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| Wednesday, 23-Sep-2009 12:59 |
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Raya in My Hometown
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I was pleasantly surprised to see the beautiful rainbow on 3rd Raya morning. We went back to Seremban and Rantau after visiting my sister in Keramat. Fortunately, the highway was clear. The day before, it took my nephews and nieces 41/2 hours to reach Malacca as the highway was choked with vehicles going down south. Of course, it was fun meeting relatives. We met a gutsy 82 years old distant relative at my sister's place. He came on his trusty old bicycle and apparently, he cycles as far as Seremban,some 15km away, sometimes. I hate to think of what may happen as there are so many reckless maniacs on the roads these days. I passed by the MB's open house where Dr M came to, as well. I did not drop by as it was too crowded and I was running out of time to visit my cousins. Somehow, I don't fancy big scale open houses.
 
| Quote: | SitiHawa-Saya suka pelangi,sunset,sunrise,and clear blue skies
Zairin-Memang seronok,tapi memenatkan. Tahun ni rasa betul cepat penat |
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| Sunday, 20-Sep-2009 22:49 |
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Raya At My Place
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Actually, Raya preparation could be very tiring with so many things to be done. Suddenlly, everything had to be spotless. Extra cleaning,marketing and cooking was energy draining as I noticed how my level of energy has reduced after all these years. I'm not the type who must have everything new for Raya. What's the point of wasting money on curtains,for example, if the old set is still good? Wani, Syam and Bulat were great help with the preparation. In fact, Wani and Bulat cooked tomato rice and ayam masak merah while I cooked my beef rendang. In view that it was their first attempt, it turned out well enough. I never buy rendang for Raya. I prefer to cook it myself to actually feel the raya spirit. Moreover, it' s so ridiculously expensive. If I cook, at least I could cook extra for my neighbors. Anyway, my tiredness was compensated when family members and friends came to visit and share happy moments. My own family is very small, thus it's nice to see the house full with extended family members during festivals.
My friends Pauline, Padma,her husband Koh and their sweet daughter, Kashmeera, came in the afternoon. We ate and chatted until tea time. It's been 12 years since Padma left our former office and she's doing very well in her current job. It's always good to see your friends doing well in their lives. Yong Hooi, Ivy, Aaron and Ivy's children came on the second day. Since I had not seen them for a while, it was great catching up.
  
| Quote: | Brian-Thanks.Yeah..it's nice to be color coordinated. My orange baju was a gift from my son-in-law's mum. Though "apprehensive" of the brightness, I always appreciate gifts from people
PI-Mmg. Kenang2an itu penting. Hari ni balik kg and will definitely snap more pictures
Zairin-Tak larat lah nak sambut sebulan. First week je cukuplah.
SitiHawa-Memang meriah. Boleh saya bayangkan betapa penatnya mengemas rumah tinggal.
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| Friday, 18-Sep-2009 07:38 |
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Duit Raya
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Lighting up for Raya
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Packets for duit raya
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Kasut Raya?
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Tradition of giving duit Raya crossed my mind this morning. I don't remember getting duit raya in my childhood days. Those days, going to relatives' houses were for the purpose of strengthening bonds and sought forgiveness and of course to taste the food prepared. These days, children get additional incentive in the form of money from the elders. I guess it's not wrong to give in fact it's in line with sedekah spirit in Islam. However, even sedekah is done in accordance to the ability of the giver. When houses are bombarded daily by strange children seeking for duit raya, it can be "scary" for the owners,I guess.
I remember being told of an incident some years back whereby a group of boys in KL went to a bunglow for raya. thinking that they would get decent amount but in turn, the owner gave them a stone each. Perhaps it was a message for the rest who intended to visit them as there might had been hundreds who came to the house earlier. Only the owner had the answer. To me, it's downright mean. Afterall, they were just children. The best to do is for parents to advise their children not to go to the houses of strangers to avoid any unpleasant incidents such as that. Anyway, I've never heard of a similar incident thereafter. It must have been a "classic case" of its own.
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| Wednesday, 16-Sep-2009 14:40 |
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Selamat Hari Malaysia
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Somehow, we have been placing lesser importance on this day, the anniversary of the formation of our modern Malaysia. Sabah,Sarawak and Singapore joined Peninsular states to form this beloved nation that we are now emphasising as 1Malaysia. Though Singapore chose to part ways, we trodded on to be on the right track of development. As far as I'm concerned, there has always been only one Malaysia,not two or three. God knows why along the way,some people insist on highlighting differences instead of similarities in everything we do and invoking sensitive issues at every opportunity. Instead of being more modern,more tolerant, some seem to enjoy having a go at each other. Cowhead protest and garland of slippers....need these happened in civilised society? What happens to respect?
Anyway, Selamat Hari Malaysia... If not for our fellow East Malaysians reminding us of this day, we might have passed it as any other normal day in the calender without much thoughts of their significant contribution in the formation of this nation. We have scores of people in the interior who need to be helped so that they too can turn around and proudly say that they,too, are able to enjoy the benefits of modernisation.
| Quote: | Yang-It's a truly unique existence. Yes...thanks to Airasia for paving the way and enabling many to cross the oceans to visit and see firsthand the cultures and people of other places/countries.
Baning-Mudah2an, bangsa kita tidak akan jadi seperti itu. Itu lah pentingnya semua memahami tempat masing2 di sini dan tidak mempertikaikan apa yg telah termaktub dari mula.. Spt yg Dr Reduan Tee bicarakan dalam column nya. Drive safely too. Selamat Hari Raya.
YarT-T.kasih. Salam Aidilfitri to you too |
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| Sunday, 13-Sep-2009 23:56 |
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Salam Aidilfitri
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One person who never failed to send me a Hari Raya card year in and year out is my former Class Teacher, Mr Ignatious Ho. When I celebrated Raya in my kampung,when my parents were still around, he used to visit us with his wife and son. Despite a bypass operation a few years back, he seemed healthy when I last met him at the reunion of our classmates earlier this year. He was a very dedicated teacher and determined to see us excell in our command of English. Being rural students in those days, we lacked facilities and books. He tirelessly brought us books to read at home and the result was Distinction in English in MCE exam which was quite a feat back then.
To Mr Ho, I'll always remember his dedication and excellent teaching. While other teachers have long forgotten us, he maintains his contacts with us.
| Quote: | Ouled-Salam Aidilfitri. Balik kampung sok,bakar lomang lagi banyak2
Msma-Waalaikumsalam. T.kasih, Tak ganggu pun.Selamat hari raya dan selamat maju jaya.
Yang-Begitulah hakikatnya. For me, raya mmg dah lama berbeza. Nothing can change that
Zairin-Thanks. Selamat Hari Raya to you and family too |
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| Sunday, 13-Sep-2009 22:28 |
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The Exodus
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I miss this kg scene
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I chanced upon Discovery Channel featuring the Balik Kampung exodus during the Chinese New Year celebration earlier this year.The migrant workers thronged the bus terminal in Shanghai with loads of goodies to be brought home for their families. When interviewed, their faces lighted up revealing their excitement and happiness to go home despite the long bus journey which took some of them more than 15 hours. Since it was the cheapest option, they endured the long hours.
The same scenerio will be seen in our terminals, airports and jetties these few days as the city folks make their way home to be with families during Raya. I'm thankful that my kampung is just an hour and a half drive away but even then I remembered times when it took us 4 hours to reach due to traffic congestion. I have not been joining the pre Raya crowds and congestion for many years now since my parents and later, my brother, who stayed at my parents' house, passed away. These days balik kampung is usually a day trip on 3rd Raya to visit my parents'/brother's graves and to visit my sisters,uncles and close cousins and their families.
To those who will be driving, drive safely. Let's hope that our notorious record of road accidents will improve this year. Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
| Quote: | Layman-15 jam pun tak pe,janji happy
SitiHawa-Betul tu. Don't worry,be happy. Lama dah tak tempuh Bukit Putus.
Baning-Salam Aidilfitri
Yang-Kenangan perjalanan balik kg beramai-ramai mmg menyeronokkan. |
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| Friday, 11-Sep-2009 21:34 |
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The memory...
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It's almost mid-September, in fact it's September 11, 5.35am as I'm writing this. I,like everyone else, cringe at the memory of this date 8 years ago. I was in Mecca performing umrah with a group of friends when it happened. As we were immersed in our prayers, the extent of the attack did not sink in at first. We felt the effect when we were subjected to stringent body check at the airport in Jeddah,on our way back home. Little did I realise then that everyone at home,even my non-Muslim colleagues, were very concerned about my safety in view of the anti-Muslim sentiment that was,suddenly, raging the world. A month or so later, I heard first hand from a cousin's daughter who lived (and still lives) in New York, the devastation the attack caused. As she lived nearby what is now known as Ground Zero, she said she could see the chaos first hand and shuddered at the memory.
I pray that I don't hear of any more attacks on this day or any other day any where. Where in the Qur'an did these extremists read of Allah justifying suicide and killing of people? All they have managed to do is to distort the perception of Islam in the eyes of the non-Muslims so much so that only the negative remains in their mind, breeding prejudice that causes hardship to innocent people.
Then there is this issue of anti-Malaysia that is happening now in Indonesia over the pendet dance in our tourism advertisement. Haven't we and Discovery Channel explained that the dance video was not included by us but by a Singapore company? It is Ramadan and must the holy month be used to display negative sentiments and anger over cultural issues? I don't understand why people have to resort to this. Aren't we from the same rumpun and thus share many common cultural heritage? As I have mentioned many times before, for any relationship to work well, there need to be communication, understanding and tolerence and it has to come from both quarters. Negative sentiments will only destroy whereas, there are more benefits that both can reap from mutual understanding and respect. This applies in any forms of relationships be it country to country or person to person. I'm numbed with sadness and disappointment that this has to happen during the holy month of Ramadan.
| Quote: | Yang-I too believe that it's instigated by people yg suka melihat keadaan yg tidak harmoni and due to poverty,some people are willing to do anything without thinking of consequences.
Zairin-Kadang2 hairan juga, Semakin maju dunia,semakin luntur pulak sensitiviti sesetengah manusia. SitiHawa-Beres. Dah gantung dah. Terima kasih |
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| Thursday, 10-Sep-2009 00:51 |
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Valuable Gifts
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Yesterday I received valuable gifts from my niece in the form of a book and a DVD. It's on strengthening our akidah through scientific explanation in the Al-Qur'an. Islam is a beautiful and fair religion and it is for us to quash the non-Muslims' assumption that it preaches violence, injustice and terrorism. The book is authored by her husband, Dr Mohd Arip Hj Kasmo, a professor in UKM.
I read in the papers recently on the increase of our school children experimenting with drugs and alcohol at tender ages. As young as 12-13 years old. The fact that it can happen right under the noses of the teachers,as mentioned, is really a cause for alarm. The kids interviewed revealed that they lacked parental attention due to the parents' busy schedules.and thus seek solace elsewhere. Handling pre-teens and teens can be very challenging but it's something that we cannot leave to the teachers and childminders alone to tackle. It's important to be able to be friends with the kids from young as it'd be easier to handle any problems as it appears. As parents, we have to find the best possible solution and there is no better way than to turn to God to show the path and to reinstill the religious belief and practices to the kids. No religion in the world advocates doing drugs and consuming alcohol,especially Islam. When Allah deters us from something, it's for our own benefits. What possible benefits can be earned from being intoxicated?
| Quote: | Layman-Possibly, mereka tak mau setengah org menyalahgunakan penggunaan ayat2 suci tu. Example, bila phone berbunyi dgn ayat2 suci di tandas, entertaintment outlets. Tak sesuai,kan?
Yang-Yes,it's very true. As Zairin said, it's the individual.
Zairin-In the 20+ years that you left home, things have changed tremendously. Some good,some not. It's the price we pay for modernisation, I suppose. |
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| Monday, 7-Sep-2009 14:31 |
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Follow Your Heart,Your Dream....Whatever They Are
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Madrasah Al-Huda,Tmn Keramat
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I came across an interesting article in NST today." Be brave,follow that dream" It's about putting our priorities in perspective, about travelling a different path even if there is little or no materials compensation involved. People who are doing what they love as career are the lucky lot. It's when they enjoy every minute of their work, it's like not working for the rest of their lives and yet get paid for it. For many others, it's a matter of surviving. Love it or hate it, it has to go on and on. There are bills,car and housing loans to pay and family to feed.
For the young ones, the sky is your limit and eventually, discover what you love doing and like Nike says, Just Do It to your best ability. But when you are not so young and work starts to affect your life and your health, it's time to rethink your priorities. Sometimes, as the writer said, "we have to follow our heart as our brains just mess things up" Nevertheless, we have to seek guidance from the Almighty before any major decisions.
| Quote: | Zairin-Selagi boleh,kerja lah. Biarlah hidup sederhana asalkan diberkati Allah.
SitiHawa-Ooo,senogori lah kito. Seronok balik ramai2 cam tu, Penat lelah pun hilang.
Bagi saya,zaman balik kg ramai2 tu dah lama berlalu
Tatrasta-Thanks for visiting
Yang-It's so true when we bertawakkal pd Nya and percaya segala apa yg ditentukanNya ada lah yg terbaik utk kita can we reap calmness and happiness in our lives. Thanks a lot for the CD n book
Kurie,terima kasih
Layman-In most instances,betul,tapi ada gak kalanya kita kena ikut gerak hati. |
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| Sunday, 6-Sep-2009 00:49 |
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My Morning Rantings
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The kittens monkeying around
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I seldom sleep after sahor. Around 7.15am I like to be in the fresh air in my small garden while watering the plants. Lately, I notice that my Indian neighbor picks up my NST and place it on the wall under the porch to avoid it from being wet,in case it rains. When she washes her porch and the area near the front gate,she runs the water on my side too. Although the family mostly keep to themselves, small gestures like this shows that thoughtfulness is still alive. I used to get irritated when the grandchildren and friends blocked my gate with their cars. The situation has improved,somewhat. Moreover, they are in colleges now and seldom around. If we want to live in harmony, we have to cope with minor irritants as people think and act differently. We can't expect people to embrace our ways and expectation.
I just noticed a new batch of kittens making my backyard their playground. They were monkeying around this morning and climbing my grills up and down. It's a gloomy day today and I've decided to be creative and use the mike holder to hang a few clothings in my hall instead of outside.
| Quote: | SitiHawa-Cepatnya ucapan Raya. Dah nak balik kg ke?Kg kat mana?
Layman-Kuching2 pun suka buat business kat garden I..tapi dia cover elok2...so, saya redha je.
Ouled-Dah tgk gambar2 kat kapal selam tu. Mmg pengalaman menarik
Yang-I understand your predicament.True,it can be very frustrating.Sadly,sometimes, we are unable to escape all these unpleasant encounters
Jamal-Salam Ramadan to you too |
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