In a few weeks, I would be reaching the 2-year mark since moving to Melbourne. Under the current rules, I would be eligible to apply for citizenship in a few weeks. There is now a public debate on the requirements to be a citizen of Australia. Among the changes thrown up for discussion, is a 4-year wait. This has been brought about by Muslim migrants who, having become Australians, then declare their support for Jihads against Australia. Frankly, I don’t care if it is 2 years or 4 years. I have lost any affinity for the nation of Malaysia.

 

There is no such thing (nation of Malaysia) anyway. As it stands, the Malays regard Malaysia as their own and exclusive domain. The Chinese (and others who are not Malays) are, in their mind, only guests who have been allowed to remain. I may not speak or think or behave like a true-blue Aussie but at least formally, legally, I would treated as an equal once I become a citizen. If it is going to take 4 years for that to happen, then so be it. If it remains 2 years, then soon I would be lodging my application. My love and affection is not for the so-called nation – it is for my loved ones there. My parents, brother and sister and their families, my old friends, these I don’t lose no matter which country I declare my allegiance to.

 

I still however, follow general news in Malaysia by reading various websites. The latest issues include the statement by the former Singaporean PM that Chinese in Malaysia has been systematically marginalised. Predictably, the reaction has been heated. The usual noises and demands for apologies are made. I don’t know why they bother. They should be just quietly ashamed, as someone who has been caught out and called a liar or a thief. I guess strictly speaking it is difficult to “marginalise” 25% of the population. Discriminated against but not marginalised, maybe. But if you discriminate systematically and over a period of time, don’t you marginalise? Just semantics – the bottom line is: those who are not Malays are not treated fairly and this is policy.

 

I remember during the initial months we were here, I asked kiddo if she considered Australia home, after a few months living here. She said no. That was more than a year ago. This past weekend, we talked about this again and she said she wanted me to apply for citizenship. She wanted to be a citizen as well. She now considers Australia home. She has taken less than 2 years to make this decision. I guess 2 years is enough for a decision like this, Mr Howard. No need for 4 years. The additional 2 years would not make any difference. If a migrant is going to make a bad citizen after 2 years, that migrant is likely to remain a bad citizen after 4 years.

We got back from our little holiday yesterday afternoon, around 3.30pm. We unpacked, cleared away everything, and I gave the car a good wash, inside and out. Two hours later, we were hungry and grabbed a quick bite at JG’s a northern Chinese dumpling place in Glen Waverley. Then it was off to Safeway at the Glenn to grab some bread and milk and some other groceries.

 

When we got home, I dressed some of the chicken pieces we picked up and put them in freezer bags – enough for perhaps the next few days. Then I made lunch and by the time everything was done, it was about 8.30pm. I jumped on the net, blogged a few pics and then I joined kiddo and Theresa with Aussie Idol. It was a little after 9.00pm and we were all bushed and ready for bed. I started to think about what work was going to be like today.

 

I have been annoyed with the new receptionist at the gym – she opens the place later than the other one and this morning was no different. As a result, I was a few minutes later than usual when I left the gym and I was already worried about traffic as today is the first day back in school after the holidays. As it turned out, traffic was light and I got in the usual time which is between 10-15 minutes before 8am.

 

It was just the traffic which was light – office was sparse, too. My boss called in sick, the PA too was crook, so our department was down to 3 persons and not much to do. I used to long for Mondays like today but I was hoping for something more today. I wanted to do more, maybe just to make the day pass faster or get stuck into my new job more. Never mind – will just do whatever work there is, and see what happens. Sometimes God bless us (with a slow Monday after a good break) and we don’t appreciate it! At this point, Paul Simon’s 59^th Street Bridge Song (Slow down, you’re moving too fast. You gotta make the morning last) starts to ring in my head again. We were listening to it a lot during our many hours on the road this past weekend and kiddo has now learned the whole song, not that it was a difficult task. The whole song finished after about 1 minute 15 seconds and hums on for another 30 seconds or so before signing off in under 2 minutes. For today – I’ve got “No deeds to do and no promises to keep”