Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

Our National Day is on the 31st of August, and i have to say that i'm viewing the upcoming national day/independance day celebrations with more enthusiasm than i did last year.

probably its b'cos gitanjali keeps shouting "merdeka, medeka" in the most cheerful voice, at the drop of a hat, and she gets all joyful and stuff as soon as she sees a malaysian flag. "Merdeka, Merdeka!!!" "Mummy look, 5 flags. Merdeka". Unbridled Exuberant Joy (all begining with capitals, please note) would be an understatement for her state of mind at the sight of the flag. They are teaching them to wave the flag and march up and down at her school.

i guess this is what they mean by brainwashing the young... Das Kapital and all that. Suddenly i realise that i too am proud to be a Malaysian, and could never contemplate being anything else really. So whether Malaysia or UMNO Youth love me or not, i love Malaysia!!! YAy!!! The land of nasi lemak, roti canai, banana leaf rice, loh mai kai, chicken rice, satay, chendo, ais kacang, mooncakes, kangkung belacan, sambal petai udang, nasi dagang, kettinggi food, ikan masak lemak, chicken kapitan, asam laksa, sarawak laksa and nyonya laksa, not to mention roti jala, rotiboy, spicy sambal pizza, tomyam spaghetti and char koay teow - i love you thhiiiiiis much.

(map of malaysia, if you didn't know).

Anyway, so I too, am joyfully exuberant about the fact that we Malaysians are celebrating "Merdeka" and shouting it from the rooftops (or at least from the balcony of my 9th floor apartment, with a joyfully exuberant 3 year old waving a malaysian flag). My mother has also joined in the festivities, and has presented me with a flag to hoist in the office, which happens to be on the 1st floor. it is some 4 feet tall, and needs a pole, she tells me...

So, while i stand here and ponder on the inexplicable absence of any flag pole in this office, which if i didn't mention it before, is on the 1st floor, Happy Merdeka Baby.

Have a fantabulous time, and make sure you get some flags to wave joyfully. Merdeka!!!