You Can't Look Around If You Only Look Down

Stumbled across this awesome Thai ad a while ago, on Story of Bing, a blog that I stalk. Go check it out! It's written by Bing, a Singaporean lady who currently lives in Africa with her husband who is posted there. Her blog is full of observations on life and her surroundings, and super yummy-looking recipes.. all with really gorgeous pictures!

Ok, back to the ad.

I think that most, if not all of us can relate to it in some way or another. I mean, which of us hasn't been guilty, at least once, of being too wrapped up in our technological worlds to connect and appreciate what is physically present around us? We may miss the simplest (and yet most beautiful) moments - moments that define what living truly is.

 So, yeah. Tell your friends on eBuddy that you'll 'brb', or better yet, that you 'gtg'. Log out of facebook for a while, those notifications will still be there when you sign back in! You can't tweet about what's going on, if you don't look up from your phone long enough to SEE what's going on.

As the title of the ad says: Disconnect, to Connect.

Super powerful message. I feel like dumping my phone somewhere, and I would but I know that I would regret that decision about 2 seconds later!

Happy Malaysia Day and Reasons Why I Can't Return To China

Watch this heart-warming Malaysia Day ad by Digi!

I know, I know, the more cynical will scoff at how PR stunts will OBVIOUSLY appeal to the emotions, and that there are so many unresolved issues in the country, issues that an ad cannot possibly tackle or resolve.

And yes, that is true, but what I love about this ad is how everybody has different ways of looking at one thing. And that's how we are! Every racial group or political group or mamak stall group will have an opinion. Why can't all opinions be heard, and the best one be used to better the country we all live in? I mean, power struggles are all well and good, but if your power struggle screws up the whole country in the process, then whether or not you win the scuffle, you're still a loser. Because you'd be in charge of a sinking ship.

It's really about time we all use our differences to give us an advantage over other people!

I mean, if all the so-called 'immigrants' had to hoof it back to their ancestral lands, this country will become like most other countries.. BORING. Pfft. Just one race? Just one culture? No variety to spice life up? Ergh.

And while I'm on this note, there are some things I want to say to those who say 'balik negara asal'.

1. I was born here, assholes.

2. If you put me on a plane to China, I would eventually make a big circle and end up back here. Negara asal ma. This is it la.

3. Also, can't speak Chinese. So, I would probably fall over and die, not knowing how to say "Shelter, for the love of God, give me shelter!"

4. Where would I get my rendang or banana leaf rice if I was in China? DENYING ME MY FOOD IS CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT, OKAY.

5. Most of my friends will be super far away cos they don't have ancestors from China like me. T____T

6. And, obviously, Malaysia will be a darker, sadder place if May Lee left to live in some icy corner of China, near the factories where they produce poisonous things that kill people wtf.

So yeah. I think we all agree that this whole negara asal thing sucks major balls?

Awesome.

Happy Malaysia Day (a day in advance)!

Sex: It's Not The Main Problem

My stand that Malaysia is woefully under-equipped to deal with the sexuality of its young adults is, I think, well documented on this blog.

Baby-dumping is just an effect of the rampant ignorance that has a stranglehold on Malaysians, and I have always shaken my head and tut-tutted at the lack of sex education due to the narrow-mindedness of the people in charge. I say that educating young people who have access to information but no knowledge as to how to use said information properly is vital, as the information they get could be incomplete or even erroneous. But many leaders choose to blame things like 'curiosity' and 'porn'.

I think it's not ALL their faults; they are, after all, OLD. And old people tend to be more kolot.

Combine kolotness and general ostrich-in-sand behaviour and you get, well, lots of people bonking left right centre thinking syphillis is a new brand or something and that pregnancies only occur after you have had the big wedding.

Nevermind that for now.

I recently saw an awesome ad on this blog, and like all other ads, it will disappear at whim (bah). So being smart, I kept the link for you, my dear readers! =D

This site is called 'Yes I Can' and is targeted at preventing unplanned pregnancies. Not the complete guide to safe sex, but somewhat informative. What I like most about the site is that it doesn't sermonise about how sex is bad and should only happen within the bonds of marriage. I mean, it's all fine and good to have certain principles regarding pre-marital sex, but it's better to recognise that more and more people are doing it now, and it is imperative that they do it knowledgeably! This site talks about sex frankly and advises people to speak to their doctors if they have questions regarding sex. This is awesome, because when people are super shy, they end up asking their friends. And frankly, how much do friends know? Asking friends is fertile ground for misconceptions and myths to blossom.

"Eh eh how do people get pregnant ar?"
"Eh you so bodoh, like that also dunno?"
"Tell me la! Asking you now right"
"Haiya very easy la.. you just do IT after you married la. Then after that pregnant one."
"SERIOUS? Then before married?"
"Won't one la! Confirm!"

This is what I was told sometime in Form 1. I believed that friend; imagine my shock when my mum sat me down to talk about the birds and the bees!

"HAAAAHHH??? Before married also can get pregnant???"


Conclusion: Yes I Can is a very positive beginning for what I hope would end up with a more open Malaysia, with much less ignorance-caused sexual problems.
If you're planning to do it, PLEASE learn the basics before doing anything. And by basics, I don't mean styles. I mean basic prevention methods, the common STDs, and hygiene. If you can't even begin to fathom what I'm talking about, then YOU are at risk. So do yourself a favour.

Why I Love The Internet

Ads like this will NEVER appear in Malaysia.

Look at the ahem-level broken glass!

And the model is.. well.. =)

And some wonder why I am addicted to the Internet.

**Update**
More reason to love the internet, hallelujah!
On Monday, I dropped LoverBoy's phone into the toilet (don't ask HOW it fell in or how I retrieved it, some traumatizing incidents are better left hazy). In a wild panic, I did what I do when I need help: I Googled it. And praise the good Lord, Google never lets me down.
'dropped phone in toilet' recovered a lot of hits that totally saved my life!
So, here are some tips for you, in case you ever face the same situation I did (and let's hope you don't).

1. Remove the battery IMMEDIATELY.
2. If you have dropped your phone in something that isn't pure water, rinse it off - it's already wet so further washing will do it more good than harm. Don't wash your battery, though.
3. DO NOT TURN IT ON! Turning it on will most likely result in short-circuiting, and will finish off your phone completely.
4. Disassemble it as best you can, and dry it under the fan or in an air-conditioned environment for at least 72 hours. Packing it in rice and/or quickly dunking it in 95% alcohol will quicken the drying process. The alcohol will help evaporate moisture inside the circuitry and the like. Obviously, you don't SOAK your phone in the alcohol.
5. Resist the urge to turn it on and check. Remember the possibility of short-circuiting.
6. After 72 hours, you can put the battery in and test it. However, the phone not working may not mean your phone is dead, it could just mean your battery is. Try it with another battery to double-check.

I just checked it after the 72 hours, and LoverBoy's phone SURVIVED! It has survived the ordeal intact except for a couple of wonky keys. And after being dunked where no phone wants to go! Conclusion: Nokias are awesome and Sony Ericssons (my phone is a SE, and has made more trips to the phone hospital - without toilet dunking! - than the Nokia has with a major water mishap under its belt!) suck balls.

I shall name thee Lazarus.

I would've just given it up for dead if it wasn't for the glorious Internet and the knowledge it contains.
Bless you, Internet <3

Solvil et Titus

I noticed one ad for Solvil et Titus on this page and I think it's super awesome and SAD wtf T___T

I would ask you to just click on the ad, but the ads come and go and you may not be able to catch it, so here it is! English subs for the bananas like moi!

Enjoy =)