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!    

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

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....

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. 

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....

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!

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.