freeceller

Selamat Hari raya-2011

2011-08-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

Selamat Hari Raya to Along & Teman, Angah and Ayip. I hope you had a meaningful and blessed Ramadan and have a joyous Hari Raya. Ayah, Amir and I miss you all so much.

We will do the usual stuff. After sending Betsy for boarding tomorrow, we will leave for Juasseh to join the family. Then lepas sembahyang raya and makan-makan we will go on to Penang pulak. Be back on Thrsday. Catch you guys on skype that weekend ok. Luvyall.

Hj Nordin Kadir & Hjh Miah Jaudin - Part 7

2011-07-04T07:40:00.000-07:00

Kuala Lumpur Years

Atok went to KL in 1972. His first stop was the Veterans Department of MINDEF to ask for assistance in getting a job. There were openings for security positions in P.Jaya and Dean Bandaraya KL.

The family stayed in Kampung Juasseh while I was sent to the Malay Girls hosterl in Seremban.

After a successful interview at DBKL he started work as a Pegawai Penguatkuasa with the rank of private on 27/2/72. His starting pay was RM 148 per month. DBKL Penguatkuasa was in charge of demolishing illegal houses, town cleanliness and taking care of hawkers.

After Atok was given the quarters in Cheras flats, the family moved to KL while I stayed in Seremban. We stayed at block 3 of the cheras flats for 1 year before moving to the current flat.

In 1972, the price of ikan kembung was -- per kati while kelapa was 20 sen. Wan need not buy any vegetables because she would pick kangkung, paku, ubi and rebung from the nearby mining pools near the flats.

One of the perks of the DBKL Penguakuasa officers was the fear the Chinese and Indian shopkeepers had for them. I vaguely remember Atok getting freebies from these shopkeepers. I clearly remember accepting free sireh for Wan from Indian sireh sellers at Jalan ----. I now know what the favors are called.

Atok retired on 15 nov 1983 at the age of 55. His last drawn salary was 670 ringgit.

Hj Nordin Kadir & Hjh Miah Jaudin - Part 6

2011-07-04T06:49:00.000-07:00

Army Depot Police (ADP)-Singapore

Atok joined the ADP on 8 Oct 1956. The ADP was under the British Police War Department in charge of food, transport and ordnance management. Their depots were at Alexander, Bukit Panjang and Kranji. He rose to the rank of sargent.

Surprise !! - Jan 1957

I was born at 11 pm malam Jumaat(ie. Thursday) in Kampung Juasseh. However, my birth cert stated jan 18, 1957.
But, a check with the google date calculator showed that Jan 18 is a friday! This can only mean that my real birthdate was jan 17 1957!

A neighbour, Hamzah Manat, helped report my birth at the police station, hence the mistake, maybe.
When I reached 4 months of age, Wan, Mak Jo and I moved to Singapore to join Atok.

Atok had to apply to become a Singapore citizen in order to be able to work and for us to attend school without having to pay huge amounts of money, which he did on 6 Apr, 1959. Wan did not apply for citizenship and she remained a social visitor until we left Spore for good. She had to pay 30 dollars every 3 months to the immigration counter at Tanjung pagar as compensation to the Spore authorities.

We stayed in a small rented room at Lorong Lompang Bukit Panjang for 20 dollars a month before Atok found a proper house, in which we stayed for most of our lives in Singapore.
October 1963

Busu was born on 15 october 1963 at Kandang Kerbau Hospital in Singapore.

1964 Race Riots

A huge procession for the Maulud Nabi from Masjid Sultan to Geylang Serai in July 1964 sparked Singapore's worst racial riots in history. A curfew was imposed for two weeks. As a result, the Singapore government banned all religious processions.

Because of the riots, Atok and Wan had to leave Singapore temporarily. A kind Chinese dobi man near our house helped us by driving us to Johor Baru in his car. From there we found our way to Segamat, then to kampung Juasseh.

Party Time at ADP

Every three months, the ADP would have a party at the Mess with free flowing alcohol. Sometimes Atok and Wan would bring us to attend the parties. Of course, almost everyone would partake of the food and drinks in front of their families.

After that they would have their joget lambak. Atok would invariably be one of the regulars on the dance floor- Wan, not so much.

Haji Nordin kadir & Hjh Miah Jaudin-Part 5

2011-06-29T00:49:00.001-07:00

Atok Masuk Askar

Atok enlisted on 24 August 1948 in the Askar Melayu. His contract was for 7 years of service and 5 years of reserve (ie. optional). Starting salary was 45 ringgit and he was stationed in PD for 6 months. He was then posted to the 3rd Batalion C Company in Pengkalan Chepa Kelantan. Later on he would be rotated within the platoons which took him to Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor. Until 1950, there were only 3 battalions in Askar Melayu.

Marriage

Atok and Wan married on 24/4/48. It was the second marriage for both where the earlier marriages ended in divorce. Atok was first married to Hafsah Lajan and they had a son who later died. Wan married Dolah Bin Omar.
Mak Jo was born on 7 Nov 1949 in Kg Kuala Sungkak. Only after she was 25 days old, would Atok get to see her for the first time.

Life In the Army

At Sg Ruan Pahang Atok had his first encounter with the Communist.His other encounter was at Mawai Johor when his lorry was ambushed by them in 1952. On both occasions, the Communists were hiding in trenches, yet after a short exchange of gunfire, they retreated very quickly into the jungle.

Wan and Maj Jo lived in Pengkalan Chepa for slightly over a year before calling it quits and moved back to the kampung. Wan couln't stand having an absentee husband.

INn 1951, during a 3-month operation between Batu Melenting near Gua Musang to Grik Perak to accompany English and Australina foreign surveyors to survey the land for the future highway decades later, the entire platoon almost starved. Every 4 days, food was airlifted by an army plane and dropped to the platoon in the dense jungle. Once it happened that there was a dense fog and the helicopter couldn't locate the men. For 4 days they were without food. After they had build a fire huge enough for it to been seen, would they get their food. During this operation, they also captured a woman communist who surrendered without a fight.

Atok and his Army buddies in mentakab Pahang

I may be biased but with those killer looks, he should try his luck in films rather than the army.

Haji Nordin kadir & Hjh Miah Jaudin-Part 4

2011-06-29T00:37:00.003-07:00

Life under the Japanese Occupation and Bintang 3

Atok

I remember Atok's mother, Wei Ngkak or Eyam vaguely. Those times when we visited her in Sungkak, she always had wajid although most time it was moldy. I liked her wajid whenever it wasn't moldy.

Eyam was a smart woman. Whereas many people went hungry and died during the occupation, Eyam managed to feed her children rice most days which was a luxury not many could afford.
Most people survived on tapioca which made parts of their bodies, limbs and faces swollen.**

Eyam had build a kolah which was where she kept her money and the rice. She had been widowed in 1939 but she managed to save some money which she rolled tightly and put in a tin can and placed in the kolah. She cleverly put some planks over and camouflaged it as a stove complete with charred wood, ashes and burnt stones. Every so often she would put a periok with warm food over the stove to fool any visiting Japanese soldiers.

Bintang 3

After the Japanese surrendered, and before the British secured the whole of the countryside, the vacuum was filled by the notorious Bintang 3. This was for a period of 2 weeks.

One of the Commies in the village was called Udin and his sidekick was
Ah Lok. Ah Lok used to be Atok's playmate since they were about the same age and attended the same school. He threatened Eyam,that the commies would imprison Atok since he was working for the Japanese in Singapore. Ah Lok wanted "100 Ringgit Duit British" in return for Atok's freedom. Eyam bargained down to 50 ringgit.

Atok and his family survived by planting rice and tapping rubber. Eyam died in September 1986, probably surpassing the 100-year mark.

Wan

Women's quota for rice was 80 gantang per year and children's quota was 40 gantang. What this meant was whatever extra your rice fields produced, went to the Japanese. Pak Jo's father, Idris, who was also Siah's nephew whom she called Mat Hilir, was the "pembanci" for the Japanese. He helped Siah by suggesting that she hide 3 bags of rice in the chicken coop under the kampung house, before he comes to 'banci' their household.
So Siah's household also did not have to rely on a tapioca diet all the time since they have some hidden rice.

There were no shops selling kain or garam. They would use whatever clothes they had until tattered and torn. Some people had no more clothes left, they used guni for clothes. There was no salt although funnily enough, there was kicap to flavour their food. When people died, some dikapankan dengar tikar.

Abu,Wan's eldest brother, was accused by some people to be a communist sympathizer. He was sent to a Japanese prison in Seremban. As part of his torture routine, he was force fed soap water lying down. Then the prison guards would put a plank of wood on his upper body and some of them will simultaneously jump onto the plank. Bloody water would ooze out of every orifice in his body. He survived the ordeal although with many broken ribs as a testament to the barbaric treatment at the hands of the Japanese. He died 3 months after he was released from prison.

Siah died on 24.8. 1945 when the Japanese were about to surrender. Thankfully she was 'dikapankan dengan kain batik baru'.

The Con

A Chinese man from Juasseh came to Wan's house the day before the Japanese surrendered. He asked Wan if she wants to convert her ringgit into Japanese money (duit cap pisang they call it) at an unbelievably attractive conversion rate. So Wan gave him 40 ringgit and got 4000 duit Jepun! Day after, it became worthless. He went on to con a few other people.

The Putar Belit of Siah's Land

After Siah died, Wan Atik, her sister then came to live in the kampung house. The land the kampung house sits on was slightly more than 1 acre. Her other piece of bebun property is 2 acres. Rightfully, after Siah died, these properties would be passed on to Wan.

Since these lands are Malay Reserve lands, the administration, came under the jurisdiction of the Lembaga.

Wan Atik with the help of Kerani Bador, a pegawai tadbir tanah managed to cast doubts with the Lembaga,on Wan's status with respect to the suku. For an adopted child be be given the full status of the Suku Seri Lemak Minangkabau, she or he must be 'dikhadimkan by the Lembaga'. Dikhadimkan means diiktirafkan. I can only guess that to 'khadimkan' someone is probably inviting the Lembaga to a kenduri and baca doa.

Because of the khadim issue, Wan was bequeathed only half share of the kampung land. The other half went to Wan Atik and another sister Lamah. When both wan Atik and Lamah died, this half went to Wan Atik's daughter.

Wan Atik and Kerani Bador were in-laws.

Abu, Wan's brother, had the foresight to safeguard Siah's kebun land. He reassigned the kebun to his friend with specific instructions to transfer it to Wan after Siah's death. His honest friend did just that.

** Tapioca contains toxic cyanogenic glucosides. Too much consumption, as in this case, can result in acute cyanide intoxication and goiters.

Haji Nordin Kadir & Hjh Miah Jaudin-Part 3

2011-06-29T00:35:00.001-07:00

Atok's Education

He went to Sekolah Sungai Dua, a Malay school for standard 1-5. Students who did well after Std 5 were selected for further training for 3 years after which they could enroll as guru pelatih. Some, after, std 5, went for Special Malay Class (now Remove Class) to learn English. Atok's father refused to allow Atok to attend SMC for fear of "masuk api neraka" for learning English.

When he was in the second year of the 3-year further training, the Japanese landed. It was 1941. Being one of the better students, he was picked by the Japanese to train for 3 years in Singapore. The place was called Kaigun Kokusho, a aircraft training facility in Seletar. After 3 years training at the facility, students became pilots I suppose. They were given uniforms and accomodation.

These were turbulent times with Allied B29s zooming past and running to take cover. In 1944, after the second bombing of Seletar, Atok and a friend from Rasah negeri Sembilan, evacuated the centre and hitched a ride in a cargo train back to Gemas. He was around 17 years of age at that time. His nascent pilot training died a premature death with that fateful train ride.

3812 is significant to him and many others who lived through the Japanese occupation. 3 years, 8 months and 12 days-that was the length of the Japanese occupation of this country.

n.b. A wikipedia search showed that Kaigun Kokusho is also the name of the Japanese naval fighterplane. Although it was adequately designed it lacked the climb-rate and high altitude performance to successfully intercept the American-made B29s.

Wan's Education

She went to sekolah kebangsaan until Std 5.The Japanese came when she was in Std 5. Her teacher would teach the students how to greet the Japanese when they came. Wan was big for her age so her teacher advised her to stop schooling since the Japanese were going to take away the bigger girls to turn into concubines.

She was also a good student at school. After she stopped schooling, in the mornings she would climb up a tall langsat tree behind the kampung house which allowed her to see the students lining up for their classes.

She and her mother Siah tilled the padi fields and to supplement their income, she picked daun rumbia to weave into atap roofs which she sold for 20 sen apiece. Siah also had 2 acres of land with rubber trees.

Hj Nordin Kadir & Hjh Miah Jaudin - Part 2

2011-06-29T00:26:00.000-07:00

The Early Years

On their ICs, their dates of birth are 15/11/28 and 30/4/28 for Atok and Wan respectively. Of course, we should give a wide margin of error for these dates.

Atok's Family

Atok was born to Eyam Bt Mangkas and Kadir bin Subuh bin Salam bin Sapi-e in Kg Kuala Sungkak. He was their fifth child. The siblings are Uncit (Rashid), Atin, Yusuf,Moktar, Nordin and Timah. Moktar died young while the rest except Uncit are still living.

Atok's father taught agama lessons to the villagers and was later appointed to teach at Istana Sri Menanti by the then Yam DiPertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Tuanku later became Malaysia's first Agong. The appointment letter to your great grandfather is attached. He died in Sept 1939.

Wan's Family

Wan's parents were Siah Bt Sahak and Jaudin bin Kulup. Her two older brothers were Abu and Mahat. Abu was a penghulu and Mahat was a "pegawai engineer" with the then Malay Service Commission now, the PTD. She remembers Abu fondly but not so much Mahat since he didn't quite treat her like a sister.

Siah was relatively wealthy with several lots of kebun and sawah. She remembers she was very manja with her father Jaudin. At bath times he would carry her on his shoulders. He died when Wan was about 6 years old.

Chinese Connection

Siah never mentioned that Wan was adopted. It came from Wei Bong's husband (neighbour). Kaya Amus, Wei Bong's husband, told Wan that she was adopted from a Chinese family in Kuala Pilah. Later on when Mak Jo was still a toddler, they and a family friend, carpenter Kaya's grandfather, went to a Chinese goldsmith shop in Kuala Pilah to meet her brother. He gave them the cold shoulder. Then as a token acknowledgment, he gave Mak Jo a "loket buah kemunting".

There were a few more occasions when she would pass by the shop and she and her 'brother' would both curtly nod to each other. The Chinese family later left Kuala Pilah.

This is the 75-year-old appointment letter to Kadir bin Subuh. It was dated 21 April 1936. On the right hand corner it was signed Abdul Rahman, the Yam Tuan himself.

Haji Nordin Kadir & Hjh Miah Jaudin Part 1

2011-06-28T02:20:00.000-07:00

Introduction

Salam sejahtera to everyone reading this which would be my children and hopefully my nephews and nieces.

My parents have been very fortunate to have been blessed with good health, mobility and a lucid mind when most of their contemporaries have either long passed on, or are incapacitated from some age related diseases. At 83, they live on their own, visit their three daughters whenever they like, spend time at their local surau, fight with each other frequently, pop a myriad of pills for sustenance and generally do as they please.

Everyone has a story to tell; some, more fascinating than others. Nevertheless everyone has a story. With this in mind and for posterity's sake I've decided to record my parents' story. I write this with their ten grandchildren in mind.

"Before" Picture Taken on 30/8/55

It's a recollection of their childhood, the Japanese occupation, the Askar Melayu years, the ADP years in Singapore, and finally the KL years. It's not much but a series of short essays only.

The objective is to record their story. I don't think there are many octogenarians around to tell first hand their experience. Hence I feel that it's a privilege not many people get and I feel responsible to do it.
I will inform you guys when I publish the first few posts.

"After" Picture Taken on 29/1/2011 on Along's Wedding Day

Nov 14 Musings

2010-11-14T01:34:00.000-08:00

I have hyperthyroidism, fatty liver and high uric acid. How can this be ? What happened to all those yoga classes and hill climbing? And taking all those medicines is a real challenge for me.

The next few months will be very frantic for the family. Along will be betrothed end of January next year. I promised myself I would give my daughter a lovely garden wedding.
I look forward to the time when the whole family will be together soon. It's been a very long time when the quorum is full.

We plan to renovate our shah alam house soon. I can just imagine the travel that I have to make during the renovation. Hope I can take it.

Wedding Picture Taken on Jan 29 2011. Selamat Pengantin Baru Along & Teman

What's happening to me.

2010-11-05T23:16:00.000-07:00

Today is my son's 22nd birthday. I haven't written in about 2 years. I just cant keep an on-line diary. Not all is good news.

Today also the nurse called to tell me that the doctor wanted to see me on Monday. The results of my Thyroid Function Test came out this morning. Since the doc wants to see me on Monday instead of Wednesday, this is worrying.

I used to feel invincible when I was younger. Scary diseases like cancer or diabetes always happen to other people. Not to me or my family. Well, now I'm wiser. We are all vulnerable. We can only pray to God to keep us safe.

I have been reading on Thyroid disorder. The symptoms I'm having point to hyperthyroidism. That's the price I have to pay for menopause I suppose. I hope the prognosis is not too bad.

Nov 6 Happy 22 nd Birthday Ayip

2010-11-05T23:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Ayip. I know you are still in the middle of your exams and today will be just another humdrum day. It's ok. When you get back you'll get your cake and a nice lunch or dinner.

Good luck for Monday's test and do your very best ok. Then enjoy your self at that camping place. We'll see you at the airport on Nov 22.

Happy Birthday and luvya

Selamat Tahun Baru & January babies

2009-01-07T06:23:00.000-08:00

Happy new year to my family especially my children in Perth and Manchester.

Whatever is in store this year, I hope for little silver linings. It certainly isnt a good start to a new year when what we hear everyday are bad news in the form of world financial collapse and then the war in Gaza.

This year I will be 52. God, that's old. I hope I dont look 52. There are 3 January babies in the family although I dont know the birthdays of Dad's side of the family. There could be more. The first to turn the corner would be Neng on 9/1. Then me. Then Lan. Happy birthday guys.

Bukit Antarabangsa landslide and Hari Raya Haji

2008-12-08T19:03:00.000-08:00

A massive landslide occured the morning of December 6 that took away four lives and destroyed 14 bungalows and displaced thousands of apartment dwellers nearby.

Hari Raya Aidil Adha fell on Monday Dec 8. We did our prayers at Masjid. As a personal sacrifice, my doas for the whole day was for other unfortunate people - the Malaysians affected by the landslide, the Plestinians and others involved in conflicts all over the world.

I hope the two friends who are residents of Bukit Antarabangsa are spared from all heartache. The first is my yoga teacher who I know is ok since she has been sms-ing me about rejoining the class and the other is Rozita Ariffin. She, I am worried about because I have lost her number. I hope you are ok rozita.

What's Going On ? What Are We to Do?

2008-11-20T04:39:00.000-08:00

What's going on? This, for you, my children, is my take on the financial and economic crisis we hear about now.

Everyday we read or hear of the worsening economic climate in the world. The economies of the giants are falling like ten-pins. First the US, UK then the European Union countries, then Japan (did Japan ever get out of its doldrums ?). Next Korea and then China and Pkistan.

It seems like everyone is experiencing a credit crunch. Then their governments announced bailouts to the tune of trillions. Have the govt been stashing these mountains of cash away or just ordering the federal mint to work overtime? Will more cash make their problems go away?

Ok,what about us? Everything looks hunky dory here. The govt just reduced the price of motor gasoline and Shahir foolishly said that they may talk about reduction again in the cabinet. People think the prices of goods and services will go down but only the naive expects that. In fact when the govt increased the price of mogas to 2.70 there was some good that came out of it. The roads were clear and people drove as if their driving tester was sitting beside them. But not anymore.

OK so the Americans arent in the mood to go shopping this Christmas season. For that reason, our exports will reduce. The manufactoring sector will downshift their gears. Some job cuts may happen.

The government's revenue will also decrease due to the drop in price of oil and palm oil. The govt may cut spending or defer some projects which will cause some unfortunate people to lose their jobs also.

SO what about us? So far we have been insulated from these problems. We dont have any savings with Lehman Brothers so that's good. Most of our money is with PNB and Maybank. Although Maybank was recently in the news for some 'unwise' acquisition, it is still a safe financial institution.

Maybe the biggest single thing the govt should do from now is to practise prudence in expenditure.

As for the regular people like us, we still spend and go shopping although at the back of my mind, I'm not sure if it's a good thing to do.
Many people have suggested for the govt to reduce or abolish personal income tax for next year. That would be real good for us.

The one thing I'm really biting my nails about is a recent purchase. We bought an apartment in Melawati called the 3 Residen. It is overpriced but we went ahead anyway. Now I'm experiencing buyer's remorse. Mainly because of the price.

I guess this incoherent rambling may confuse you further.My message to you is study smart, spend wisely but enjoy your life also.
Till next time.

Nov 15 2008 - Welcome home Ayip

2008-11-15T03:03:00.000-08:00

Today Ayip returns to KL. Welcome back Ayip. It is exactly 4 months since he left for Melbourne on July 15, 2008.

I feel that he's not going back to Melbourne which is ok but sad. I hope that he will continue at KDE from where he left off.

This week has been rather depressing because of the triple whammy.

One, I have to keep regular office hours because Mat Agil is going to Haji next week until sometime in January. I've already decided to employ ayip as a temp so that I can still go for my yoga lessons. Talking about yoga, the Fatwa council has deferred their ruling on yoga until later. I hope never.Buat lah fatwa kat benda-benda lebih penting lagi. How can they possibly think that our faith is so weak that yoga can lead us astray , I dont know. I am beginning to resent my tax ringgit being used to pay the salaries of these people..

Two, Trivenus has been a served notice to vacate our premises by Feb next year. Now we have to find a new office. It definitely will be in the melawati area. We like this place because of the convenience and safety. Any move will incur costs.

Three, the maid is going back to Indonesia for raya haji holidays for three months. Even though her work is not thorough, it helps having her around.

Nov 6, 2008 - Happy 20 th Birtyday Ayip

2008-11-06T02:52:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Ayip.

Our first son - wow, and such an adorable baby. Of the four babies you were the most beautiful. No kidding - just look at the baby pictures - the ones not destroyed by moisture/leak from your bathroom.

You were so beautiful that one time when were at the Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis Jeti enroute to Pulau Langkawi some guy asked me what's your name. Without waiting for my reply he said 'Isabela'. Isabela was the name of Search's number one song at that time. That's how pretty you were. I think even Che Yang, our then maid, claimed that you were her son! Someone told me this.

You're an intelligent kid. That's why you're one of the only four students who aced the PTS exam in std 3. But the Malaysian education system is not for you. It doesnt do justice to someone who is intelligent but cares little for memorizing textbooks. Regardless, we let you plod on miserably through forms 4 and 5. We could have followed a different path for you but still had faith in the education system.

Not anymore. That's why we sent you to Melbourne. So that you receive an all round education. Education is not just about learning from books, it's about living a new experience and being independent. It's about learning how to be on your own and learning from your own mistakes. Semua ni cliche but need to be said.

So far, what I've got from you is how miserable you are feeling and the number one reason is Elec eng is too tough. I hope you dont have the misconception that university life is easy - that you can study the night before and pass. It's not. U have to work very hard. But we also want you to enjoy your life in melbourne. U used to be able to make friends easily.

It also puzzles me why you never even asked about Betsy? It's a pity that you let your unhapiness consume you that even things that are important to you is lost in the misery.

My wish for you on your birthday is wisdom and sense of responsibility. Happy birthday and lots of love.

Oct 25, 2008 - Happy Birthday Along

2008-10-24T02:48:00.001-07:00

Today is ALong's 26 Birthday. Happy Birthday sweetie.

Oct 25, 82 - you we'rent supposed to be born on this date but during the last prenatal visit to Dr. Roopi, she found tht your heartbeat has slowed down and that's not good. When I went to see her agian, she told me there was'fetal distress'. She had to take u out via C-section. That's why we had you on oct 25 - u probably have a few more weeks to go.
On the morning of the 25, I was prepped for the operation - white hosp gown, cap etc. An unexpected thing happen when I was wheeled to the OT - Wan suddenly buckled/blacked out and the medics had to attend to her pulak !! When asked later about what happened, she said I looked like I 'dikapankan'.

You've always been a good student but somehow during std 1-3 you were always playing second fiddle to Mastika Liyana and Najwa (?) Now that vast intimidating forehead of hers(Mastika I mean) is not there for nothing. But I'm so proud you caught up by std 3. You came in third in the year end exams and also in an event during sports day. I remembered shouting myself hoarse but it was worth it.

I regret that I wasnt timely in paying Ustaz Ali for mengaji fees. I'm much better now with my financial obligations. Another regret was the ticks episode when you were taking the PMR exam. I also regret that I didnt visit you when you were in Melbourne, until your graduation.

AS you grew, you became more focused in your studies and excelled wherever you are. The teachers in Houston and Immaculate Conception and Taman Melawati all said wonderful things about you.

You've now spent 8 years in Australia and I know you will be calling it home. It's sad but exciting at the same time. Sad because I only get to see you once a year. But exciting because you have found someone and you love what you are doing. You once told me your interest is surgery and I pray and will support you in whatever you want to do.

Selamat Pengantin Baru-Neng Zairin Hafiza

2008-10-24T02:46:00.000-07:00

Neng weds Hisham on 17 Oct 2008. Selamat Pengantin Baru to you both. Macam Pinang dibelah Dua.
Hisham is quite a sport because he's been out to our family gatherings a few times and didnt seem out of place. Wecome to the family Hisham.

On the night of the 17 th we drove to Seremban for the akad nikah ceremony. Dress code was blue. It poured cats and dogs in the evening that all roads leading out of KL were jammed. Never had a trip from KL to Seremban taken 3 hours before, but that nite,for us, it did. If that made Neng or Mak Jo uneasy, I am very sorry. But the ceremony went well.

The following day was the reception. Mak Ngah and Busu penang made the trip too. The dress code was brown. Actually it was gold which is pretty galmourous,but mak jo told me the colour theme was brown to which I scoffed at coz I dont look good in brown, what with brown skin and all.... So I settled for yellow instead. Now, if I had known it's gonna be gold......

The following weekend we drove to Kuala Trengganu for Hisham's side of the reception. His relatives were very welcoming.

Neng has to learn how to kecek Gganu doh.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

2008-10-05T03:33:00.000-07:00

Selamat hari raya to my children who are overseas. I miss you all I say, with my mouth full of lemang.

As usual, we trooped to Kampung Juasseh 2 days before raya. (It has to be 2 coz that's all we can stand). The day before raya was filled with heavy cooking. Of course everything was kuning - ayam kuning, daging kuning, ikan kuning. This year Zed wanted to 'mengacau dodol' so they did. I was in charge of the soto - having been anointed by the sifu herself (Mak Jo).

On hari raya we stuffed ourselves silly after the prayers. After handing out the angpaus, came the obligatory picture taking session. There were four generations of the clan immortalized in print. Then its time to pack our bags and head off to Penang.

We also spent 2 nigths in Penang. Here, everything was curry or its variation, but with more exotic meats - there's itik nila etc. We did the usual rounds with the Tanjung Bungah folks and also other friends at Jalan Edgecumbe.

Selamat Hari Raya everyone

Sept 16, 2008

2008-09-15T23:05:00.000-07:00

What will today bring?

All those hours spent reading Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today has me caught up in the euphoria of 'change'. We'll see.

August 31, 2008

2008-08-30T22:37:00.001-07:00

Wow time files. What happened in august ? Let's see.

First there was Ayah's birthday on August 15.

I wish for a Happy Birthday to my husband and hope there'll be many many more birthdays. At first it was his humour that attracted me. Really, I think he's a real funny guy !! Then later, it was his 'smarts'. He's a really smart guy - not nerdy kind of smart but pandai lah. Could be crossing of the genes. But his most potent talent - putak belit dia. Definitely the crossing of the genes!

We aslo visited Along in Perth. It was fun coz Perth is a lovely city and the weather was lovely for nice long walks. Finally we get to see some kangaroos. Not much in terms of shopping though I finally found my soup tureen. A big too big for my liking but still ok. Perth would make a good retirement place.

Yay, after 25 years of buying things for her, now its her turn to buy me things. Thanks for the nice Fossil bag, Along. Remember, ada credit AUD 200 lagi tau! THe others are too shy to take up your offer I guess.

Happy Birthday also to Malaysia - 31 August. Is it just me or does anyone not notice the lack of gaeity in the air. Oh well, just another holiday.

Arif - First Day at RMIT

2008-07-21T03:13:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of his life as an RMIT student. Good Luck and all the best to you.
Study smart -that's most important. All of us hope that you will take this opportunity to experice what life has to offer. You may learn some things from school, other things from books, but the I think the richest and most memorable things you have to EXPERIENCE.

Good luck and study smart

June 21 - Happy 14th Birthday Amir

2008-06-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

Today Amir turns 14. Happy Birthday Sweet.

Notwithstanding the colicky early weeks, you have made the last 14 years the most wonderful time of our lives. I have always looked back with a tinge of regret when I think about the growing up years of Along, Angah and Ayip. There were lots of things I could/should have done differently.Or I wasn't always there for them, but with you I pretty much have matured as a person and a mother and I am quite happy with my performance. How you will turn out depends entirely on you.

Your expected delivery date was a guesstimate. June 21, 1994 came but I wasnt ready. The OBGYN , Dr. Byron Holt, tried to induce birth but wasnt successful. So we had you via Caesarian Section. .
You easily tipped the scales at 8 1/2 pounds but was ICU-ed with the other preemies.
I didnt see you then but everyone said u stuck out like a sore thumb among the teenies.

I had wanted to name you Munir, after Dr.Munir Majid but was vehemently opposed by eveyone. In hindsight , I'm glad. You see, he sometimes wrote articles for NSt and from what I read he seemed, like a smart guy. Later he was involved in the expensive art fiasco as the MAS chairman.

A a 1-yr old toddler, you potty trained yrself! well almost. I just took the easy way out and slapped on the disposable diaper but no, u refused to wear it, except for long journeys. Not only did I save on diapers, I had leftovers from the US made ones.

You're also quite witty ! This is the kid who gave us gems like 'lovely nightmare', 'James Bont', 'the sauce of it' and 'Ice Burp (you cooked this up at age 4 when you had to endure 3 hours of Titanic the movie). There were many more like 'compe-TAY-tion' or 'the Toppest boy' etc.

But you're a little too shy and too 'considerate' for your own good. It's okay -Go ahead and grab that last cookie. You dont have to ask lah. You're our baby after all.

Fuel Price Increase

2008-06-07T18:17:00.000-07:00

Last thursday the govenment increased the price of petrol by whopping 40% and diesel by 63%. This is an inevitable move by the govenment in view of the skyroketting price of crude. We are now painfully paying for the government previous sins.
The government has rightly advised the rakyat to 'change your lifestyles'. There have been many calls from the rakyat for the 'government to change its lifestyle' too!

The government must practise prudent management of the rakyat's money. Top of the list is an integrated, comprehensive and efficent public transport system. In fact this was promised during the last fuel price hike but I dont know how much improvement has been made since I dont use the public transport system. But judging from the many letters to the Editors of newspapers, I think the government has been guilty of making empty promises.

The government must make concerted efforts to help the disadvantaged and lower income citizens in these difficult times. Already calls from diverse groups like lorry operators to accountants to nasi campur sellers seeking to increase their prices, are heard. They will increase their prices but I hope not by 40%! Most middle-class salaried workers will adjust their lifestyles - like planning their trips, eating at home more often, defer unnessasary purchases - and they can ride through. But the low-wage earners like the security guards, taxi and bus drivers should be taken care of. I dont know how - may be food coupons or free public transport? But the government must ensure that leakage through abuse or corruption is minimal.
Repeat-The governement must practise prudent management of the rakyat's money. Do away with unnessasary spending. The national service is one such example. It has failed to achieve its main objective which is to foster racial unity; although its minor objectives like improving selfconfidence, independence etc have been easily met. As Najib said, alot of people (ie. cronies) are involved, they cant just stop it. Then compensate these 'alot of people' so that they can still make their returns on thier investments but at a much lower rate. In fact, a personal friend of mine is directly involved in this and I dont want her to suffer any losses.

We all hear about cases of corruption in the government involving politicians and beureaucrats at the highest levels. The government must be very serious in its belated delivery of tackling corruption.

I hope those people using the argument that Malaysia is an oil producing country so then our petrol should be subsidised, would shut up. They are confusing the ordinary people and giving false hopes. The best for us is to accept the fact that oil is expensive, adjust and move on. But the government must take steps to spend the savings from the subsidy removal for the betterment of the people.

The Week That Was

2008-06-06T08:02:00.000-07:00

This has been a rather eventful week.
First, was the wedding of Shaik, Uncle Habeeb's son on Sunday. Shaik is Angah's age and is the heir-apparent to Uncle Habeeb's businesses. His sister, Zakiah, who's of Along's age, has a 5 year old son already.

Then, mid-week the government announced the fuel price hike. We now have to brace ourselves for tougher times ahead. The subsidy has become a double-edged sword for us. We were happy to enjoy cheap oil and had become 'complacent' because of it. There was no need to frugal with this cheap but depleting resource. The state of our public transport has not improved since perhaps the 70's. Why should it? oil is cheap, let the people buy cars and build more tolled roads.
The price of fuel is the linchpin of the economy and everything will rise in tandem with it. Wil probably write more on this in another post.

As if that's not enough. Our ofice computer got infected with the Antivirus 2008 virus. How it got past the Mcafee antivirus I dont understand even though it was explained a few times to me. It has to do with unknowingly downloading an infected program, but then what is the mcafee for? The computer is ok now, but I'm worried about this notebook.

Busu Norsham and her family came back from umrah on thursday. Will visit them soon.

This weekend pulak we have a couple of weddings and also next weekend.

Amir's Guitar Recital

2008-06-01T05:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Amir and his Yamaha Music buddies gave a concert. His teacher, Felix sportingly, sang all the songs to accompany the musicians. Tapi Amir keras aje. Tak sway to the msic langsung.
Here's some pictures of the concert.

Dr.Nor Fariza Abu Hassan - Port Hedland Here She COmes

2008-06-01T03:56:00.000-07:00

Today ALong goes to Port Hedland, a rural town, a 3-hour-plane ride north of Perth.
As usual, I wont let my maternal worries get the better of me. It should not,because you have proven yourself to be an intelligent and a responsible person and and wise beyond your years. I hope your assignment there is an educational and enlightening experience and not too boring.

Asthe risk of sounding like a broken record, take care and be safe always.

Fuel Sale Ban on Foreign Vehicles

2008-05-29T22:51:00.000-07:00

Today the government will enforce the new ruling on service stations located at the borders - Johor, Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan. Fuel sales to foreign registered cars are banned for all stations within 50 kms of the border.
I say it's about time the government do something to protect our precious subsidised fuel from these foreigners.

Some potential problems await the government. One, from the station dealers themselves. A very significant percentage of their sales volumes come from these foreign cars. There is absolutely no incentive for dealers to follow the ban, unless the government comes down hard on them. Government should impose the highest fines possible for any infringment. Get them where it hurts the most - their wallet!. Next are the enforcers themselves. Will they close one eye? Next are a group of Mlaysians who live in Johor but work in Singapore. This bunch drives Singapore registered cars to escape a levy on Malaysian cars entering Singapore. So brother, you either pay the levy and get to buy cheap fuel or escape levy and buy more expensive fuel. You cant have it both ways. Sorry ah.

I have high hopes that the minister, sharir samad, can make this necessary but unpopular move, work. Its about time we stop subsidising them. If the govt is to incur heavy subsidy burden, then let it just be for Malaysians.
Actually I have a bone to pick with these Singapore cars! Of course I dont know anyone in particular and maybe I generalise them too much. But based on my
observations, they are the 'kiasu' ones on our highways. While we Msians cant get off from paying the speeding summons they can get away with it. Not fair.

So Datuk Sharir, I wish God grants you the courage to take this on.

Arif Abu Hassan - RMIT , here he comes

2008-05-28T04:31:00.000-07:00

It's official. Ayip has been accepted into RMIT. Syukur kepada Allah. I hope he makes the most of this opportunity and not waste it.
He will leave on July 15 with Ayah. Ayah will be with him to 'hand-hold' him for a week.
For now he will still enslave himself to Burger King until the end of June.

That brings me to another subject - slavery as practised by the Burger King franchise holder in Malaysia. The payment cycle is the 16th of the month to the 15th of the follwing month. The salary for this cycle will be paid on the 1st of the next month! So one's salary from Apr 16-May 15 will only be paid on June 1st!!!!!Nantilah, bila senang-senang, I will pursue this with the labour dept of the human resource ministry. I will do this for the hundreds of kids enslaved by the company.

Hong Kong May 22-25

2008-05-26T03:34:00.000-07:00

We went to Hong Kong last thursday.

The last time I set foot in Hong Kong was sometime in 1991. As soon as the plane landed and I got off the plane, the 'pong' from the harbour hit me. Not so this time. The spanking new airport was ultra modern.

We stayed at the Kowloon hotel right in the middle of Tsim Tsa Tsui (sp?). Hong Kong is teeming with people. Everyone is rushing about- that after the first day, I already missed the greenery and tranquility of Bukit Mas. It's just like Singapore - very clean very efficient and whatever greenery they have, is jealously guarded. After the first day, we missed rice already. Fortunately we found many Indian and Halal shops a few doors away.

I had intended to shop for kain ela to make baju kurung for Neng's wedding. In the 1990s there were many shops selling silk materials, but I could only find 2 this time. And, expensive too. What happened ? Maybe the HongKongers have moved away from tailoring their clothes to buying readymade ones. There certainly is no shortage of shops selling all kinds of clothes. Many many upmarket and luxury brands.

While Ayip and Amir sepnt the day at the Ocean Park - theme park, ayah and I checked out Stanley Market. I bought lots of bedding material- so that was good. But I couldnt find a single shop selling kain ela! AMir couldnt find a single shop selling those tacky souvenirs like the keychains and stuffs. He had wanted to get some for his friends. Yang ada are those at the airport so he gave it a miss.
All in all, Hong Kong has grown to be very sophiscated and expensive.

Atok & Wan's Birthday

2008-05-17T21:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we celebrated Atok and Wan. It was for their 80 th birthday . Atok on 15/11/28 and wan on 30/4/28.
It was a modest effort with a few hiccups right from the get-go. But the mother of the hiccups came a few minutes after we started. Pak Jo had a call from his neighbour - his house had been burgled. Pak Jo and Mak JO had to leave. We found out later that only some watches and an old comp were stolen. the rooms were ransacked and that was nerve-wrecking mak jo said.
Amir and I performed RObbie Williams' Better Man.
Here are the pictures.

May 13 2008

2008-05-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

Today is May 14. That means yesterday was May 13.

Should I fear this date? I dont know. For a few years now May 13 came and went without me noticing it.

May 13 1969 - my family was in Singapore at this time. I was in Primary 6. I remember Atok and some friends were discussing something in hushed tones about events in Malaysia. I think I did catch some wind of it - Malays and Chinese were fighting in Malaysia but we kids went about or usual business. My best friend was Lee Lye Hong.

I am sure many families have suffered directly and indirectly as a result of the racial riots and they deserve our sympathy and respect. So what does May 13 mean to me? It means 3 little words -Agree to Disagree.

I'm quite confident the country will go on business as usual. Political tsunami, lingamgate, NEP, PKR -all these notwithstanding, Malaysians will not change that much. It will take a few more generations for us to mature socially or politically like the americans. Our own selfish sense of survival and pragmatism will ensure that we remain cordial with peope of other races. Nobody wants anarchy. SO everyone live in peace regardless of our differences.
Politicians especially the Malay leaders should get their priorities right. Uplift the status of the citizens through education and poverty reduction. This country is blessed with so much natural resources. God has also spared us from most natural disasters. If politicains dont indulge in corruption, imagine the wealth that can channelled for the benefits to the citizens. We can have better roads, better schools, better cities etc and better standard of living.

Ayip@Burger King @ Carrefour

2008-04-03T07:19:00.000-07:00

Ayip officially entered the work force on Mar 22 2008. His first employer is the Burger King franchisee. His pay is RM 3.50 an hour. At this point I support minimum wage wholeheartedly!

Working at BK is good because the family always think of the WHopper as the king of burgers. It's much pricier than Mcdonalds but alot more tasty. We think of it as a treat. Now, he takes home these whoppers at the end of his workday. So, we're forever having some kind of burger or another. I dare say that in a few weeks we would have had enough of these junk food. Tengoklah macam mana.
One day after having worked for a week, he came home at midnight with a long face. The cash register was short of RM 150/- ! So ayah and I went into counselling mode. It turned out that there was a system error.
Bye. gotta go eat a whopper.

Apr 2 - Angah's 23rd Birthday

2008-04-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was angah's birthday.

The adage -the days are long but the years are short - is so true.

You were a big baby - 8 1/2 pounder. The birth pangs on the morning of April 2, 1985 are still vivid in my mind. Also the warm feeling I get when you cry and my breasts became engorged.

For 2 1/2 years we called you adik until Ayip came along. You kissed me goodbye at the polikinik kotaraya where I was to deliver Ayip, with that irritating pacifier stuck halfway in-halfway out your mouth. I knew that wan 's gonna cure you from that pacifier syndrome while I'm away. She'd put some gambir on it to turn you off. It worked. But you must have been a real trooper to tahan the bullying act. To add salt to injury we brought home another baby pulak! But You were more accomodating of an adik compared to what Along did, when we brought YOU home.

I remember the frustration I felt teaching you how to read in English when you were in First Grade. But look at you now!

I also remember the frustration I felt watching you cross the road infront of the primary school in Melawati. Remember? Now you criss-cross the globe with ease.

I remember my heart swelled with pride when you got 96 for Science in Std 6. Your other subjects were very good but Science was different animal. The hyphothesis and variables and stuffs were a puzzle until we 'cracked' it. I think it was the highest in the class. Masa tu parents jumpa teachers and some of your friends' moms and dads were there.
My heart was hanging in my throat when you got your SPM results and when you phoned back with perfect scores I could only shed tears of joy. I do wonder whether I should have encouraged you to take on more subjects.
I was proud when you received the first prize in the UN AIDS Essay Competetion but also pissed at that Banting school for not sending anyone to witness the prizegiving. Oh well.

Just a year ago we celebrated your birthday on a bench in a Parisian street. That, after walking and walking to find a cake shop!

So happy birthday my dear. We love you and miss you terribly.

The Morning After - 3 Wishes

2008-03-09T04:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Kids. Wow the election results were shocking. Nothing short of a political tsunami.

Ayah and I voted at the sekolah menengah. It took us less than 10 mins to get our voices heard, but I did notice that there ware other lines which were quite long. No matter, this time we got lucky.

After dinner we turned on tv1 to see if the results are in. Sure enough the crawler kat bawah screen tunjuk BN menang - mostly Sabah. At around 930 I logged on to malaysiakini and was flabbergasted. Penang jatuh, Samy vellu & kaveas kalah, Nurul leading. The point here is our tv is still so in denial!

You would have known by now that BN still menang but denied the majority (2/3 of parliament). More importantly Penang is now under pakatan DAP & PKR, Kedah has a PAS Mentr Besar and Khalid IBrahim ( PKR & ex CEO of Guthrie) will be the Sgor MB. Perak in limbo coz MN kena Muslim and DAP yg menang banyak but they'll work it out with PKR. Nik Aziz gets to keep his job. The most despised 32-year old (based on blogs, not my opinion ok) will draw his salary as an MP for Rembau. I feel sad for Sharizat. She lost because of the party she's affiliated to.

I think Malays are fed up of UMNO's arrogance. Even our neighbours share the feeling. Then ayah's friends at today's wedding also said the same thing. With a few sychophants painting rosy pictures all the time the leaders have just lost touch with what the rakyat are saying or feeling. BN suffered a black eye due to the internet. Since the mainstream papers only sing praises we looked elsewhere. The internet uncovered a treasure trove of scandals-misuse of public funds and all maners of cronyism and corruption. Of course there are many other factors.

I hope the leadership will realise that the 'loss' is many things to many people. FOr people like me its the arrogance and corruption. For others it may be bread and butter issues. Crime and religious freedom. Of course not easy to please everyone. But I think the country gains because of a strong opposition. We need check and balance in a democracy.

My other hope is for the opposition (PAS,PKR, DAP) to be able to put aside their differences in ideologies and be able to work together. Otherwise this victory will be meaningless.

My last hope is for all the non Malay elected reps to learn to speak Bahasa Malaysia like Ong Tee Kiat and Koh Tsu Koon, if they haven't already. There is only one way to get to the heart of the kampung people and that is to speak theri language.

Another Little Wish

2008-03-07T17:32:00.000-08:00

I wish for the 89 year old grandma Maimun Yusuf who is contesting in Kuala Trg to get back her 10K deposit. If Allah wills that she wins, then All the best to her for realising her dream.

My 3 Wishes for Mar 8, 2008

2008-03-07T07:22:00.000-08:00

My Children, tomorrow is polling day. I am very sure there has never before been an election this fiercely contested - from the banner wars, the millions and billions in development aid/economic corridors promised by the BN to the illogical promise of fuel price reduction made by Anwar.

That BN will win, is a foregone conclusion. But out of this dirtiest ever election I hope will be a better Malaysia for all of you and the other children and the future generations.

The first redeeming grace for BN would be for all those who have been tainted - the likes of the bocor and tunnel characters, be given the boot by votesr. Also those who can afford to build palatial homes but cant afford to pay for the quit rent(?) for 12 years or his relatives and close- one-eyes and similarly idiots caught carrying cash-filled suitcases will have nothing to do with the government ever.

We Malays have become more educated compared to our parents and we can thank the goverment for building the schools and making educ more accessible. Yes yes we're grateful for all the help. But with education comes awareness. We are now exposed to the alternative media. We read of the abuses of power and public funds perpetrated by those in ruling party. Dont tell us that we're being told lies. We can judge for ourselves. The proofs are there for all to see. What we got as beneficieries are peanuts compared to what the elites got for themselves.

Its time for the government (read UMNO) to realise that as God-fearing people, they have to take this amanah and serve the rakyat honestly, fairly, ethically and honourably. I hope that enough opposition members get to sit in the parliament to save UNMO from itself. It will self destrcut if it gets too big like what we're seeing now. Enough of trying to out-Islam PAS in form only. How about putting in more substance ? Getting rid of corruption and being fair and ethical are very Islamic indeed.

The other thing I wish to see improve is national intergration. I believe that the key lies in the school system. There is little hope if the Chinese and Indian kids still go to vernacular schools. Every child should attend sekolah kebangsaan which must be secular. Only the strongest of political will (via a strong leader) can do this. For umpteenth years we have fooled ourselves into thinking that we're ONE nation by the superficial displays of open houses and whatnots. But really, after they stuffed themselves silly, mounds of uneaten leftovers notwithstanding, they go home and live happily ever after in separate but parallel universe until the next open house.
The makeup of the civil service , police and army should reflect the racial demographics of the country. At ALL levels of the hierarchy. So if I enter a post office I should see 50 % Malay clerks, 25% Chinse clerks and 10% Indian clerks. Will this remain a pipe dream - I guess so.

I am very proud of you children because you mix well with the other races. You are truly the Malaysian - you have Malay, Chinese and Indian blood in you. No wonder you are so smart! But of course you need to study/work hard too - get that Ayip and Amir?

Let's get back on track. I get uneasy when I read about the numbers of foreigners in Malaysia. We need them for sure We're too good for the 3D jobs so we cant live without them. The govt should make legal workers' entry in Msia more transparent or professional. Instead, the importation of workers is given to agencies. Who are these agents - people with political connections -cronies or relatives. They are the ones getting rich at the expense of the ordinary Malaysian employer or the poor foreign worker. With a proper system that's transparent and hassle free maybe the govt will get to keep more of the monies rather than the agents. If we have to have foreigners, then let's have legal foreigners. There we go again -all road leads to corruption. But I personally hope we can reduce our dependence on them. I play my little part by not having a live-in maid. Our house together with five others share one maid. So that's 5 less maids. We're lucky coz you guys are big enough to not need a baby sitter.

We passed by Bangsar yesterday balik from Subang Jaya. Banyak betul posters esp Barisan Nasional's. As I looked at the glamorous air-brushed face of Sharizat and the simple sweetness of Nurul Izzah (anak Anwar) - candidates for lembah Pantai parliament seat- I have one more wish. I wish ALL the female candidates success. If a female lawan another female, may the better lady succeed. Hope that lone Indian lady contesting under the PAS ticket somewhere in Johore wins. Let them all get into the assemblies. It's one step towards making this place more gender sensitive.

My last little wish is for Sharlinie, the little girl mssing since Jan7. Whereever you are may ALLAH protect you. Allah Knows Best.

Of JPJ, Meetings and Weddings

2008-03-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

I have been awake since 430 this morning. No, it's not you, Dad, though I think you slept better last night. Otherwise, that cough- kacau aje. Since I couldnt go back to sleep and havent written in this blog for many days, here I am.

Accompanied Ayip to get his driving license renewed at JPJ yesterday. Hate those govt departments. Why are they always crowded? Surely there cant be thousands of people who need to get their driver's licenses renewed everyday, or are there? And those touts ! I guess it's a supply and demand thing. Because of the inefficiency, the touts are there to fill the need.
But what pissed me off was Ayip himself. He forgot to bring his IC and old license. Earlier, I had asked him to make a copy. He did and left the original on the copier. Many thanks and gratitude to that kind clerk at JPJ who used her discretion and went ahead and processed his application anyway. So Ayip, even tho I didnt mention anything about your foolish act, it's still simmering inside. Now, that's the end of it, if you dont do it again!

We attended a friend's daughter's wedding last sat. Thanks Zizah of Jalan A10 for the invite. Saw many old familiar faces. Even the Matthews came over to say hi. God bless you Mrs Matthews. Such a selfless lady. She volunteers at the hospital cancer wing many days a week. And she takes the bus to get there. I salute you.
We have another wedding next week - Japri's daughter. And anotther one the week after- Ishak's son. One by one they fall. (dont take this negatively)

Last night I went to the KCP members meeitng at KDE. The turnout was not as big as the previous one. Maybe it's members fatigue. We have two cool lawyers in the liason committee. As members, victimised at that, we tend to become emotional. Thank god for these two gentlemen who brought back rationale to the floor.
Since jan 2008 the club has refused to collect our monthly subscription! Entry into the club is denied unless we pay guest fees of 20 ringgit. Amir uses the club facilities more than anyone of us so he terribly affected. Anyway, this unilateral action on the club's part is very distressing because the sale and purchase transaction has not been completed and there was an agreement between the liason comm and the club mgmt that we members can use the facilities provided the subscrition is up to date. Now they reneged on their agreement. ANyway the court proceeding is still ongoing. Some members suggested that we protest ala BERSIH or create a blog just to give some bad publicity to the club or just storm into the club en mass - much to the delight of the floor. But the lawyers advised against any of it for fear of contempt of court or being subjudice.

I think today I'll go to the office in the morning. That means we'll have take-out food for lunch. Petang kalau tak de ape2 nak pegi Kinrara. Nak tengok tanah untuk buat rumah. I know, I know you guys must be wondering - tak puas-puas lagi ke. Now that I've piqued your interest, I'll continue next time. He he he.

Dr. Nor Fariza Abu Hassan @Royal Perth Hospital

2008-02-26T20:04:00.000-08:00

Hi Along. I know you're busy with work and such but do take some time off to eat and sms home. I hope after a while when you get the hang of things or when things start to settle down please sit down and do what you said you need to do - like meet with the financial/tax planner . Then if you have the time call home once in a while.

Bye. Luvya

Promises, promises - easy to dish out but long on delivery

2008-02-26T00:37:00.000-08:00

Around two weeks or so ago, Angah had asked me for some kaya and tuna spread and I had promised her that I would send them right away. But I completely forgot about it until yesterday, so I only got to do it today. So Sorry, ngah.

Promises, promises - cakap tak serupa bikin. Our politicains do that all the time and now, I am guilty of it.

Its election fever time. This is the time for goodies galore. Atok and Wan (one of their favourite targets to woo are the wargas tua) have already got their Rm 100 ringgit, packets of rice and mee hoon and I dont remember what else. I say on behalf of those folks in Cheras - Bring It On!

In 2004 both Wan and Tok voted but at different polling stations. In thier(BN supporters) zeal to get her vote they practically carried her to her polling station. But guess what? Once they got her vote she's a nobody anymore. She was left at the school -tercengang-cengang cari orang nak hantar dia balik! Fortunately a neighbour gave her a ride home. She's not voting this year of course.

Over in Melawati, we've got some roads which have been resurfaced and their lines redrawn. WHat's nice would be if we can get the mail box situated in a more convenient location so that we dont have to drive in circles (if one follows traffic rules lah) trying to post some letters. The mail boxes used to be where Deen Nasi Kandar now placed their trash cans. How can the interest of a minority usurp that of a majority's?

And can we have a proper collection schedule for our household trash? Once a week just wont do it! And dont get me started on our Melawati township road system - but I think I'm off tangent here.

I 've always been an NST reader, until about two years ago when I started to read the alternative media and blogs. It was an awakening. Now I read both and make my own judgments. I dont buy everything the alternative media says but there is so much that is missing in the mainstream newspapers- scandals involving the ruling party or or some transgressions by some morons disguised as YBs.

I think the main election issues for me would be corruption, crime and polarization among the races. Of course everyone is affected by bread and butter issues like rising prices and I'm no exception. The elcection is still a week away. More on it later.

One Lazy Sunday Afternoon

2008-02-23T22:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we had a family gathering at Busu's in Kemensah. Not a full house though coz, besides you girls, Lan and family and Naim could make it either. For good measure, Neng's beau (Hisham) was also mentioned as a non-attendee. (he has sportingly attended several of our family do's). Lan couldnt make it coz 'he has to get Najib's plane ready'.

Yesterday was also Uncle Niza's birthday. I made soto and busu prepared the bbq's. The soto was quite good and the sifu herself (Mak Jo) said she'd be retiring from the Hari Raya soto-making business from this year on.

Most of our conversation centered on the coming elections on Mar 8. There never was an election where we were more involved. We didnt do anything but we are aware of issues of governance and talked more about it.

Oh, our old friend from our SIU days will be contesting for a parliamentary seat in Kelantan this election. Good luck Dato' and kirim salam to Datin.

In your sms, Along, you mentioned that you have been very efficient and rarely need to do overtime while the other interns are clocking O/T's like nobody's business and end up having the last laugh with all that money. Well let me tell you that YOU will have the last laugh. So forget about short-term gains.

I am so very very proud (and Ayah too I'm sure) to watch you grow and develop into a fine and responsible young lady - and efficient to boot! So bila nak dapat masuk telephone kat rumah ni? I thot Perth is in the first world.

Amir just got back from badminton. He's getting quite good - infact hari ni he defeated two school players. Ayip, on friday, submitted his appl for UWA and Adelaide. He will apply for RMIT during the IDP open day - the appl fee will be waived on that day.

Sometime in between friday and saturday

2008-02-22T10:33:00.000-08:00

It's 234 am sat morning and I was awakened an hour ago by an irritating buzz in my ear. Tried to go back to sleep but a potpourri of irritants prevented me - mozzie bites on my arms, ayah's rythmic snoring and the after-effects of the durians I had at dinner.

I'm pretty sure Ayip was playing some war games on his computer coz I could hear some muffled sounds from his room - he innocently said 'tu music ' . Konon! I wish he'd do more to bolster my (and ayah's) comfort level - that our plans for him in terms of his education is not money down the drain!

The MAS travel fare started friday. The fares were so tempting and I think it's not a shame if we succumbed to the bait. We voted on the destination during dinner and after deliberation , decided on HongKong. Sometime duirng the may sch hols. Only problem is Betsy. So angah and along - u're invited to join us in HK.

The poster wars have started. Our two roundabouts and the school entrances were festooned in blue mostly. Ada some PKR posters and a sprinkling of PAS's. Maybe I'll write on my take on the election/politics in another thread. I just hope the party workers really clean up and remove their stuffs after the election.

21-Feb 2008

2008-02-21T01:13:00.000-08:00

This is my first blog entry so I've just titled it with today's date.

The purpose of this blog is to record our family's day to day activities. Every new year I've always managed to get my hands on some spanking new diary but I've never gotten past a few weeks' entries in any of my diaries so far. I hope to do better with an online one!

Yesterday my parents came to visit. I had earlier expressed my concern regarding my father, specifically his hearing. Many times he's caught unawares that he's being addressed. He could be genuinely disinterested in our conversations - but I suspect he's not hearing as well as before. Heck , even I, I think am losing it little by little. But yesterday he seemed perky and chirpy. I had wanted to suggest that he be tested for his hearing but since he seemed ok I left it at that. Both he and my mom seemed to be nicer to each other (Kak LOng confirmed this - the 5 day separation DID it). Both were excited about the prospect of going for their Umrah with my sister Norsham's family in May.

In the afternoon I went to our office. Azmir dropped by and dropped a bombshell. He tendered his resignation. I've never been in a real supervisory position before so this felt to me like we(trivenus) have been abandoned (he got a job offer from Petronas Dagangan).

Earlier in the week, my second daughter Sarah, sms-ed me while she's enroute to visit her friend Shazana, in London. One of my holiday wishes is to drive (actually for my husband to drive) around the UK and see the English countryside in spring. It will probably remain a wish for now but Angah has 2 more years to go so I may get my wish yet. My first daughter Fariza who's an intern at Royal Perth Hospital has been very busy and by her own admission, has no time to eat even. I hope she will lighten up - not sure if she's uptight-maybe just extremely overloaded with work. But she has been sms-ing her little brother with little snippets of her life.

Today I just stayed home and worked from home. I sent a letter to MOHR to request for a list of candidates for Azmir's replacement. This is what I like about this 'job'. I can stay home dressed in my tshirt and kain batik, work some, watch tv some, cook some and even teach my son some.
In fact right now I'm starting to prepare for the family reunion we're going to have on sat. My nasi impit is merrily cooking on the stove. And now my husband wants his tea and currypuff.