Happy Malaysia Day! :) Proud Malaysian

Hi! Today i am going to leave this space specially for Malaysia Day. So, another 2 days of skipping blog-tember challenge. :) If any of you did land in this area to read on blog-tember, do also spare some time to read this because i am going to tell you guys, 

10 simple things i am proud to be a Malaysian

1. The beauty of Malaysia

via Google

via Google

2. Different races,cultures and ethnics and how we are united as 1 Malaysia

via Google

3. Various types of Malaysian food that we share and enjoy together

via Google

3. How you get the chance to learn from each other traditional dance and wear traditional costumes 

My degree year. Traditional dance class

Committee in university

4. Mamak is the essential supper place for us. Not to miss out, a place where we sit and watch football or any National games together. 

via Google

5. We all speak Bahasa Rojak with our friends. 

6. How we get to celebrate so many different festivals in a year

January

Thaipusam

Celebrated by the Tamil community, the manifestation of Thaipusam is best witnessed at Batu Caves in Selangor, or in Penang. The jaw-dropping sight of devotees carrying ornately decorated frames, better known as kavadis, would stay with you long after you've experienced it; this unique festival is a sight to behold.

February

Chinese New Year

Celebrated worldwide by the Chinese to mark the first day of the New Year in the Chinese lunar calendar, the celebrations last for 15 days. Expect fireworks, lion dances, the prominence of the colour red, and open houses with scrumptious Chinese meals!

Chap Goh Mei, or the 15th night of Chinese New Year, symbolises the end of the festival. To celebrate the Chinese version of Valentine's Day, young women inscribe messages or well-wishes on oranges and throw them into lakes or ponds.

April

Good Friday

Held in churches to mark the "saddest day" in the Christian calendar, it is observed in remembrance of Christs' Passion, crucifixation and death. On the Sunday that follows Good Friday, Easter Sunday is celebrated to commemorate the resurrection of Christ.

Malaysia Water Festival

A country with natural settings of lakes, beaches, seas, Malaysia hosts this event annually with a variety of water-based sports. Activities such as kayaking, fishing, and cross-channel swimming promises a whole load of adrenaline-pumping time!

May

Wesak Day

Celebrated by Buddhists to pay homage to Buddha and to mark the three significant events in Buddha's life (his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana) the festival begins with meditation and prayers. Donations are made to the poor and needy.

Harvest Festival

Known to Sabahans as Pesta Ka'amatan, it is a thanksgiving festival to celebrate the rice harvest. The festivities include traditional sports such as the buffalo race, the best tapai (rice wine) competition, and the "Unduk Ngadau" or Ka'amatan Queen Competition.

June

Hari Gawai

The Gawai Dayak is celebrated in Sarawak to mark the end of the paddy harvesting season. It also marks the beginning of the new planting season, and activities such as dancing, singing, and a considerable amount of drinking tuak (rice wine) take place in the longhouses.

Dragon Boat Festival

Known also as the Chang Festival or Duanwu Festival, it commemorates a patriot and poet in China named Qu Yuan. The best place to witness the celebrations is in Penang, where the annual Penang International Dragon Boat Festival takes place on a grand scale.

July

Rainforest World Music Festival

Held in the grounds of the Sarawak Cultural Village, the annual three-day music festival is fast becoming the largest musical event in Malaysia. It celebrates the diversity of world music, while at the same time highlighting the use of traditional acoustic world instruments.

August

Independence Day

Commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from the British in 1957, August 31 holds a special place in the hearts of all Malaysians. The biggest celebration of the event takes place annually at Merdeka Square, or more commonly known as Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Also known as Hari Raya Puasa, it marks the culmination of Ramadhan, during which Muslims the world over fast for a whole month. Traditional Malay food such as rendang, ketupat, and lemang is served. This is also a time to forgive and forget past quarrels, where family members ask for forgiveness from friends and family members.

Hungry Ghost Festival

Observed among the Chinese, the festival commemorates the opening of hell's gates for the spirits from the lower realm to roam freely for a month. Things to note during the festival are the larger than life papier-mache figures and performances of Chinese opera and Ko-Tai (energetic singing and dancing with performers in glittering costumes).

September

Malaysia Day

September 16 commemorates the establishment of the Malaysian federation in 1963, with the joining of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore to form Malaysia.

Mid-Autumn Festival

Fondly known as the Tanglung (Lantern) Festival or the Mooncake Festival, it is celebrated by the Chinese to mark the end of the harvesting season. Mooncakes are a must as it also commemorates Chang Er, the moon goddess.

October

Hari Raya Haji

To commemorate the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, the occasion is marked most significantly by the conclusion of the annual Haj (pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca). Sacrificial-slaughtering, or korban, takes place in mosques, and the meat is distributed to the poor and needy.

November

Deepavali

Also commonly referred to as Diwali or Festival of Lights, the festival is significant to all Hindus as it symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Oil lamps are lit to ward off darkness and evil, and like every other major cultural festivals in Malaysia, open houses are held.

December

Christmas

A religious festival to mark the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians, Christmas in Malaysia is celebrated like everywhere else in the world. However, Christmas is also viewed as a universal celebration by many, one that that carries a secular rather than religious meaning. Even without the traditional "white Christmas", the celebrations carry on with a kaleidoscope of lights, endless Christmas displays, and crazy shopping deals for all!

(Copied pasted from The Star Online)

7. The seasons

Wet and dry. Although it can be really hot sometimes but we all know that somehow we can still survive with it because we are all used to it. :)

8. I get to attend different races weddings and we all know how we will dress up in their traditional clothes

I love love love attending weddings and how can i not be proud enough to have the opportunity to attend other races' wedding and experience how they celebrate this joyous day. :)

9. The heritage that is maintained till today!

In Penang, in Malacca or in any other states where there is still pretty historical buildings to take a picture with. 

10. Lastly, listening to Here In My Home 

There is definitely a much longer list on what makes me proud to be a Malaysian and i know i have to get back to my books now. So, i do hope you enjoy reading this! :) Much love, Jan