wisely because most of us have spent awful lot of time on watching TV or playing games. When we add it up, we could have spent more time in learning a new language or other meaningful things. Remember time losses can never be redeemed, we must use time as a tool.

5. Family 

Spend more time with family because in the end, the family is such an important part of our life! He warned those who have not called their parents lately to care about their family. Malchor Lim once said, you must make an effort to appreciate what you have, who loves you and who cares for you, because you will never know how much they mean to you until the day they are no longer beside you. Spend lots of quality time with the people you love, someday you will either regret not doing so or you will be glad for what you did. 

Many people are saying that it was wasted opportunity because the participants had threw weak questions. In my opinion this talk is rather personal one for us to know how a president think. He might be dealing with political and global issues everyday but the answer by Obama to those simple questions really inspired me. Please be informed that the participants is formed from high school students until graduated youths. It is not fair to generalize everyone as there were only a few people randomly selected to ask. I had prepared so many questions in hand but I was not being selected to to share my questions and thoughts with Mr. President. (face problem maybe?) I hope to see him in the near future to have a greater discussions with him :)

Anyway, I SHAKE HANDS with Obama today!! 

(p/s: Please don't ever touch my hand because I am not going to wash it for the next 3 days haha!)

Sources: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/04/27/remarks-president-obama-young-southeast-asian-leaders-initiative-town-ha

Bon Voyage

Wow I can't believe that the big day is getting closer, I am gonna embark on my brand new journey soon! Although I haven't start packing my luggage yet!!


It is within my expectation that there will be many obstacles along the way. But there is also something that are out of my expectation. That makes me emo. Why am I being affected so easily, why am I crying so badly? I tell myself that I must be strong, confidence and full of wisdom to face any challenges! The most important thing to bare in mind is to "creating value" to share!

Dispose all my unhappiness and worries, I have made a deal with my comrades to share my successful experience after this semester.

Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential. -Winston Churchill

Good luck! Best of lucks to me yes :D


p/s: yes I am so excited to catch up with gfss later! HAHA!

Decision

Decision-making is something we do hundreds of times per day.  Most of these decisions we make don't fall into the "hard" category, but when they do, special considerations must be made before we make them.  I think making the decision to go USA had killed thousands of my brain cells! I felt so frustration before I make the decision.

You may be wondering, why do it need to think so much after I got this golden opportunity to fulfill my dreams? In fact, many factors as possible must be taken into consideration before making them, as the ramifications could change our lives significantly. There is no turning back once you have made the decision. But how to make those hard decisions? 

I had analysed the pros and cons and consulted a number of lecturers and seniors about it.

The answer is rather quite negative if I am going to USA.The cons: 
After deduct all the holidays, skipping FIVE weeks classes in my third year is equivalent to absence for the half of my semester. That might be affect my overall result. I think they are good in the sense they point out the possible risk that I am gonna face. Assignments, Mid-terms, Lecturesss and Tutorialss for FIVE CORE SUBJECTS! WOW! What they can actually do it advice me to think throughly before the final decision. I admit that I had considered all the possible risk and consequence that I might face. What kind of future do I envision for myself? What kind of self am I trying to develop? What do I want to accomplish in my life? This made me think more and more and moreee before I reply to the US Embassy *which they are calling me to give my final answer*

But there are some positive feedbacks if I am going!The pros: 


Let's think it in a bigger picture, it is a good opportunities to achieve what I want! Five weeks doesn't really affect me in my life. I had nothing to fear or lose because I am still young!

Class can be attended anytime, but this opportunity may be appear only once in my life! Also, I have the spirit to work harder in order to cope with my studies and workload!

I challenge myself to chant 40 minutes everyday to strengthened my confidence and lucksss! I will do any necessary thing to corporate with my groupmates and classmates to make the group assignments run smoothly. The most powerful words I ever heard from Kok Keong is that no matter what is your decision, it is essential to create value!

If I choose to reject the offer, I might regret for not only five weeks but longer. Not going also doesn't guarantee I can score well in my exam. Why don't I take the risk and face it? 

It is even greater if I am going at the same time passed all my exam with flying colours!!

Share with you some inspiring words from Words of Wisdom by Daisaku Ikeda 

Human life possesses a potential deeper than the great wide ocean and vaster than the sky. We may tend to give up and resign ourselves to present circumstances, thinking "There is no way." But by breaking down these barriers in our minds, we can enjoy vibrant lives, filled with powerful life force like the sun.

Our hopes, desires and ambitions are powerful forces existing within us for the shaping of the future. They are the generating forces that create the future. To lose hope or give up one's goals because of the setbacks of the moment is to diminish one's own life potential. Hopes, dreams, faith and a sense of mission enable us to open up our lives.

When we limit ourselves with low expectations, the growth of the tree of happiness ceases. The power of growth, of improvement, the power to overcome all stagnation and break through every obstacle and transform a barren wasteland into a verdant field--that unstoppable power of hope resides right within your own heart. It wells up from the rich earth of your innermost being when you face the future without doubt or fear: "I can do more. I can grow. I can become a bigger and better human being." Life is a never-ending struggle to grow.

Hardships make us strong. Problems give birth to wisdom. Sorrows cultivate compassion. Those who have suffered the most will become the happiest.

The worst mistake you can make is to give up on yourself and stop challenging yourself for fear of failure. Keep moving forward with a firm eye on the future, telling yourself, "I'll start from today!" "I'll start afresh from now, from this very moment!"

Failure is an instrumental part of every success. Whether our life has been a triumph or tragedy can only be judged at its very end.

Life is a struggle, and ultimate victory is only decided in its final chapter. That is why it's important not to grow conceited in victory or become disheartened in defeat. Those who keep pressing onward toward a goal with tireless patience and persistence win in the end.

Yes, I decided to go for my dreams! 

I am ready to face all obstacles. I am starting to prepare to minimize my difficulties. I am so appreciate  for all the supports from my mentors, family and friends. 

This lifetime will never come again; it is precious and irreplaceable. To live without regret, I must have a concrete purpose, continually setting goals and challenges for ourselves. And we need to keep moving toward those specific targets steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time. 

Effort and hard work construct the bridge that connects your dreams to reality. Those who make steady efforts are full of hope. And hope, in turn, arises from steady efforts. Embrace your dreams and advance as far as they can take you.

I believe when you devote yourself to achieving your goal, you will not be bothered by shallow criticism. Nothing important can be accomplished if you allow yourself to be swayed by some trifling matter, always looking over your shoulder and wondering what others are saying or thinking. 

The key to achievement is to move forward along your chosen path with firm determination.

Dreams Come True!

Can you imagine how strong is my Desire to go USA? After my first application, second applicationS, THIRRRD applicationS, FOURTHHHhhhHhhhh applicationSss and I finally got the Full Scholarship to USA!

Maybe you will ask me: " Mei2, why are you so interested to go USA? You can go whenever you want after you graduated from law school"


There are too many reasons I hope to go USA. I want to experience the campus life especially UNDERGRADUATE life in USA! I want to think out of the box in different atmosphere. I want to go USA without spending my parents money. I want to explore USA about the secrets of all the successful businesses! I want to think creatively. I want to share with them about my lovely Malaysia and my dreams. I want to share with my friends about my feeling after going to USA. I want to take beautiful pictures to post in my blog. The most importantly is the program offered by US Department of State is my INTEREST subject! 
*tsk tsk, I can also buy cheap iPhone 5 and new iPad in USA for my dad and bro yeah*
*tsk tsk, maybe my Mum will buy a Leica to "borrow" me*

I did not expect much when I applied for this scholarship. Applicants from the whole Malaysia are competing to be one of the 18 candidates from all around the world. Yes I am luckier than winning a lottery. I simply wrote an essay and application to US Embassy via e-mail last November 2010. When I read again my application a moment ago, I found out my personal statement had many grammatical mistakes. I even realized I wrote some funny content about my desire to go USA eg Googlemei -.-"  Then I did not received have Any reply until the end of February 2011. The embassy of US said my application will be sent to Washington DC for the final selection. I dare not to tell my parents because I am afraid it will be a false hope again. Today, I got a surprising e-mail that I have been selected to represent Malaysia to the honorable Study in the US Institute program for student leaders! :")

This program is mainly discuss about the new media and politics. This institute examines major topics in journalism including the concepts of a free press, First Amendment Rights, Law, Freedom of Speech, the media's relationship to the public interest and media business models. This program underscore the impact of new technologies on journalism, and gives participants new skills such as editing photographs and video online, using social networking sites like Blogger, Facebook, Twitter and publishing personal blogs. Ever since I started my blog around October 2010, I fall in love in online publishing. I believed the new media will be a very powerful tool in the near future!

However, I am not sure whether to accept the offer or reject it =/ It is because this program will be tentatively held around June to end of July 2011. If I am going to USA, I have to skip my classes for 5 weeks (1/3 of my entire course). For your information, my third year in law will be very challenging (Company Law, Land Law, International Law, IT Law, Equity & Trust). 


The only way to overcome my challenges is working hard before the new semester started. Moreover, chanting is my great power to overcome all my challenges and obstacles. The most importantly, I need helps from my coursemates. Last year, when I skipped four weeks classes to Cambridge UK, I think I made my friends unhappy :"( I really hope my friends will keep me update everyday, record the lectures and tutorials for me. I am so sorry to trouble you! But will you help me if you are my coursemate? 


Anyway, I am so happy that my dreams come true :') I hope everything can run smoothly so I can go to USA successfully. (See: Decision)

If you can DREAM it, you can DO it!

Dare to Dream!

Stand up

.
.
I am not being nominated - AGAIN. although I am quite confident with my performance

But surprisingly I do not drop any single tear, brave girl :)

"Stand up and walk out of your history"

Who knows after 5 years they keep invite me to go until I have to consider for their offer. Cool!

“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” – Alexander Graham Bell

I believe that everything happens for a reason. Things change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small town girl in a big world trying to fulfill my dreamsss! May all your dreams come true ;)

The Love Story of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan

Mark Zuckerberg is the creator of the Facebook. He was born in New York to Karen-a psychiatrist, and Edward-a dentist. Mark was raised Jewish, including having had a Bar Mitzbah when he turned 13, although he has since described himself as an atheist. *I was wondering why is raised Jewish soooo powerful?*

By the time he began classes at Harvard, he had already achieved a reputation as a "programming prodigy". He majored in computer science and psychology. In his sophomore year, he built a lot programs such as "CourseMatch", "Facemash" for fun! *with the intention to know more girls LOLss* 

Mark launched Facebook from his Harvard dormitory room on February 4, 2004. He listed his personal interests as "openness, making things that help people connect and share what is important to them, revolutions, information flow, minimalism."

Priscilla Chan is a medical student from Chinastudying in Stanford University. Her ambition is to be a pediatrician. She is a very independent girl. She met Mark Zuckerberg queuing up the toilet at a party.*so girlzz, go to toilet more often in party next time HAHAHA* They met around 2004 and that was the same year that Mark came up with the Facebook concept.

Priscilla Chan with a sweet smile

Priscilla is not only his girlfriend but also plays an important role in the Facebook business. She has stood by Mark through all of the lawsuits, fame, press inquiries and tow of them have somehow managed to keep their relationship out from the prying eyes of the media. 

 Awhh so sweet

 OMG I cant believe that I am sooooooo Gossip girl

They moved to California so that he could develop his business project into the empire that it has become today. From that point on, Chan and Mark remained close to each other but kept their relationship secret for the most part. 

The couple has been working on spending quality time together outside of work. They have several rules to keep their relationship healthy which I think is very good for every couple!!
For instance, they must go on one date per week and spending at least 100 minutes together (not in FB or Mark's apartment)

 OMG Indian Dance?? haha

In short, for ALL the girls who have been always dreaming of meeting the rich guy or prince or bla bla bla Cinderella story. Its time to wake up! The true love that drive a relationship to eternity. Money is NOT a measurement for a relationship. So improve yourself if you wanna have a good boyfriend. Apparently the good boy Doesn't care about your appearance but your  liberal and independent thinking. For the celebrities who look very gorgeous, pretty and sexy figure who married a rich man always turned up to divorce. It is because they marriage without love but money. I recommend all the GIRLS who still have such thoughts to marry a the ATM Bank money machine because u can get money anytime ;pppppp

He finally announce his relationship officially!!

I wish both of you Happily Ever After!

Hohoho!

刚回到马六甲，好累呀！还有很多很多衣服等着我！真的很想设计一个超级洗衣机－－》能帮忙我洗衣服，晒衣服，收衣服，烫衣服，折衣服，排衣服。。。。好吧！哈哈

昨天在吉隆坡SOLO，在MACEE INTERVIEW 後，四個對我一個。其中兩個美國人問比較多問題，有一題竟然問到WIKILEAKS case，他的表情有點失望當我告訴他我還沒學到。我真的要每天看報紙呀！但是我很開心能和他們對話，把我的心聲通通講出來，他們都大笑！我不是搞笑行動啦～

在PAVILLION KL 逛街，圣诞节很多折扣呀，布置还不错 ＝）

穿高更鞋逛街到腳都要流血了，所以買了鞋子s

Handbag 重到我的肩膀要斷了，所以買了Bag

衣服裙子等等，消費太驚人了！！李亭瑩以為自己賺的是英鎊 ＝＝ 不怕，一定要想個明確的生意，然後買東西捐錢等一律不看價錢！哈哈～又做夢了咯

Uniqlo現在不適合逛因為都是冬裝，也許明年春天秋天很好逛！

今天去了親戚家附近的Desa Park City，好美呀！我也想要一間可以嗎？

那個姓楊的不懂又搞甚麼聖誕派對？但其實很爽 LALALA

MERRY XMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

MY-US

New Theme.New Frontier.

America's Role by Fidel Ramos

Since WWII ended, the US has been the fulcrum of the global – but especially the Asia-Pacific – power balance. Over these last 60 years, Pax Americana (the American peace) has given Asian states the breathing spell to put their houses in order, in the same way that the American market has enabled them to expand their economies at the world’s fastest rate. Hence, we East Asians expect the US to continue asserting its security interests in our home region.

Today’s world has many powers – but only one superpower.

The US is still Number One in both “hard” and “soft” power. China is still a distant Number Two.

Over the foreseeable future, however, East Asians must live with a China driving for great-power status, a resurgent Japan, and a predominant America.

The most crucial relationship

Of these facts of life, the US-China relationship is the most crucial. Their real race may no longer be military and coercive, but economic and intellectual. And the ultimate winner would be the life-system that ordinary people judge the best for them.

How, then, will the US-China relationship resolve itself?

The answer would not be as easy to foretell as older historical rivalries – for instance, that between France and Germany in the middle 1800s; between Britain and Germany beginning in the late 1880s; or between Japan and the “ABCD powers” (the Americans, British, Chinese, and Dutch) in the late 1930s.

In these earlier super-competitions, armed conflict was seemingly the unavoidable outcome. But, in our time – given the awesome power of nuclear weapons and the “connectivity” of globalization – the US-China rivalry needs no longer to resolve itself in shooting conflict.

Consider how the US-USSR ideological confrontation lasted 50 years – but faded away without outright war.

Nowadays, great-power relationships are made up of many complex strands. Not only are there more avenues for mutually beneficial contact – in trade/investment, multilateral diplomacy, and technology exchange. In an increasingly interdependent world, strategic interests often coincide – more than collide – as American/Chinese/Japanese/Russian interests do in the Korean peninsula.

US-China in the rules-based global system

So, when and where will it all end? In truth, China is not just reshaping the global economy. The global economy is also reshaping China.

China is moving toward an economic structure based on universal rule-of-law standards, the efficient allocation of capital, and improved corporate governance.

In short, China’s stake is growing in the rules-based global system that the United States has done the most to promote. Hence, these two contenders have a stake in each other’s prosperity and stability.

The Western powers no longer dominate the global media. Brazilian and South Korean soap opera, Japanese anime, and Chinese and Indian (Bollywood) films now compete with Western cultural exports.

Cultural globalization may now be more widespread than economic connectivity. In poor countries with limited foreign trade, Western “pop” culture borne by mass media is fast spreading, especially among the young, and replacing traditional ways of life.

This is why “cultural nationalism” is a rising clamor among less-rich country leaders. In the Arab World, such wariness of “corrupting foreign (read American/Western) influence” is widespread.

Democracy and authoritarianism

In global politics, the tensions within many countries persist between democracy and authoritarianism – and their future roles.

Democracy has a key advantage in that it can easily grow political stability of the kind authoritarian regimes can never approximate. Free elections and the rule of law make possible tremendous safety valves against political discontent.

On global inequity, despite the eloquence that launched the WTO in 2005, poor countries’ calls for fair trade, equal market access, and dismantling of subsidies/protectionist tariffs remain largely unheeded.

Indeed, Nobel Prize economist Joseph Stiglitz suggests that the demise of the Soviet Union freed the Western powers from the need to contest the allegiance – meaning “hearts and minds” – of the Third World, and exploited post-Cold War exuberance to create a global regime that promoted their self-serving interests. Such self-interests have hurt the poorest countries, instead of insuring more equitable systems based on values and principles.

For East Asia – more than for Western Europe – deep integration that submerges the nation-state is still remote. Over the foreseeable future, an East Asian Economic Grouping – even if it takes off – is unlikely to develop beyond a regional free-trade area, to match similar arrangements in Europe and the Americas.

For the ASEAN nations, the immediate usefulness of EAEG would lie in the framework of rules/procedures that it sets down – and within which not just China, but also Japan, must work – in their regional dealings.

The South China Sea and regional blocs

In recent months, sparring between Beijing and Washington has taken a serious turn – over China’s extravagant claim to large tracts of the South China Sea – which historically is Southeast Asia’s maritime heartland.

For other East Asian states, the imperative is to avoid having to choose between Beijing and Washington. Even US Asian allies increasingly see their problem as balancing in between two huge protagonists, neither of whom they hope to antagonize.

Taiwan, as claimant to one of the largest islands in the Spratlys, has made clear that it wants inclusion in any ASEAN agreement with China on a “Code of Conduct” on the South China Sea.

If US-China rivalries intensify, the Southeast Asian states would probably tighten up their still fragile unity – and rally around the leadership of Indonesia, their largest member-state. Certainly, most ASEAN leaders live with the knowledge that the alternative to regional unity is to become marginalized in global competition.

Japan would likely huddle under its American nuclear umbrella; a united Korea would have to navigate between the two great powers – favoring one first and then the other, as circumstances dictate.

In another 10 years, we may expect regional integration to become the global norm. Given the WTO’s failure to open up, the organization of regional blocs to create economic scale will likely become the major diplomatic activity of the next few years.

Among such regional groupings, EAEG could become the greatest – since it has vigorous growth engines – China and Japan plus upcoming ones like South Korea and Indonesia.

Burden sharing for enduring peace

In the near future, our statesmen would be tasked to replace Pax Americana (American peace) – which, at bottom, is based on US military might – with a Pax Asia-Pacifica (Asia-Pacific peace), which could be the peace of virtual equals.

Pax Asia-Pacifica could enable East Asia’s combination of progressive nations and visionary leaders to plan collectively and strategically for a better future for all.

The Asia-Pacific peace will entail security cooperation for regional peace based not on the balance of power but on the balance of mutual benefit.

Clearly, this concept depends on the understanding that it will compel burden-sharing by all Asia-Pacific nations so that they contribute assets to insure peace, security and sustainable development in our part of the world.

Pax Asia-Pacifica must be built on cooperative undertakings among the most affluent/powerful countries and regional blocs in our part of the world – the US, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Russia, Australia-New Zealand, and ASEAN-10.

Cooperation to prosper more than competition to dominate

Surely, a constructive Chinese role in organizing Pax Asia-Pacifica would demonstrate China’s commitment to becoming the “responsible stakeholder” that Washington has challenged Beijing to become.

China seems to see its own safety in promoting regional integration – in developing an “East Asian identity” – as economic partnering among regional states extends gradually to cultural, political, and security cooperation.

Tokyo, too, must take up a more responsible role. In fact, one of the key challenges for ensuring the Asia-Pacific peace is the maintenance of stable relations between China and Japan. In everyone’s interest, both should stop allowing the historical past to impede a more harmonious and sustainable Asia-Pacific future.

In the past, stability – even a flowering of civilization – resulted from great-power hegemony. But the age of hegemony has passed. Today, no single state – no matter how “super” – can act unilaterally.

In a world more interconnected than it has ever been, nations large and small are virtually equal in the restraints the world community places on their behavior.

Ultimately, relations among the great Asia-Pacific powers will always be an interplay of competition and cooperation.

The strategic imperative will be for all our countries to ensure that the spirit of cooperation to prosper is always stronger than the competitive impulse to dominate.