Lite - Opinion - Lim Ka Ea

Lim Ka Ea is a traveller who sees travel as the answer to all the world's woes. Writing is a grand love. Ka Ea has had NGO and legal experience.

To sign or not to sign

March 04, 2013

MARCH 4 — That was a decision I was forced to make one early morning at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur.“I’m not signing. The hospital can go f**k itself!” My husband’s mind was made up even before I could blink my sleepy eyes twice.For a brief second, I almost dismissed my husband’s reaction as a tad too melodramatic and was very close to signing what … Read More

Accidental lessons

November 21, 2012

NOV 21 ― It was 1991. My classmates and I were punished for being noisy in class. We were told to stand up and remain silent for the rest of the lesson. The silence was deafening until Cikgu stormed towards the back of the classroom and barked, “Why are you smiling?! Is this supposed to be funny?”Alarmed, we all turned around to find out who had the … Read More

Global Bersih: Connecting Malaysians around the world

June 08, 2012

JUNE 8 — When a work engagement required me to be in Washington DC on April 28, I decided to meet some fellow Malaysians who were involved in Global Bersih 3.0: Washington DC for the purpose of writing this article. I wanted to bring their stories home with me.Exhausted from a full day of an “unconference” and heavily deprived of sleep from an all-nighter … Read More

When will we wake up?

March 29, 2012

MARCH 29 — As soon as the digital quacking of ducks pierces the morning silence, it’s time to wake up.It’s 7am on a Saturday and as usual, I wish for another 30 minutes in bed. While doing so, I deprecate myself for staying up late the night before.As I drag myself into the kitchen to make a strong pot of coffee, I can’t resist asking, “Why did I sign up … Read More

Public bath 101

February 12, 2012

FEB 12 — Japan was not at the top of my “must-see” list but when I found cheap tickets to Tokyo recently, my friend Sally and I put together a travel plan quickly. In addition to a long list of temples, shrines, Zen gardens, ramen restaurants and eccentric Tokyoite cultural scenes, we were told that a visit to the onsen (public bath) was essential.When … Read More

Talking ‘bout evolution

December 12, 2011

DEC 12 — As a child, it was mandatory to obtain Mum and Dad’s permission before I could leave the house. It was also mandatory to inform them of my whereabouts at all times. Thankfully, I was mature enough to understand that the rules were imposed in my best interests. Hence, I followed them without much resistance.Dad was, however, particularly … Read More

Souvenirs from France

November 12, 2011

NOV 12 — They live a lifestyle where clichés seem entirely original.Even when their arms are full, a baguette can be seen conspicuously tucked under an armpit. It is almost as if that part of the body, often scorned as an object of odour despair, is made for that precise purpose.Here, dogs are men’s best friends; even for the destitute and homeless. The … Read More

The truth shall set you free

July 04, 2011

JULY 4 — Whenever I flush the toilet at home, my cat, often seen lazing on the floor would spring to her feet and run for her life. It’s obvious that the sudden sound of rushing water petrifies her tremendously.Sometimes, out of strange habit, I find myself warning her that I will be flushing the toilet in false hope that she would not get agitated. I used … Read More

Time is of the essence

June 06, 2011

JUNE 6 — No one valued time as much as Benjamin Franklin.As a student, we learned that Franklin was a scientist. In our history book, he was known as the man responsible for the invention of the lightning rod.What most of us didn’t know was that he was also a publisher, printer, writer and philosopher who then became one of America’s greatest statesmen. One … Read More

Reconnecting with one’s identity

April 23, 2011

APRIL 24 — The year was 1996.I was 15 years younger and also 15kg lighter (if only they are both inversely related).My only worries were passing my examinations and whether the boy whom I had a huge crush on would give me the time of the day. In my mind, we would have beautiful babies together.The thought of returning home never occurred to me but it didn’t … Read More

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