Blogging at 39,000 feet above sea level

First time using a laptop in a plane. It's kinda cool. What is nicer is no one is sitting next to me. I requested for a window seat and I got one without anyone sitting beside me. So I have all the liberty to do whatever I want. The only downside is there is no one to chat with now.

I want to talk about "new" Harnniann. Yup, the new Harnniann. The old Harnniann sort of vanished the moment Harnniann decided to come to China. People change when they come to a new place. People need to adapt to a new environment to continue surviving. It is more a necessity than a choice.

The old Harnniann didn't wear G2000, the new one does. The old Harnniann didn't use perfume, the new one does. The old Harnniann didn't know what MSN is all about but the new one does. The old Harnniann looked at life this way: wake up, work, go home, sleep and waiting for another "wake up". The new Harnniann looks at life this way: SHIT! The world is too damn big to stay at home! Peking Duck is delicious! The old Harnniann had dreams but nevertheless buried them. The new one starts dreaming and confidently lives his dream.

It is amazing to realise your potentials. To know what you are capable of. I didn't know I would travel alone. I always thought that I needed a mate. That was a big sudden turn for me. I steered away from the highway I had been using for years and exited to a new frontier.

The feeling is like: you bought a LRT ticket to Wangsa Maju. You planned to go to Wangsa Maju. But something strikes you half way and without some rational reasons, you step out from the LRT train at KLCC. Initially you are scared cause you have never been to KLCC. You doubt your decision. That always happen when you take a sudden turn. But nevertheless, you find your courage and keep on walking. A few minutes later you reach the basement of Suria KLCC and you are amazed. "Why didn't I know this place?" you ask yourself. You keep on walking. Next you reach the outdoor park. This time, you are overwhelmed. You are so glad that you made this decision to exit at KLCC.

This is the whole essence of taking a sudden turn. You walk into the unknown for better or wost. All you know is if you don't do it this time, you will regret. But you don't know for sure where you get the courage and what exactly prompted you to jump out of the highway.

p/s: I am now in Malaysia, so there will be no indication of China's weather and temperature.

Last day in China!

Weather: Haze

Temperature: 29

Finally this day arrives: my last day in China. Another 5 more hours, this whole thing shall end. My quest to widen the horizon, secure the possibility of living in this Middle Kingdom shall come to a halt. But I am not pushing the “stop” button; it’s just a “pause” button. I will be back.

A partner from one of the firms that interviewed me told me he understands why I want to come to China. His firm hired 3 Malaysian Chinese; I guess that makes him qualified to give a reason.

“You are an outsider living in your own country. You understand oppression, unfairness and discrimination. That makes you a better and stronger man for you know at a very early stage that life is unfair. That’s why you are able to take lots of bullshits. That’s why I like Malaysian Chinese.” he said. I reckon that pretty much sums up the philosophy and attitude of Malaysian Chinese i.e. we are able to take bullshits for we are outsiders living in our own country.

Another question that was on my checklist of questions that needs answer is: do I feel at home when I am in China?

I have been to the Great Britain. I spent almost a year there. Definitely I didn’t feel at home when I was there. I tried to behave like a White, I tried to blend into the English community, but I failed. I was getting no where. No matter how I tried, because of my skin colour, my education background, my accent, my culture, I can never be a White. The harder I tried, I more I felt myself like a salted duck egg: white outside, yellow inside.

What about China? Needless to say, when I was in the airplane, no one could tell whether I was going home or traveling to China. No one could tell with certainty that I was not from Shanghai. That’s a significant difference. However I still had to queue at the lane for “Foreign Passport Holders” waiting for immigration clearance. That reminded me I had come to a foreign territory.

When I was very young, I stayed with my grandmother in Kuala Kangsar. We lived next to a train station. Whenever a train came, my grandmother would tell me, “火车!” So inside my young brain, train is 火车. Whenever I saw a train I would tell my grandmother, “火车!”. I was brought up, taught and educated in an environment or in a community that referred train as “火车”.

But when I grew up, I did not see the word “火车” in any train station. In my world, I was repeatedly told, reminded and taught that a train is called “火车” and not “kereta api”. Then why am I living in a place that calls a train “kereta api” and not “火车”? Am I being in a wrong place? Or was I wrongly educated? Or my grandmother should have told me, “Harnniann, you see “kereta api” coming?” that would have made life easier.

The time now is about 12 noon and I need to catch a flight at 4.30pm. I need to pack my stuff and take a shower. So though I wanted to write a long blog on my last day in China, I have to stop here.

I will miss China, but right now I really miss my Malaysian home more. Can’t wait to get back home.

See you in Malaysia!

Hi! Tiananmen

Weather: Clear
Temperature: 35

After my second interview (which lasted for only 1 hour), I decided to walk around the city of Beijing with the ultimate aim of visiting Tiananmen Square.

I walked from Kerry Centre in Guanghua Rd. From the map, I knew that if I keep walking west I will reach the Forbidden City and Tiananmen. One thing I like about Beijing is the town planning. Everything is so clear. They divide the city into 2nd ring, 3rd ring, 4th ring and 5th ring, each ring represents a huge square with 2nd ring being the inner ring, 5th ring being the outer ring. You only find huge sky scrapers in 4th ring and 5th ring (the outer rings), so when you see tall concrete modern buildings, you know where you are.

Walking to Tiananmen from Kerry Centre was quite pleasant (though later when I told the cab driver I walked to Tiananmen, he said I must be crazy). The weather was good, not too hot. After 1 and a half hour of walking (oh I forget to mention that I was wearing a tie and holding a brief case and a blazer in my hands because I just came out from an interview), I saw this magnificent Qianmen 前门 (formerly known as Zhengyangmen 正陽門) right in front of my eyes.

Qianmen

From Qianmen, I walked north to Chairman Mao Mausoleum but unfortunately it was closed for renovation. It will remain closed until 20th September. What a shame, because there is no entrance fee.

From Chairman Mao Mausoleum I continued to walk north for about 10 minutes and soon I saw this familiar historical building called Tiananmen 天安门 (gate of heavenly peace).

My first step on Tiananmen Square

Let’s talk about Tiananmen. It was built in the Ming Dynasty and was originally named Chengtianmen 承天门 (gate of accepting heavenly mandate). Following the establishment of the Qing Dynasty and the Manchu conquest of China proper, the gate was rebuilt and was given its present name in 1651. The Tiananmen is located along the northern edge of Tiananmen Square.

So what’s so special about Tiananmen that you have to visit it before you could consider yourself visited Beijing?

Well, for a starter, Tiananmen is featured in the emblem of People's Republic of China. Further, this is the place where the proclamation of People’s Republic of China by Mao Zedong on 1st October 1949 took place. Remember the mass rallies during the Cultural Revolution? It was here too. Not to forget the May Forth Movement of 1919 for science and democracy. If you have no idea what I am talking about, it's about time to dig out your history books.

One political and historical event that could not be missed out whenever the name Tiananmen is mentioned is the Tiananmen Square Protest of 1989. That was a bitter, painful and unforgettable experience and lesson for all Chinese in the world.

That year I was 9 years old. But I remember it vividly like I remember Ben Johnson cheated in the 1988 Olympic.

Students and protestors were brutally killed. My teacher told us about the news and described Chinese government as evil and cold-blooded. That was my first impression on China: evil and cold blooded.

The exact spot where a hero blocked an army of tanks

Things change so fast. Now when I walked on the square, I didn’t smell the blood of 1989. The ghosts of 1989 had long vanished. The Tiananmen Square is peaceful and filled with curious tourists from around the world.

This gigantic building had withstood the storm of history. Tiananmen was burnt down and destroyed many times over the years, but despites the adversities, it now stands with confidence and dignity and represents the face of Beijing for the world to witness.

I got a little emotional when I took pictures of Tiananmen. There was a black and white photo of my grandparents standing in front of Tiananmen. My grandparents were here. And now 20 years after, their grandson is holding a camera, standing on the spot where they have stood, walking the path where they have walked, and if things go as according to plan, staying in the country where they were born. Isn’t that amazing?

First Night in Beijing

Weather: Fair

Temperature: 31°

As I am striking the keyboard, my laptop is playing “One Night in Beijing” by Shin.

Wow! I am in the capitol of China! This historical city called Beijing.

I just checked into Tzan’s apartment. Tzan is a Malaysian lawyer who now works in Beijing. My friend and former classmate Denning helped me to arrange this accommodation so that I could save cost on hotels. They said, you rely on your friends when you are out of your house, that’s so true.

Well, I am not going write much now. I have to check out this apartment then later start combing this city to look for food.

Oh, I have just come out from my first interview in Beijing. It was my first time seeing someone holding a cardboard with my name on it when I stepped into the arrival hall of Beijing International Airport. The driver chauffeured me straight to the office where I had 2 and half hours interview. Again, it was not an “interview”, the partner was not interested to dig my background. He just wanted to chat with me, about anything. He loved talking and we talked a lot. 2 and a half hour later, we said goodbye to each other. “Wait for my news, I will come back to you next week.” the partner said. So I left the office without knowing whether I am hired or not. But suspense is good. It makes life more interesting. At least I have something to look forward to next week.

Ok, I shall sign off now. Time to find out what Beijing has to offer.

Stay tuned!

夜，上海

Weather: Light rain shower
Temperature: 27°

Tonight is my last night in Shanghai. Tomorrow morning at 11.00am, I will be flying alone to Beijing and start my new adventure. There will be someone waiting for me in Beijing International Airport and I will be brought straight to my first interview in Beijing. My interviews in Beijing are lined up 3 days straight and on Thursday evening I will be coming back to Malaysia.

After 2 solid weeks in Shanghai, it's hard to say good bye to Shanghai. It's harder to say good bye to my good friend Bom. I guess he will miss me more than I will miss him. I am going back to meet my family, my friends, my country but he will be left alone here. Of course he will have his own programs, friends and activities, but it is always better to have a good friend around. He really hopes I could find a job here in Shanghai. Since we were still in high school we had this dream of both of us staying near each other in the future. "We will buy house next to each other and we can be neighbours." Now we are just a few steps from realizing our dream.

Shanghai, these 2 weeks I have known you better. Things about you are no longer myth. I have roamed this city from east to west; from north to south. I have gathered enough facts to decide whether this city is worth living in.

I have written the good things and bad things about Shanghai. But the conclusion I am going to make before I sign off is: I started to love Shanghai.

I hated the hot weather. It was around 40 degree for the past 3 days and the humidity was making breathing difficult. But Summer will go and Fall will come. By then, the weather of Genting could be enjoyed here for months.

When I walked on the streets of Shanghai, I could feel the sincerity and commitment of the Town Council in wanting to make this city a better place. "The way they drive here is exactly like Malaysia in the 80s" said one of Bom's friend who is a Malaysian. Be fair to the Shanghainese, give them some time.

The story I wrote about the cab driver on my first day in Shanghai, I was being unfair. It was just an isolated case. I must apologize to the cab drivers in general. Our Malaysian's counterpart could not really compare to them. Here, they only start the meter running AFTER the destination is made clear. You need not insist on using the meter (like the common thing you do in Malaysia) as NOT using the meter is unimaginable. I often take taxi in Shanghai. Not even once was I cheated or was I rudely treated. In Malaysia, sometimes you will notice that the photo on the cab driver's license and the driver are totally 2 different persons! Salute to the cab drivers in Shanghai! Keep up the good work.

As I am writing this article, I am appreciating the night view of Shanghai through the window next to my bed. It is a beautiful view. And I am listening to the song 你把我灌醉. How appropriate! Shanghai, looking at you at night from 10th floor window, really make me drunk.

Right now, I am not sure whether I will come back to Shanghai in the foreseeable future. Future is filled with uncertainties. Man proposes, God disposes.

It's a pleasure knowing you, Shanghai. When we meet again, I will write a song specially dedicated to you.

Point of no return

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 41°


As you know yesterday I went for my first and only interview in Shanghai (due to some unexpected change of circumstances, the other interviews will be held in Beijing).

I was interviewed by 2 partners (both local Chinese) and a Malaysian senior associate. Strictly speaking, it was not a "interview" but more a "casual-chit-chat-to-know-you-more" thingy. We talked about loads of things: from Shanghai weather to Shanghai food, from Malaysian culture to Malaysian food.

After about an hour of chatting, we headed for lunch at a nearby Hu Nan 湖南 Restaurant called 湘巴佬 (literally means "orang kampung").

The Malaysian senior associate (whom I will refer to as "Alex" in this article) and I reached the restaurant first as the partners had to finish something urgent and will join us in a short while.

Alex has been in China for nearly 2 years. Previously he worked as a Legal Assistant (LA) for 6 years in one of the biggest and oldest legal firm in Malaysia.

"Have you been following Malaysia news lately?" Alex asked me. The topic of our conversation suddenly switched to all the heart breaking, frustrating and annoying issues on current Malaysia's state of affairs. Like all the talks in the coffee shops, after letting out all the dissatisfactions, frustrations and complaints, we felt better but helpless nevertheless.

"My opinion is Malaysia is going down the drain" Alex said "you made the right choice coming to China and I have a feeling many more professionals in Malaysia just waiting for a chance to come out".

After we were through with Malaysia, we talked about life in Shanghai.

"You must understand one thing Harnniann" Alex became serious. "Once you secure a job and settle down here, it is very likely that you will hit a 'point of no return'. There is no turning back."

He explained why. His wife is staying with him and is working too in Shanghai. He is currently earning about 4 times his salary back home. What he does now has little relevance to Malaysian legal context. He was a litigator in Malaysia.

"So if I were to go home, what can I do? Go back to the same law firm and be a LA? They won't make me a partner for sure. But what can I do as a LA? Litigation? But I have lost touch with the Malaysian scene for so long, I have to start all over again. So I'll be a junior LA? If I am lucky, how much can I get in Malaysia? RM5k? If the most I can get is RM5k then why would I go back? You see my point?"

His advice for me: either you need to come out with a long term plan in China, or you need to go back to Malaysia after 1 or 2 years.

That brought me back to one of the many conversations I had with Bom recently. We were enjoying beer in the balcony of his apartment, appreciating the night view of Shanghai.

"I didn't expect to have a life like this. Now it's 9pm and I am home, enjoying my personal moment." Bom said, holding a can of beer in his hand.

Not too long ago when Bom was working in Malaysia, there was one day I called him at about 11.30 pm and he was too busy to answer my call because he was working in his office. I later found out he was there until 1 am. Working from morning till mid night was not the exception, it was the general rule. Being able to reach home before 9pm was a rare occasion. That was Bom's life in Malaysia. And he was not getting even half of what he is getting now in China.

Maybe Bom does not realise it. He has passed the point of no return. The way I see it, there is no turning back for him. Returning to Malaysia is no longer an option for him, as he himself admits, "go back to work? for what? Holiday can lar"

True, why would he want to go back to Malaysia and suffer the fate of working round the clock again for just a fraction of his current salary? Why would he want to leave this international scene, this opportunity to compete in globalization era and go back to local mud where people are still shouting for protectionism, sacred and untouchable special rights?

My First Interview

Weather: Fair
temperature: 39°

Today is Thursday 19th July 2007. The time now is 8.00 am. Another 3 hours and I will be walking into interview room. Whatever is going to happen in that interview room, is very likely to have great impact on my destiny.

I have a strange feeling right now. Whatever I am going through now is so unreal. A couple of months ago, I was still discussing with my former boss Eric on the new remuneration package in Eric Yap & Associates. We were contemplating long term employment there. Not so long ago, I signed up Y-Fitness Klang and committed to one year membership. I was not going anywhere, at least I thought.

But things happen at light speed. And I did not plan too much. I just follow what life offers me and grab whatever opportunity that comes along the way.

I was given a choice: I could either continue with the things I was doing then in Klang, or I could prepare my resume, sent it out to hundreds of legal firms in China and see whether there is any positive reply. The idea was like shooting blindly into a big tree and see whether any bird falls dead. Yes, this time I managed to shoot down 3 dead birds. But whether I could eventually cook and eat them still remain to be seen.

On one evening while I was sitting in a room together with the partners of my former firm, I unexpectedly told the partners : I am going to China. "When? How? What you going to do there?" the partners asked. I was sure they were not taking me seriously.

I told them I was not sure when or how am I going to China or even what am I going to do in China. To be honest, I didn't even know why I am going to China! But that was my sudden turn. I assured them it was not a impulsive decision. I had thought about it for some time just that I did not have the courage to act on it. The partners were the best employers you could find in town. They were selfless. They did not talk me out of that idea, instead they let me decide what was best for me and they would respect my decision. With that, I resigned even without my wife knowing. I guess I shocked everyone that day. But the one I shocked most was myself.

Now I have been in Shanghai for nearly 2 weeks, I am slowly getting the answer why I made that decision that day.

Actually one need not be in Shanghai to understand the reason of my departure. I read this from the Star online on 16-7-2007 and it firmed up my desire to stay in China:-

"Tan Sri Muhyiddin said the non-Malay leaders had failed to explain to their respective communities the necessity of having and supporting the NEP, the New Straits Times reported yesterday.

'It is a collective policy that was agreed upon by the Cabinet to address economic disparities within the country's different communities and its aim is to unify,' said Tan Sri Muhyiddin, who accused the non-Malay leaders of fearing that they would lose votes if they support the NEP.

However, he acknowledged that there have been instances when non-deserving Malays received benefits over more capable ones, the NST reported.

But Tan Sri Muhyiddin said the NEP, which was introduced in 1970, must continue.

'Malay economic power is still weak compared to that of other communities,' he said."

Globalization is a very real and cruel process. Yet, back home, we still get to read news of this sort.

I do not want to spoil my mood discussing this type of heart breaking issues on my first day interview. I will stop here.

Well, it's time to take a morning shower! It's for good luck : )

Taking bus in Shanghai?

Weather: Sunny

Temperature: 40°

This is a typical way of Malaysian Chinese going to work in Shanghai:-

Wake up at about 7.30am. If you care about your health, you might want to bite something for breakfast before you walk to the nearest bus top and wait for your bus to come. It will cost you RMB 2 to get to your destination. But normally the bus will not stop exactly at the door step of your office, so you still have to walk about 10 minutes before you reach your office. Oh, I forget to mention that catching a bus during peak hour is basically a nightmare. You need to be agile for you will be squeezed like tuna fish for solid 20 minutes or so. If it's your lucky day, the person next to you might be a beautiful office lady covered with expensive perfume. That makes the journey less tormenting. I do not need to paint the picture for you if it's otherwise.

During one of the dinners, I asked Bom, "you prefer driving in Malaysia, or using public transport in Shanghai?"

Bom did not answer immediately. He thought for a few seconds then answered, "can I choose taking public transport to work, but driving for leisure?". "Nope, either one not both." I replied. "then I will go for public transport in Shanghai." Bom said.

That brings me back to the question I often ask Malaysians here and myself:- why are you in Shanghai?

I have a car in Malaysia. I drive to anywhere and everywhere. Eventhough the convenient store is just meters away, I will still drive there. The last time I took a bus in Klang was years ago when I was still in High School. Because then I did not have a driving license or a car.

But when I was trapped in the morning traffic in Federal Highway while on my way to KL courts, I realised I actually do not enjoy driving that much. If I were given a choice, I don't mind taking public transport. Do I have a choice in Malaysia? Emm... lets see.

I stay in Sg. Jati, Sentosa, Klang. It's a rural area not many people know. The only bus I saw around here is "Bus Kilang" (factory bus). It would be lucky enough if the ambulance is willing to travel here to pick up the sicks.

But I guess to be fair, if I want to walk to the nearest bus stop (which I am not sure where), I could still find a bus to Klang town centre. But what would the frequency of the bus be? 10 minutes interval per bus? 20 minutes? or half an hour? Here in Shanghai it's just a few minutes, no joke.

Ok, once I reach Klang town, how am I going to KL? Ok, there are many buses which routes include KL. But I am not going to Petaling Street or Bukit Bintang. I am going to courts (and I am not talking about the rural courts in Kuala Selangor or Teluk Datok, I am talking about the second largest court building in the world), in Jalan Duta. How to get there? Is there any LRT station there? What if I have to be there early? What if I am running out of time? Emm... I don't know seriously.

You see how hard that is? I just want to go to KL from my house by public transport, not to Tanjong Karang, not Jeram, not Bangi, not Sekinchan, it's Kuala Lumpur, the capitol of Malaysia!! And it's already that hard! Needless to talk about other "less-developed" towns or cities.



I am not sure about you. As for me, if I could take one bus to my office, I will not drive to work. If I could take LRT to work, I will save my petrol. If I could safe petrol, I could buy many other things. If I could buy any other things, I will not use it on petrol. That's my logic.

Cost of Accommodation in Shanghai

Weather: Fog

Temperature: 32°


My mission for today is to research on the cost of accomodation in Shanghai. I've heard many people telling me it's expensive to live in Shanghai. But how expensive actually? I decided to find the answer myself.

Opposite Bom's apartment is a stretch of shoplots which house at least half a dozen of property agencies. My plan is to go there and check out properties prices.

If you are not a fan of apartment (condo) please don't come to Shanghai. I have yet to see link houses or semi-Ds or bungalows in Shanghai. Land here is too limited and expensive for you to occupy alone without building something tall and large on it.

So we are dealing with apartments. If you have enough cash in your pockets and decided to invest or speculate in Shanghai properties, this is what you are looking at. Since there are too many properties in Shanghai, I will only give example on just one. It's called Da An Garden: a residential area within walking distance from Bom's apartment. It is above average apartments, but NOT the most high-end apartments.

Check out the price list:-

Room/Livingroom/Bathroom *Space (m2) **Value (RMB)

1/1/1 *70.29 **1.25 million

1/2/1 *65.86 **1.45 million

2/2/1 *87.11 **1.68 million

3/2/2 *131 **2.35 million

4/2/2 *206 **4.20 million


Ok, I don't intend to purchase property in Shanghai yet, I just need to rent a comfortable place to live in. So how much is the rental in Shanghai? Using back Da An Garden as example, this is the information I got:-

Room/Livingroom/Bathroom *Space (m2) **Rental/Month (RMB)

1/1/1 *62 **3,500
2/2/1 *106 **4,600
3/2/2 *137 **5,800


In another words, if I were to rent the cheapest apartment in Da An Garden (1/1/1), it costs me nearly Malaysian Ringgit 1,610.00 a month! If let say I need another room just in case I have visitors or my siblings are staying with me or I need it for study, then I would have to rent a 2/2/1 apartment and I would pay nearly my one month salary in Malaysia just for accomodation.

Accomodation in Shanghai is expensive? You bet.

在羽球王国打羽球

Weather: Haze

Temperature: 32°


China is the reigning champion of Sudirman Cup, Thomas Cup & Uber Cup: almost all the prestigous cups in Badminton. Not only that, currently World Number One for Men Singles, Women Singles, Men Doubles and Women Doubles are all Chinese players. If China is not a 羽球王国 (Badminton Kingdom), I do not know what it is.

Since I came to Shanghai a week ago, I had skipped my exercise sessions at Y-Fitness Klang. The only exercise I frequently do in China is: walking and sweating under the hot sun.

Today is Sunday. I thought I could sleep until the sun burns my backside. Fortunately Bom woke me up at around 9 am. "Wake up! We are going to play badminton."

Badminton? In China? Emm... It must be an exciting experience. Though my whole body was furiously protesting, I was happy to drag my half asleep body to bathroom, wash my face, change to sport attire and exit the apartment.

"Today we have 8 players coming. All but one are Malaysian" Bom informed me when we were waiting for the bus. Remember I said KPMG Shanghai hires about 200 Malaysians? I was not surprised at all playing badminton with fellow Malaysians on Chinese soil.

It was the same badminton hall I went to meet Bom when I first reached Shanghai. I did not describe the badminton hall in my previous article so I will briefly describe it here.

It was a small hall. Nothing compares to our badminton halls back home. In Malaysia, we play badminton in school halls or indoor stadiums. The school halls or indoor stadiums are normally spacious. There are at least a few feet in between the courts and the distance between the walls and the end of the courts are normally quite far apart to avoid accident or injury or to allow people walking between these courts.

But here, it was a different scene. Since it was a small hall and has limited space, they maximise the use of space by cramping as many badminton courts as possible in the small hall. The space between the courts is small and worst still, the distance between the end of the court to the wall is only about 1 meter, which means if you do a jumping smash at the far end of the court and fall down, it is likely that you might bang into the wall behind you.

Badminton is a sport so common in Malaysia. Almost every family has badminton rackets. Anyone who has the time can simply draw a court on the road infront of your house and start playing. Because our weather and space allow such activity.

That explains why Malaysian plays better in this badminton hall. We are quite good in terms of our basic skill and position. Though we are in the land of "Badminton Kingdom" we outdo almost all Chinese players in the hall.

Bom told me that in their inter department badminton tournament, the champion, the 1st runner up, the 2nd runner up and the 3rd runner up were all Malaysians.

I think averagely and generally, Malaysian plays better badminton. But why we are not the 羽球王国? Why the Thomas Cup, Uber Cup and Sudirman Cup are currently not kept in Malaysia?

Bom and his playmate Maggie. Nope, I mean Badminton partner.

没分班制的班级

Weather: Sunny

Temperature: 27° C

上海给我的感觉像没分班制的班级。 里头有聪明及勤劳的学生，也有懒散、顽皮的学生。由于没有经过一个完善有系统的分班制度根据学生们的智力、品行、态度进行分班，造成所有好的、坏的、乖的、皮的学生都挤在一块儿上课。

老师(政府)在教导学生方面极吃力。很明显地政府正积极影响人民要向上向善。城市的各角落都挂满了政府的标语，像是"交通文明" "娱乐文明" "卫生文明" 之类的标语到处都可看见。每当你搭巴士，总会听见"乘客们，请给有需要的人让个位，坚持做个文明乘客。谢谢"。


的确有人做到了。但在这拥有千万人口的大都市里毕竟占少数。走一趟南京西路吧。你会发现满街的上海人穿上笔挺的西装是多么的神气。但当你拐个弯到静安寺附近，你又会发现有人赤着上半身大摇大摆。

我到高级中餐厅享用晚餐。各个服务员是多么有素质有礼貌。餐厅的摆设是用尽心机惟求顾客吃的舒服。但用完餐后，搭巴士回家又是另一个故事了。基本上你不用费力气上巴士。你只须要站在巴士门前自然有后面的人把你往内推。记得我的第一次搭巴士经验，我没付巴士票。不是我不要付， 而是没机会付。我准备好零钱付巴士票但后面的人拼命用力把我往内推。当我能够平衡下来时， 我以被挤到巴士尾端了。我以为上巴士蛮辛苦了，怎知下巴士更考功夫。首先当巴士距离你要下的站不远时，你必须设法挤到巴士出口附近。当巴士停下时，你必须第一时间冲出去，因为你只要迟疑片刻就会被上巴士的乘客又推进巴士里。巴士站都有写着"先下后上"，但看得懂的又有几个?

面对着这些程度参差不齐的"学生们"，"老师"是得花更多时间与精力来教育、辅导、惩罚。

Japanese Buffet and 3 Heavenly Kings Reunion

Weather: Cloudy

Temperature: 28°

Today is Friday. According to the working culture here, Friday night is a night you forget about your work and enjoy yourself with colleagues or friends in some entertainment outlets like karaoke, pubs, night clubs, spas, etc. Or you might want to dine at expensive restaurants.

This evening, Bom called me and asked me to get ready at about 7pm. “We are going to eat Japanese food!” Bom said.

At 5 minutes before 7pm, I was waiting at the main entrance of the apartment. It was raining.

Bom came in a cab a few minutes later. Also in the cab were Lantat and Bom’s colleague named Alfonso, a Malaysian Chinese.

“You wear your Hawaiian suit again?! We are not going to swim you know?” Lantat complained. Bom politely asked, “other than your Hawaiian suits, did you bring any proper attire?”
“Yeah, I brought 2 suits for interview.” I answered.
“What about for casual wear? Did you bring anything other than Hawaiian suits?”
“Eh… I am not sure, have to ask my wife. She packed my luggage.” I proudly said.

We travelled about 15 minutes and reached our destination. The Japanese Restaurant was called 田村.

For buffet with alcoholic drinks, the price is RMB128 per pax. Without alcoholic drinks, the price is RMB98 per pax.

Unlike Malaysian style buffet where all the foods are served in one area waiting for you to pick up, here they do it very differently. There is no precooked food served, you can order anything from the menu, and whatever you order be it “10 sets of Salmon, 10 sets of grilled beef, 10 sets of Octopus, 10 sets of Sashimi, 10 sets of Tempura” they are all covered in your RMB 128 or 98.

So naturally, displaying the full spirit of Malaysian Kiasuism, we ordered the most expensive ones. Unagi grilled, Vegetable Tempura, Prawn Tempura, Tuna, Salmon, etc. And we ordered the most expensive liquor too. It was a small cup of alcoholic plum drink which cost RMB30 per cup. But you can have unlimited refill. Basically you can drink untill you can’t recognize your wife.

The food was awesome and the service was excellent. The waiters were pretty too. Oops!

The 3 Kings reunion took place. We talked a lot about the past, the funny moments, the future plans and shared information on the current status of our ex-classmates. With the effect of the alcohol kicked in, we enjoyed the moments more. We left the restaurant at about 12 midnight.

The 3 Kings: from left Bom, me and Lantat

We would never imagine we would have this opportunity to have dinner together in Shanghai say 5 years ago. Things changed at directions we are unable to predict.

Cheers to our future and dreams in China.

浪奔浪流

Weather: Cloudy

Temperature:31°


许文强 walked drunkenly out from Paramount 百乐门. He sensed something amiss but he walked out nevertheless.

Outside Paramount, his enemies had set up an ambush. When 许文强 walked to his car, he was shot by a firing squad. He was murdered in front of Paramount.

That was a scene from the classic Hong Kong series上海滩. I watched it when I was about 8 years old and I remember it till now. 许文强 was played by Chow Yun-Fatt.

许文强

This evening I had this opportunity to stand before Paramount where 许文强 was assassinated. Not only had I the opportunity to visit Paramount, I went to the famous and magnificent 外滩 (the Bund) too.

I was there 2 years ago. But then I was just another tourist being hauled there by tour agent. Today, I was on my own. The feeling is very different. I felt closer to the heart of Shanghai. This is the Shanghai I knew since I was very young.

Opposite the Bund is 东方明珠, the landmark of Shanghai.

While watching 黄浦江 and appreciating its strength and energy, I heard this song played in my mind. This long forgotten song called 上海滩.

浪奔浪流
万里涛涛江水永不休
淘尽了 世间事
混作滔滔一片潮流
是喜是愁
浪里分不清欢笑悲忧
成功失败 浪里看不出有未有
爱你恨你 问君知否
似大江一发不收
转千弯 转千滩 亦未平复始终争斗
又有喜又有愁
就算分不清欢笑悲忧
仍愿翻 百千浪
在我心中起伏够

Facing this gigantic and vibrant 黄浦江, I appreciate the lyric of the song more. Suddenly I felt so humble and small. 面对这浑身是劲的黄浦江以及曾在这里发生的历史， 自己是多渺小啊! 世间所有烦恼， 有哪些是这江水淘不去的吗?

Shouting and being shouted at

Weather: Partly Cloudy
Temperature: 37°

One thing I noticed: Shanghainese do not talk, they shout. They don’t talk through the phone, they shout at the phone.


Please don’t get me wrong. I have no intention to belittle Shanghainese. It’s just the way they communicate with each other, that’s all. For example, I have a friend who does not understand Hokkien finds Klang people very rude because they speak Hokkien and Hokkien to her is a very “rude” language. But are Klang people rude? Well, not all. So you get my point?

I remembered when I bought my subway ticket, the young lady at the ticket counter shouted at me, “去哪里!? (where you want to go?)”. I was so shocked and speechless. I studied the young lady again. She was young, soft and beautiful. How could she yell at me just because I wanted to buy ticket? It just didn’t fit her profile. But later I got the answer. There was nothing wrong with her. The problem was with me: it’s a culture shock. That’s just the way they communicate, that’s all.

She did not shout at me with anger or malice intent. She did not want to be impolite. It’s just that she had been talking like that since she uttered her first word. The people around her also speak that way. So what’s wrong with shouting at people when you need an answer? When everyone is doing the same thing and the same thing is accepted by everyone, it is not wrong to do the same thing. That is my logic.

That explained the old ladies I met in Airport. They were actually politely asking me to stop pushing trolley beyond the main entrance. Only difference is the tone and the volume of their voice. To foreign ears, it was harsh and rude. But once you have breathed in enough Shanghai air, you will not be offended by their conduct. It was just a way of life.

My friend advised me the key to survival in Shanghai is to behave like a Shanghainese. “Do not let them know you are not local” my friend said.

So in order to be a Shanghainese I have to act like one. I should stop talking and start shouting. When I order my meal in a restaurant, I shout, “服务员， 点菜!!! (Waiter, order!)”. When someone approaches me to sell me something, I shout, “走开!!! (Go away!)”. When I want to ask for direction, I again shout, “武宁路怎么去?!! (How to get to Wuning Road?!)”.

After 3 days of practice, my shouting skill improves tremendously. (I am just worried I will unconsciously import this habit back to Malaysia then I will scream at my father just to say,” DAD!!! I MISS YOU SO MUCH!!!!”)

This is a fair game: you get your chance shouting at people, you also get your fair chance getting shouted at. And this is no joke. If you are not used to being yelled at all the time, don’t walk on the streets of Shanghai alone. The traffic police will yell at you, the bus drivers will yell at you, the security guards will yell at you and even the janitors will yell at you until you wonder what have you done wrong.

The Four Heavenly Kings and Malaysia’s brain drain

Weather: Cloudy

Temperature: 35°

When I was studying in Hin Hua High School, Klang, there were 4 heavenly kings 四大天王 in my class: Bom, Lantat, Pinchang and me.

We share the same height (around 178 cm) with Pinchang slightly taller (180cm). We sat together in class. We were active in sport. We were also the noisiest in class. Since we had so many things in common and were so close, we called ourselves “the Four Heavenly Kings”.

After high school, the four kings chose different path: Bom studied Accountancy and become a qualified Accountant; Lantat studied engineering and become an engineer; Pinchang studied architecture and become a qualified architect; and as for me, I turned out to be a lawyer.

Yesterday while on our way to the artificial beach, Lantat suddenly said, “you know what? The four heavenly kings in our class, 3 kings are now in Shanghai! Better call Pinchang to join us here.”

That’s true. Bom (whom I am staying with now) is working as an accountant while Lantat works for a construction company, both in Shanghai. While I do not have a confirmed employment in Shanghai yet, I have decided to leave Malaysia. Only Pinchang is not in Shanghai now.

If you think the consolation is Pinchang staying put in Malaysia, you are wrong. Pinchang is currently working as an architect in Perth, Australia.

Conclusion: none of the kings wants to work in Malaysia, our own country.

All the kings are professionals. I am sure Malaysia can use their talents. I am sure too they can contribute significantly towards our nation building. But no, they found greener pastures and have no desire of coming back. “Going back for vacation can lar…” said Bom.

On my last day in court, I had this opportunity to meet our opposition leader, YB Lim Kit Siang. I told him I was going to China soon. He was not impressed. “If young generation like you want to leave Malaysia, who is going to fight for this country and who are we fighting for? 不要当逃兵 (don't be a quitter)” YB Lim said. I told YB, I had heard more than once our ministers or MPs shouted in Parliament: “you tak suka you balik lar!” (if you don’t like it you can go back). Honestly, deep down inside my feeling was badly hurt. If our leaders openly tell us to go back, where should we go? What does “going back” mean? Isn’t Malaysia my home? No, at least not in the eyes of certain leaders.

"不要当逃兵" YB Lim Kit Siang said.

The four heavenly kings are just a tip of the iceberg. More Malaysians choose to embrace other countries every year. According to Bom, there are 200 Malaysians working in KPMG Shanghai. I am not sure whether the government notices this or is doing something about it.

I remembered what the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah once said and I quote:

“All Malaysians, regardless of race and religion, have a place in this nation, and society must recognise that they share a common home and responsibility to build the nation together.”

“Malaysians of all races, religions, and geographic locations need to believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have a place under the Malaysian sun.”

“Only when each citizen believes he or she has a common home and is working towards a common destiny, will he or she make the sacrifices needed for the long haul.”

Do you believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have a place under the Malaysian sun?

上海石化人造沙滩

Weather: Foggy

Temperature: 29°

My former Hin Hua classmate, Lantat called me this morning. Lantat is currently working for a construction company in Shanghai. He asked me whether I want to meet him. “Of course” I said, since I had no idea what else to do.

At 12 noon, I took the subway (地铁) to Jinjiang Park Station 锦江乐园 where I was told to wait for Lantat there.

When Lantat showed up he was with a Shanghai friend called “老吴”. I had no idea where he wanted to bring me but I guess I’d just follow because any place is new to me. He pointed at the way I dressed (yeah Hawaiian suit again) and said great. “We are going to swim!” he said.

老吴 bought us bus tickets and after waited for nearly half an hour, we were heading to Shihua 石化 in Jinsan District 金山. It just so happened 金山 is my father in law’s name.

It took us nearly an hour bus ride to reach Shihua. When we were there we are greeted by another Shanghai friend called “小蒋“. Since my surname is Toh, they called me “小杜”.

The place we were going is上海石化人造沙滩 or Shanghai Shihua Artificial Beach. Why is it artificial? I asked 老吴. He said since the seawater in Shanghai is seriously polluted and not safe we can only swim in artificial beach.

老吴 and artificial beach

小蒋 and artificial beach


Lantat and artificial beach

Enjoying the "sea"


Yes, the artificial beach is very “fake”. The sand is very coarse and there is no wave. The water is dead stagnant. For a boy who grew up in Terengganu, I have seen the best beach on earth.

Though I find this artificial beach horrible, there were many visitors happily enjoying swimming in the “seawater”. Worst still, this artificial beach is privatized. It is gated and you need to pay RMB30 to get in.

This set me to thinking, we Malaysian are thousands times luckier than Shanghainese. If we want to enjoy a sunny weekend on the beach, all we need to do is just to drive to Morib, Port Dickson or Pantai Batu Buruk, Pantai Sutera in the east coast. No entrance fee is required. Once you park your car you can run straight to the sea and start swimming.

If we do not take care of our beach and sea which we always take for granted, I am not sure whether the day will come when Malaysian government has to build artificial beach for recreation.

I had a great day on the beach. Being a Anak Terengganu, I have swum in the sea for a thousand times. But I guess our Shanghai friends enjoyed more. They seldom get the chance to enjoy the sea. They have to travel one hour and pay for the tickets to be here. So they cherished every second and enjoyed themselves to the fullest.

When we decided to quit the sea and head to the bathroom for shower, I experienced severe culture shock. There was no door in the bathroom and EVERYONE takes shower NAKED! It is basically you “appreciate” my “stuff” and I appreciate yours. I was thinking of a way out. But my two Shanghainese friends merrily took off their swimming trunks and proudly showed me their 宝贝儿. I was soaked in “seawater” and I desperately needed to take a shower. What the heck 死就死啦! I resigned to a far corner, took off my pants, tried as hard as possible to cover my 宝贝儿. This was my first time taking shower nude in a public toilet in front of more than 50 people!

First mission accomplished

Weather: Isolated Thunderstorm

Temperature: 26°

My plan for today was to walk around Shanghai city, familiarize with the public transport system and most important of all: find out the location of the 2 legal firms which I will be going for interview next week.

I bought a map for RMB 5 (Bom later told me I could have got it cheaper) and started my adventure.

As I have said before if you know how to read Chinese, the road signs here are much better than Malaysia. Navigating with the help of the map was not difficult.

I managed to find the first legal firm, Lehman Lee & Xu within half an hour. It was located in Shanghai Kerry Centre at a busy road called Nanjing West Road which is a happening road.

Shanghai Kerry Centre

Main Entrance

Lobby

Lehman Lee & Xu

Mm… nice building. The interior was nice too. Ok, once I recorded how to get there I continued searching for the next legal firm, TransAsia Lawyers.

TransAsia Lawyers is quite far from Lehman Lee & Xu though from the map, it seems very near. It took me nearly an hour to walk to Taicang Road and found this building called “Platinum” which houses TransAsia Lawyers.

Platinum

Main Entrance

Lobby

TransAsia Lawyers

Once inside “Platinum” I was blocked by security guard. I didn’t blame him. The way I dressed, I looked like a Hawaiian tourist in an office building. Any security guard worth his salt would have blocked me. But I explained myself out. I said I was there for an interview. With Hawaiian dress code?? He didn’t believe me of course. But when I managed to tell him there’s a legal firm called TransAsia on 10th floor, he hesitated. I took this opportunity to walk into the lift and when he finished hesitating, I had already gone up to 10th floor.

I have never worked in an office building before though I always fantasize myself working in one. Now let’s see whether I am given the chance now.