The day had finally arrived. With but 2 blank pages left on my passport, I had to go and get a new one. I knew I had this task ahead of me for many a day now, but seing I will be flying off to Mongolia soon, I decided that I would do it on Monday. With a decision made, preprerations soon followed, and on the Saturday before, I went on a quest to find the required documents somewhere in the wilderness of my room. I almost freaked out when I thought for a second that I had misplaced my Birth cert and Citizenship papers, only to regain my composure after remembering I had stored it in the Big Toyogo box at the foot of my bed, for safe keeping no less. Hold on, why do you need your birth cert? And what on earth is a Citizenship paper? Ah, peeked your interest have I? Well, even if I have not, I shall tell the story. It all started years ago, almost 34 years ago when a young Malaysian medical student, studying in Bombay fell in love with beautiful Indian girl.

James Tay, a young man from the town of Muar, Johor, had travelled to India to persue an education in the medical line, and as most students at the time, he had a roomate. There was a semester break, and not being able to afford a flight back to Malaysia, his roomate had suggested that James followed him on a trip to visit his Aunt, who stayed in a small town called Manglore. Having never travelled much of India, the young James agreed. Arriving at house of J.B & Alice Machado, his roomates Uncle and Aunt, seated for his first dinner, his eyes fell apon the most elegant of Indian women, the amazingly attractive Primrose Reena Machado. They started to talk and discovering they both were actually based in Bombay, they decied to see each other again.

James, realizing this woman was special, asked her out for the Malaya Ball, an event to celebrate our nations Independence, and it was not long before the couple feel in love, and wedding bells rang. They lived in India for a few years, and all 3 of thier children, Joseph, Nicholes and Christina were born there, each with an Indian birth cert.

Having a non-Malaysian mother, and being born in a foriegn country, I had to apply for citizenship, and soon when my mom brought me over, I was awarded it, with a document called “Pengakuan Taraf” assigned to me. Each time I want to apply for any governmental thing such as my MyKad or a Passport, I need to bring it along with me. I made the mistake once at 15, not bringing that single document, and was sent home to get it before my passport application could even be sumbitted. I often wonder why I still need it, especially since I have a MyKad, stating I am Malaysia, but who can tell how the system works.

So there I was, armed with all required documents, photocopies of the documents, 2 passport-size photographs, and a Tom Clancy book, “The Hunt For Red October”, all to keep me occupied. I left my humble abode at 6:15, arrived at Pusat Bandar Damansara at 6:30, and by 7:00am managed to get the 6th number in line. Surely I would be out of here by 8:30, I thought to myself, as the counters opened at 8:00am. I was glad I brought a book, as at 8:35, we were officially told via loud-speaker announcements that the System was down, and our patience was greatly appriciated. 10:15, Finally the system was up, and within a few minutes I got processed and was out of there.

Early this morning, I arrived at 7:00am, and by 8:30, I had my new passport in my hands. We are getting quite efficent as a government. I must say, I was pleased. Where is my passport now? Its with the Chinese Embassy, applying for a Multiple entry visa.

On this day in History..

• The decline of Malaysian education... - 2007
• JJCM :- Sakae Sushi, The Curve - 2007
• Frequent Travellers to Changi Take Note - 2007
• Down-Under Dayz : Sydney Calling - 2008
• Wedding Countdown :- 7 days to go - 2009
• The wedding shoes - 2009
• Happy Mothers Day - 2010
• Nathan Day 097 :- Practising lifting his head again - 2010
• Mothers Day 2010 Pictures - 2010