Don't let this be the last.

60 years ago,

There were

3000

Today,

barely

500

Our nation's symbol of

Power

and

Strength.

I have been browsing through the web to research material for my Tiger Blogfest entry and am horrified by what I found. I was looking for information on the dwindling population of our Malayan Tiger and found that no amount of facts, stats and information will ever be able to send a stronger message than a few horrifying photographs.

I will not post these pictures here.

They are too heartbreaking.

Here's a link to the images I've found.

Or you could just Google 'Tiger poaching' or 'Tiger parts'

These images are graphic.

Do not view if you have a weak heart.

http://www.google.com.my/images?um=1&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENMY287&tbs=isch:1&q=tiger+poaching&sa=N&start=0&ndsp=18

Help increase the Malayan Tiger population by spreading the word on Tiger conservation.

For more information on the efforts taken to increase their numbers, please log on to

http://www.tx2.my/whatsgoingon.php

To find out how you can help, please log on to

http://www.tx2.my/joinus.php

Earn your stripes and become a Tiger Ambassador today.

Join us in our pledge,

I hereby pledge,

• to not eat, buy or sell tigers, their parts or products that claim to contain tiger essences.
• to report wildlife crimes to the Wildlife Crime Hotline at 019.356.4.194
• to earn my stripes and learn more about tigers and how to save them.

It's the Year of The Tiger.

Don't let this be the last.

These American kids have it good, don't they?

I had quite an adventure the other day at The Met. T'was a little crowded but that didn't matter 'cause I had the whole day. It's usually packed in the mornings with school kids on field trips and I just couldn't help but feel a little envious that morning.

These kids have it good. I wonder if they realize. Their field trips include visiting...

... Dinosaurs,

Mummies,

And Van Gogh.

Oh and ...

and Andy Warhol (!!!)

and Chuck Close

and RODIN!

(Was surprised at how tiny he was)

... Monet ... (*sigh*)

I made another visit with my cousins after that day. This time in the evening after Cat had finished work. Cat used to work at the Museum and gave me a private tour. It was nothing short of AWESOME.

We were quiet for awhile. Each of us in or own world starring at Van Gogh when I said to them, 'You guys are so lucky. You get to come here anytime you want.'

And then Roy turned to me and said, 'Yeah? I'd trade places with you any day. You get to have Ban Chang Kueh anytime you want!'

(Chinese Peanut Pancakes, A Penang Roadside Delicacy)

I guess the grass will always be greener on the other side :)

10,000 miles for Ban Chang Kueh and 10,000 miles for...

breakfast with Rex...

... And tea with my friend the @NatHistoryWhale

Both equally worth the journey!

Tiger Blogfest 2010

When I was a little girl, my Mom asked me what I'd like to have as my first very own pet. Thinking I'd say a hamster or even a little puppy, she was very surprised at what came out from my mouth. I said I wanted a Tiger.

Mommy then told me that Tigers were born to be wild and that they wouldn't be happy if they lived with us in Lengkok Erskine.

My fascination for these majestic creatures grew with her stories and didn't stop there.

In 2008 I was chosen as one of Malaysia's Tiger Ambassadors, a group of Tiger lovers who would continue to advocate for our Malayan Tigers.

You can do your part too.

Tiger Blogfest 2010 will fall on the week of April 19-23 which coincides with Earth Day on the 22nd.

You can help by telling your friends.

You can help by talking about Tiger Blogfest on your Facebook.

You can also tweet about this.

If you're a blogger, even better.

Blog about this.

For more information on Tiger Blogfest 2010, please log on to

http://planetofthemonyets.blogspot.com

To learn more about the plight of our Malayan Tigers, please log on to

http://www.tx2.my

Here's your chance to be a Tiger Ambassador too :)

Photo 2&3 courtesy of Beanoo

March 10, 51st Anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising.

Can you imagine if you were forced out of your home? Have your family taken away from you. The life that you know, the land that you so Love and everything familiar to you brutally taken from you.

I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to be forced out of my island home. My life and my family's threatened if we ever return. I cannot imagine not ever again celebrating Chinese New Year, Chirstmas, Hari Raya, Deepavali and all the festivities the way we
Malaysians have so grown accustomed to. My children not ever having the chance to know Penang. My roots. My ancestors' roots cut from beneath me. I cannot even begin to imagine.

Being with the Tibetans that day, that gorgeous Wednesday afternoon in New York City made me realize how good we have it. Sure we have injustice. And sure things are not always fair. But we still have our land and we still have the privilege to fight for our rights, our beliefs and most importantly practice our respective religions within the safety of our own land.

Everyone has the right to be free. We should never stop fighting for what is rightfully ours to have. I commend and so deeply admire the courage, strength and unwavering faith of the Tibetan people in exile.

I am writing this entry as a humble salute to everyone who has ever fought for Freedom. To everyone who is fighting the good fight, keep it up and please know that you are never alone.

*Learn more about the Tibetan people in exile and their fight for Freedom athttp://www.tibet.org/andhttp://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/section.php?id=77

She has never seen her homeland with her own eyes. Lahdon Tethang fights relentlessly for the freedom of her people.

People from all over came to Union Square that day in support of Freedom.

Imprisoned for 11 years without trial for singing songs of Freedom on the streets, Ngawang Sangdral a Nun who was beaten repeatedly while in prison was finally released after excessive pressure from the United States and other intervening countries.

The massive crowd at Union Square Park on March 10.

Potrait of the Dalai Lama beside a Tibetan flag in front of an Equestrian statue of George Washington.

A Freedom fighter draped in a Tibetan flag.