Perspectives

Why “moonstarlady”?

• When I was growing up, I used to be an ardent fan of Naoko Takeuchi’s Sailormoon series. It was a source of fantasy, mystery, excitement and romance for the teenage me and I became so obsessed with it, that I created a nickname for myself, combining star, moon and lady to be: Moonstarlady. Since then it has stuck with me from the age of 13 till today.

What are some of your favourite books?

• My top reads include C.S Lewis’ Mere Christianity; Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility; Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha; Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes; Stephen King’s On Writing; Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons; J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter; J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. In fact there are too many to mention, but these are the few that continue to stick top-of-mind in my life.

Who do you resemble more in the family? Mom or Dad?

• Many have commented that I am very similar to my mother in temperament and in looks, but I believe the older I grew, the more my looks began to differ drastically. In fact, I have often told friends and family members that my brother and I now don’t look anything like our parents. Perhaps we were wrong babies? Gasp, shocking!

Who are the people who have inspired you the most?

• They include Malaysian journalists Rehman Rashid and Karim Raslan
• Malaysian educators Miss Elena M. Cooke of Bukit Bintang Girls’ School fame and Mary Varghese from Taylor’s College American Transfer Program
• Malaysian Christian Full-time worker & lecturer Hilmy Noor, who was arrested and detained for a year in prison (via Operation Lalang) for converting from Islam to being a Christian-a crime prohibited in Malaysia for any Malay race
• Malaysian filmmaker Yasmin Ahmad, who leads up the creative team in Leo Burnett Kuala Lumpur and whose films (both in film and advertising) have made lasting impressions in my life
• Malaysian up-and-coming writer Zulaikha “Ika” N. Mudzar Vanderkoeck whose writings is yet to emerge in the market, and of whom I have had the pleasure of reading before its debut
• Eric Kirton, a Scottish Missionary  who moved to Malaya (before it was renamed Malaysia after Independence) permanently after the Second World War, married a local and settled there. He started the first brethren assembly on the east coast of Malaya and was part of the early Christian Brethren movement in the nation. Currently one of his sons Colin Kirton continues to entertain, enchant and touch lives around Malaysia via theater and the arts, as a leading actor in his own right.

How did you end up doing Public Relations/Media?

• Good question. I made up my mind first to pursue Journalism, and I did eventually earn a degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon. But I chose to specialize in Public Relations because I felt the closest sense of connection and had the greatest satisfaction being in a media consultant role. It was also after listening to Rehman Rashid share his life experiences writing his book A Malaysian Journey back in 2002 that I felt, “Ah this is it. This is what I want to do in my life.” It was a strong affirmation and I have never turned back since.

What are some of the biggest milestones in your life?

• I think it’s too early to actually see any big achievements yet. I dare say the best time to experience the highs and lows in one’s life is between their 30’s-40’s. I feel that is the perfect peak time for anyone.
• But for now, doing what I love at work is really fantastic. If you really love what you do, you don’t work a day in your life. I feel lucky that I know what I want very early on.
• Being engaged is new, interesting, a little frightening and thrilling all at the same time. I’m still getting used to it but I feel really blessed.

Would you consider yourself patriotic?

• Yes and No. While I have resolved to be nothing but a Malaysian in my identity and nationality, I would not tolerate a country whose government ever victimized and terrorized its own people, such as the Burmese Government and Zimbabwe has done.

What are some of your pet peeves?

• Hygiene-please dear Lord, please be clean. I have very little tolerance for anyone or anything that is not clean or at least tidy. Can’t stand dirty toilets, someone who doesn’t shower everyday, or someone who has no civic consciousness. Hate it!
• Being Rude-this is especially when someone is rude to a waiter or a waitress. Having worked in the kitchen before, I know how hard it is to be serving others. And at the same time, anyone who is unfairly rude to others in general is something that makes me really upset.
• Flattery-especially the ones used to pick up women or just empty praise that is not sincere, it’s a real turn off.
• Pride-It’s one thing to be proud of your achievements, it’s another to think you are above anyone else in life.
• Racial discrimination-being raised in a multi-racial setting, I think it’s imperative to respect each other. You may have disagreements over ideals and may laugh at one’s stereotypes but judging solely on the color of one’s skin is blatant idiocy.
• Religious hypocrisy-very common issue actually. This can apply easily to any major religion/belief. I don’t think I need to get into details here. Enough said.

If you could retire, what would you do with all that extra time?

• Retire? What retire?! There is no such thing as retirement in life.