Thursday, October 29, 2009

Once Upon A 'Bangla'


I disliked them. Those 'Bangla'. There were everywhere. They took control of the supermarket, the sideways, the gas station, the airport. They were just 'everywhere'.

As I reached Lahore 4 years ago, they were also everywhere! Too late to turn back home as the next flight was on the next couple of days. I couldn't wait to get into the hotel room. I just wanted to be left alone without seeing any 'Bangla'.

The immigration counter was 2 hours away, as there were about 60 people ahead of me. I took a deep breath and kept telling myself to calm down. Few women passed by, went straight ahead without having to queue. This is unfair! I thought. I pulled myself together and was getting ready make a complain. I tested my communication skills on their way of pronunciation.

As I reached the officer, I was ready with enough strength to twist and curl my tongue in order to be understood. I actually swung my head is such a way to get the right curl of my tongue. I just want to make sure he got my complain right.

The officer smiled at me and pointed at the sign 'for woman travellers and children only'. I handled my passport. Blushed.

Reaching the customs counter, I was behind a man, who was struggling hard, stuffing all his belongings back to his opened bag. Oh no... I wondered what would jump out of my bag later.

Next, my turn.... the custom officer signalled me to the exit. Wow! I went through without hassle.

Someone was outside waiting for me for 4 hours. He was told not to make me wait and to make sure I reach the hotel safely, by his boss. Relief...

I reached the hotel room, enjoyed the ambience, elegance, the view and the local music on TV.

The next day, at breakfast time, the waiter told me about his experience working in Malaysia. He likes Malaysia and he likes Malaysian. He was telling me how hard his life was, when he lost his job due to end of Visa. He saved every single cent for his family back home. It was just a quickie meal, as people were already at the lobby waiting to bring me to the client's place. They kept me confident of my safety.

As reaching the client's place, Lahore University Of Management & Sciences (LUMS), I felt so welcomed. The place is so beautiful. The women were gorgeous. Those people were so friendly. Their men regard women with full of respect. I've never felt so honored.

My conducted course went well. Perfect arrangement done for me. I didn't even have to start my own computer as it was all taken care of. My coffee mug was always filled whether or not I like it. I didnt even have to carry my own computer.

I was taken to a nice dinner with traditional performance. They came in their full punjabi's costume for me to see. They accompanied me for breakfast, for lunch and dinner throughout my 3 days visits. They were everywhere! I was surrounded by those wonderful people, the great hosts.

Back to Malaysia, he helped me with my luggage. I thanked him and I gave him my sincere smile. The Pakistani porter. He is no longer a 'Bangla' to my senses. He sacrifices his family and his life for the money. Sometimes he gets paid, sometimes he doesn't. He is here to support his family back home.

God's painting

In every flight I boarded, I never fail to view the beauty of God's creation. Witness His artistic power. Sometimes, I thought, He probably sending us messages thru this genre of the universe. I see calmness, happiness, sorrow and anger in them. (Just thinking-aloud).

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Non-singer's Lullaby


You're the reason I live
You're the reason I live
You're every breath I take
My love....
My sweet destiny
You're everything to me
God has given me
The greatest creation of all
You......
You're the reason I live.

Those are very short lyrics of a special song I 'sort of ' composed for my children about 4 years ago. I used to lull it to Adri at bed times, when I no longer need to tuck Nadia in.

Now that they both have grown up, they don't need me to lull them anymore, but I believe someday, when I'm gone and when they have their own children, when they wouldn't remember the sound of my voice, they will always remember those words.

 Tidurlah tidur anakku
Buah hatiku....
Telah lama kau bermain
Di siang hari
Tidurlah tidur anakku
Dalam buaian...
Bermimpilah yang indah
dalam pelukan ibu
Ibu selalu menjagamu
Dengan sepenuh hati
Tak pernah ibu lupakan
Walau sekejap
Berjanjilah anak manis
Buah hati seorang ibu
Cinta hati seorang ibu
Tak pernah lupa

An old number sang by Flora Santos (Sabahan singer). I forgot the title. I used to lull the song to my younger siblings and to my kids when they were still a baby. They remember this song very well.

One more story
One more story
Then its time for bed
One more fairy tale
Then rest your weary head
One more kiss
I'll turn off the light
Everything is gonna be alright
I'll still be here
when you wake up in the morning
Close your eyes And say good night

Go to bed now You've had a busy day
I'll be on your side I'll never go away
One more kiss
I'll turn off the light
Everything is gonna be alright
I'll still be here when you wake up in the morning
Close your eyes and say good night

I cant believe...
Just how fast you're growing
I'm gonna cry
when you're old enough to go And be on your own

But until that very moment
Everything is gonna be alright
You'll still be here
when I wake up in the morning
Close you eyes and say good night.

A sweet melody by Peter Cetera. I used to lull to my kids at the age when they started to understand words. I smiled of relief seeing them lulled to calmness. But now, this song causes me tears. Those are the unsaid words of all mothers.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Weekend Getaway

Unplanned and before heading back to KL to work and work and work, I decided to excite my dear parents, who are longing for every visit from any of the 'more-than-a-dozen' children. To Lahad Datu I went.
Unlike during Eids, the house is empty. For Once I had a total control of the TV. For once I had my beauty sleep over the weekend, after a long busy weeks at work. For once I didn't have to fight for the little john's room. For once I had a chance to look around the house, scrutinizing every corner , appreciating the creativity of our very own interior designer(my mother). And guess what I found..? I am a daughter of one of the Sabah's 'Tokoh Kemerdekaan'. I am proud of you, dad. I spent quality time with my adorable nieces and nephews.
My most fond cowboy town, where I made my regular round to the fish and vegetable market. All the inferior quality ambiences and the unpleasant odor could not deter my affection for fresh tiger prawn, fresh veggies, live crabs and fresh and shiny fish, which later costed me additional RM180 at the airport on excess luggage. Had my long-acquired 'Nasi Kuning' for the breakfast at the local stall. My hubby's and kids' favorite too. Living out of my hometown for more than 30 years, still Lahad Datu is the 'D Place'. Offbeating my life in KL, people here are living basic, less stress, places within short distance, with breathtaking greenery and ocean view, culturally different, houses with shocking color, different language, which I speak. I visited my late bro Jamal's house. Had a glance on their last family photo together. Felt sad for my sis-inlaw and her 3 school going children. Noticed the empty building next to the house, supposed to be for birds to nest, but yet to see any, except for few curious swallows, flew in and out. Visited parents' Oil Palm plantation too. Mom said the oil palm harvesting is encouraging this year. For many years, I've been looking forward for such a quality visit to my hometown. I'm glad I did.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Life in Lahad Datu

America, where I spent 4 years of my university years....Kuala Lumpur where I live and work for almost 20 years, not counting the number of years during my late primary and early secondary school......Penang where I spent a short off-days with my inlaws .....then back to basic, Lahad Datu, my home town. Although not much memories I could gather, but there, where I was born and spent my early childhood, attending religious school, roaming thru to the wilderness of forestland collecting rubber seeds for a traditional game, experienced selling ice-cream, walked 1.5 miles away to St Dominic Primary school(when the driver was not well), helped taking care of my younger siblings, while my parents were most of the time busy with politics, leaving 13 of us with dearly grand mother and 3 servants. There, where I spent most of the late afternoon playing house under the tree with my cousins, young uncles and sister, playing 'batu seremban', learned swimming by jumping into the nearby river and self-struggling to float, without worries of possible reptiles. All the adventures stopped when I left for KL at the 5th grade. The rest of my visits to LD were during school holidays and Eids. I was shocked! to see a baby crocodile in that river 2 years ago. The crocs probably afraid of little Faida then. Lahad Datu, where a red durian exists, is dear to me. Spent 3 days over the weekend, driving around places, trying to find anyone I hoped to recognize, but none. Hey! Traffic jam exists. Took a few snaps of familiar places. New buildings and the old ones are side by side. Activities downtown are as 30 years ago. Good news! all houses are equipped with flushed toilet. Better drainage and utilities are in placed. Internet is available but I have no patience to wait. Very slow. The airport is upgraded from the level of 'Kedai Kopi-like' without aircon to Cafe-like with aircon. Anyway, that doesnt matter to me. Who serves inflight ,does. Lately, I always bumped onto European tourists at LD airport. They seem to know more about places of nature within LD compared to me. They told me about Tabin Wildlife, where Sumatran Rhino was sighted. I read brochures of beautiful Sipadan and Mabul Island, the under water paradise, I heard about Danum Valley, pictured as almost paradise. I know about the Bird's Nest harvesting at Madai Caves, which according to the old folks, owned by my ancestors, 7th generations ago. All these are reachable within 2-3 hours drive from the tiny town. Okie dokie...!More about LD when I hear more from the tourists.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Seminar week

Conducted VTLS User Group seminar at Putra Jaya Perdana Leadership Foundation Library (PLF), Tun Mahathir's office, but too bad didnt manage to see the great man. Saw a few foreign visitors were waiting to meet him. I am honored to receive a few books written by Tun, which now left to the secretary for his autograph. About 70 people attended the seminar. Encouraging. Last day of the Seminar, took a cruise of Putrajaya lake. Nice and wonderful sceenery.
On the next couple of hours after the Putrajaya Lake cruise, I was already at the airport, geared to board my flight to Sabah for The Blue Ocean Strategy seminar, took place at Magellan Resort with beautiful ocean view, conducted by the author himself Prof W. Chan Kim. Unexpectedly, despite the long flight arriving after midnight, during the seminar, I didnt fall into head banging to unrythmic trance, unlike many seminars and conferences I previously attended. Among the 200 people, the Chief Minister of Sabah and representatives from each ministry attended. Mr. CM attended fullday. Thats how interesting it was. When the CM around, who dare to leave the room? Not even to the restroom, until the coffee break. I met a few old friends and clients and friend's friend. I felt small as they are all with Datukship and YBs. Guess whoelse I met?My old university-mate and Datuk D.J.Dave. Nostalgia.
In the ballroom, I took a few shots before the MC announced, no camera.
Oh ya..I'm proud to know that Sabah owns the largest rainforest in Asia and 3rd in the world, which not many Malaysian know this. And what is lacking from Malaysian? Visualization of Awakening, Exploration,Strategy Fair and Communication(base on the book). Hence, the important facts about our natural treasure is remain unknown.
Back to the hotel room. Back to blogging habit. Could not sleep in a strange place.Need The Beatles (Something in the way she moves..)to put me to bed.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Highways and biways to Putrajaya



Since last week and to be continued to the end of this week, my visual is focused on highways, biways and toll houses.

Our clients are mostly government sectors. My current project requires me to travel to Putra Jaya almost every day.

I call this neat and clean place A-City-of-Bridges. It has many elegant bridges running above mind-relaxing lake, heading towards monument-look-alike giant buildings.

Putra Jaya is located about 1 hour drive from the City of Kuala Lumpur. Most of the government sectors have moved there, easing the traffic in central KL. Its a very well planned Super Corridor, except for the car park area. Many times my car parked anywhere, waiting to be clamped (Yet to happen).

To all my Philipinos and Philipinas relatives, do remind me to bring you to Putra Jaya if you happen to be in town.