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DELICIOUS AMBIGUITY ♥
Saturday, November 29, 2008
elite professionals

I've recently spent two weeks in Auckland for PwC's induction program.

And in the midst of that two weeks some life-changing things have happened. Two weeks can seem really long.

First and foremost, I HAVE A DEGREE! I've passed all my papers, and now I have a degree! Yaay! It was the end of the first week of induction, and my roomie for the past two weeks Sendirella came into the room and said "they're out!". At first I thought the interns went out into town for more drinking after incredibly finishing off a ceiling high bar tap (we're still not exactly sure what is the bar tap, but judging by the amount of drinking that went on, it should be around $10,000 for 2 nights. WOW!). But what she meant, of course, was that our exam results are out!. I thought I was going to do really badly in Audit, but thank God it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! So I was really happy then.

And I was offered a place in Honours next year! My parents consider it a proud achievement and so do I! I'm feeling kinda bittersweet about it, because getting into Honours is a great thing, but the amount of work is going to be horrendous. Sigh. But the good thing though is that I have made some really great friends during the induction, and the Wellington interns have bonded really well. Some of us are going to be doing Honours together next year, so that means I will not be all alone!

The induction program overall was quite good. There were many moments where I felt I was reliving 303 again, but of course, this time, there are no exams! When entering the technical phase of doing an audit, I felt quite lost, but I was reassured again and again that I will learn on the job and things will become clearer as time goes by. What is required of me is determination to do well, and ask lots of questions when I'm unclear.

I've met some really great people and have been inspired by some great people. Alan brought the Wellingtonians ice-skating, and so I ice-skated for the first time ever! It was painful, but it was good fun. And he also brought us to the best bubble tea place that I've ever been to. OH MY GOSH.. IT WAS SO GOOD! It made Wellington bubble tea seem like absolute crap. I don't think I can have Wellington bubble tea without comparing it to the awesomeness of Hulu Cat bubble tea! Sigh.. Leaving Auckland was a bittersweet affair too. I couldn't wait to go home, but part of me wished that I could stay. And I've also met some people who have made great careers with the opportunity that PwC has given them. These people are good at what they do, and yet they can still keep their personal lives intact. You just need to look at the amount of people who are married/engaged. They are not boring single people who are only focused on their career. During the start of the induction, a partner who went into that position at the age of 29 introduces us the world that is PwC, the elite professionals. And I feel proud to be part of this team. If I do not enjoy the internship, I think the only reason for it is that I'm not cut out to be an accountant, because the people and the coaching in this firm are great. But I hope that I will enjoy the rest of the internship, and I think I will.

Oh yeah, I turned 22 during that two weeks. Thank God for the past 22 years. And I turned 22, knowing that this is where I'm suppose to be in life.

And I look forward to more good things to come.
D I V A at 4:38 AM
4 drop(s) of love

Wednesday, November 12, 2008
remember this day

But this election was about much more than issues. It was the ratification of an essential change in the nature of the country. I've seen two others in my lifetime. The election of John Kennedy ratified the new America that had emerged from war and depression - a place where more people owned homes and went to college, a place where young people had the affluence to be idealistic or to rebel, a place that was safe enough to get a little crazy, a sexier country. Ronald Reagen's election was a rebellion against that - an announcement that toughness had replaced idealism overseas, that individual economic freedom had replaced common economic purpose at home. It was an act of nostalgia, harking back to the "real" America - white, homogeneous, small-town - that the McCain campaign unsuccessfully tried to appeal to.

Obama's victory creates the prospect of a new "real" America. We can't possibly know its contours yet, although I suspect the headline is that it is no longer homogeneous. It is no longer a "white" country, even though whites remain the majority. It is a place where the primacy of racial identity - and this includes the old, Jesse Jackson version of black racial identity - has been replaced by the celebration of pluralism, of cross-racial synergy. After eight years of misgovernance, it has lost some of its global swagger, but also some of its arrogance. It may no longer be as dominant, economically or diplomatically, as it once was. But it is younger, more optimistic, less cynical. It is a country that retains its ability to startle the world - and in a good way, with our freedom. It is a place, finally, where the content of our President's character is more important than the colour of his skin.

Joe Klein, TIME

One of these days, God willing, we may be able to say the same of Malaysia. YES WE CAN
D I V A at 8:14 AM
2 drop(s) of love

Tuesday, November 04, 2008
profound and poignant

"Malaysia - A Lost Democracy?"
Speech by Datuk Zaid Ibrahim
LawAsia Conference 2008, Kuala Lumpur.

Quote:
The Rule of Law has no meaning if judges, especially apex Court judges, are not prepared to enter the fray in the struggle for the preservation of human rights and the fundamental liberties. Supreme Court judges in other jurisdictions have done so time and time again. Though it is far less difficult to accommodate the will of the government, that must be resisted at all costs, particuarly where justice so demands. Only then can we say that Malaysia is grounded on the Rule of Law. To all our judges I say discard your political leanings and philosophy. Stick to justice in accordance with the law. As Lord Denning reminded us: Justice is inside all of us, not a product of intellect but of the spirit. Your oath is to the Constitution; shield yourself behind it. Without your conviction, democracy is but a concept.

In any event, I have to be careful. The more we say, the more vulnerable we become. But my parting message is this: The people of goodwill must continue to strive to bring about change, so that we can rebuild the trust of all Malaysians. From that trust, we can rebuild the country where we do not live in fear, but in freedom that the rights of all Malaysians are acknowledged, respected and protected by the system of law that is just and fair. There is no quest more honourable and a struggle more worthy of sacrifice.

Read the whole speech here: http://lawasiakl2008.org/story/216/malaysia-a-lost-democracy-datuk-zaid-ibrahim

The speech encapsulates my heart's cry as someone who calls Malaysia "motherland". All Malaysians should read it and take some time to think about our country, and how we can play a part in bringing about peace, justice, freedom and liberty for all. The speech makes me proud that I'm Malaysian, and it makes me feel excited about the sweeping change that is about to come. And it is in these moments where the church in Malaysia will have to stand strong in prayer and in faith, believing that the God of the universe has great plans for this great nation. We need to pray for our leaders, that God will grant them wisdom to lead our country, a heart that bleeds for the needs of the people, and idealistic visions of justice and liberty for all Malaysians from all races and creeds.

Read what happened next here: Zaid hits back at critics

Thank God for men with balls.

On another note, I'll be leaving Everton tomorrow after staying in the same room for two years! One does collect a lot of junk after two years of not moving. I'm so excited about my new flat! Party will be organized soon and invites will be sent out =).

And I have an interview for Honours coming Tuesday. Please pray for me!

Thos who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves - Abraham Lincoln, former President of the United States
D I V A at 6:33 AM
2 drop(s) of love