A meaningful birthday

My birthdays in UK have been interesting thus far. Last year, My birthday fell on the same day with William and Kate's wedding ceremony. I enjoyed watching the live video from my university's study lounge eventhough I was unable to witness the celebration in London [Was facing a number of papers at that time]. This year, it's the Bersih Rally [Walk for Democracy], and I was lucky enough to participate in it to commemorate my 23rd birthday. [older, and wiser =)]

Bersih Rally is a peaceful demonstration to ensure free and fair elections in Malaysia. It demanded that the EC clean up the electoral roll, reform postal voting, use indelible ink, introduce a minimum 21-day campaign period, allow all parties free access to the media, and put an end to electoral fraud.

I am really grateful to have my cousin and friends to be by my side in this rally. I would not have the motivation to do this if they weren't there. It was raining the whole day but all of us were very high - spirited. We gathered at Belgrave Square for about an hour before we started our walk to the Parliament. The most chanted phrases were "Hidup Bersih" and " Clean and Fair Electoral". We ended the whole demonstration with a our national anthem, and this is my first time singing the national anthem with so much emotion. It was a really beautiful moment, despite of the rain.

Asam Laksa!!

We later went to a Malaysian Restaurant for Malaysian Food, with kopi/teh tarik. The whole atmosphere made me felt at home, it was very comfortable sitting with a bunch of friends fighting for the same cause.

The demonstration in London is so different from the demonstration in Malaysia. Here, the polices set up a fence to protect us from the cars/vehicles. They were there to ensure our safety. All of us were very united regardless of our races. Not to mention, the polices are sooo fit and cute! on the other hand, the polices in Malaysia thrown tear gas at the citizens, and were very hostile towards the citizens. It wrenched my heart looking at those videos showing what happened in Malaysia during the rally. End of the day, the polices are normal citizens like us, and their salaries were paid by us too. It sure made me sad looking at us fighting against each other instead of standing together against dirty politics. I feel fortunate that I am able to join the rally in London, but at the same time, I feel sad for what is happening in my own country. I admire those who put their life at risk and joined the Rally in Malaysia [ One of my best friends was there too. It is a beautiful feeling fighting for the same cause with my girl despite of us being thousands miles away].

There are a lot of posts and videos about the rally, and so I am not going to talk too much about my opinion on this matter. Afterall, I doubt this will create much changes to the current political atmosphere in Malaysia. Nonetheless, it sure increases the awareness among the citizens in Malaysia. There may not be a revolution, but slowly and surely, [hopefully] there will be an evolution in Malaysia's politic.

Some said that it is pointless going for this rally, some said that most of them were there just to join in the fun, some said this incites nothing but violence. I said, no matter what, at least we try to do something for our country, rather than sitting there condemning others. It's an expression of love, of patriotism. It is impossible that people were there putting their life at risk, just to join in the fun. There's too much at stake for this so-called "fun".

Sweet Surprise

I had a slight fever the moment I got home. Yet, I was delighted when I saw a bouquet of roses in the vase when I was home. Oh! not to mention with a cute cuddly teddy bear and sweet happy birthday chocolate, all the way from Ireland. It's a nice icing on the cake, for what I have experienced on that day. I really am thankful to my friends in Ireland who are so sweet and kind to me =)

Of course, I had another very nice birthday celebration the next day with my friends and comrades, and I shall share my feeling on the next post.

For all of you who were with me throughout the rally, and my birthday [physically and/or spiritually, since we are miles away], Thank you!! you guys rockzz! =)