Today, I had lunch with Lyn,Fir, RR and super shy Su. Nasi KUKUS Jalan Gasing, is one of the best hide out. Later VP and Ajizu joined. While having lunch, Lyn mentioned about how touching it was, one of my composition...HOMELESS AM I. She began to ponder about her own self, about her own family, about her own kids. All that I could say is this: Well, it might not exactly be the same for every one but the cycle is similar. I remember the time, the young days, I sent Along to Kindergarten, attended her sport day, her graduation day etc. Then, visiting her at the school hostel, universities etc. The questions below truly reflect the stages in life.
1) Anak hang dah Tadika?
2) Anak dah sekolah?
3) Anak asrama mana?
4) How is her SPM? How many As?
5) Anak buat course apa?
6)Dah graduate?
5) Bila dapat menantu.. and so on...
I remember driving back home to Alor Star, arriving in the wee hours in the morning, to be greeted by my late almarhum bonda who faithfully waited for us.
Now those are gone and what left behind is just memories, fond memories of the sweet days with my beloved mum and dad.
To Lyn, and those out there, while your mum and dad are still around, do care, love and give everything to them. Visit them regularly. You never know, you may delay your trip home coz you are busy, only to realize that tomorrow they are gone...
alfatihah to almarhum ayahanda and almarhumah bonda.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
BANDUNG HERE I COME!
BANDUNG PART 1
Thanks to all HRD activists who made this trip a reality. 7th Feb 2009, all 15 of us landed at Husein Sasteranegara Airport Bandung. This was my first trip to Bandung though not my first to Indonesia.
The airport immigration clearance was fast but the luggage collection was real slow. The very limited collection area was overcrowded with passengers and the poor air port staffs kept shouting to keep the curious and anxious passengers away.
“Ayuh Pak! Ayuh Buk! Mundur Pak! Mundur Buk!....”
The local guide, soft spoken, handsome PAK AGUS, picked us and soon all of us were on the PARAWISATA BUS heading for the TANGKUBAN PRAHU, about 1.5 hour ride out of the city. It didnt’t take long for us to realize the poor living conditions for some of the people here as it was pretty obvious in the journey 5 minute from the airport.
Stopped for lunch at Sunda Restaurant BALIBU, a short form for BAWAH LIMA BULAN . Served with appetizing meals of IKAN KALOI GORENG. The irony part was, the KALOI was served standing! Hj Kam, Lin’s dad surrended to the appeal of a street trader and parted his Rp 100,000 for the Angklung.
Tangkuban Prahu (Inverted Sampan) was the main tourist attraction in bandung. The weather was cool , and the strong breeze chilled us further. The KAWAH RATU was still smoky while the smell of sulphur was pretty strong. The beautiful place was however marred by hundreds of streets traders who sold almost everything you could think off. I know that have to do that to earn a living but their presence, in large numbers, coupled with their endless and continuous persistence , was really a nuisance. Regardless, I surrended to one of them for the Angklung at Rp 50,000
Descending, we stopped at the SARI ATER HOT SPRING for s short break. Almost every one stepped into the hot water, the hottest spot at 40 ‘C. This place was one of the week end destination for people from Jakarta. The ice cream tiga rasa was delicious though.
Back to Bandung city, the first FACTORY OUTLET was the batik centre. Can’t remember the name but Angah and Umi shopped till drop here. The ladies batik was real good and cheap. However design for men wasn’t that good. I always fancied Malaysian Batik. Those at Buluh Kubu were far attractive. Anyway, grabbed a pair of Batik Shirt for me since Aji Zu said “alang alang udah sampe..beli aja pak!” I was poorer by Rp 2.5 million here! Lin chided on the bus by saying “waduh waduh Pak Sob....bare pit stop pertama, enjin belum panas, tapi udah berbelanja besar!
Second factory out let was GRANDE, the long awaited spot, famous since TNB KOOP first promoted this. I was quite anxious as I always thought that these textiles were like those from Thailand or China, IMITATION. Back home, I was telling Zana, I don’t go for imitation product. Better go for unbranded, rather imitation branded. Walked into GRANDE and posh!!!!!! it was full of Arrow, POLO, CK (bukan my big boss aaaa...) and what ever. Everyone was so crazy. Grabbed a pair of HUGO jeans here ...Was looking for Levis but Pak Agus said it would be elsewhere.
The iterinary for the day ended with the delicious dinner at PADANG RESTAURANT. Superb meal. Was sharing table with bachelor boy Dhar. Warned him but surprised to see him biting, chewing and swallowing the “rendang daging sapi” . Innocently told him that it was beef and he smilingly said “yeah I know...why complicate life???” Mmmm.... a lesson learnt!Photos
By the way every time we were off or about to get on the bus, not a single minute we were spared of the street traders. Some of us, by now, already beginning to get the feel of the value of the Rp against RM were already parting away their money for the street traders.
I thought the day was over when each of us was checked in at PERDANA WISATA HOTEL. The body was weak and the eyes were heavy and ready to land when Umi, Angah and me discovered that the triple room allocated to us was actually a standard double room! Went down to the reception and was told that triple room was more expensive and I need to top up! Adrenalin began to flow. Called the IBU KEPALA , Lin who came down and spoke to the receptionist and Pak Agus (who was in different hotel). Finally we were given room 621, a triple room. Angah ,Lin and me proceeded to the room only to find the key not working! Hah! By now I was already the SARI ATER HOT SPRING!!! Lin called the reception again and I rang the room door bell. All of a sudden the door sprang open and out came Pak Dhar in his kain sarung, with Pak Hani his roommate grinning on the bed! How could we be given an occupied room? By now SARI ATER already turned into the volcano of KAWAH RATU TANGKUBAN PRAHU. I would have erupted if not for Lin to pacify me“ Bapak...sabar ya Bapak....kita ini kan di negeri orang ya Bapak.....”
Down at the counter, I let Angah and Lin did the talking. I just hold my breath. Apparently the poor receptionist gave us the right key with the wrong label. It was meant for ROOM 631 but was labelled as ROOM 621 , which was Pak Dhar’s. Luckily , Pak Dhar and Pak Hani were not involved in any activities when we disturbed them. Walked past Aji Zu’s room and heard nothing unusual though on my way to ROOM 631. That ends my day one in this highland BANDUNG
Thanks to all HRD activists who made this trip a reality. 7th Feb 2009, all 15 of us landed at Husein Sasteranegara Airport Bandung. This was my first trip to Bandung though not my first to Indonesia.
The airport immigration clearance was fast but the luggage collection was real slow. The very limited collection area was overcrowded with passengers and the poor air port staffs kept shouting to keep the curious and anxious passengers away.
“Ayuh Pak! Ayuh Buk! Mundur Pak! Mundur Buk!....”
The local guide, soft spoken, handsome PAK AGUS, picked us and soon all of us were on the PARAWISATA BUS heading for the TANGKUBAN PRAHU, about 1.5 hour ride out of the city. It didnt’t take long for us to realize the poor living conditions for some of the people here as it was pretty obvious in the journey 5 minute from the airport.
Stopped for lunch at Sunda Restaurant BALIBU, a short form for BAWAH LIMA BULAN . Served with appetizing meals of IKAN KALOI GORENG. The irony part was, the KALOI was served standing! Hj Kam, Lin’s dad surrended to the appeal of a street trader and parted his Rp 100,000 for the Angklung.
Tangkuban Prahu (Inverted Sampan) was the main tourist attraction in bandung. The weather was cool , and the strong breeze chilled us further. The KAWAH RATU was still smoky while the smell of sulphur was pretty strong. The beautiful place was however marred by hundreds of streets traders who sold almost everything you could think off. I know that have to do that to earn a living but their presence, in large numbers, coupled with their endless and continuous persistence , was really a nuisance. Regardless, I surrended to one of them for the Angklung at Rp 50,000
Descending, we stopped at the SARI ATER HOT SPRING for s short break. Almost every one stepped into the hot water, the hottest spot at 40 ‘C. This place was one of the week end destination for people from Jakarta. The ice cream tiga rasa was delicious though.
Back to Bandung city, the first FACTORY OUTLET was the batik centre. Can’t remember the name but Angah and Umi shopped till drop here. The ladies batik was real good and cheap. However design for men wasn’t that good. I always fancied Malaysian Batik. Those at Buluh Kubu were far attractive. Anyway, grabbed a pair of Batik Shirt for me since Aji Zu said “alang alang udah sampe..beli aja pak!” I was poorer by Rp 2.5 million here! Lin chided on the bus by saying “waduh waduh Pak Sob....bare pit stop pertama, enjin belum panas, tapi udah berbelanja besar!
Second factory out let was GRANDE, the long awaited spot, famous since TNB KOOP first promoted this. I was quite anxious as I always thought that these textiles were like those from Thailand or China, IMITATION. Back home, I was telling Zana, I don’t go for imitation product. Better go for unbranded, rather imitation branded. Walked into GRANDE and posh!!!!!! it was full of Arrow, POLO, CK (bukan my big boss aaaa...) and what ever. Everyone was so crazy. Grabbed a pair of HUGO jeans here ...Was looking for Levis but Pak Agus said it would be elsewhere.
The iterinary for the day ended with the delicious dinner at PADANG RESTAURANT. Superb meal. Was sharing table with bachelor boy Dhar. Warned him but surprised to see him biting, chewing and swallowing the “rendang daging sapi” . Innocently told him that it was beef and he smilingly said “yeah I know...why complicate life???” Mmmm.... a lesson learnt!Photos
By the way every time we were off or about to get on the bus, not a single minute we were spared of the street traders. Some of us, by now, already beginning to get the feel of the value of the Rp against RM were already parting away their money for the street traders.
I thought the day was over when each of us was checked in at PERDANA WISATA HOTEL. The body was weak and the eyes were heavy and ready to land when Umi, Angah and me discovered that the triple room allocated to us was actually a standard double room! Went down to the reception and was told that triple room was more expensive and I need to top up! Adrenalin began to flow. Called the IBU KEPALA , Lin who came down and spoke to the receptionist and Pak Agus (who was in different hotel). Finally we were given room 621, a triple room. Angah ,Lin and me proceeded to the room only to find the key not working! Hah! By now I was already the SARI ATER HOT SPRING!!! Lin called the reception again and I rang the room door bell. All of a sudden the door sprang open and out came Pak Dhar in his kain sarung, with Pak Hani his roommate grinning on the bed! How could we be given an occupied room? By now SARI ATER already turned into the volcano of KAWAH RATU TANGKUBAN PRAHU. I would have erupted if not for Lin to pacify me“ Bapak...sabar ya Bapak....kita ini kan di negeri orang ya Bapak.....”
Down at the counter, I let Angah and Lin did the talking. I just hold my breath. Apparently the poor receptionist gave us the right key with the wrong label. It was meant for ROOM 631 but was labelled as ROOM 621 , which was Pak Dhar’s. Luckily , Pak Dhar and Pak Hani were not involved in any activities when we disturbed them. Walked past Aji Zu’s room and heard nothing unusual though on my way to ROOM 631. That ends my day one in this highland BANDUNG
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Malaysia oh Malaysia!
Been told by Along and Angah about the landslide at Bukit Antarabangsa upon landing at the airport. Been abroad for 6 days and had been cut out of the outside world. Gave little thought to the news as I imagine it was something like the slide in ULU YAM PERDANA which occured a day before I left. Two casualties and only a house involved. Catched the news about Bkt AntaraBangsa through newspaper the next day and I said "Ya Allah! This is massive! Masya Allah!"
The next day inbetween the massive coverage about the tragedy, most newspaper carried out the very rhethoric statements from the administrators, authorities and regulators:
a) Hill slide developement- immidiate freeze!
b) No more development of high land
c) All states to stop development
d)No more approval of hill slopes
bla bla bla
I really got sick with all these rhetorics! It is always like that. Any tragedy that struck, immidietly the next minute these people would be issuing statements like these. It would be just months later, all theese restrictions be broken, consented by the very same people who made the ruling earlier.
If really we learnt from the Highland Tower tragedy in 1996, we wouldnt have seen the Bukit Antrabangsa tragedy, insyaAllah. SEE WHAT HAPPENED NOW?
Remember the car incidents that rammed into a person dining outside the restaurant at section 14? Immidietely after the incident, there was statement- NO TABLES AND CHAIRS ALLOWED OUTSIDE EATING OUTLETS. See what happened now? Tables chairs are just every where and any where!!!!!!
Back to Bukit Antarabangsa tragedy, a newspaper quoted the saying of the top leader " Saya HARAP semua permit pembangunan tanah tinggi dibekukan!" I am amused!!! am amazed! Why didnt the leader said "Saya BEKU KAN semua permit pembangunan tanah tinggi!!!"
DAto Seri, you have the power. Do it please! Do it! Stop the same old song which we all really got fed up!!! IF it is me, it is ok since I am power less. I am only "BERHARAP" but you who is the top leader you could "ENFORCE!"
Many years back, as I was about to board the cable car at the Sentosa Island in Spore, I suddently realized about the cable car tragedy there where a ship struck the cable, plungging the car into the water. Casualty, dont know how many. I asked the operator " Would it happen? I am nervous"
The operator responded "Mr, In Spore be rest assured that if it already happened, it will not happen again....."
I never believe him then, but now, in relation to the series of repeated tragedy in Malaysia, I think the operator was RIGHT!!!
The next day inbetween the massive coverage about the tragedy, most newspaper carried out the very rhethoric statements from the administrators, authorities and regulators:
a) Hill slide developement- immidiate freeze!
b) No more development of high land
c) All states to stop development
d)No more approval of hill slopes
bla bla bla
I really got sick with all these rhetorics! It is always like that. Any tragedy that struck, immidietly the next minute these people would be issuing statements like these. It would be just months later, all theese restrictions be broken, consented by the very same people who made the ruling earlier.
If really we learnt from the Highland Tower tragedy in 1996, we wouldnt have seen the Bukit Antrabangsa tragedy, insyaAllah. SEE WHAT HAPPENED NOW?
Remember the car incidents that rammed into a person dining outside the restaurant at section 14? Immidietely after the incident, there was statement- NO TABLES AND CHAIRS ALLOWED OUTSIDE EATING OUTLETS. See what happened now? Tables chairs are just every where and any where!!!!!!
Back to Bukit Antarabangsa tragedy, a newspaper quoted the saying of the top leader " Saya HARAP semua permit pembangunan tanah tinggi dibekukan!" I am amused!!! am amazed! Why didnt the leader said "Saya BEKU KAN semua permit pembangunan tanah tinggi!!!"
DAto Seri, you have the power. Do it please! Do it! Stop the same old song which we all really got fed up!!! IF it is me, it is ok since I am power less. I am only "BERHARAP" but you who is the top leader you could "ENFORCE!"
Many years back, as I was about to board the cable car at the Sentosa Island in Spore, I suddently realized about the cable car tragedy there where a ship struck the cable, plungging the car into the water. Casualty, dont know how many. I asked the operator " Would it happen? I am nervous"
The operator responded "Mr, In Spore be rest assured that if it already happened, it will not happen again....."
I never believe him then, but now, in relation to the series of repeated tragedy in Malaysia, I think the operator was RIGHT!!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Homeless? Am I?
Last raya left me pondering and wondering for quite a while. Am I homeless? I meant back home in my hometown, am I really homeless? Or it was just my sheer perception about the whole thing. Since my beloved mum passed away in 2005 our family home has been rented out. Not really to generate income but just need a care taker to manage the house. Other wise it may just get rotten with time. RM 160 pm, thanks to Pak Cik Mat my uncle who manage to secure the tenant.
Ever since then, a trip back home either landed us in my sis house or bro's. Either one, no problem then. Time passsed. Sis and Bro both got their daughter and son in law respectively. My own children have grown up, both in age and size! :)-That drive us a step back ward about putting up nights at their places. Imagine the 7 of us checking in, surely the numbers are enough to cramp the house.
Raya time was even worse. Their children, inlaws etc were also back home. Not to mention the grand children. We took two step back, rented a hotel in the city.
Raya nite in a hotel? apa ni? Macam out station jer...no feel lah!
This year, we decided to stay back in our very own home. We did not go back up north. Just a day trip down south. Hey!!! No bad actually. We were kept real busy with activities. The children were busy in the kitchen and me in the garden. With so many things to do, we were kept occupied all day.
Home less am I?
Nope, I am not!
Ever since then, a trip back home either landed us in my sis house or bro's. Either one, no problem then. Time passsed. Sis and Bro both got their daughter and son in law respectively. My own children have grown up, both in age and size! :)-That drive us a step back ward about putting up nights at their places. Imagine the 7 of us checking in, surely the numbers are enough to cramp the house.
Raya time was even worse. Their children, inlaws etc were also back home. Not to mention the grand children. We took two step back, rented a hotel in the city.
Raya nite in a hotel? apa ni? Macam out station jer...no feel lah!
This year, we decided to stay back in our very own home. We did not go back up north. Just a day trip down south. Hey!!! No bad actually. We were kept real busy with activities. The children were busy in the kitchen and me in the garden. With so many things to do, we were kept occupied all day.
Home less am I?
Nope, I am not!
Friday, September 5, 2008
New Chef Back Home!
Suddently Along is so crazy about cooking. Of late, she has been preparing delicious meals back home. It started with her trying out her skill based on the cook book. Now she has gained the confidence and hence been trying out all sorts of dishes yang kekadang tu tak tau apa nama. Well done Along. Thats the way, aha! aha! I like it. Week end, holiday or semester break, she would be in the kitchen, much to the delight of our maid!
The situation now is relly in great contrast to few years back where even her own plate need to be cleared up by the maid! Use to tell her to catch up with the cooking skills or she would be embarassed depan mertua!
Guessed my challenge is taken up.!!!! My regret? These few days I am down with the excruciating gastricitis pain and have to fore go those delicious meals!!!
Once again, well done Along!!!!!!
Angah Cam ne yer? Angah pandai gakkkk he he pandai beli lauk siap masak kat kedai!!! *peace*
The situation now is relly in great contrast to few years back where even her own plate need to be cleared up by the maid! Use to tell her to catch up with the cooking skills or she would be embarassed depan mertua!
Guessed my challenge is taken up.!!!! My regret? These few days I am down with the excruciating gastricitis pain and have to fore go those delicious meals!!!
Once again, well done Along!!!!!!
Angah Cam ne yer? Angah pandai gakkkk he he pandai beli lauk siap masak kat kedai!!! *peace*
A flower for my gal
Adik received a bouquet of flower on her 20th birthday, delivered by a florist! What an event. At 20, a kampung boy like me, who first made a living in the capital city as a student, the birthday went unnoticed! When I was a child, birthday or birthday party were not heard at all. A kampung boy was more concern about nose diving into Sungai SENTAB, bicycle racing, lastik burung, tangkap ikan dalam sawah padi, main meriam buluh etc etc. Birthday? Whats that?
Today, my gal and her other siblings , being of Gen Y not only celebrated their birthday every year but started getting flowers from florist!
Asked, from who, she said "From Ampibia! her closest buddy at MMU Melaka". So thoughtful Phia.
Mmmmm.... eeeerrrrr... the one given by Phia , Adik shared with us all.
The one given by *ehhmmmm.....* of cozzzzzz Adik kept it to her self! :)-
Today, my gal and her other siblings , being of Gen Y not only celebrated their birthday every year but started getting flowers from florist!
Asked, from who, she said "From Ampibia! her closest buddy at MMU Melaka". So thoughtful Phia.
Mmmmm.... eeeerrrrr... the one given by Phia , Adik shared with us all.
The one given by *ehhmmmm.....* of cozzzzzz Adik kept it to her self! :)-
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Ouchhh!!!!! The pain!
4th September 2008. @4 am. It was adik's 20th birthday. It was a day after the 3rd anniversary of my dearest almarhum bonda passed away three years ago.I woke to the excruciating pain in my upper stomach. Never felt like this before. It wasnt sharp but burning. Woke up my beloved, applied some oilment (what else could we do?), visited the rest room but fruitless. The pain continued and my beloved decided to send me to Azzaharah Medical Centre. After some discussion I decided to drive to PMC. Beloved wanted to accompany but i said I was all right. Drove there alone. The most unwise thing I had ever done! On the way the pain became unbearable and I headed straight to the PMC emergency unit. Was it "angin?" or Was it "heart problem?" I was praying it would be the former. Dr Shireen Kaur attended and I was put straight on bed. Called my close buddy Raziff to inform him of my where about. At least , there is some one around if anything WERE to happen!!!! He arrived in no time. Thank you buddy. Truly honour your thoughfulness.
Dr Shireen Kaur gave me a jab and she said the pain would go off if it is gastricitis. Raziff exchanged notes with me about his experience ( Two weeks ago I sent him to this same place-reason: Chest pain!!).
15 minutes the pain slowly dissapeared! Alhamdulillah. Blood test done. TEPONIN T negative! This is an enzyme excreted if a person has a heart attack. Raziff described the procedure and medication so well that the nurse later asked me "Your friend is in the medicl line? ke" Phuuuh! Caya lah "Dr" Raziff!!!!!!
By now sms started coming in. YONG, the super caring sister was pretty upset for not being informed. RR, CSM, RI SRD all asking about my well being.
Cardiologist Datuk Aru saw me and treted me to the stress test. Cleared all.
Given some medication and a day off.
What and experince!
1) Syukur to Allah SWT the most merciful
2) TQ to my beloved wife Dr Hendon
3)TQ to "Dr" Raziff who was in attendance through out
4) TQ to Along for your concern
5) TQ to all for the prayers
Dr Shireen Kaur gave me a jab and she said the pain would go off if it is gastricitis. Raziff exchanged notes with me about his experience ( Two weeks ago I sent him to this same place-reason: Chest pain!!).
15 minutes the pain slowly dissapeared! Alhamdulillah. Blood test done. TEPONIN T negative! This is an enzyme excreted if a person has a heart attack. Raziff described the procedure and medication so well that the nurse later asked me "Your friend is in the medicl line? ke" Phuuuh! Caya lah "Dr" Raziff!!!!!!
By now sms started coming in. YONG, the super caring sister was pretty upset for not being informed. RR, CSM, RI SRD all asking about my well being.
Cardiologist Datuk Aru saw me and treted me to the stress test. Cleared all.
Given some medication and a day off.
What and experince!
1) Syukur to Allah SWT the most merciful
2) TQ to my beloved wife Dr Hendon
3)TQ to "Dr" Raziff who was in attendance through out
4) TQ to Along for your concern
5) TQ to all for the prayers
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