Mok again

Yesterday was quite a devastating day for me. I was in despair. Izrin told me that Mok might be blind. Ika noticed that Mok was not able to blink or close his left eye even when sleeping. I was shocked as he was perfect when I last saw him. Dr. Netto, the vet, asked a lot of questions which I answered 'normal', even to the question whether he had any hard knock on the head. He suspected Mok may have glaucoma! I almost fell out of my chair with surprise - I am the one having glaucoma, why Mok??? He wrote a letter referring Mok to UPM animal clinic for further checkup.

In the car to UPM, I recalled that Ika thought he knocked Mok while reversing her car but the vet in PD, proclaimed him OK. I guess, this is an after-effect of the accident. Dr. Chan of UPM diagnosed a grim picture. The nerves on the left side of his face are affected and he was numbed around the left eye and face. He has to be on medication for life. She requested that we paid close attention to his behaviour for fear of other problems. Later, Ika SMS me that she noticed Mok would struggle to get up and wobbled sideways when walking. Oh God, that reminds me of stroke patients when I was working with NASAM.

I remember another beloved cat of ours, Muffin Senior, as beautiful and lovable as Mok, hit his head on a running car in a rush to come home. His eyes hang out and he was in great pain but we wanted to save him. The vet did a major operation on him and we didn't mind a blind cat as long as he lived. But unfortunately he died due to severe injury. Out hearts broke and for some time we refused to have pets but cats are our weakness. We started adopting again and later Mok was born.

I faced a number of challenges in preparing for this Haj. I maybe leaving with a heavy heart but I know Mok is in good hands with Ika and Izrin caring for him. Ika was really upset and I don't want her to be so, in her condition now.

I have cleared a number of issues before leaving though some hearts were hurt through my harsh words. I don't mince words when it comes to something that I feel not right. Forgiveness comes from the heart and I have done so. As far as I am concerned, I have voiced my displeasure and if someone gets hurt, that's too bad. I have forgotten and forgiven and my life goes on as usual. I don't waste my time and energy keeping grudges. If anybody bears grudges, that's not my problem. They have to deal with it. So, issues with FSKPM, Haj package, bounced cheque, family day and book publishing are cleared and I am happy with the outcome.

I know there are some more challenges I am going to face while doing my Haj. That would be huge tests for my patience and tolerance which are low and my great weaknesses. Ya Allah berilah aku kesabaran menempuh dugaanMU semasa menunaikan Haji. Sharipah and I have a pack, that we are going to remind ourselves over and over again and focus only to Haj, insyaallah. Being seniors, with a number of ailments, we are armed with medications and supplements. It really tickles me to think the great difference when performing Haj when I was in my thirties with the present. I guess everyone will go through this.

Ya Allah, please help me and my friends, Sharipah, Sofiah and Omar performing our Haj and grant us Haji Mabrur and allow us to come back to our families safely on 28 Dec 2009.

Preparation for Haj 2009

Syukur alhamdullillah my wish to perform Haj for the second time was granted by the grace of Allah. Since 2006, Sharipah and I attempted to request to perform our Haj from Tabung Haji but was not successful. In 2007, we were so eager to go with Dr.Napsiah and Prof Yusof and had collected our hand-carry bag, telekong and other gifts from Tabung Haji. They were so positive that we would get the extra quota for Malaysians that year. Mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually we were prepared but later Tabung Haji apologized and informed us we failed to get a place because there was no extra quota given. Of course we were greatly disappointed. The next year we applied again. This time early in the year we were already informed that our names were not in the list but we said it's OK, we'll keep on trying. Then, at the last minute we were offered Muassasah place by Tabung Haji but we declined. We reason that being seniors with a number of aches and pains, we need a more comfortable place to stay, sharing a room with attached bathroom, even though we have to pay more. In 2009, again we applied and faithfully attended the Haj course, Sharipah in Kuantan and I, in PD, but again our name were not in the list. By this time, we were immuned to disapointment until an old contact person persuaded us to apply through private package - TM Tours and Travel with whom we have been to Umrah several times.

At first, chances were slim as our names were still not in the list but at the last minute, they called and said we were successful. So the frantic preparation began but there was still no date of departure. Poor Ika and Justin, at the beginning I told them I might leave for Haj on 17 November and they bought return flight from Phuket after meeting Justin's friends from Ireland to be back by 14 November. So again they have to make changes to return on 13 November. I want my children to be around when I leave for Haj. It's quite unsettling when everything is so tentative but that's what Haj trip is. With 26,000 jemaah and a 10,000 last minute quota given by Saudi government, managing it must be a huge headache but TH is quite efficient in this respect.

After attending the TM briefing on Sunday 1 November, there are certain issues that need to be cleared with them which I am not happy particularly the downgrading of package with no adjustment of price. When a jemaah requested to upgrade the package, he/she has to top up the price but when he/she is being downgraded for certain reasons, no refund of difference in price is discussed, why??? In my case, the difference is quite substantial. Email stating my feeling has been sent but no satisfactory response is received. But my aim is to do my Haj in peace and will settle the issue when I return. There is no 'tak apa' or 'halal saja' here. This is a big issue to be resolved as this is not the first time a case like this happened to both of us and I don't want it to be TM management practice. I hope with the grace of Allah, the issue is resolved in good faith.

I am ready and packed but several times I have to minimize my clothes as the bag provided by TM is compact enough for 20kg allowed by the airline. This time, I am like many problematic ladies with different ailments. I have to bring a small chair with back support to the mosque to pray. I cannot sit on the floor too long due to backaches. I am asking God's help to minimize my need to go to the toilet when I am in the mosque. Imagine, with more than 3 millions people concentrating in one place, toilets will be a big problem.

Faithfully with advice, I have written my Will for execution by Amanah Raya. I've wanted to do this for quite a while and I am happy I got the chance to do it now.

To ex-students, friends and relatives, mohon ampun dan maaf segala kesilapan dan halalkan makan minum. As far as I remember I don't owe anybody money except IBS, my publisher, which I am going to clear it before I leave. If I owe money, let me know or halalkan saja sehingga I come back from Haj.

Pray for me for safe return and gain Haji Mabrur, insyaallah.

Another birthday ( 2009)

Ahhhh....another year passed by and I am getting 'wiser' by the minute. Allah is most kind and merciful to me - I am given a rich, peaceful life and good health. I am able to do what I want to do, with His Blessing, of course - thus, another birthday. I wonder sometimes how many more birthdays in good health will I have to celebrate? Only HE has the answer, meanwhile life has to go on. Syukur Alahamdullillah!


Since 1 November 09 (Sunday) was for attending Haj briefing by TM Tours and Travel in City Villa Hotel, KL, Maz arranged for the family members to have birthday lunch at Sheraton Hotel , KL on 31 Oct 09. Hazri was in PD attending a workshop, so, Ika, Justin, Maz, Izrin and Haidi were there. At 4.00 pm Jin Kim and Sharipah invited me to have high tea at One Utama. Bloated with dimsum, I wondered how I could cope with another stuffing but thanks God, Sharipah called to cancel because Jin was held up in Bentong.


At the briefing I met Sofiah Hamid and husband Omar who are in the same Haj package. I have not met nor kept in touch with them for such a long time. Sofiah used to be my best friend since university days but grew apart due to family involvement and going separate ways since we retired. Having 9 grandchildren is not a small matter and I bet she was on her toes most times though they're not living with her. Anyhow, I am still excited at the prospect of being a first-time grandma next year in April.


Thank you Amalia for taking the trouble to pay me a visit in PD and to wish me Happy birthday on Monday 2 November. Most thanks to Najidah who picked Amalia at KLIA and drove to PD to see me, with goodies. It was really good seeing Amalia again after a long time.




Najidah, I just love the birthday card you gave me and I thought it was such a brilliant idea. Your caring and love made you collect and gather all your friends' wishes for me and turned it into a beautiful card. I'll treasure it forever, kept safe in my file in Arkib Negara.



















And to all my ex-students and friends who sent messages through the card, phone calls, emails, SMS, birthday cards and YM, thank you a million times. It's nice to know that I am still in your hearts!!














I received a FWD email from a friend and here it is, with a little bit of editing. I enjoyed reading this piece which aptly describes me and my feeling. Please enjoy it.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

I can choose to read or play on the computer until the wee hours in the morning and sleep until noon. I can dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of joget or dondang sayang or the tunes of the 60s and 70s. And if at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love.....I will!!!!!

I will walk the beach in tight suit stretched over a bulging body and I will jump into the waves screaming with abandon, if I choose, in spite of amused and pitying glances from the young onlookers. They too will get old!

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgetten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or even a beloved cat gets hit by the car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to live long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn gray.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I have earned the right to be wrong.

I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying what will be. I am free to be ME.


I am not counting the years I have lived so far but the memories that I have and the blessings I have enjoyed.
May all of you have happy and memorable birthdays too.

Kompleks Sejarah Kuala Kempas

I passed this coastal road so many times and saw the signboard 'Kompleks Sejarah Kuala Kempas', and always meant to stop and see it but didn't make an effort to do so. Finally on the way back to PD yesterday, I stopped and entered the complex. This is another historical site marking the spread of Islam in Malaysia, which very few people know or bother to know. The complex is along kampung road on the way to Linggi from PD. You can't find it if you travel by the highway and have to exit at PD or Linggi.


It's a serene place surrounded by greens. I didn't see any caretaker except a young man who was mopping the complex floor. I thought he was the caretaker. Actually he was just a visitor like me who came during his lunch break but was displeased to see the place dirty, especially the surau. As there was a pail and a mop, he took the initiative to mop the floor clean. I do appreciate this initiative and wish more Malaysians are like that. I joined forces by picking rubbish thrown by visitors at the grave site but there was no rubbish bins!! An old pail became rubbish bin and I hope it will stay there and somebody will empty it at the right place.












According to the information board, this historic place is called Keramat Sungai Udang Port Dickson where the tomb of Syeikh Ahmad Majmun is found together with Kuala Kempas megalithic stone or 'Batu Hidup'.





















Syeikh Ahmad Majnun is a
renowned Muslim theologian who propagated Islam during the Melaka Sultanate. Based on the inscription on the tombstone, this is one of the oldest Muslim gravesites found in Malaysia - 1467-1468. The megalithic stone was in existence since the second or third century.























There is a signboard in red prohibiting anyone, especially Muslims, to use it for worship, for nazar, prayer etc. as it is against the teaching of Islam. A surau in the complex is provided for Muslims to pray. A number of questions keep playing in my mind but there were no answers -no explanation of the grave found there, the megalithic stones and how they were formed, what are their significance etc. In other words, No labelling!


An old well, still functional, has no historical explanation. I wonder what was the story behind this old well. Anyway, I am glad I stopped to visit, at least my curiosity is satisfied.

Follow-up

Remember my poor cousin, Jaafar, in Chengkau? Well a month over has passed and I have not had any news of the progress of the PPRT house that he applied. I kept quiet for a while due to Raya and other occasions. I know nothing would move when everyone is in holiday mood. I guess I am right. I didn't have any news at all - zilt!

I called my cousin, Sham, Jaafar's younger sister who takes care of him and enquired if there is any news or development. No, nothing! I told her I would be going to Kota to see the ADUN today (Tuesday). She freaked out and begged me not to go and see him. I couldn't believe my ears. She pleaded to let the request for Jaafar's house alone and not to push anymore. 'Sabar kak, ada rezeki Jaafar tu nanti.' She said. Sabar? for how long?? It's coming to 2 years! What assurance does she have for the application to be fulfilled if no follow-up is done? I was upset and puzzled over her request. Something must have happened that made her panick.

She is being misunderstood by the people who are supposed to help and they have become cynical. I don't know how much it's true and how she was treated but I definitely do not agree for her to just keep quiet and leave it to rezeki. This is such a defeatist attitude which I don't agree at all. I believe she has to stand up for Jaafar's rights and do a regular follow-up to see the progress. In some way I understand her fear - fear of retaliation by delaying the request. She made me promised not to go or contact people in the welfare department. I wasn't happy at all especially when she told me that the two months welfare aid that Jaafar wasn't able to collect because of ignorance, was not refunded to him. He was paid only RM30.00. Why, why, why??? This is real aniaya!! I am all ready to go to the department to find out but again she pleaded to let it be. What can I do?? I supposed she must have heard negative comments that her aggressive cousin is creating ripples. I wouldn't have cared.

Since I didn't make any firm promise not to go to Kota, I quietly drove there and arrived about 11 am. Unfortunately the DUN office is closed. I waited for an hour and finally left but I came prepared with a letter detailing the process from the beginning, the promise, the hope and the kind words but are they just words? I didn't get to see the YB but I visited Jaafar bringing some food. He was just as confused as before and the house was in a mess. Sham couldn't come back as often because of work. She still has to support her son who is still in college.

I haven't given up yet. I will respect Sham's request but I want to see for how long action will be taken. It's sad if orang Melayu is unwilling to help bangsa sendiri. The PHD attitude should be eradicated in the heart of the Malays, otherwise we will be a downtrodden race. Is this what life is?

I have one upset today and another big one was waiting for me. I just found out that for 3 months my pensions were not paid. No wonder my BSN saving is almost zero. So I wrote an email for Aduan at Bahagian Pencen, and now eagerly waiting for their reply. It's such a puzzle. This is the first time I experience this situation. Imagine, if my source of survival depends on the pension, what will happen to me - tak makanlah agaknya. This is what the poor will experience if they are being taken advantage of. Anyway, I wrote to tell them that I am still alive and kicking.

Thinking with the heart will make us more human.

Anticipation

Cesily and I waited for Sharipah and Jin Kim to buy clothes and toys for their grandchildren in the Waterfront Mall in Cape Town, South Africa in 2004. We waited and waited and they didn't appear. Tired of waiting, we ate ice cream, window shopped and sat down to talk. Still there were no Sharipah and no Jin. Displeased, we went hunting for them in a shop selling children's clothes. So engrosed, they didn't even notice us coming behind them. These two gramdmas had a good time looking, selecting and buying clothes for their 4 grandchildren (Sharipah and Jin have 2 each) and forgot that there were 2 could be grandmas waiting outside. Back at the hotel they excitedly showed us their spoils and admiring, imagining how their grandchildren would look like in them. Ces and I weren't so interested and wondered why they took so long to buy tiny pieces of clothes for the kids. Both of them told us repeatedly, ' You'll be like us too when you have grandchildren!'

I don't know how good I would be as a grandmother and I have longed to be one for a long time since Maz got married 10 years ago. Syukur alhamdullilah, Justin and Ika are going to make me a grandma in April 2010. I pray everything will be find and good for Ika and baby. How do I feel when I got the news a month back? I was happy, of course but more concerned about the stability of Ika's pregnancy. I went back to PJ, called and sms her asking how she is doing in her early stage of pregnancy. So far, everything is OK and I am grateful to Allah.

Everyone is excited at this good news and I got loads of congratulations which Justin and Ika should receive. Ika is elated but complained about her morning sickness and change of her tolerance of any scents around her. Above all, Justin in his calm way, is so pleased to be a father and dotes on Ika. They really are a loving couple and I hope they continue to be so for a long, long time until old age.

My heart beats faster when I saw the scan pictures of my grandchild. It was quite an emotional moment for me and I can't help smiling all day. I prayed syukur to Allah and wish Ika is well - my first daughter whom I love very much ( I love Maz and Izrin as well). I bet Maz is going to be a great aunt and Izrin, a wonderful uncle and Ika's child will bask in loving attention from a first-time auntie and uncle.

2010 is going to be an eventful year for me. I am sorry Mageswary and Fatahyah that I have to cancel my plan to visit both of you in April 2010. Insyaallah some day I will make my way to UK again, before Fatahyah returns home and for me to meet Mages' fiancee in Ireland. Meanwhile all the best to both of you.

I am going to perform my Haj for the second time, leaving in mid November. I'll pray that everything is fine for Ika, Justin and baby.

With positive anticipation to be a superb grandma!

VVIP

I have a very important visitor last week who stayed a week with me in PD. I devoted my entire time to him, making sure his food was always there, comfortable and well protected from any danger or disaster but he wasn't happy. He moped around, refused to leave the apartment and hid himself when he heard unfamiliar voices. I suspected he was unhappy and depressed, no matter how much I coaxed him to go out for a walk, he refused until I scooped him in my arms and took him out. My adorable Mok was with me all week. I took him to see a vet in PD, had him groomed, cut his fingernails, bathed him, cleaned his ears, nose and teeth - he smelt so sweet after that. Ika was frantic at home telling me maybe she had accidentally knocked Mok when she reversed the car. I rushed home to see him but he looked OK - no pining, no limping, in fact he was as blurr as usual. I was going back to PD so I decided to take him with me so that he can be examined by the vet and later enjoy the sea breeze which he liked so much before.

It must be very bewildering for him to be in a new place. Being so timid and a homebody, he panicked at a new place and simply ran as fast as his fat legs can carry him. I chased and held him in my arms, soothing him. Since it was Deepavali week, a number of Indian visitors were there and as usual the noise was unbearable especially the firecrackers. I could feel Mok trembled with fear with the crackling of the firecrackers, his heart raced so fast as he snuggled so closed to me for comfort. Poor Mok! Taking him for a walk along the corridor was quite a hassle as he refused to go further and turned back to the apartment every now and then. No matter how much I coaxed him he still refused to venture out.

Finally when he was settled on the steps to the hotel building, I did my regular exercise - walking up and down the short steps a dozen times until he was bored and ran back to the apartment. Honestly, it was a funny sight seeing his fat backkside and short legs wobling along the corridor. He attracted attention with different reaction. Some were so scared when they saw him, not sure whether he was a dog or a cat, friendly or fierce. When I assured them that he was such a docile cat, many loved touching his his thick coat of hair and patted him lovingly. Mok knows he is a handsome cat.









I took him back to PJ and he was quiet most of the way. The moment I arrived at my front gate in PJ, he started miewing and climbing all over the place, excited that he was home at last. I was amazed at his behaviour - how he recognized his home even before the gate was opened. When I let him out of the car, he just sat in front of the door waiting for me to open it for him to enter and he really lepak on the floor with his usual posture - flat on his stomach!















Now he is secured at home adored by Ika, Justin and Izrin. Before I leave for Haj, he is coming to PD again for his routine grooming and examination. Mok is quite high maintainance!!

I love you Mok and can't imagine life without you.

To update my glaucoma condition, I am glad to report that for the last 3 checkups, my doctors are happy that my eye pressure is stable and no further damage is detected. I am relieved and hope it will continue to be this good. The stress-free lifestyle and the regular exercise help a lot, I think. The Permata Hijrah treatment does play a role in helping me to stabalize the pressure - that is what I suspect and I'll continue to use the treatment and pray for the best. My recent complain is the cataract in my left eye, though not serious, it causes some difficulty to read road signs. I'll wait and see what will happen next.

Please pray for my safe return from Haj with Haji Mabrur.

Election

The Bagan Pinang, Port Dickson by-election is today. I bet everyone who is interested in politics will stay up tonight to find out the result. Last week, on Nomination day, I was at my apartment, thanking God that I didn't plan to go out. The road was jammed with supporters of PKR and Barisan and traffic was crawling like snail. Policemen, in uniform and plain clothes, were everywhere. Then I decided that on election day I must scoot out of PD. Chen, the PD Ascot Manager said she took hours to reach the office which normally time taken was only half an hour. What I fear most was the unruly behaviour of party supporters especially when they are under the influence of alcohol. I detest this barbaric behaviour. Now I am in PJ, I wonder what is happening in PD.

On Saturday 10 Oct 2009, I have to drive to Stadium Tertutup Nilai to attend the Haj Kursus Perdana. It was efficiently managed by Tabung Haji and I am happy I got to hear the talk on H1N1. Now I have an idea of how to take care of myself in a huge crowd like in Mecca. I didn't stay long and drove home before dark. The program was for 2 days with practical on how to perform the Haj.

I have to take infllenza and pneumococcol vaccine from a local doctor appointed by Tabung Haji. Unfortunately the two times I went there the doctor wasn't in with some excuses given by his receptionists. I wonder how would his patients feel when they come and he is not available? Isn't it ethical to close the clinic and put a sign of apology rather than letting the patients walk in with hope to get treatment form the doctor? It was quite frustrating actually going through repeated experience. That's why I don't mind seeing another doctor whose clinic is further. Finally Tabung Haji directed me to see a lady doctor who is always in her clinic. You can trust the ladies to be faithful in their jobs!






Montel Mok's sleeping style.
















Regal Raisa's sleeping style.









In Pj cuddling with my Mok and Raisa. They are my four-legged therapists!!

Bakawali

Bunga bakawali plant with 3 half-opened flowers.


















One of the unopened flower bud ready to show off its glory.













The back view of the half-opened bakawali.













The bakawali ready to open up for full bloom.















Full bloom bakawali with gentle sweet smell.








Once upon a time, there was an exceedingly beautiful princess in a far, far away land but nobody was able to see and admire her beauty. Everyone was intrique. She slept all day long and only got up at midnight to enjoy the beauty of darkness for a few hours and then back she went again into her dreamland. It was said she was cursed by an evil Queen who envied her extraordinary beauty and would not allow anyone to see it and cast a spell that she would be asleep all day except a few hours at night.

This is is an old story about Puteri Bakawali - by which this flower plant was named and they share the same characteristics. I have 2 pots of bunga bakawali in PD - one pot white in colour and the other pink. I was intrique too and curious to see how bunga bakawali looks like. It blooms only at night for a few hours and go limp soon after. Very few people have actually see the flowers in full bloom. When I saw my white bakawali plant bears 3 flower buds, I was excited and made a point to see it myself when in bloom. So when I saw the buds were going to open, I took the pot inside the apartment and lay awake, waiting. I learned this from my niece, Chom. True enough, at about 12.30 am, the flower buds opened up and by 1.00 am they were in full bloom. Really, they were magnificent and stunning with gentle sweet smell. I took a lot of photos but unfortunately I am a lousy photographer, my pictures do not do justice to the beauty of the flowers. I felt great and satisfied that finally I was able to see them in their glory. I have missed the pink ones once but I will stay awake the next time when they are in bloom again.

By the next morning all three bakawali flowers have gone limped and closed, waiting for time to drop - so pathetic and unattractive.

Anyway, thank you bakawali, you really exude a mystery.

Eventful 2009 Raya

It was a joyous Raya for me. After morning Aidilfitri prayer at the mosque, a door away from my Kg. Tunku house, we waited for Maz and Hazri and my sister Anah and family to come. Sister Rai and family and Juriah and family called to say they would arrive in the afternoon. So we began the Raya routine asking for forgiveness from the youngest to the eldest and this year, I am the oldest in the gathering. My other older brothers were with their respective families.




Since it was such a long time ago that all of us did the aidilfitri salam routine, we forgot how it was done during my parents' days but we successfully recalled the process. It was not as chaotic and fun as before because the nieces and nephews are grown up and there were not so many around. Of course Kak Nor remembers how it was then and Justin saw just a fraction of the process.




Ika salam raya with her husband, Justin.












Izrin salam raya with his sister,Maz.










Izrin salam raya with brother-in-law, Hazri.












As for me, I cannot express how grateful I am to Allah for having my 3 children and sons-in-law with me this year. In silence I shed tears of happiness and pride that I am given another good year of blessed life. I received a big duit raya (cheque) from Maz and that will go to my traveling. Ika and Justin sponsored all the expenditure and Izrin will have his turn once he has his own family. Thanks, Najidah, for the duit raya too and may you and your siblings have a joyous raya as well.

The second day of Raya, Kak Nor and I drove to Melaka. Unfortunaley Ika couldn't join us as she was not well and needed to rest. Maz and Izrin were in Hazri's car and we grouped at Ani's house in Batu Berendam and met more nieces and nephews. The little grandnieces and nephews were thrilled with the duit raya even though it was just a small amount. At my brother's, Mahir, house in Padang Temu, another kecoh with more relatives. Everyone was thrilled seeing Kak Nor again after such a long time - more than 15 years, as she is still our family member, no matter what. We moved to Fuzian's house in Tanjung Kling (my parents' old house) and visited my father's and my eldest brother's graves there.




At Ani's house in Melaka on 2nd Raya.








This happy occasion was marred by a disgusting incident in the car park of my PD apartment. Parking space was full and I parked at an empty space. I told a Chinese guy there that I would come back in 10 minutes after putting some food in my apartment and he said OK. Suddenly I was yelled at by a gangster-like Chinese guy who scolded and cursed me and said I blocked the way out. I did not! He is really a Chinaman ba******d with no manners and a shame to the country. He should pack up and go back to China where he belong! Kak Nor was shocked at his behaviour and his rudeness and said that's not a Malaysian behaviour that she knew. He had no reason to scold me. Arrogance and impatience and intolerance are the acquired manners of some stupid Malaysians. Though it upset me, both of us laughed and said let him go to hell and I am glad I made him angry. Hope his blood pressure shot up!!

I encountered another event with another arrogance Chinaman at the car park. One stupid Chinaman reversed his car without looking and banged on the side of my car and refused to pay RM100 I demanded. He said he has to paint his 4 wheel drive but it was a mere scratch while my car was dented. He just gave me RM60.00 and I was foolish enough to take it. When I went to make a police report, the policeman said I shouldn't take the money as taking the money means I agree to settle. What infuriated me was he blamed me instead and never said sorry. So I learn, If I want to make a police report, do not take the money and go straight to police station and make a report and he would get a Rm300 fine. Wow, this is the intricacy of dealing with minor car accidents that I have to know. So Kak Nor and I discussed and decided not to lodge the report. These incidents just spoiled my day. Other than this, it was a happy day.





Razali and family spent 4th Raya with me at PD. Thank you Razali for thinking of me.












With Rose, Razali's wife, kak Nor and Nuera, Razali's daughter at PD aprtment.








On 3rd Raya, 22nd Sept 09, I went back to PD after doing the usual round in Melaka. The next day Haidi's parents and siblings came for Raya followed by Razali's family, on 23rd Sept 2009 in the afternoon. It was really wonderful seeing him, wife, Rose and the children. Well, they have not forgotten their Nek Zu.


Thank you Ika, Justin, Maz, Hazri and Izrin for making me a very happy parent for this Raya. May Allah bless all of you and pray we'll spend more rayas together. Thank you Kak Nor for deciding to spend your Raya with us in Malaysia and hope you have a good trip back to Adelaide.

Aidilfitri Eve

This year I decided to celebrate my Hari Raya in my old house in Kg. Tunku, Petaling Jaya. The house has been closed for Raya celebration about 10 years. My children flew to Kuching to be with me for Raya when I was there and there was one year when Ika was the only one who could make it. So, immediately after Aidilfitri prayer at the mosque, we drove to Sri Aman and then to ..........................(oh gosh, I forgot the name of the town). We stayed overnight there and the next morning we took a boat ride to Tanjung Manis for a day. Dr. Napsiah's brother-in-law and wife were our hosts and we got to experience the Melanau Muslims celebrating Aidilfitri. Ika and I just loved the colourful houses (reminded me of the Malay Quarters in Cape Town) with flowering gardens,

So this year my sister-in-law (ex) is coming from Adelaide to celebrate Raya with us and she wanted to meet family members, so I decided to have her with me in Kg. Tunku. I told Kak Nor that Raya without my parents are so different - not as fun and kecoh as before when everybody met in my parents' house. First come first serve - whoever arrived early got to sleep in the 3 rooms available, the rest camped at the sitting room area. There were so many of us! The children had fun playing bunga api and collected duit raya from the uncles and the aunties. Those were the days!

Ika and Justin are playing hosts now. We prepared some snacks for the group tp come for takbir on Raya night. It was lucky the rain stopped. Justin played quite an active role in helping for the preparation. At about 9 pm the group arrived and I met a number of neighbours whom I have not met for quite some time. Unfortunately the session was a swift one as they have many more houses to visit on our stretch of road. By the time they arrived at the last house, I bet everyone will be full. So I told Ika to remember not to buy so much food next year. I was happy we opened our house this year. Justin has the experience of how we celebrated Raya eve but Kak Nor missed it as she arrived late.

Tomorrow on Raya day, we decided to stay home for Kak Nor to rest and for my brothers and sisters to come and visit - mostly to meet Kak Nor again after so many years. We still love her and consider her our family and she still has good and friendly relationship with my brother, Ariffin. I hope my nephews, Shah and Razali will be able to come back to visit Malaysia again one day and see the places they used to live.

It's going to be a good Aidilfitri for us.

Poor and neglected

Last Saturday, I went back to Chengkau, Rembau to see my cousin, Jaafar, with a purpose to pay my zakat for this year. I have forgotten that he is eligble to receive zakat. I paid zakat every year before for the purpose of income tax but now I don't have income tax to account for, I have a poor cousin who deserves it. I have some guilt feeling actually for ignoring this side of my family. They are poor and have been poor the whole of their life. They have so many cousins and uncles who are so well-off but none bothered to give a helping hand. I feel sorry that I wasn't a good niece to my aunt when she was alive. I hardly went back to my kampung to see how they were - too busy with my comfortable city life. I just wish I was kinder and paid more attention to the plight of unfortunate relatives. I would like my children and whoever read this blog to nurture a drop of understanding, sympathy, kindness and a charitable heart to help the unfortunate especially if they are relatives. I just hope I have enough time to make up for my arrogance.

In our conversation, my cousin Cham (Jaafar's younger sister) recounted her disappointment that Jaafar's request for a PPRT house ( for the very poor people) was not granted and she didn't understand why. Cham is a single parent and the only sibling who cares for Jaafar. He is 62 years old, lives alone, with one blind eye and the other is loosing sight fast and has mental disability. I suspect he is a schizo ( according to DSM1v) but has never been treated or diagnosed. The house he is living now is really dilapidated and when it rains he has to scuttle to find a place where there is no leak and dry. It's white-ants infested and can collapse at any time. I am not exaggerating and wondered why I didn't see all this before. I suppose I didn't care.

I really felt guilty and sad in my heart that I didn't have this awareness earlier. I didn't know about Cham's disappointment until she told me that Saturday. There were so many questions that I need to clarify with the authority and I wasted no to time in asking Cham to take me to see the Ketua Kampung. It was a disaster. I was furious to see his attitude. Ketua Kampung is supposed to care for the anak buah in the kampung but when I had response something like " I have done my duty to get him the Social Welfare aid, that's my job. Getting him a PPRT house is not my duty. I don't want susah-susah do work that's not my duty.' I was losing my temper but able to keep calm and asked for the phone number of the Wakil Rakyat there.

I sms the Wakil Rakyat briefly about my cousin's case and insisted I wanted to see him personally, no matter where and when. Finally he asked me to come on Monday at 11 am. Hei, I am free now - any time and anywhere I'll' be there as I need some answers. I was ready to track him even to the end of the earth if he gives excuses. I even planned to camp at his office all day. But alhamdullilah, on Monday we met, 45 minutes later than the appointed time.

The ADUN Kota is an action man and immediately used his machinery to get more details. I presented my cousion's case with photographs and he promised to see this case which he was not aware of. I couldn't get to the bottom of the problem of where all Jaafar's application forms have gone, who sent, when etc. He just told me that now he knows the case he will do something about it and doesn't want to blame anybody. It's fine with me but I want to see the outcome and when action will be taken - that's important. Cham said the government lied to people to help but I told her it's not the government but the people who are supposed to do the job cannot be trusted. Imagine, Jaafar's personal details weren't there but a hoax number of reference - no interview was done, no particulars were collected and numbers registered were wrong. I was disgusted. This is tantamount to penipuan and penganiayaan.

I spent more than an hour chatting with the Wakil Rakyat, sharing his experience and frustration. From the interaction, I think he is a caring Wakil Rakyat but his people down there need to develop some conscience and really do their job. Being a medical doctor, he can do better at his clinic but taking this job is a big responsibility. I wish him the best and hope he will follow through this case and other cases that are neglected by his people. I will definitely follow through Jaafar's case until I am happy with the outcome.

I told Cham, being poor doesn't mean you're small but there's need to build courage and confidence to get your right. I am teaching her to assert herself and not just 'sabar'. Being 'sabar' is a virtue but not a misplaced 'sabar' - you get walked all over you.

Travel cheap

Sharipah and I are two seniors who cannot stay put at home for long period of time. Usually our itchy feet will make us plan where to go next. Sharipah has 2 grandchildren who stay with their mother and I, not a grandma yet but hope to be one soon. Being single parents we are free to do and go as we please with clear conscience. Sharipah has traveled a lot more and visited most places in the world but the world is so huge that we find we have covered just a little fraction of it. I have a big world map pinned on my room wall with pins stuck indicating where I have been but it was just like a drop in the ocean. Even in Malaysia, there are still so many places we have not been and would like to visit all if possible. How nice to be Ian Wright, Samantha Brown, Asha Gill, Toby Amies and other travel hosts in TV - work and get to see places.

We are retired with a small pension and no fixed income but dream big to see the world before the world leaves us. Friends used to ask me, of all countries I have visited which one I like best. I have no answer to that question because every place and every country has its own uniqueness but some places I have no desire to go again. So in order to travel, we have to choose to travel cheap and wait for offers and discounted air tickets.

I prefer traveling by MAS or Firefly now. I avoid traveling by Air Asia. My last trip by Air Asia was in June for work to Singapore and ticket was bought by the company. I find MAS and Firefly offer better rate. When we went to Kota Kinabalu last July, we paid RM680.00 for two return with meals and 20 kg of luggage, compared to RM704.00 with no meals and 15kg of luggage by Air Asia. On top of that, going to LCT is so inconvenienced even though there is cheap bus there which takes an hour to reach. So you have to leave much early. Whereas by MAS to KLIA, you can check in luggage at Sentral and go by ERL or transit train there for 30 minutes in comfort. Just be aware of hidden cost by Air Asia. Traveling by Firefly is convenience too for me as the terminal is in Subang which is about 20 minutes from my PJ house. I remember my friend, Jin, who was angry for buying offer ticket from Air Asia to London because of the advertisement and later found out MAS offered much lower price. So always check internet for fare comparison, convenience and comfort.

Before MAS and Firefly offer cheap tickets, I had no choice but to travel by Air Asia. I used to hate it. People rushed and pushed to board the plane first and you have to pay for express ticket to be boarded ahead of others - so chaotic. It's a relief that there is competition now. For senior citizens like us, it matters that we get the cheapest tickets, convenience and meals on board. We can't afford to be jostled and pushed by energetic young thoughtless people.

We are going to Lake Toba in October with Firfly Holiday package - so much cheaper. I would like to see whether there is any difference now and 30 years ago when I first went there. We will use masks and hope for the best.

Book Writing

Last week, I met a counselling teacher whom I wasn't familiar, at Nilai Giant. He recognized and acknowledged me and we stood a while to chat. My poor memory was at rest and I promptly forgot his name. In our conversation he wanted to know what I was doing now and of course my standard response to such question was RTM - Rehat, Tidur, Makan. He didn't believe me. So I told him I am back writing a book. He was interested and quizzed me on how to write. Since he was eager to know, I gave him a short lecture on the process of writing a book - in 5 minutes!! I hope he understood what I was saying. Anyway, I have received the same question over and over again and I want to share with you my method on writing a book.

First, please be aware that I have never attended any course or workshop on book writing - academic or creative. But I have read a few articles on the subject. What I have is a deep interest to share my knowledge and experience, in writing. I started writing short articles in newspapers, magazines and office bulletins in 1983 and some people persuaded me to write more. That helped me to gain confidence especially when my bosses complimented on my articles. Wah....kembang!!

In a nutshell this is how I write.
1. Idea stage - I have an idea in my mind on the subject to write. I know, once I have that idea, I need to fertilize it, otherwise it will occupy my mind which makes me uneasy until I sit down to write it.
2. Fertilization process - I read and read and think and think, and research and research. I sleep, eat, ponder and dream with the idea. Whatever materials I found, I'll print, photocopy or buy and stuff them in a file which I called 'Fertilization File'. I do a lot of library and internet research.
3. Reading process - I began to read the old and new materials which I have collected and jotting down important points. They are in huge jumble and can be mind-boggling but I don't care.
4. Writing process - This is a tough part. Sometimes I got stuck here on how to begin and what to write or my mood just abandoned me. So, I have to motivate myself in my own way especially by writing down my time-limit goal. I employ a free-flow style.
First stage -I just write whatever comes in my mind based on my reading, research and my experience. I don't sanction my writing - it's mine and mine alone, so why bother what's right, what's wrong? At this stage there was no sections or chapters and I kept on writing and adding more relevant information and ideas until I am satisfied. I don't care about language, spelling, punctuations or appropriate words yet, writing everything down is my focus. I make sure I write down my references first in case I lose or forget it.
Second stage - Rereading the product and from here I got the idea of chapters, topics and contents. So the process of cut and paste for the right chapters begins. At the same time, more reading and researching and more information will surface. At this stage, I usually suffer from sudden ideas surfacing at any time of the day or night. I will get up and jot it down or less I'll forget the next day. I will stop by the roadside if I am driving to jot down the ideas that come at that moment. I will stop eating and jot ideas in my notebook which is always with me. It's like a fever! I dream my book.
Third stage - writing proper chapters. I begin the process of editing where I pay attention not only to contents but also to appropriate words and terms, the language, spelling and structure. Sometimes I am so focused on the book, I am not able to sleep until I am satisfied and happy with the days' work. Usually I go to sleep at the wee hours in the morning.
Fourth stage - exhaustion. So the book goes into hibernation for a while until I pick up stamina to look at it again and this time it is a non-stop train journey. I'll work to improve on it until I am satisfied. More additional information is added, more changes which provide better structure and more relax as I see my product.
Fifth stage presenting the book to the publisher for the editors to go through and answer queries from them. I make adjustments through their suggestions. AND a sigh of relief, it's over. I just wait for the publication to be out. It takes quite some time to reach this level.
Sounds easy, isn't it? So no big deal, anyone can do it if she/ he puts heart and soul into it. You need very little, mainly interest, dedication, focus, knowledge and a huge dose of self-confidence and believe in yourself.

Life is difficult if you make it so.
The eyes catch the beauty of God's creation but the heart catches the beauty of the soul.

Quiet Time

I suppose H1N1 and economic slowdown are a blessing in our lives. I find situation is so peaceful and unhurried but I don't know actually how it was like in KL. Last year, Ramadhan offered so many Berbuka Puasa package at hotels and resorts in PD and there were people everywhere. Thank God, it was different this year. I don't see advertisements enticing visitors for sumptious spread of Berbuka Puasa to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Shopping complexes in Seremban were not as busy though there were sales attractions almost in every shop. I had a leisurely time shopping at Parkson in Seremban looking for my toilet accessories. How nice if this becomes common practice among us, thrifty in our spending. I just hope the Malays learn to change their habit by not being extravagence during Raya as Islam doesn't encourage this practice.

My book project with Najidah is completed finally and I am in the process of looking for a different publisher, intead of my usual one. I just want to see what other publishers can offer. To my former students and collegues who are interested to learn to write a book, I am always here, willing to help. I don't have favaurite people but if anyone wants to write you have to be focused, worked on it with no excuses and follow my lead. Now I have other projects in mind and looking for interested ex-students and friends to be involved. But please be advised, you don't get rich by writing academic books here but you will experience self-satisfaction and pride. Syok sendiri is good in this respect!

Since program PERASA was intoduced by Shahabudin, I have been advising him to produce a book on his program. He was fully aware that a lot people lifted his work without acknowledging him and claimed it as theirs. This is our problem - plagarism. We have a screwed idea that acknowledging the sources of reference is a sign of weakness especially if the source is local. I also have seen my work lifted but my name wasn't mentioned. This misplaced idea should be banished from our mind. In actual fact acknowledging the source of the materials means we are prefessional, honest and have self-confidence - something to be proud of. I am still waiting for Shahabudin to start writing as I have promised to help but not to write it. He has to do the work himself.

The Berbuka Puasa stalls are less this year in PD and I see less people buying - bad for business but good for the people. So far I bought food for berbuka puasa 4 times, prefering to do simple cooking at home. If I go out to buy I make sure I go early before the food is laid out, open to dust and flies. The resort is quiet most of the time, less people coming on weekends and less drunkards around. I wish the resort has the power to ban people consuming alcohol in the premise.

I am still looking for a place with complete peace. Wonder whether such place exists in this world.

Merdeka !

Another year of celebration for Merdeka. Malaysia is approaching retirement age and is still learning how to age gracefully. I remember 31 August with such pride for being a Malaysian, a Malay living in my own beautiful country. But I also experience a sense of sadness for my race, the Malays, as they will lose their sense of identity if they don't fully internalised this idependence in their own country. It's the 'semangat' that's lacking among so many young Malays who are being swept in the tide of modernisation, political ideation, and religious belief. Some are so willing to trade this 'semangat' for their own selfish ends or just follow what others ask them to do. The recent demonstration against ISA showed how short-sighted they are. As my son said, most Malays are just followers and are easily influenced without using their rational thinking. To me, Merdeka means much more - real independence, as I have gone through my life as a Malay who did not receive respect on my own land but being ridiculed and thus suffered low self-esteem. It was quite a struggle for me in 1957 to establish my Malay indentity and to prove that I was just as good as the Chinese and the Indians in my school. I thank the Malay leaders who provided this opportunity for me to move forward. I never forget this but many Malays forget how they were being helped and are ready to bite the hand that feed them. Sad to say, I see this lack of 'semangat' among many young Malays, even among my own children. But having just a 'semangat' is not enough as there's need to prove that we are as good as anyone else and strive for the best. So, happy MERDEKA and be proud of being Malaysians living in this beautiful land and work together to keep the peace.

Pre-Merdeka day was spent in Sri Menanti with Najidah. She came for a visit to complete our book project. It's completed and insyallah will go into print next year. As a reward to our hard work, we decided to take time off to visit this old royal town, Sri Menanti, to see the magnificent old Royal Palace, built without using a single nail, completed in 1908.
The palace has majestic backdrop of green hills and serene surrounding. I just hope it won't get muddled up with new development and housing estate.




Najidah at the Dewan Santapan in the Royal Palace of Sri Menanti.












The garden of Sri Menanti Royal Palace.








It is magnificent, indeed - an official residence for the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and his consort, the Tunku Ampuan. The Palace is a muzeum now exhibiting our Minangkabau connection.



We missed the Adat Perpatih Festival in July and I aim to see and learn my cultural heritage in the festival next year. Both my parents came from Adat Perpatih culture but unfortunately my family abandoned the practice and removed ourselves by living in Malacca.

The Palace is acknowledged in the Malaysian Book of Records as the tallest Timber Palace. As we came at a time when they were busy rearranging, redecorating etc, etc in preparation for the grand celebration in October, we missed the atmosphere of a Palace. But the garden is beautiful and we planned to come again after October 2009. My friend Sharipah said, we should go and see such place the latest 6 months after the celebration. Later than that, the place will go into dump for being neglected - that's Malaysian culture - grand opening celebration but very poor maintenance after.

En. Nordin and Pn. Azura, the persons incharge of the muzeum suggested we go to Bahau to see Teratak Zaaba which we have not heard before. Eager to see something new we drove to Bahau. Shidah, my former student, lives. Since we couldn't fine Teratak Zaaba, Najidah called her to find out where. With her instruction we found it. If you're interested to go there, do not go to Bahau town but turn to Batu Kikir to Kampung Bukit Kerdas, you won't miss it. Thank you Shidah for invitating us to break our fast with your family but we had to decline. We need to reach PD before dark to break our fast and terawih. Maybe some day I'll pay you a visit as I have promise.d.

Teratak Zaaba is something worth visiting. The traditional Negeri Sembilan architecture house is gorgeous and well-maintained. There is also a history of the life of Pendeta Zaaba, a Malay scholar who had tremedous inflence on the Malay language and Malay culture. He died on 23 October 1973. I still have regrets in my heart for not keeping intact his first edition book on Bahasa Melayu called Pelita Bahasa. Somebody borrowed and never returned it. I recalled vaguely my father's friendship with him as they were teaching together in SITC in 1930s.

We made it to PD well before breaking fast time for me to cook ayam salai masak lemak cili api, a Negeri Sembilan traditonal dish which I learned from my mother but promptly forgot about it. My effort was nothing to shout about but OK for a novice taste bud like Najidah's. Wll try again the next time with proper ingredients.






Old is beautiful if you know how to take care of it. I am always proud of my Malay heritage.

First Day of Fasting

Nothing much happens so far today. I had my sahur at midnight last night and didn't get up except to drink some water. I still have the same problem as before, getting up so often to toilet to relieve myself. Though it doesn't effect my sleep as I go back to dreamland immediately my head touches the pillow, it's quite annoying.

School holidays have begun but the resort is rather quiet because few guests are arriving. The security guards have a reprieve this fasting month. They usually experience tough times dealing with demanding resort guests who pick a fight. Poor security guards. They are paid pittance and have to deal with aggressive, irresponsible people especially those who are drunk. Talking to them made me admire them for being patience, firm and diplomatic. They have little training but use common sense and experience as their guide. Most of the guards are retirees. Some of the young guards, mostly Indians, who were caught drunk on duty, their services have been terminated. This is quite a big relief to me as I have felt so unsecured having security guards who slept and got drunk on the job.

My brother, Mahir, and family paid me a visit last Saturday. In our conversation he said he didn't like traveling or going anywhere now except to stay at home where he felt most comfortable. Shahabudin's mother-in-law said the same thing - she doesn't even want to go out for dinner, preferring to have it at home. I do feel the same way sometimes, preferring to stay in but traveling bug is still bugging me. I still have plans and dreams to trudge places different from mine, seeing different things and enjoying different experience. I know one day soon I'll share the same feeling as my brother's when I'll feel most secured in my own environment, enjoying my own company with peace. But meanwhile, world you haven't seen enough of me yet!

The H1N1 scare is very real. I heard many people made a mockery of it saying the government is blowing the horn too loud and told me to disregard it. A friend told me that a Singapore doctor said it was ridiculous and that the government is making a stupid mistake. Whatever it is, they are entitled to their belief and I hope it doesn't infect them. Sometimes we always have the perception that other people will get it but not us but once we get infected then we blame other people. That's the arrogance of human beings. Anyway, I don't want to take chances and so further travel is kept on hold. I pray that this H1N1 flu will go away soon and not taking more lives.

A friend forward an email about taking care of our own personal hygiene and not depending on the masks to keep away the virus. It's simple and we should make it our daily practice. Washing hands regularly especially after using the toilet is important. I use hand sanitizer to avoid my hands being wet too often which can result in knuckle pain. The small bottle is always in my handbag.

Cleaning the nostrils twice a day is another must. This reminds me of why during abolution in preparing for prayer, Muslims are required to clean their noses. But most of the time we do it as a routine without understanding the purpose behind it. Blowing water out of the nose strongly helps to get rid of the dirt or virus which get stuck in our nostrils. I admit that I am one of those ignorant Muslims but with this knowledge, I change my habit.

Gurgling with warm salt water regularly is another way of keeping personal hygiene to keep away the virus. The virus enters our body through nostrils and mouths, so it makes sense to keep them clean. This is another practice which a Muslim is supposed to do during abolution - to wash the mouth and gurgle 3 times. We do it of course but as a routine practice - as long as we komor-komor 3 kali, cukup. There is a reason for every routine practice Muslims are supposed to do. For the uztaz and ustazah who teach Agama Islam, these are the information that should be given to children and adults alike - not just the routine practice without explaining the reasons why and focusing on the batal and the haram.

Using the mask helps but keeping personal hygiene and avoiding crowded places are crucial to keep away the virus. Let's hope H1N1 will go away soon and leave our country free. My itchy feet is just waiting for the fasting month and raya to be over so that I can travel again.

To my Muslim readers, Selamat Berpuasa.

Lazy day

It's quiet again this Sunday evening. Most people have gone back to where they came from. This morning the cleaners complained that the resort guests dirtied the place by throwing beer cans and broken bottles everywhere. Drunk, they urinated at the steps-so disgusting!! Doesn't it make sense that Islam forbids alcohol consumption? Once drunk they become animals and all senses go to the sewage. I hate these people and they are really poison. Unfortunately many of them are young and educated as education seems only for chasing a piece 0f paper - nothing else! Now I have no mood to go out to buy vegetables and no mood to do my walking exercise. I'll do it tomorrow.

On Sunday 9 August, I went to KL (PWTC) by LRT. I had no desire to drive there even though it was Sunday and the road was supposed to be clear but I didn't trust KL traffic. Traveling by LRT was no better, it was just as crowded. I met 2 lady tourists from Finland who wanted to go to Tasik Perdana by bus. They looked so flustered and unhappy. One of them showed me a tourist map of KL and complained that they couldn't find the places indicated there. I bet it was an old map of KL.With so many road changes, the map has to be updated regularly and I am sure it was not done. I can understand how frustrated they felt, getting lost in a foreign country. They grumbled that traveling in Malaysia is so difficult and the maps are no help. I wanted to help but I myself am not sure of my way around KL. Fortunately the lady at the LRT counter was helpful and she knew the way and which bus to take. I hoped they found their way there.

While traveling in LRT, I have a strange feeling that I was not in my own country. I heard different languages spoken. Almost everyone I got in contact with was a foreigner, mostly foreign workers - Indonesians, Philippinos, Indians, Bangladeshis, Vietnamese etc. Hei, what happened to my Malaysia? KL is full of foreign workers and some of them lack manners and forget that Malaysia is not their country. Social problems are increasing every year, criminal activities are getting worse and more and more unpleasant happenings occur almost everyday. With some bad Malaysians around, the situation is not safe.

The Tilawah Al Quran Exhibition was on at PWTC. I went there for a purpose - to see the Permata Hijrah exhibits for they offer eye treatment. I was encouraged to visit and see what they can offer. Razali and Dr. Norsiah of Unimas and Ahmad Bazli suggested that I try their glaucoma treatment. I was skeptical at first but decided to try it anyway. Their eye drop and eye spray seem simple and it costs me RM650.00 during this promotion.

3 days later, after returning from Taiping, I went to UMSC for my eye checkup with Dr. Tajunisa. She did visual field test as well and was pleased at the result - there was no further damage and my eye pressure is safe at 14. Please be aware that I am not saying that Permata Hijrah works but I was happy with the outcome of the test. What contributes to this good result maybe due to my regular walking exercise (except today - too lazy!), minimizing computer use and TV and lead a more relaxed life. I hope I'll be able to maintain this good result throughout with the help of Permata Hijrah. Oh yes, one thing I wasn't aware which Azizah pointed out - I didn't use my reading glasses when I read newpapers at her verandah. I still need reading glasses though if I am reading indoors. This pleases me much and I am watching myself for further development, if any. I have hope and I have prayers.

Tomorrow will be a day as good as today.
Insyaallah.