Road trip east and north Malaysia 1

I just came back from a 10 day road trip to Kelantan through Gua Musang way to Kota Bharu and followed the north-east highway to Pergau Lake, Banding Islands, Pengkalan Hulu, Grik, Lenggong, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping, Ipoh and then home. It was such a rewarding trip, enjoying the beautiful places in my own country which I have not seen or been before. Like my other trip to north to Perlis in July 08, I do appreciate the places we explored and am proud of the beauty my own country. Some of the places are not on tourist map but we diverted to see some remote kampungs and enjoyed the natural beauty there.


I traveled with my usual traveling companion, Sharipah Rohani, who is a retired school principal and lived in Kuantan now. We have known each other since our varsity days back in the 60s and have worked together in the same office at the Teacher Training Division, Ministry of Education.
Though we are of different temperaments, we share the same passion. She is calm and cautious - too cautious to the point of always being held back by 'what ifs '. Whereas I am impatient, a risk-taker and ready to try anything new. In our travel, we had conflict sometimes when she feared to go somewhere unknown whereas I was all ready to find out. But we settled things amicably. We took loads of photos and enjoyed ourselves and hope to do it again somewhere else.


















We left KL at 7.30 am I drove my silver MyVi through Karak Highway to Bentong. We took a photo of a pretty mosque in Bentong (above), them drove straight to Raub. We were hungry by the time we reached Raub and looked for a Malay restaurant or KFC. We turned to the new town but no Malay restaurant or KFC in sight and settled for an Indian restaurant - the only restaurant there, which I wouldn't go in if I had a choice. The cleanliness and food were not desirable but we were hungry and needed to use the washroom. Big mistake! We found out later that KFC was on the other side of the town. We hit the road to Gua Musang and stopped a while at Kuala Lipis to take a photo of a very pretty mosque there (below).

















I have been told by many people that the road to Gua Musang was narrow, busy with heavyloaded lorries, and potholes. What a surprise. We found the road is good though a bit patchy and a lot better than what was described to us. What surprised us was along the road we found a singnage which indicated Technology Park Malaysia. Curious as always, I turned in and drove for quite a long distance to find a herbal factory with guests/staff apartments nestled so attractively among the trees. They looked so naturally beautiful and inviting (below). Being on Saturday, the factory was closed.
















The factory bought herbal produce from farmers around the area, researched it and turned it to herbal products which include herbal tea and coffee, for distribution and sale throughout the country.



We left Raub to Gua Musang. The drive was a pleasure especially when we were entering Gua Musang town.





This black town which was notorious for communist insurgence before, has become so pretty, backdropped by limestone hills and lush greens. Before coming into Gua Musang town we were greeted by a twin hill fronted by Sekolah
Menengah Merapoh. I wonder whether the students and teachers there realize how lucky they are having a school surrounded by natural beauty. Taking things for granted is a handicap that stops us from seeing things in different perspective. We judge, make conclusion and assumption about things that are right in front of our noses. I hope the Malay students in that school will learn to build self-confidence and be proud of their own heritage.


I have booked a twin bed room at Kesedar Inn (photo below) in Gua Musang at RM98 but unfortunately it was fully booked for the next day. I like Kesedar Inn. It is comfortable and inexpensive with secured parking. I recommend anyone who plans to visit Gua Musang to book early and stay at this Inn.


Next to Kesedar Inn is the Istana Persinggahan (photo below) with intricate wood carving which could be seen from the Inn. I was curious and wanted to see it at a close range. Since the gate was opened we walked through hoping that it was Ok for us to do so. Disappointment and disgust awaited us as the compound was littered with rubbish left by the locals who used the ground for recreation. Don't they have somebody to take care of the ground? It's a palace. The ornamental plants lining the driveway shrivelled for lack of water.What a pity - a beautiful place left unattended. It's such a waste.


















Since we have to vacate Kesedar Inn, we tentaively booked in Fully Inn in town. I wasn't too keen staying here but we seemed not to have much choice. The rate is expensive for a small town at RM180 for twin bed. There is no proper parking space for hotel guests. I think Gua Musang needs more comfortable and affordable hotels

There is so much potential for ecotourism in Gua Musang provided facilities are upgraded, staff are well-trained and good maintenance of tourist spots.The people of Gua Musang should grab this opportunity fast before other people grab it and the locals become mere lowly workers.


I am quite frustrated now. I have been writing more of this trip but the autosave failed again and again. I am going to stop now until I learn how to deal with this problem.

I thought Gua musang railway station is one of the prettiest I have seen. The tall limestone hills at the side of the track greets anyone who comes in the town by rail. It's like a curtain shielding from probing eyes the secrets that lie behind it, and I bet there are a lot of secrets which visitors can explore and learn. I was really in awe at the beauty. We talked to the guards there and they recommended us to go to Gua Madu for a special brew of soup and that was where we headed next.

Extra kgs

I was taking my usual morning walk today. I have not been excersising since fasting month and I am feeling guilty. People are supposed to loose weight during fasting month but instead I put on weight, not much, only one kg but it is still extra fat hanging on my body. So I am back on my normal life at my place trying to keep fit, hoping I would loose at least 5 kgs. Fat hope!! Seems like the extra fat refuses to leave my body, particularly my stomach, thighs and bumps. It clings on desperately - as desperate as I want to get rid of it.

Imagine, just about 10 years ago, I was a shapely slim lady who wore size S or M. Slowly I graduated to size L and now I fit only size XL. Is it going to be size XXL soon. Oh God, please spare me the horror! I know a lot of people share the same story but I was skinny when I was young. I had to take weight-on and appetite-inducing tonic to help me eat. When I gained one pound, I was so proud and the whole world would know it. The middle-age spread began after retirement, not during my menopausal period. Suddenly I found myself bloating, the meter of the weighing machine went up, I was shocked and in denial. I told myself this is temporary - fat hope, ha, ha!!

One thing I realized, I am not in denial anymore. This is my life. I am not fat actually but a little bit 'berisi'. But I am OK. I still look good. So my exercise now is not so much to loose weight but to take care of my heart, my knees and all the muscles in my body which thereaten to get stiff if I don't use them. Thank God that I still can climb 8 flights of steps without collapsing, walking at fast pace without gasping and hoolahooping as long as I want it.

At the same time, I take care of my food, though most time I succumbed to temptation. Internet information helps me in looking after my glaucoma. I worked hard in lowering the eye-pressure and syukur I have been quite successful so far. My doctor wants me to lower it further so that I don't have to go for surgery. I take vegetable juice faithfully every day with food supplements, avoid meat and fried food but char kuey teow is my weakness. So I seldom go out to eat. Most important, I am allergic to stress. Stress, tiredness, anger, frustration and worry are the worst culprits that cause me headaches. That's bad for my eye-pressure. So I lead a more relaxed life and work hard to avoid any form of stress. I do self-hypnosis almost every night to calm my mind.

So what if I have four or five kgs hanging on my body like a leach sucking my blood and refused to go. I am healthy, so far, and have a good life with Allah's blessing. I don't know about tomorrow. Who am I to complaint?

Nobody can remain stagnant. Change is a part of life.

Life after retirement

I met Prof K on the way back to KL from Kuching. He vaguely recognized me. I don't blame him as we had limited opportunity to interact when I was in Unimas. The common question when told that I have retired is 'What do you do now?' and my immediate response as so many retired people will say is 'RTM- rehat, tidur, makan!' Some of course thought I am seriously working with RTM!!

As usual I will hear the same advice, that is, I need to do something otherwise I will go down fast. Don't I know it? For people who know me well will not believe that I can do nothing. They are right. My body, my brain and my head will not allow me to be stagnant. I have to be on the move - all the time.

After each activity that I was involved in, I would go back to my apartment and really lepak or watch TV. My body and my mind need to recover from the hectic program. I will sit at my balcony talking to my plants, coaxing the little birds to come down to feed and fighting the hateful crows who invaded my balcony stealing food meant for the little birds. Shoooooooo crows, get lost, I hate you!

I am the unofficial resort rubbish picker here. Every morning I go for my walk up and down the 3 blocks. Along the way I picked up rubbish and cigarrets butts which people throw as they pleased. I marvel at the thoughtlessness of some people who come to stay here. I think some Malaysians are brain- damaged who cannot distinguish what is right and what is wrong. I find some of them are useless and selfish - the more educated they are, the more arrogant they become.

I remember one morning I was picking rubbish at the beach below block E. A couple of Indian children blatantly threw peanuts wrappers down where I was. The parents were there and obviously saw what their children did. They didn't say a word to stop them from littering - no effort to teach them healthy values and manners. I was irritated and told them off. The parents glared at me and not a word of apology. What kind of values do parents like this teach their children? No wonder so many young people are so selfish, self-centred, arrogant, prejudiced and think the world belongs to them and to them alone. The parents must be thinking that I am a lowly Malay cleaner that doesn't deserve respect - such arrogant ass!!!!!!!!!!

I have written complain letters to the management about the state of cleanliness in this resort. Owners pay maintenance fee every month but the standard of cleanliness is so undesirable. I made a lot of noise and I know they don't like it. I don't care actually as long as they are kept on their toes. I see some improvement but after fasting month, the condition is back like before - I didn't do my walking exercise during fasting month! Yesterday I found somebody shit at the staircase - so disgusting!! Today the shit is still there. The cleaner doesn't clean it, so another complaint to the management. I am getting tired of being like a fussy guru besar but if I close my eyes, the place is like a rubbish dump. I don't live in rubbish dump!!!

I was sorry to see the small stretch of beaches at this resort. They were littered with plastic bottles, plastic bags, paper cups and even soiled baby nappies. When will Malaysian learn to be responsible and keep the environment clean? This selfish attitude is instilled at home with bad role-modelling from parents. I picked bags of rubbish every time I go for my walk in the morning especially at the beach. Holiday- makers are responsible for this. They are stupid and selfish.

Beside picking rubbish, I am also picking sick and injured animals to take to the vet. One unfortunate afternoon, I found a cat wailing at the car park. He was hit by a car and his back was broken. He dragged his back when I came near. It tore my heart to see his pitiful condition. Nobody did anything and he was there from previous night, suffering. I quickly ran up to my apartment to take a box and scooped him inside, then drove to the vet. I requested for him to be put to sleep. He cannot survive in his condition. It pains me to see animals suffer and being treated so cruelly. I have also rescued pigeons with broken wings. With no help they could become dinner for the stray cats.

I have strike a bargain with this vet that when I got hold of some stray cats, I would take them to her to be neutered on my account. There are a number of stray cats around who became nuisance and keep on breeding. They get abused sometimes. It is kinder to neuter them to stop breeding further but catching stray cats is not an easy job. I have not been successful so far but I'll keep on trying.

Since I am on the move most time, I have stopped taking patients for hypnotherapy and counselling sessions. The sessions need commitment but I got to get back to it again soon. I need to work together again with London College of Clinical Hypnosis (LCCH) Malaysia to streamline the ethics. I hope I can get down to it soon. I know Sheila is waiting for me and a few others to fulfil our promise. After the exam everybody is dispersed doing their own thing. Getting back together will take much effort. Wish us luck.

Retire from work is blissful, retire from life is calamity.

Kuching oh Kuching

When I said 'Kuching oh Kuching' I am not talking about my fat Mok and my Queen Mother, Raisa. They are fine and as spoilt as ever. Mok controls the household - nobody can tell him what to do and what not to do. He has his own mind. He will do it at his own time. When you call him. 'Mok, come here, sayang.' He will just look at you blankly and stays put. Give a few more minutes when you least expected, he saunters in and cuddles next to you to get your warmth. He is so adorable!

Now we are clear that it is not about Mok and Raisa that I am talking about, it is Kuching in Sarawak - the Cat City. I lived in Kuching for 6 years - an enjoyable 6 years I might say. I have formed an attachement to this city. I still go to my regular beautician, Azizah of Menard whenever I have the opportunity to be in Kuching. My dentist is still there and I went to see Dr. Ong for some repair work recently.

In 2001 when I first arrived in Kuching, I fell in love with the abundance of lush green of the environment. Driving leisurely to Unimas became such a pleasant routine, at 40-50 kilometers per hour. Everybody took their time and there was no honking or rude overtakings. I was stressed at first and silently cursed the slow drivers. But in time, I was in tune with their driving style and eventually follwed suit.

Weekends meant exploring the many nature parks in Kuching, sometimes with friends or students and sometimes alone. I became a regular visitor at Semenggoh Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, a place I loved to show off to my visitors. Bob Bowman commented that I smiled a lot watching the orang utans - a natural response which I didn't realise. When former sister-in-law, Kathy/Norarifah from Adelaide came to visit, we were so honoured to see Richie, the huge dominant male came down gracing the centre, to the delight of the tourists, foreign and locals. I have seen Richie many times but each time I was fortunate to see him again, it was sheer pleasure! Delima, the female regular there never failed to be on hand to delight everyone. I have been to Sepilok, Sabah as well but to me Semenggoh provides exciting sights of the orang utan at short distance. They are such beautiful creature.

Bako National Park is an attraction that no one should miss. Treking the many different routes provide diffrerent side of nature in Bako. I was so thrilled to see the various types of pitcher plants (nepenthes) from the tiniest to the biggest, in clumps or winding tendrils. Known as carnivourous plants, I only saw it for the first time at Fraser's Hills way up on high grounds.

The tame bearded boar, the rascal macquets, the shy proboscis monkeys, the silver leave monkeys, the many variety of birds there thrilled visitors, mostly foreign. Taking a boat around was an experience I never forget. The sculptured beach rocks and the outcrops of rocks in the sea present many facets, depending in which angle you look at it. I love Bako and will never be bored with it no matter how many times I go there. There is always something different to do and see each time.

My mentees had a great time camping for 2 nights in Matang Wildlife Centre. This is another place that beckoned me whenever I was free to explore nature parks. The pitcher trail was so amazing with large colony of huge ground pitcher plants. I was informed that the Ibans and the Bidayuhs use them to steam rice in it. The main attraction to me here is the river and the waterfall. I just love rivers (not the huge intimidating ones!) and waterfalls. Soaking myself in the cool river and sitting under the waterfall is therapy to the body and mind.

Gunung Gading Nature Park fulfilled my dream to see raflesia , the biggest flower. I was astounded to see it for the first time and couln't believe my eyes at the size of this raflesia. Unfortunately not many of my friends who came to visit me had the opportunity to see one as raflesia bloom in season.

I could go on and on talking about my experience treking the nature parks in Kuching and in Sarawak. So much so when my daughter, Ika, was asked by my friends who failed to reach me by phone, she would just respond by saying, ' Entahlah auntie, hutan mana dia masuk tak tahulah!'

It's not only the nature parks that captured my hearts, I find the people, Malays, Chinese, Ibans, Bidayuhs, Melanaus etc are so warm, friendly and helpful. Unfortunately after 6 years I was still unable to speak Sarawak Malay except a few words, here and there.

However, my last visit to Kuching left me with feeling of relief that I have moved back to Port Dicksosn. It upsets me to see all the lush greens have been destroyed to make way for housing. What shocked me most is that most of the houses are built on swampy lands. The paya was dutifully filled with soils, but a few months later houses came up like mushrooms. The soil was not even settled yet. There were ready buyers. I wonder how long it would take before the houses crack or crumble down. How come the government allow the developers build houses without waiting for the filled-in soil to firm up. Isn't there any laws or regulations against this?

Unfortunately in the long term, the buyers will loose. I was so shocked to see new rows of houses have been built near the Unimas traffic lights. I remember when I came 3 or 4 months ago, they were just cutting the trees and now houses? The soil there was soft and filling in takes time for it to settle. But houses are built and there are buyers - how frightening!

Kuching waterfront was my favourite place to relax but I find the river water is dirty now, not like when I first came in 2001. There were no fishing and peddling of wares was not allowed then. But now people fish there in the evening. It' so dangerous. No one seems to enforce the law. From the sixth floor of Holiday Inn Hotel, I could see the mirky water of Sarawak river is heavily poluted with rubbish floating downstream. What a pity!

Kuching, a place that has given me tranquility.

Bujang Valley

I went for road trip, driving to north with Najidah last July for 8 days. I have been wanting to do this for quite some time. I always remember the drive to north is most beautiful and interesting with green padi fields dotted with Malay houses, hills and mountains and lush green trees in abundance. Many of the interesting hills, I found, have been marred by quarry works and they looked so ugly. Why oh why do Malaysians destroy what God has created, for money? I feel so frustrated and angry looking at the spoilt scenery.

One destination that I wanted to see so badly was the Bujang Valley. I remember reading about it when it was first discovered. After visiting so many historical sights overseas I wanted to see myself this archaeological findings that has made history in my own country. Though the drive was so pleasant, I lost my way many times. Fortunately Malay is the spoken language, so asking for direction was no problem. It was quite frustrating when you drive following the signage and suddenly you found yourself nowhere. It was unbelievable - the signage was so poor and being a Malaysian, you can get lost in your own country. Imagine a foreign tourist driving in Malaysia?

According to website southeastasianarchaeology, Bujang Valley is older than Angkor Wat. The pictures and the description in the website posted in Oct 2007 were vivid but when we went there there wasn't much to see. The archaeological site was beautiful with Gunung Jerai as background and surrounded by green padi fields. It was so serene and peaceful. There was nobody there except a lone guard. This scene is so different to so many historical sites I have visited where there were throngs of people coming to see history but not in Bujang valley - it was as silent as the soft passing wind. Why?? It could be a very profitable attraction for tourists had it been taken care and publicised well. I think we Malaysian lost a lot in promoting our country and the richness of our history. I wonder what the Kedah tourist board is doing.

Many of the artifacts, as I understand it, have been moved to the museum as what it should be. But the site is left uncared. The ground is clean and well-tendered but the sites of the diggings are overgrown with grass. There were no labeling to explain what is what, except at the main exhibition platform. That also is so pathetic. Oh Malaysia, tanah airku. What is happening?

I am sad and disappointed at the apathetic attitude of those responsible to promote our country. I am positive if the site is well-maintained and promoted, tourists from all over the world will come as it is not far from Penang. In the website, photos of different candis were attached, but I didn't see any, as there were no labels or explanations posted. I am still curious and hope this will change in future for the better - with loads of improvement. Who is listening to my complaints? Is there an email where I can write my dissatisfactions? Oh Malaysia tanah airku! sigh.......

Malaysia's poor signage is not new. Almost everyone who drives I talked to, has experienced the frustration of getting lost because of the signage. Do we need a special school or course on how to put on signages? Some spellings are atrocious too. We don't seem to move on with time. We should be tourist friendly as Thailand and Indonesia, our neighbours are.

Oh Malaysia tanah airku. I still love you.

Corruption

Last night I received an email from Lauren, a travel agent from New Zealand. She sent a tentative itinerary for my intended self-drive trip to New Zealand in April 2009 with my niece, Chom and my friends, Budin and Zah. It looks good. Unfortunately the local agents I have contacted take so long to respond to my request. MSL did respond but later it is nothing, as if my request doesn't exist. Udara promised to send me an itinerary and qoutation but until now I hear only a silence! Why is it our local travel agents are so slack and not customer-oriented? If they are not interested, isn't it easy for them to say sorry, we don't do that? I am going to give them until November. If there is no response I am going to accept NZ Firstlighttravel offer. They are very efficient and fast to respond and willing to tailor our needs and interest. It doesn't matter even if we have to pay a little bit more.

I had a good time driving across NZ south island in 2002 with my daughter, Ika. We spent less than Rm4,000 each for a 10 day trip there but the present estimate I received is double than that cost. Money really has become so small but I hope by the time I go there our exchange rate will be better. Insyaallah.

My friends, Indra and Jin, came to raya with me on Friday. We talked about a hundred of one things. These are my close friends and we used to travel and have fun together. We ended up talking about corruptions -how corrupt some government servants are. I was a government servant once and I definitely differ in my opinions. Yes, I have heard so many stories in papers and by words of mouth about corruption in government service. There is some racial implication behind that too.

Let me put this straight. People who have brain in their heads would apply the simple supply and demand principle. When there is demand, there is supply. When there are selfish people who are willing to pay for unethical favour, of course there be will supply - favour is granted for certain sum of money. I don't condone corruptions - it is wrong. But the worse culprits are the 'givers', not so much the 'takers'. Who are the 'givers'? Those arrogant and self-pompous people with money who think that everyone can be bought. I don't blame them as there are people who can be bought by money - greedy people.

There are laws against receiving any form of corruptions but why aren't there stiffer penalties for those who give? ( Sorry if I am wrong abt the law). The police force is doing the right thing. Book those who offer bribes and reward the personnel for doing so. The same simple principle should apply in government service. Report those who bribe and reward those officers who report. I think, there will be less corruption as there is no need to take money from stupid selfish people with a narrow mind who think with money they own the world. I know there are a lot of dignified government servants who work sincerely and with loyalty to this country. I salute them and hope they will go on, regardless of what the public say.

Talk about corruption, do you think it happens only in government service? The private sector is just as bad. At my place, my complains will take weeks and months to be taken care of. I pay the service charge every month faithfully but do you think I get the service as promised? I know if I pay a little bit of money, they will do it immediately. I have seen this. But I am not going to put myself so low as them. I write stinking letters instead, for records. I don't care whether I am liked or not.

So I appeal to the government, punish those who give bribes too and publicise it so that people will realize who are the real culprits. There is no point publicising the 'takers' - put those who 'give' to shame as well. Then only we know who are the worse people of all.

Well, it is a busy raya for me, yesterday too. My daughter Maz and son-in-law, Hazri, came after coming back from Terengganu. My cousins and her children were here as well. I met the children when they were little and now one of them is married with two children. So onother of my personal missions to look for lost relatives have been realized.

So for those who read my blog especially my ex-students, be smart - do not let yourself be trampled. 'Sabar' is a virtue but you are too 'sabar' people will walk all over you. You are young, learn to assert yourself because you have self-worth.

Our future is in our own hand.

Eidilfitri 2008

Selamat hari Raya to all my friends, relatives and all Muslims in general. This year is another happy raya for me. I am blessed by Allah with a good life. As I said before it doesn't take much to make most parents happy. It doesn't take much for my children to make me happy and they did make me a happy mother this raya. I missed Maz and Hazri though. Maz called early raya morning from Terengganu to wish me happy raya and asked for forgiveness. There were no reluctance or excuses from Ika and Izrin. With Justin, my son-in-law, they willingly followed me visiting my relatives.

After raya prayer in the morning, we did the same routine - salam and asked for forgiveness for mistakes they made towards me. Of course, I willingly forgive them as for me they have done nothing wrong. I am a mom. It's the job of a mom to love their children to death. I will love them no matter what. Yes, I get hurt sometimes by their thoughtlessness but I forget it the next moment and life returns to normal. Anyhow, I still missed the fun of this salam routine when my parents were still alive.

I visited my first cousin who lives nearby in Port Dickson. This is the first time my children and his children met - all grown up with children of their own. I just hope, at least, when they meet the next time they know they are related.

The next visit was the yearly must-do-thing - a visit to Rembau where my youngest aunt lived with his schezophrenic son. My aunt has passed away but we still go there every year, at least to see our cousins. I am so pleased Justin came along and see for himself what I told him about this side of my family. The village is still isolated, only 2 families live there - my cousins. It doesn't seem so desolate anymore as there is a narrow tarred road leading to the rubber land further inside. Thank you to the government for doing this. The jungle is no more a jungle where tigers used to roam free but rubber trees. I am so pleased also to see one or two neices and nephews still faithfully visit this side of my family on their own.

I still own a few pieces of land there as I am the oldest of my mother's daughters. Being in a matriarchal system (adat Perpatih) it falls naturally to me and my sisters. It doesn't bother us, My aunt wanted to live there, we are happy for it and that was my mother's wish as well. All my mother's sisters have passed away. My other first cousins have moved away and lived in cities like KL, PJ, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam - just like me. Some return sometimes but many do not. I have even forgotten my cousins, some I have not met for ages. So, now my personal mission is to find as many of them as possible so that we could meet again.

We (I) drove to Malacca to visit my younger sister, Ani. I marvel at this sister of mine with her soft and kind heart. She is taking care of her stroke/diabetic husband who is bed-ridden, inspite of the abuse and the misery he inflicted on her during his healthy days. I have always felt disgusted of this brother-in-law and could never accept him for what he has done to my sister. I wonder why didn't his young second wife take care of him when she purposely destroyed my sister's happiness by marrying him. Isn't it time now that she should care for him if she loves him as she proclaimed when she married him.? Why is she abandoning him and the caring goes back to my old sister? I think she is one heartless and useless woman that has prostituted herself for her sexual desire. But the choice was my sister's. I can't say anything. So, I went there just to meet my wonderful sister but I do not admire her at all. I didn't even have the desire to say 'selamat hari raya' to him.

The next stop was my sister-in-law whom my youngest brother divorced after she retired because he married another heartless young woman who wanted him for his position and money. This is another of my family member's case that disgust me. Ju is lucky as she demanded divorce. My brother is not young anymore and he has retired. If he is ailing then this present wife's duty to care. To me any woman, divorcee or single, who grabbed another woman's husband is just like a prostitute who offered sex for love and use religion (Islam) as an excuse to get married. I have seen this in many cases. - ordinarary people, film stars, singers etc. To me they get happiness out of another women's misery. Isn't it cruelty? I know of one case where this young divorcee had a sexual affair with her own close friend's husband and demanded marriage. I am sure there are many cases like this. I liken such behaviour as prostitution because she prostitutes herself in the name of love by offering sex and then turn around and gave the excuse ' sudah terlanjur'. So to wipe out the dosa (sins) they must get married. My religion (Islam) is being made a mockery by these people. I respect prostitutes more, at least they offer sex for money, with no hidden agenda.

Anyway, I salute Ju. She is retired and she blossomed into a successful dignified lady. She is happier and able to do what she wants to do. Her contribution to education is recognised and she earns more than before. Her children have grown up, become professionals in their own right. she is a young grandmother and doing her own things. Good for you, Ju. No matter what, you are always my sister-in-law and a family member. Anyway, I don't care to communicate with my brother.

My apology to my older brother (Mahir) and sister-in-law and my nephew (Yan) and wife for not being able to go to their houses. We have met in Rembau earlier and time was getting late. Ika, Justin and Izrin have to go back to PJ. Mok and Raisa were left alone in the house with enough food and toilet trays. But they need fresh food and water. Ika will not let Mok be miserable and Izrin will not let raisa miss him. My two cats' comfort is most important. I miss my fat, cuddly Mok and my Queen Mother, Raisa.

We paid a visit to my father's grave. After Yasin and Fatihah, we drove back to PD. I hope Justin learned something about my family and raya. Feel sorry for him too. I am sure he felt out of place sometimes because our conversation was such a mixture of Malay and English - fast and excited. I know it is hard to follow but I think he can make out something. Though this is his second raya as a Muslim, this is his first visit to my side of the clan. I am glad I have a good mat saleh son-in-law who is curious and interested to learn new things.

What a day - a real raya. I thanked Ika, Justin and Izrin for making me so happy. May God bless them.

Happiness is to see those dear to my heart are happy.