Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year 2012 everyone. May you all have a great and fulfilling year ahead.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Penang-Johor Bahru-Singapore whirlwind

Whirlwind of a week! Early Wednesday morning flew to Penang for a meeting with the 'maestro'. Was home at 8.30pm!

Next day in the afternoon flew to JB and had a couple of hours walk in the old town, plus of course the compulsory visit to my tailor Mun Onn where I had another order of six batiks shirts to be made. Evening dinner and a meeting with the MB in 'Saujana' where I snapped the photos of our four past Sultans posted here. The MB was most cordial and pleasant, made me feel good to be a Johorean.

Next day after breakfast, was driven to Singapore, my very first entry into Singapore via the new CIQ (haven't entered Singapore by the Causeway in years - I simply dread it). Not all that efficient I must say and on the Singapore side the queue was long and very slow and tedious. And the young Malay woman at the immigration booth took like 20 minutes to clear some 7 passports of the car in front of mine and when it was our turn clearly showed she was trying to be overly-efficient and not in the least bit friendly (worst still the Malay women at the Changi airport immigration who cleared my passport and was totally impersonal and indifferent as she could possibly be- what's wrong with all the Singaporean Malays!!! Superiority complex or what? Big deal being immigration officers!). It took me 40 minutes to get through the Singapore immigration and customs! Talk about being welcomed and efficiency!!      

A two-hour visit to the Singapore National Museum  to see the "Dreams and Reality" exhibition brought all the way from Musee D'Orsay Paris (and a thorough briefing by American volunteer Helen who really knew her stuff). Then a rushed visit to our High Comm to say hello to my friend and colleague Hussein and I was off in a heavy downpour to the airport. Again home at 8.30 pm.

At last a free day to do my packing for my travel tomorrow night for 10-day holiday(finally) to Australia. Canberra here I come! 

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Nostalgia Johor Bahru

I have just returned from a 24-hour visit to my old hometown Johor Bahru (JB) where I was born and bred. I left for University in KL in 1971 and had since never actually lived in JB again except the trips home during term breaks and the regular visits to my parents after I started working. Mother passed away in September 2006 and after my return to Malaysia in January last, I made one trip to JB for the annual family reunion and had never again ventured there till yesterday.

Short, very short as it was the visit was full of nostalgia. JB had grown so much but the old town still retains its charm, messy as it still is today! But it seems more compact and somewhat tidier. Lots of development going on, hopefully things will get better.  

I visited my parent's graves. Regretfully they are quite far apart and I had to drive from one to another. My father's grave had undergone a make-over and was newer and neater (he died in 1996). One of the marble tombstones of mother's grave (she passed on 1n 2006) was uprooted and I could not do much but leaned it against the box. I wish the Religious Department would do more for the upkeep of the cemetery. It is always terribly overgrown with weeds and the soil erosion is bad, and there was always heaps of rubbish here and there around the cemetery. Shame with all the financial resources they have they could not even make the effort to look after the place and upheld the dignity of the departeds' resting place.

I drove around to the neighbourhood where I lived with my parents in two different houses (Nong Chik government quarters) from the age of 6 to 20. They have all been razed to the ground to make way for newer development. And the family land in Air Molek is now used as a paid parking lot and some food stalls and gradually being squeezed by other development. My eldest brother Long is adamant about not selling it and making some arrangement for a joint-venture development. Well I hope the day will not come when the government will just make a compulsory acquisition of the land and we will all be under compensated of the land's actual value.

I also stopped briefly at my 'almer mather'  Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar (English College) where I studied from 1965-68 and took some photos and spoke to one of the teachers who promised to invite me to give a "motivational talk" to the students one day. 

Then there was the compulsory visit to my tailor "Mun On" at Jalan Trus. I had been patronizing that tailor since 1967 and nothing had changed about it, except those days I would pay RM3.50 to have a shirt made with my own material and today it is RM70! I still could not find another tailor who will do my short-sleeved batik shirt according to my liking as they do, that's why I kept going back to them all these forty years plus!!! Amazing isn't it! Anyway this time I deposited four batiks materials to be tailored and as a goodwill gesture they charged me only RM 60 per shirt! Hoong Po or Wan J will have to collect them and bring to KL once ready.

JB, oh JB! So nice to have a place to go back to and reminisce about all its goodness!  

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Goin' Back

I think I'm goin' back
To the things I learned so well
In my youth

I think I'm returning to
Those days when I was young enough
To know the truth


Now there are no games
To only pass the time
No more colouring books
No Christmas bells to chime


But thinking young
And growing older is no sin
And I can play
The game of life to win

I can recall the time
When I wasn't ashamed
To reach out to a friend
And now I think I've got
A lot more than a skipping rope to lend

Now there's more to do
Than watch my sailboat glide
And everyday can be
My magic carpet ride

And I can play hide and seek with my fears
And live my days
Instead of counting my years

Let everyone debate the true reality
I'd rather see the world
The way it used to be
A little bit of freedom
Is all we lack


So catch me if you can
I'm goin' back.....



See video : http://youtu.be/gV1bnDqhMws
                  http://youtu.be/gvE2mppEDfg



I first heard this song in 1967 sung by Dusty Springfield. I was all of 16 years old then and the song touched me so profoundly with its beautiful lyrics by Gerry Goffin (melody by Carole King) about the loss of innocence that comes with adulthood along with an attempt, on the part of the singer to recapture that youthful innocence. Since then the song has always remained one of my eternal favourites and it has been recorded by scores of other singers over the years, the latest being by Paul McGrath, ex-Ireland football legend. And now 45 years since I first heard that iconic Dusty Springfield version I heard a new version which touches me even so much more. A month ago, my friend Hoong Po gave me a new compilation CD of Diana Ross, and surprise, surprise track 21 was "Goin' Back" and it was such a beautiful rendition. I even found a video of Miss Ross's version on YouTube. Surprising, the recording was made in 2001 and I had not heard of it. Thanks dear HP, Miss Ross, Carole King and Gerry Goffin. "Goin' Back" is forever....

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Eid Mubarak Aidil Adha

Salaam and greetings! Been so busy to write anything of late! Just back from a 5-day Deepavali break in New Delhi and was sick all the time there! The air was so horribly polluted there but had a great albeit quiet time with Seng Sung and Julia all the same. Home with a bagful of goodies as well! India is so fascinating and colourful, dirt and dusts and all....

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha all.
(Foto is of a batik "Segala puji hanya pada Mu" I made a few months back - all praise to Him!)

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Latest artworks

Voila, my latest artwork, pastel and acrylic on canvas, just completed - it took some thirty minutes and very dirty fingers and hand, and stained kitchen table and towels and all! Don't know if it will even qualify for Pak Yusof Ghani's KALAM exhibition next month!

Big and small mercies!

Saturday again, free at last! No appointment whatsoever. I really should be working on a painting I have been invited to exhibit next month! The days and weeks have gone so fast and there have been some trying periods for me, which led to the ever-ongoing internal debate within me whether I want to continue working. Patience, patience my man - it will have its rewards, if not already there.

Tonight three of my 'better' staff go overseas. One of them for an 18-months masters degree programme in the UK, for which we went through endless hassle getting the approval and the funds. But it is a good investment for the institution though we will sorely miss his expertise for some time. The other two, ladies, I dispatch to Frankfurt and Berlin for a week to do some homework and research on book fairs, museums and galleries. Steady now ladies, get the most of your trip! My own proposed trip to Melbourne last week was overturned by the powers-that-be, which is just as well. I am in no mood for travels at the moment. Anyway I will be spending Deepavali in New Delhi with dear friend Seng Sung and Julia and Christmas in Canberra with friends there.

I had a good Hari Raya Open House two Saturdays ago at my Club house. Could not invite as many people as I would like but it was a warm cozy number, mix of friends and relatives.

Over the Malaysia Day long weekend I made a trip to my favourite East Coast, a two night stay at the ever busy and crowded Hyatt Kuantan (with the oh so noisy air con system!) and a day outing to Cukai/Kemaman where I had lunch at my nephew's brand new expanded house. I discovered some new nurseries near the hotel and went home with a car full of plants. As usual I made a stop at Lanchang to visit my darling cucu Kuca and had a nice lunch with the family. Kuca is such a doll, and such a bundle of joy! Frantically learning to speak and can relate well to her 'atok'.

The budget announcement yesterday was somewhat predictable! From what I gather I will get my RM500 pensioner's bonus and half month's salary bonus in December. And my pension will be increased by 2% yearly. Retirement age has been moved up to 60, the second time since I went on retirement at 56! But I shouldn't complain. I was given a tree year extension of service on contract when I retired, and five months after that was over I was offered this present job. I have now passed 60 years of age and am still working, what's there to complain about about (haha - so why the ever ongoing debate whether I should continue working?). Anyway, Alhamdullilah for big and small mercies.

This month four of my friends, Mushlim, Rezal, Fauzi and Amin embark separately on the haj pilgrimage. May you all be blessed with a good pilgrimage and may Allah SWT facilitate all your rituals and grant all your prayers my friends, amin. 

Have a nice weekend all, God bless.     
Dawn from my bedroom balcony some days back.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Of Bandung, Hari Raya season and painting with the maestro

It's the 12th day of raya and being a weekend there are open houses everywhere, including right at my front neighbour's house (a single mother with three young kids). But I was not invited, understandably as we hardly know each other except for the early introduction when I first moved in and the occasional hi and waving from our cars or driveways. But isn't open house meant for everyone! Anyway just as well I was not invited; I would not have tolerated the food with the current state of my stomach. I had food poisoning last Sunday night at Bandung and it had taken so long for my stomach to settle back. I also skipped a wedding luncheon invitation today at my (again) front neighbour of my Putrajaya house. I had even loaned them my garden compound for the occasion and had ensured Mehbob cut the grass and cleaned up the garden yesterday. Well my brother Wes and his wife did attend the luncheon, in a way representing me as well. I hope my absence did not offend them.

Last Friday, the fourth day of raya I flew to Bandung with my loyal travel companion Hoong Po for what was supposed to be a 6 days holiday. I really should have trusted my first judgement, that Bandung was not a great place to visit. My first visit there was in 2004 only for 2 days and I did not like it at all. Against all odds, I decided to give it another go and it proved to be AGAIN, disappointing and rather a disaster with the food poisoning! So instead of coming back on Wednesday I flew back on Monday, forgoing two night paid hotel accommodation and having to pay penalty on my airfare! Hoong Po stayed on and was in Cirebon that disastrous Sunday. I did not want to join him on that long drive to that hot, sweaty place and just as well as it took him a marathon 9 hours to get back to Bandung the next day! And there wasn't much for him to do to pass the days till Wednesday either.

 On the positive side, today spent a few hours with maestro artist Yusof Ghani who invited me to jointly paint with him at his studio in Shah Alam. Wow, what an experience that was. The results are the two paintings here. The green/brown one is his though I started with the base and outline. The other one is mine with some instruction from him. The subject/theme is mine - for me always the same subject - ALLAH! I look forward to more painting sessions with the maestro.

My darling cucu Kuca who turned two years old two weeks go had her birthday party at her kampung in Lancang, Pahang today (I'll visit her next weekend when things are quieter). As a present I gave her a painting of flowers by an autistic female artist which I bought at the MCAT (Malaysian Contemporary Art) art exhibition of autistic artists at MATIC in July. Although it is still early, hope this will inspite her to love art like her atok.     

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Aidilfitri 2011

What a blessed and happy day yesterday, the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2011. I went to the mosque, made my rounds and was informed that my relatives wanted to visit me in the late afternoon. Luckily Hoong Po was staying with me, was worried if I could cope, though my nieces would always help out.
Well at 4.00 pm 10 families and their brood descended on me simultaneously! It was such a warm, feel- good gathering and I am touched that my family decided to make my house the venue for our gathering.

Selamat Hari Raya and maaf zahir batin everyone!

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Treats in Surabaya and Malang and farewell SAJ

It's the eve of Ramadhan and there is a great sense of calm around me, alhamdullilah. I finally feel rested and there is still much of the evening left yet.

It had been quite hectic since I came home very late on Friday night (you could say it was already early Saturday morning) after a week's very pleasant holiday in Surabaya and Malang. Neither were 'happening' places and were not really tourist destinations, but I had a good time nevertheless. The real treats were the two hotels I stayed at in both places - The Majapahit in Surabaya and The Tugu Malang in Malang. These heritage hotels were a world class of their own - beautiful, excellent ambiance and service. It was a real privilege staying in both, four nights at The Majapahit and two at Tugu Malang. Both Surabaya and Malang were so traffic-infested and noisy (like most Indonesian cities), but both hotels were a heavenly oasis of calm and serenity.

These days I like spending my holidays in Indonesia. The country has such a strong identity of its own and people were just so polite, considerate and friendly. I never once felt alone or ignored the whole seven days I was there though I knew no one in either places. On arrival in KLIA Friday evening what did I see, a man repeatedly shouting and lecturing a lady sales assistant at the Duty Free shop (even after she had apologised). Why can't Malaysians be civil and considerate to each other, we are sometimes so righteous and so full of our selves!

Of course I came home with some two dozens batiks; most will be given away anyway (sedekah Ramadan la)! The only negative occurrence of my holiday was leaving behind my personal hand phone at Surabaya airport. Granted the phone was old but I lost all contacts and contents! Fortunately I had my business hand phone with me. I have to now start building my contact list again!

This morning I went to the funeral of our Seniman Negara/National Laureate Datuk Syed Ahnmad Jamal who passed away last night at the age of 83 after a rather long illness. May he rest in peace. The artistic legacy he left behind will be treasured and inspirational for generations to come. I went to visit him the day before departing for Surabaya but he was just too ill to receive visitors. I did speak to him on the phone a couple of times and visited him in hospital some months back.

We will miss you Datuk. May you be placed among the chosen people. Amin!

Friday, July 15, 2011

A Friday lament - changes and life goes on

A Friday salam and greeting to all.

Isn't it expected that things change, people change and WE change! Sometimes we are prepared for it, sometimes not - and that's when it takes a toll. I know I have changed, and I accept it. But some things about me that I wish would change never do! Such is life.

Some changes are for the better and some for the worse. It's funny that despite all the rhetoric about changes, when they do happen, they can cause many of things - sometimes happy and sometimes not. And alas, some things/people just never change!

I wholly accept the changes in me, they are inevitable as long as I am living. So why is it sometimes difficult for me to accept the changes in other people. I should know that nothing is permanent. People come into your life for a purpose and when they slip away it is also for a reason. No big deal. Even family members and close friends can change, love can turn into hate, support into envy, admiration into jealousy, a smile into a smirk, friendship into animosity, etc etc. It's all part of life's cycle.

Of course I wonder why some people drop off from my life. At the same time, I involuntarily drop off from some other people's lives too for some reason or another. It's all about choice. Just that when I made my choice to drop off from other people's life I know for what reason it was, but when other people drop off from my life I wonder over and over what had I done wrong to deserve such a fate! Phew!

Anyway, I strongly believe that in life things are destined. Nothing but God is permanent...

" Life goes on and we pass through
  Days of sunlight days of tears
  Live the way life comes to you
  Foolish wasting precious years.

  Here today, tomorrow gone
  Say goodbye
  And life goes on....."

Have a blessed Friday everyone, God bless.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Buah delima

Ambilkan saya buah delima
Masak sebiji dibalik daun
Budi mu tuan saya terima
Tidak ku lupa bertahun tahun....

See video :http://youtu.be/sFx5KfNjaEI

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Of art auction and another painting

Another bright Saturday morning, a simple breakfast in my cool, airy gazebo. The only colour lighting up my garden is a big flaming red hibiscus, and the garden shrew is happily fleeting all over looking for food. The little boy above is at it again, screaming his head of while 2 Indon maids and a cook try to pacify him! Welcome to the neighbourhood!

A quiet Saturday (hopefully) except for the KL Fest launch late this afternoon and an appointment with my masseur. Last night I attended a launch of new art gallery and an exhibition in a RM5 million bungalow in an affluent neighbourhood in Shah Alam. Intoxicated by the atmosphere I guess, I booked a painting! God knows where I'll hang it and why I need another one when many of my paintings are still all over the house unhung! Anyway, the artist Yusof Ghani is one of Malaysia's top and his work sought after. He has not done a show in Malaysia for three years and collectors were just snapping up his paintings last night. My colleagues told me, if anything, it is a good investment. OK lah! Got some money coming from the sale of my one year old, only 6000 km underused car (why I kept it till now is also a mystery to me when I have my older imported car and the office car as well!)

Anyway, judging from last Sunday's Henry Butcher Art Auction at Publika, Solaris Dutamas, art (paintings) is really big. 90% of the 104 local paintings on offer were sold, netting RM3.1 million. Latif Mohidin's 1968 PAGO PAGO Forms was the star seller fetching RM572,000. I don't own any Latif Mohidin, Ibrahim Hussein, Syed Ahmad Jamal or the likes but I do have some good works by the younger established artists. I guess in time my collection will also become priceless as well. I did not buy them for investment and I enjoy having them, but how long can I have them...

Tomorrow to Kuantan, and on my way will visit my cucu, Kuca, who has become very attached to her atok as much as I am to her. A charmer at just under two years old. I don't get to see her often due to the distance but I do pamper her all the same. 

The last month or so had seen me travelling quite a bit to network with my institution's clients - Langkawi, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, and tomorrow to Kuantan and next stop Johor Bahru. I do enjoy the travels but they deprive me of a domestic weekends. No harm. 

Have a good weekend all!    

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Pancho's Untypical Day

 Another grey day and there are too many people in the garden! I can't even walk across to the other side to claim my cucumber. Old Don Gregorio is cleaning the walls, roofs and pool area of bird droppings, equally old Don Demetrio is doing his garden things and Hacinta is frantically mopping the terrace floor. But there are several other men putting up tents and tables. Well in all that commotion even my friend Toby the cat hasn't come out into the garden. And for once those pesky birds are not hogging the trees cooing up a din as they do everyday.

I want my cucumber, but how I can I walk to the other side where my master always put them out for me outside his private sitting room door. And in this busy time he's not going to search for me and bring me to the other side as he would sometimes do, gently caressing me as he ferries me .

It's my master's farewell reception tonight and I hope the weather will be kind for him. We haven't seen the sun for weeks and it's mostly damp, wet and miserable. I am sad my master is leaving to return to his country. And he won't be taking me along with him . I understand I will be put in the garden of the new Chancery the office is moving to next month. His assistant Walter said I'd be good Feng-shui for the new office! I shall miss my friend Toby who often comes sniffing at me. He is going home with my master, his PAPA, as he would often proudly claim!

The bouquet of flowers have been steadily arriving from well-wishers, even one from the Mayor of San Isidro. The first one came last night from my master's landlords, with whom he'd had a rather tempestuous relationship. But they are parting company as friends now and my master has even agreed for them to bring the wife of the Minister of Defence to look at the home on Wednesday with a view to renting it when my master leaves next month. In today's turbulent politics, wonder if her husband will still be Minister of Defence next month! And talk about defence, I understand there are 21 policemen guarding my master's Residence tonight. Gee !!!

The Residence and garden now look resplendent for the party. The tents are in colours reflecting the Malaysian flag. There is even a crystal chandelier in the centre. The three buffet tables look good . They used a mountain of cabbages, salads and green to create a backdrop for the generous cold seafood buffet (now why didn't anyone toss me a morsel of tasty lettuce!!) There are heaps of roast beef, grilled lamb and turkey and other hot foods and salads. Then there's the sweets table with chocolates and little cakes and finally the luxurious cheese, nuts and fruits table which is always a favourite with my master's guests. Earlier on my master had a small fit when on this last table were ham, saausages and prosciutto when he had specifically omitted them from his order. Poor Mr. Huamanjali was so upset at his staff's oversight and quickly scurried the unwelcome stuffs off into his van!


In the end the weather wasn't kind after all, the garua came down in full force and trickled through the tent. But it didn't stop my masters' 160 guests from enjoying themselves. The cheese and nuts table was cleared in no time! The Imam's wife said the unusual rain was a blessing, and the women around him echoed agreement !


My master had never hugged and kissed so many people in one night. The first guests arrived sharp at 7 pm and the last ones left at 11.00 when invitation stated till 9.00 pm!! Everyone seemed to have a good time and the no-show was quite insignificant which pleased my master very much. The Foreign Minister sent two representatives as he had at the last minute had to host a reception for a visiting Thai delegation. But he had yesterday resigned his post so how does this work? And who will now host my master's official farewell at the Torre Tagle on 18 July since the invitation is in his name and he is no longer is Foreign Minister now? Turbulent politics, there we go !

The usually sombre Nuncio, the Dean of the Corp came and stayed two full hours and complimented my master of his painting collection. Anna-Maria Pardo and her husband-hunting sister made the usual nuiscances of themselves wanting to be photographed with everyone! I could see how tired my master was but he was also pleased with the warmth and affection he received from his friends and colleaques all night long. And he has yet a long string of farewell lunches and dinners in his honour to attend as well as the packing to see to. His departure has now been slightly delayed now as he has recently received instruction to attend the inauguration of the new Colombian President in Bogota on 7 August. I am just happy to have him around longer!


My master's staff stayed behind past midnight and when they left he gave each of them a bouquet of flowers from the many he'd received. The lights finally went at one am. I now have the now rather messy garden to myself again. Let's hope my cucumber are there at the other side of the garden !


Pancho, Rumah Malaysia's Garden Tortoise
585 Antero Aspillaga , El Oliver,
San Isidro
Lima, Peru.


9 July 2002

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Of quiet night, Dee Dee B and Yemeni antique window

A quiet night at home at last. Been running around at a dizzying pace these last weeks since my return from Perth. Caught a flu and cold a few days after that which took forever to heal since I had no time to rest (plus three extremely hot days in Langkawi to meet 'clients'). I finally got over it last Sunday after spending an entire day at home, and that was made possible only by cancelling all my appointments on that day and telling the temporary maid not to come for the weekly cleaning job (when are you coming back Ayu??)! A full day programme this coming weekend followed by a trip to Kota Bharu which I am trying to get out off! Aiyo, gimme a break!


Had a bit of relief on Tuesday night at the
Petronas Filharmonic concert hall watching Dee Dee Bridgewater's very animated performances of Billie Holiday celebrated songs. I am not exactly a jazz and  blues fan but I was really entertained and felt so relaxed by that evening's performance. Bridgewater provided lots of humour as well.

A full day today, with our board meeting which took forever to end and me having to explain some tiresome things! Just let us do our job lah! A pile of letters await me in my office and a line up of staff wanting to get my counsel and a dash to another institute to close a 'letter-writing' workshop for twenty of my staff (a result of my endless nagging and sometimes tantrum about their letter writing skill) and to give away certificates. Then a dash to University Hospital to visit my dear brother in law who had been admitted for fatique! I had been nagging him to eat but he kept saying he had no appetite! His wife too had fallen sick and had to go and stay with family in Bangi! In her case I think it's too much food! Oops!

Got an ugent sms from my friend Samad in Sana'a, Yemen asking me to make up my mind which antique wooden door/window I wanted him to buy for me as he is packing up to return home as the situation in Yemen is getting worse. Safe trip home brother! I hope things improve in that country where against all odds I had a most fabolous holiday back in 2009, thanks to Samad and his Yemeni friends.

.And for that matter my 10 day visit to Algeria scheduled from 31 May has also been cancelled! There must be some good in that I guess! I suppose my trip to Kota Bharu and Kota Kinabalu the weekend after next is some sort of compensation. Big deal but Yong told me 'count your blessings lah!'

Yes dear, am counting my blessing for this quiet, tranquil evening too....

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

A pleasant week in Perth

I was having a very quiet simple dinner under my gazebo, and texting a message to my niece Marina when the children from the opposite back house started a game of screaming and yelling (why didn't their maid or mother tell them to quieten down?). So much for a 'romantic' outdoor dinner! I closed all doors and windows and turned on the aircon and here I am in front of the pc instead.

I had just spent a very pleasant and relaxing week in Perth, a much-needed break from my hectic schedule. It was my second visit to that city, the first being in 1996.  What can I say about Perth, pretty and tidy, orderly, good services and friendly people, most pleasant weather (this time of year), many variety of food, and reasonable prices of goods (I indulged mostly in supermarket stuffs, and finally got my Sheridan quilt cover and bed set I had been eyeing at KLCC's Parkson Grand for a fraction of the KL price!). On the last day just before leaving for the airport my host took me to an antique shop and I ended up buying a nice and ornate Victorian dressing table, from the 1890s! It will be 'parked' at her house till she is posted back here! 

I stayed with my dear friend Hamidah and her family (and was invited to rearrange her living and dining rooms! haha) and caught up with my dear 85-year old aunt (bless you Teh), her daughter my cousin, also Hamidah though we called her Nim and her two sons and their family. Nim and her brood has lived in Perth some 30 years since marrying an Australian. So good catching up with them and I was treated with food, food, food on three occasions!

Also met many Malaysians and was invited out for dinner on four out of the seven nights I was there. For some reason my digestion was slower when I am in a temperate country and I was constantly feeling bloated! That aside I really felt great and so rested in Perth. Thanks Mid and everyone else. 

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Unrequited....

Awan bergulung puan di hari senja
Nampak berbalam biru warnanya
Puan di gunung paya hamba di paya
Dalam jambangan temu ingin bersama

Terbang serindit puan dengan kedidi
Singgah di kayu di rumpun kayu
Kasih menitis puan basah tak jadi
Walau bertahun rindu menanggung rindu

Hatiku yang resah ku bawa berdendang
Memujuk diri di jeling tidak
Sepantun berdendang dendanglah asmara
Cuma igauwan dalam igauwan

Berdendang hamba puan bertepuk puan
Senyum dibibir hati berduka
Kasih diberi orang di jeling orang
Terasa hiba tidak terhingga

Ku sulam kasih emas berbenang emas
Orang bertaruh baiknya rupa
Walau pun kasih balas tidak berbalas
Tidak ku kesal itu jadinya....

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Good morning world....

A beautiful bright sunny, blue-sky morning, Broery's rich voice filling the air, my week's soiled clothes in the washing machine and I am in a very good mood even if the first sms I read was of Fadzil cancelling our tea appointment today, no excuse offered! Typical lah you brother! Hopefully it's the start of a lovely weekend. My heat-challenged Mat Salleh neighbours decided to honour the world with their two minutes presence in their garden and after some twangy pronouncements promptly reentered their Alaskan cold comfort zone from the kitchen door closing it with a bang. Not trying to be a busybody, but I can't help noticing that they are into their 3rd maid now! I guess the previous maids couldn't stand the totally shut, 24-hour air conditioned ambiance!!!

Had a simple breakfast of an orange, a banana, a raisin scone with olive oil spread, a piece of left-over naan with acar buah and a mug of white coffee, big deal ah! But I had it in my almost completed traditional Trengganu wooden gazebo attached to my kitchen which my young charge has painfully been constructing these last three weeks, and that made it special. He uses hardy chengal wood, Malay carvings and the roof is of fish scale-like earthen tiles which are almost a hundred years old that he found in some kampung and bought for 55 sen a piece and painstakingly scrubbed and cleaned. Am looking forward to its completion so I can throw a garden dinner party, laksa Johor and all, haha! Meanwhile, my elevated back neighbour's half a dozen or so pet cats have been amusing themselves with regular inspection visits of my gazebo's roof. Wish I can have a cat of my own!! Miss my Toby.

My garden is coming up nicely and my frangipani are already blooming. The rest of the plants I put in are really competing with each other who will grow faster. I get much satisfaction to see them grow. I had originally asked for a quotation from a professional landscaper who quoted RM8100 to fill up my garden. Well, I went on several trips to the nurseries in Sungai Buloh and Sri Hartamas and had spent just over RM1200 and I feel more satisfied with my own choice of plants, and efforts and the anticipation of the garden growing into its full glory.Yesterday's late downpour was a bonus for the garden even if it deprived me of my cardio walk up the peak near my house. 

After the rain I took my brother and brother-in-law and their spouses for dinner at Sungai Pencala and we had a really sumptuous meal, a Chinese-Muslim fare at Muhibbah, absolutely delicious (out of this world kerabu pucuk paku to boot). This was capped with dessert at a very beautiful restaurant Subak (http://www.subak.com.my)/ a hill amidst matured natural greens and traditional Malay wooden canopies tucked in some unsuspecting wooded part of Sungai Pencala. A really special ambiance, and the trio musicians sang three kroncong pieces at my request (Kartina Dahari might squirm at the way they delivered her famous songs, but I was entertained all the same!)

I had an easy good week at work for a change though on Wednesday, for the first time in my working life I thumped my fist on the table two hours into a meeting with some 25 of my staff, which went off track. But the meeting ended with me and my staff fostering a better understanding and goodwill after I put things, or rather 'them' into perspective. My message was clear - built your expertise and credibility, and prove your worthiness to the institution, then you can make demands or negotiate what you want! I had four separate delegations afterwards, all trying to explain  the 'rebellion'. It was clear that they rebelled without realising that the cause of their 'rebel' was no issue at all since I had never agreed to the issue at hand in the first place. One thing I realised after that incident was that they were actually worried if I would leave my job, and them!! Haha!

A worker is coming shortly to fill some cracks on my wooden floor. My weekly acupressure massage session is in the afternoon (has done me a world of good lately, felt my stresses completely dissipated by Mr Ng's  magic hands) and a choir concert in Shah Alam tonight (for Norliza's sake! She promised to seat me next to Syafinaz, hehe!). Tomorrow breakfast with YAL and the gang (to test his new Sulawasi cook's culinary ability I bet! Sulawesi got nasi lemak ke?) and an appointment with the pest control people at my Putrajaya house, and Mehboob to mow the grass. Abed has asked me to join him for an afternoon matinee at Actor's Studio. Ayu has gone back to Malang for two months to see her son whom she had not seen for over two years and has put Endang to cover her and I should rightfully be home while she works, being only her second week! How to juggle all these lah. And God knows what else will fill my weekend. But I feel great, Alhamdullilah....

Happy weekend all, God bless!

PS: Guess who proffered me a salam/handshake after the Friday prayer at the Angkasapuri mosque yesterday? Papa rock himself - Ramli Sarip!

Friday, March 25, 2011

An afternoon with Michelle Yeoh

For over two hours this afternoon I was in the company of Michelle Yeoh, briefly spoke to her and shook hands with her twice (her handshake was firm and affirmative and the smile was of course dazzling). She came across as genuinely charming and friendly and really put people at ease. I was too shy to ask to be photographed with her though many of my colleagues did! She came to the event with her mother and a young relative and you could clearly see that beauty runs in the family!

Michelle Yeoh has been appointed as Malaysia's reading icon. The event this afternoon was for her to meet up with young people to tell them about her life-long passion for reading and to inspire them to read (a corner in our National Library will now be dedicated to her book collection). She spoke to them, clapped to their song, read with them and told them about herself. She apologised for her lack of proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia but still spoke a good smattering of it and read a whole paragraph of a book in Bahasa Malaysia by Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor (the first Malaysian to go into space) with the kids. It was nice listening to her speak about her reading habit, and a bit about her movie career and how reading helped her master the many roles she had played in films. She had just finished a 4-month shoot of the film  'The Lady' where she plays Mynmar's Aung San Suu Kyi. I am quite sure she had put her greatest effort in that role and the world will be anxiously waiting for the film's release. 

For me the event pleasantly capped a busy week and I was really pleased to meet Michelle Yeoh in person and know that despite her international celebrity status, she is still very much a Malaysian - warm, friendly, gracious and generous. Viva Michelle, Malaysia is proud of you.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Is this art?

I just came back from attending the Singapore Art Biennale and this is one of the 'installation art' on display at the Kallang exhibition venue! Figure it out lah..... 

Friday, March 11, 2011

Bentan Telani

Bentan Telani bernama pula
Tempat berlabuh perahu Acheh
Niat yang baik mestilah dijaga
Itulah adat kita berkasih


Bentan Telani bernama pula
Tempat kediaman alim pendita
Jikalah ada syarat petua
Ilmu berkasih mestilah setia....

Monday, March 7, 2011

The little girl of Ta Prohm Temple, Cambodia

This little girl was happily swinging on some external roots of a tree outside Ta Prohm temple in Siem Riep. I took some photos of her and gave her a dollar which she happily accepted. Indeed, what bliss innocence is!    

Friday, February 25, 2011

Musings on a blessed Friday

Dressing up for work, a line from a song by Aishah on my cd player caught my attention,
" Hasad dengki usah di hiraukan, bersabar lah menempuhi..." (Don't be bothered by jealousy and treachery, be patient and face them). Mmm, easier sung than done, especially when such uncalled for attention came from the least expected source! Anyway, it's a blessed Friday, God bless us all.

Got a forwarded sms from an old friend thanking everyone for the good wishes and prayers for her recent major surgery. For some time now she is not allowed any direct contact with me. For heaven's sake, we are both in our 60s now and I grew up admiring her like a sister due to her great command in English and very broad unconventional outlook, which inspired me to master the language as well and seek beyond the confine of our small town. My prayer for a speedy recovery my dear friend and sister.

I brought home yesterday, from my office, a large framed photo of my beloved parents since the silver frame has gone all stained and dark and I have silver polish at home. During my sleep I dreamt of both of them separately, mother seeing me packing for a trip and a phone call from father telling me it was OK to be myself and not to worry about what others think. May Allah SWT bless them, amin. And Al Fatihah...

A long phone call from Marion in Zurich complaining about the snowy cold weather and announcing that she had already booked her three weeks stay in the Cherating for July. Ah Yong, also in Switzerland and I were also 'sms ing' back and forth all night! Ah, the comfort of friendship. And today HP will arrive from JB to spend the weekend with me. It was also good to catch up with Wen and Mariam yesterday, and also Syed who I have been trying to see for some time. He alternates living in Florence, Italy and in KL and we finally met up and will have lunch together next week.

It's been such a busy week and thank God a scheduled weekend workshop at Genting had been cancelled. I can now attend the Committee Meeting of house owners of our community of 46 houses tomorrow. And I am going to raise among other things, dog owners letting their dogs' barking disturb our serenely peaceful community. I think half  of the currently occupied houses are tenanted by foreigners and many of them have dogs! My Mat Salleh neighbour who moved in two days after I did on 31 Dec has not once switched off their half a dozen or more aircons (wish they'd give me a break when I am working in my garden - all that eternal buzz and humming of the aircons!) and they hardly ever come out of their house when they are home! Aiyo, why live here if you can't live a normal life like the rest of us la!

So much for my musing, have a blessed Friday all.     

2.35pm - Just came back from Friday prayers at a very modest nearby neighbourhood mosque and for the second time in a few months DYMM Agong (His Majesty the King) himself came to perform the prayers too, without the pomp and ceremony, arriving with with his small retinue of staff and with no special treatment. Daulat Tuanku! 

Friday, February 4, 2011

Of 'mujopahit' the fruit, Yogyakarta etc

Just got back from a most pleasant 6-day break in Jogjakarta. Last time I was there was in 1978 and God it has grown so much, and so has Solo. And Borobodur and Prambanan are so well restored and facilitated for visitors, though unfortunately there were hardly any the days I was at each places (perhaps 20 at Borobudor and a few more in Prambanan, also a small handful of visitors at the kraton in Solo). When I visited them in '78 they were undergoing restoration by UNESCO and visitors were only allowed to see designated parts of the monuments. Now I saw them in their full glory. The Merapi volcano eruption has all but driven tourists away though there was no danger whatsoever.

The hotel I stayed in at Jogja had but a handful of guests. A pity but perfectly agreeable with me. I had an absolutely fabulous time and really pampered myself. Had to buy another suitcase for all the batiks and stuffs I bought.  People were so kind, friendly, polite and service orientated. Now why can't spoilt, over privileged Malaysians be a bit like that! I shall henceforth try not to get too annoyed with the Indonesian workers here as they are only to eke a living given the situation back home!


Anyway more about Borobodur, Prambanan and Solo later (sorry Evert I gave Imogiri a skip this time, I am sure I look better in that rented batik sarong bare-chested in '78 than I would today!). I just want to share photos of some fruits I took in Nasirun's garden. I am sure I had seen them in Malaysia but they don't grow on trunks like these. Nasirun said they are called 'mujopahit' because they are bitter though not edible. Anyway, really fascinating as you can see! Anyone has further info about these fruits?

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Big 60

After nearly a month without, I finally got my Internet connection back today. It's only one 'power' compared to the four I had in the previous house as I am in a new zone but it seem to be fast enough.

What do one write about on the eve of one's 60th birthday? The party's over really (last Saturday night at the pool/clubhouse combined as a house-warming and with over a hundred friends and family members turning up) and here I am alone in my big new house, strongly smelling of the pink lily in the vase and the good wishes still coming via sms, facebook and emails. What else can I ask for?

Seriously though, how do I begin to justifiably manifest my gratitude for the great life I have had till now. How little and insignificant they seem now the little troubles and inconveniences I had faced during this life compared to all the good and great things I have been bestowed with. What a wonderful, rich life and blessed life. Thank you God and please let me do some good in my life. Thank you for the family and friends, and people I have met that have enriched my life too. 

Am I now at the sunset of my life! Hopefully not, especially not while I am still working. That really is sometimes quite stressful but all too soon I am already 8 months into the job with another 16 to go. The additional income to my pension is good and I put it to good use to help others and that's a good enough reason to get up in the morning, so I'll bear with it. Besides, I do love the core subject of the business. 

So, a quiet coming of age tomorrow. Harriet and the gang has arranged a 10-course Chinese dinner, which Monica my dietitian must not know of or she will scream at me through her sms. I am so tired of my diet regime though I have in fact lost weight and had recently altered 7 pair of trousers (her aim is fat loss and not so much weight loss though), and she's gone to China for the New Year anyway!

What a blessed life! Thank you God, thank you, thank you, thank you! Syukur Alhamdullilah!