I am 48, married to a loving wife since 1991, and blessed with 4 lovely children, 3 boys, and my one and only princess. I am an avid reader, who make it a habit to repeat-read JK Rowling's amazing Harry Potter "7series" at least once a year since 2008! Needless to say, I also love writing. It is my yet-to-be-realized dream to be a published writer, be it as a columnist, or better still, my own book!

There is a popular American phrase, "Let's cut to the chase"; which I now shall.

Malaysia has a popular and evergreen motto, ie, " BAHASA JIWA BANGSA", which translates as " LANGUAGE IS THE SOUL OF A NATION". I truly believe in this motto wholeheartedly and live my life by it.

I also live by another slogan, " WORDS ARE POWERFUL STUFF", which is another form of THAT famous saying, " THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD".

I love and are very passionate about Malay and English languages, both THEORITICAL and PRACTICAL, since my childhood.

During my early formative years of learning both languages in Primary School, ( Malaysia follows the British Education system), from Standard 1 to Standard 6 ( age 7-12), I found both languages immensely enjoyable and I realized that I have an intuitive aptitude towards Malay and English languages.

The learning continued during Form 1 to Form 5 ( age 13-17) in a Science-and-Mathematics- emphasized boarding school. I obtained straight A's in Malay, English, Math, Chemistry, Physics, Islamic Religion and Geography in both National Exams during Form 3 and Form 5. Hence, my language capabilities encompassed a wide variety or branches of knowledge, be they Arts and Humanities, Mathematics and Sciences, and others too.

Being a born Malay, I had embraced the SOUL of my mother tongue from learning in school, and in my everyday living. Yet, I may have excelled in the THEORITICAL learning of English, but I did not capture its SOUL up to Form 5 of my schooling years.

However, the opportunity to really learn the FORM and SUBSTANCE of English came my way when I was offered a scholarship to do my Tertiary Education in USA. Having lived and breathed English language for 5 years amongst American citizens, I am happy to say that I have managed to absorb the SOUL of the English language, specifically obtaining a Bachelors degree with Major in Business Administration, Finance, and also studied extensively, Economics and Mathematics as enjoyable extra knowledge/skills. Other than the studies, I fondly consider America as my second home.

The American way-of-life experience prepared me to work in the Banking Industry upon my return to Malaysia. I spent 20 years working in a bank, covering all areas of banking, ie credit evaluation, review, and rehabilitation, almost all banking operations in HQ and Branches, customer service, Islamic banking and wealth management.

I am currently doing freelance work to retake control of my life, having spent 16 years as a student, followed by 20 years of working as an executive/manager of an organization. I did cherish my experience as a student and an employee, but I needed a change, ie to be my own boss, and to be the owner of my TIME, doing the thing I love and earning a living at it too----HEAVEN ON EARTH!

Hence, I return to my first passion, ie Malay and English languages, and doing translation and its related activities provide a natural platform for me to relive the SOULs of both languages, with a mission to be a person beneficial to other fellow human beings and organizations, whose needs I may be able to serve effectively and successfully, like a second nature to me.

In conclusion, LETS CUT TO THE CHASE has now metamorphises into THE CHASE BEGINS---at ProZ.com.