Of lion dances, firecrackers and Monkees songs

This morning, as usual my housekeeper brought out a pair of shoes for me to wear to work. When I commented that it was a rather new pair and that I would be going to the mosque later for Friday prayers, he replied to the effect, " It's alright Sir, we are not in Malaysia. Your shoes won't be at risk...!"

Well, what should I say to that!

It's the 5th consecutive sunny, blue-skied day today and I have woken up to beautiful sunrise every morning, a few of which I recorded on camera. It's a pleasant change from the long cold, grey days we have had for a while now.

At this time last year my lawn was already sprouting profusely with crocuses. But the old snow are still on the ground today, I wonder when it will finally melt away so the crocuses will appear.

It has been an unusually free week for me, not a single engagement nor appointment. The last weekend though was tight, starting on Friday night with a visit to an International Tourism Fair followed by a long but pleasant dinner with the Malaysian representatives to the Fair and their local contacts and associates.

The following evening there was a grand Chinese New Year dinner with the Malaysian community and their families and friends in a nice modern Malaysian-Chinese-Japanese fusion restaurant. It was a fun-filled evening with good food, lots of music and dancing (including a fan dance by a Malaysian martial-art master!) and a lot of goodwill. The band played songs from the late 60s and 70s which I particularly enjoyed (a long time since I heard The Monkees 'I'm a Believer' and 'Daydream Believer').

I was welcomed on arrival by a lively lion dance and a long string of firecrackers. Predictably, before the evening ended some people from the building came to complain about the firecrackers, BUT not about the lion dances!!

On Sunday a lunch with another set of Malaysians with their families and friends too, at a scenic Chinese restaurant by a beautiful lake. The atmosphere was more sober and the food was not as good as the previous night but again there was a lot of goodwill and laughter.

It is always good to see how well Malaysians warmly interact overseas as in these too occasions as well at at my own functions. Can we have more of that back home please!

Friday again all too soon. A quiet weekend ahead but I have a whole first season of 'The Tudors' on dvd to watch. It arrived in the mail a few days ago from Amazon.

Have a good weekend all !

Sunset on the Nile - the video

In my earlier post after returning from my 8-day holiday in Egypt, I wrote that I would write about my holiday and the places I visited. But I think I'll let my video do the talking.... Enjoy it!

Sunset photos taken from deck of luxury liner Royal Regency. Other photos from Phile Island, Edfu Temple, Habu Temple and Karnak Temple, all taken in the evenings.

My appreciation to my official escort Ahmed Al Wassef and my guide Mohamed Al Said.
Thank you Hala and Nihad for the wonderful lunch by the Nile in Cairo.
And Badri for the day in Alexandria.

Peruvian artist Simeon Gonzales Ayquipa

My young Peruvian artist friend from Cusco have lately been trying to get into my good books again. First a new year greetings by email. Last week two faxes, one announcing his new exhibition in Spain, and the second one saying " sorry for what happened" !

Well, it's still a cooling-off period for me and I wish him all the best with his venture in Spain. I just hope he does not get into another situation like he did in 2001 when after a year of hard work in Spain churning out what I consider his best works to date, he came back with a dud USD 45,000 cheque!

My young friend is really extremely talented as you can see from his paintings here. He has all the making of a great artist (if he isn't already one). But like most artists with sad, tragic stories, he has a mind very much his own and it is difficult to convince him what I think is the right course.

I believe I have done my part well enough, spending a lot of time on his behalf. I have over the years since our meeting in 2001 promoted his works rather extensively within my circle of friends and colleagues. I did one very successful major exhibition of his works in Kuala Lumpur in 2004 and two informal ones following that, with his presence at the last one. He made a lot of money from the sales at the exhibitions as well as from private sales courtesy of my contacts. And yet he is constantly without money! Why? Because he spent it all on doing one exhibition after another at his own expense - to build a resume! I told him his resume was long and impressive enough but he was not convinced!

Anyway the last straw was early last year when I had assisted him financially, and even as a reference for his visa, to travel and do an exhibition in Koln, Germany, after which he was supposed to visit me here for a few days. But he quarrelled with the promoter after the exhibition and things went sour. Before that he was very upset with me, sending me nasty emails. All because I sent an email to the promoter inquiring about the exhibition, his visa and the financial arrangement. It took lengthy explanation to convince him that I was only doing that out of concern and in his interest.

After the exhibition, and the quarrel with the promoter and his unfulfilled promise to visit me, he sent me a most insolent email accusing me of being high and mighty and siding with the promoter just because I spoke to the man, who of course had a barrel of complaints about my young friend.

Well, enough was enough. I wrote him a terse email and told him to move on and not bother me anymore. I had done more than most people were willing to do for him and if that was his way of showing appreciation, adios amigo was really in order. So Simeon, if you are reading this, which I doubt, (anyway he doesn't speak English), cooling-off period is still in effect.

You will be forgiven eventually, but you must first learn what friendship and courtesy are all about!

All paintings are oil on canvas. The two watercolours on paper Simeon and I worked together on. It was his way of imparting his talent on me. It was a very inspiring and happy collaboration and I am very proud of the result! The last painting which he called IL TRITICO was commissioned by my sister-in-law Anita and proudly hangs in her house in Shah Alam.

Sunsets on the Nile - for Silvia

A Reflection on My Birthday

Sering aku merasa kesepian
sepanjang perjalanan
Namun kehadiran Mu bawa kedamaian
Bagi diriku Kau lah titisan hujan
menyirami taman hati
Aku yang sering kegersangan
rasa keindahan nya

Hadir Mu Kekasih
disaat diriku memerlukan
Hadir Mu Kekasih
mengutip kedukaan yang seringnya
merintangi kesepian hidup yang tak bertepi
Terpadam kepahitan
Semuanya kerana hadir Mu

Kau sedarkan daku
dari kejatuhan ku yang lalu
Kau kekuatan ku
Di saat kepayahan
Kau nyalakan pengharapan
Semakin bererti hidup ini
Terpadam kepahitan
Semuanya kerana hadir Mu.....

Amin, amin
Ya Rabbal al amin.









- Birthday bouquet from my staff

Home from Egypt & Gong Xi Fatt Choy

I came home from my 8 days holiday in Egypt last night. It was a wonderful holiday and I will write about it in my next posts. Meanwhile here are some early photos from the holiday.

Today is the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Ox. To all my Chinese friends and colleagues (especially my dear friends Jian & Wing, Harriet & Tai Long, Yong Ai, Mein Nien, Hoong Po, Willie, Debbie, Siew Lay & Steve, Susan & Shum, G-Mun, Gene, Wen, May Yong & Lai, Koon San & Fooi Lin, and Seng Sung and all others) I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year ahead and all the good things you wish for.

Today is also my birthday! No need to guess how old I am.... old and wise enough I am sure! I am having a quiet a very restful day at home after the 8 busy, exciting days in Egypt but tomorrow I will have a luncheon party for 25 people, my staff and friends here.

The greetings and good wishes have been pouring in by sms, emails and phone calls. I feel very touched and overwhelmed by all the kind thoughts and expression of love and friendship. Yam in Washington even did a special video for me, thank you darling! My brothers and my cousin Wan had done and will do more special prayers for me at mosques in Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur for the occasion, bless them.

What can I say, I really feel BLESSED. I am so very grateful to have all the good things in life and the added bonus of family and friends. Thank you all and may God bless you too always.

Alhamdullilah, Alhamdullilah, Alhamdullilah.

Mimpi Kamariah

Kamariah tersentak dari tidur. Dadanya bergoncang dan peluh menitis dari dahi. Sungguh menggemparkan sekali mimpinya. Lalu dia bangkit dan melangkah dari katil ke tingkap bilik tidur dan melihat keluar. Damai sekali malam itu, cahaya bulan serta lampu jalan menabur bayang-bayang tenang dari pokok mangga di halaman rumah. Sungguh berbeza sekali dengan perasaannya pada masa itu yang bergelora dengan rasa kesunyian yang tak terhingga.

Jam menunjukkan pukul 3.20 pagi. Dalam kegelapan Kamariah melangkah ke dapur dan meminum seteguh air sejuk. Dalam samar-samar kegelapan itu juga dia dapat melihat dapur dan ruang-ruang rumah yang tersusun kemas dan terhidu bau wangi sejambak bunga yang ada di atas meja di ruang tamu. Kamariah mengeluh kecil sambil melangkah balik ke bilik tidur: “Rumahku dan hidupku sungguh teratur, tetapi untuk siapa? Adakah cukup untuk aku seorang sahaja!”
.............................................

Dari pejabatnya Kamariah menelefon Mak Sunya. Dia teringin melawat ibu saudara yang paling rapat dengannya petang itu juga. Sudah lama mereka tidak bertemu. Mak Su adalah satu-satunya orang yang pernah memanjakan dia dan sekrang tanpa Datin Fatimah, Mak Su kakak sulung ibunya itu adalah tempat bermanja dan mengadu bagi Kamariah.

“Lama kau tak datang Kem?” tegur Mak Su selepas Kamariah mencium tangannya.

“Sibuklah mak, kerja tak habis-habis” sahut Kamariah.

“Kau tak takut duduk sorang-sorang kat rumah tu?” Tanya Mak Su buat kali yang keseratus agaknya!

“Dah biasa mak! Mana Yem dan Ani?”

“Belum balik lagi, Kem, selalunya memang lambat”, jawab Mak Su.

Mereka berbual perkara-perkara kecil sambil minum teh. Masa berlalu dan Kamariah belum terdaya menimbulkan soal mimpinya. Kamariah sentiasa berada terlindung dan selesa sekali bila berada di samping Mak Sunya. Orang tua itu banyak mengenalkan Kamariah kepada latar belakang ibu dan bapa kesayangannya. Namun demikian, kadang-kadang Kamariah rasa ingin menanyakan siapakah sebenaranya ibu bapa kandungnya, tetapi sehingga sekarang dia masih belum berani lagi. Dia percaya Mak Su tentu tahu.

Kamariah sedar dia adalah kelahiran Cina dan hakikat inilah yang memberatkan lagi akibat bersabit harta-bendanya sekiranya dia mati tanpa meninggalkan zuriat. Kamariah telah dibesarkan dengan secukupnya tata susila kemelayuan dan keagamaan dan telah sebati dengan cara hidup ini di sebalik cara hidup yang juga kebaratan. Di hati kecilnya tidak wujud sedikitpun tarikan ciri-ciri kecinaan selain dari memandangnya sebagai suatu perkara kebudayaan dan yang tidak dapat dielakkan dalam masyarakat berbgai bangsa di negara ini. Ini jua membuat Kamariah curiga sekiranya dia sanggup menghadapi kedua-dua ibu bapa sebenaranya sekiranya ada peluang sedemikian.

“Che Jaafar ada telefon kau ke Kem?” tiba-tiba Mak Su bertanya.

“Tak adalah! Kenapa pula dia nak telefon Kem? Dia nak amil bank loan ke?” Kamariah menyahut, agak terkejut dari lamunannya dan agak anih dengan timbulnya nama Che Jaafar.

“Kau ni sampai bila nak membujang? Che Jaafar tu kan dah lama menduda. Dulu masa Ayah Mat kau masih hidup dia pernah merisik pasal engkau. Tapi kau tahulah aruah tu, dia tak mahu bangkitkan perkara ini pada kau. Takut kau melenting, katanya. Kebelakangan ini pula bila bertemu dengan Yem dan Ani, Che Jaafar tu selalu tanya pasal engkau. Dia baik orangnya, Kem. Kesian, isterinya meninggal dah tiga tahun. Anak tunggalnya pun dah besar, sekarang belajar kat Amerika. Dia tu duduk sorang macam kau juga. Kata Yem lagi dia pernah tanyakan sama ada kau tu dah terikat. Berapa umur kau sekarang Kem?“

Kamariah hampir tidak percaya apa yang didengarnya. Che Jaafar yang dikenalinya sebagai sahabat baik keluarga mereka, yang sentiasa ada di majlis-majlis kenduri, tahlil dan lain-lain majlis keluarga mereka. Umurnya tentu lebih dari lima puluh tahun tetapi orangnya masih segak dan tampan. Kamariah tidak menyangka sekali yang Che Jaafar mempunya apa-apa minat terhadapnya. Di mana-sama mereka bertemu di majlis-majlis tadi Kamariah sentiasa menegur hormat kepadanya sebagai rakan baik bapa dan bapa saudarnya. Che Jaafar pun sentiasa bersikap sopan terhadapnya. Kamariah sungguh terperanjat.

“Mak ini merepeklah!” bantah Kamariah, namun hatinya mula berdebar. “Takkan dia hendak dengan saya. Ramai lagi perempuan lebih muda dari saya. Lagipun saya tak tahu menahu kalau benarpun. Mak percaya dengan Yem dan Ani tu?”

“Yem tu kerja dalam bangunan yang sama dengan Che Jaafar, selalunya mereka bertembung. Si Ani pulak selalu ke rumah Cik Siti, adik Che Jaafar tu. Anak Cik Siti, Ena tu kawan baik Si Ani. Sekali-sekala Si Ani jumpa Che Jaafar di rumah Cik Siti tu. Ada sekali Che Jaafar pernah hantar Ani dan Ena ke sini. Mak ajak dia naik tapi dia agak segan pulak. Sebenarnya Cik Siti pernah telefon pada mak beberapa minggu dulu, katanya dia nak berbincang sesuatu. Mak kata datanglah, tapi tiba-tiba dia terpaksa ikut laki dia ke Singapura. Bila dia balik nanti tentu dia telefon mak lagi. Mak tahu ini mesti tentang Kem dan Che Jaafar. Jadi macam mana Kem, kau setuju tak? Kau tahu, Yem kata kat pejabat Che Jaafar tu ramai betul peminatnya tapi dia sikitpun tak kisah“.

Kamariah menjadi bingung. Fikirannya bercabang seribu. Ini semua seoralah-olah mimpi, sambungan mimpi buruknya semalam, hanya kali inii ia lebih mengelirukan dalam kejelasannya.
”Kau duduklah dulu Kem. Mak nak masuk sembahyang. Fikirlah baik-baik. Semoga Tuhan buka kan hati kau”.

Di sepanjang perjalanannya ke rumah, wajah-wajah Che Jaafar, Dr. Wilson, Malek, Datuk Talib dan Datin Fatimah bergilir-gilir muncul di fikiran Kamariah. Dia sungguh keliru. Kenapa dengan mendadak timbul perkara ini dan mengapa selama ini Mak Su, dan sepupunya Yem dan Ani tidak pernah mengatakan apa-apa tentang perkara ini kepadanya. Kata-kata Mak Su berulang-ulang bermain di ingatan beliau....

" Che Jaafar tu baik orang nya... Che Jaaafar tu baik orangnya... baik orangnya... Che Jaafar tu..... "

"Mak dan ayah kau tak pernah sempat menimang cucu. Mansor sampai sekarang belum dapat anak. Kau tak ingin ke punyai keluarga Kem? Mak bukan apa apa, tapi harta benda kau tu nak tinggal pada siapa.....pada siapa.....pada siapa....?"

Soalan terakhir itu tepat kaitan dengan mimpinya semalam dan Kamariah sedar dia tak perlu membangkitkan tentang mimpinya lagi.....