Year End Visit to Clients in Sabah

 

Like my last month’s visit to Kota Kinabalu, I chose the hotel located in a newly urbanized area, 1Borneo. Grand Borneo Hotel is quite OK. What I like the most is the location which is connected to the 1borneo Mall, besides, its only 5 minutes drive from where my client is. The room is clean and cozy, nice pictures on the wall and it provides me a soothing window view. RM248 per night is reasonable for its standard.

My meeting with a client went well. My colleagues and I were given a warmth welcome as in the past visit. And as in the past visits, I would usually be the camerawoman.

The lady Boss (client) was so glad to receive our visit. She proudly showed me her nicely decorated room and all the recognition given to her department, UMS Library.

     

 

She has the best view seen through her windows. While my colleagues were busy capturing the beautiful garden, I captured their astonishment.

 

Next visit was to another client which windows , too, displayed a beauty.

The staff were excited seeing our admiring the view from their office.

    

Looking at those beauties inspired me to sketch.

POIC is stands for Palm Oil Industrial Cluster. The Sabah State Government set up POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd to spearhead palm oil downstream processing so as to add value to its 1.4 million hectares of oil palm plantations. I’m proud to have them as my client, as it has creates jobs and business opportunities to the people of my hometown, Lahad Datu, located 55 minutes by flight, south eastern Sabah.

Ok enough of business talk……The rest of our visit of the day was to the shopping mall. Christmas is just around the corner, but the celebration is felt long before the date. Christmas trees were seen at every entrance. Christmas songs were heard at every corner.

 

  Jingle bell..!  Jingle bell..!   Jingle al the way……

Ops..!!! Dinner time..!!!

What is a visit to the land below the wind without seafood..?? Nothing much to tell. You watch me eat..

Yes..!!! All of them. Consumed by just 2 ladies. (Oh God..please let me out of this gluttony.)

We returned to hotel with full tummy. It wasn't too early to sleep , then, but as usual, I couldn't get my eyes closed in a strange place. So I picked up a pencil and sketch book that I bought at the mall that evening. Sketch..sketch..throw…sketch..sketch..throw….at the end..zzzzzZzzz

Cerita Purba ku –Episod 17

Hari itu adalah hari yang paling bahagia bagi Pak Chot. Tangan longlai Halimaton menyapu wajahnya dengan kain basah tadi masih dirasai kehangatannya. Degupan jantung Pak Chot semakin kencang. Terasa hendak berterus terang pada Pak Lurah dan Mak Lurah, tapi beliau terlalu segan untuk mengatakannya.
Kini mereka semua berada di depannya. Halimaton juga berada di depannya. “Intan makan ya?” Suara lembutnya kedengaran merdu sekali di telinga Pak Chot. Halimaton tengah menyuapkan nasi ke mulut Intan. Anak kecil itu kelihatan riang bersama gadis manis itu.
“Bawa Intan ke dalam, nak.” Arah Mak Lurah. Halimaton menggendong Intan masuk. Dia sempat melirikkan matanya pada Pak Chot. Degupan jantung Pak Chot semakin deras. Keringat dingin mengalir ke dahi.
“Tadi anak kata ada calun yang sesuai untuk Halimaton? Siapa dia,anak muda?” Soalan mak Lurah itu sungguh tajam menusuk kalbunya. '”ah..kali ini aku tidak mau lepaskan peluang” bisik hatinya. Dia kuatkan semangat.
“Ha’ah, siapa dia?” Pak Lurah pula bersuara.
“Sebenarnya…err…maksud hamba…nanti hamba tolong carikan” Tiba-tiba Pak Chot hilang semangat dan tidak berani untuk berterus terang.
“Hah. bagus lah kalau begitu. Terima kasih lah, anak muda. Minta-minta biarlah orang itu seorang yang bijaksana dan boleh menjaga anak kami dengan sempurna” Kata Pak Lurah lagi.
Perbualan seterusnya dipenuhi dengan hal-hal mengenai keadaan kampung. Kedua suami isteri itu begitu senang dengan kehadiran Pak Chot. Panggilan ‘anak muda’ membuat Pak Chot terasa semakin muda. Dia memerhatikan jari jemarinya yang tidak lagi kelihatan berkedut seperti dahulu. Badannya juga semakin tegap. Padan kah aku memperisterikan Halimaton? Sanggup kah dia hidup denganku? Tapi limah bagaimana? Pak Chot teringat akan Limah. Tiba2 beliau resah.
“Hamba minta diri, Pak Lurah, Mak Lurah” Pak Chot bangun dari duduknya.
“Eh, kenapa tergesa-gesa ni?. Mak Lurah agak terkejut. Pak Chot juga terkejut.
“Hari sudah semakin senja, biarlah hamba minta diri dulu. Terima kasih” Pak Chot memberi alasan.
“Baiklah nak. Jaga diri baik-baik”. Mak Lurah dan Pak Lurah turut berdiri mempersilakan Pak Chot ke tangga. Terdengar Pak Chot meminta diri, Halimaton dan Intan muncul ke pintu. Dia menghulurkan Intan pada Pak Chot. “Nanti Intan datang lagi ya” Sungguh lunak suara itu kedengaran. Tangannya menggapai Intan dari gendongan Halimaton. Keduanya mengukir senyuman yang penuh makna. Pak Chot tertunduk. Kali ini dia tidak sanggup bertentang mata dengan gadis itu. Entah mengapa, beliau terasa bersalah pula pada Limah.
Selangkah demi selangkah Pak Chot menuruni anak tangga. Berat hati Pak Chot untuk meninggalkan anak beranak itu.Tapi fikirannya masih teringatkan Limah. Sekali lagi beliau menoleh kebelakang dan mengucapkan selamat tinggal, lalu berjalan pulang.
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Kenapa aku terlalu bodoh? Kenapa aku tidak berterus terang? Mengapa tidak ku katakan saja? Pak Chot marah pada dirinya sendiri.Intan yang masih tidak tahu apa2 itu leka melihat alam sekelilingnya. Dia seronok sekali digendong Pak Chot begitu. Pak Chot teruskan perjalanan  tanpa berhenti.  Masa perjalanannya terasa begitu pendek.Tanpa disedari, bumbung rumahnya sudah pun kelihatan.
Hari sudah senja. Anak tangga rumahnya hanya beberapa langkah sahaja lagi. Beliau terhenti seketika. Beliau mengarahkan cuping telinganya kearah rumahnya. Suara isakan kedengaran dari dalam rumahnya. “Limah..?” Pak Chot berlari menuju tangga. Beliau hampir terjatuh apabila tersepak anak tangga.”Limah..!!” Dia terpekik nama itu lagi. Hanya Limah sahaja yang ada di hatinya ketika itu. Mungkin kah Limah datang lagi? itulah yang diharapkannya. Pak Chot terus berlari masuk ke dalam.
Nantikan sambungannya di Episod ke-18…tunggu……

Episod 18:


http://philantropist-wannabe.blogspot.com/2012/01/cerita-purba-ku-episod-18.html

Cerita Purba ku – Episod 16

Selesai menjamah makanan, Pak Lurah menjemput Pak Chot ke serambi rumah. Tiupan angin sepoi2 bahasa membawa ketenangan di jiwa Pak Chot, lebih2 lagi apabila mendengar suara2 kecil Intan yang leka dilayani Halimaton.
“Anak sebenarnya berasal dari mana?” Ayat pembuka dari Pak Lurah itu membuat Pak Chot tergamam. Apakah yang harus aku katakan? Patutkah aku berterus terang? Ah..tidak mungkin Pak Lurah percaya.
“Anak muda..” Pak Chot terkejut dari lamunannya. “er…maaf Pak Lurah..er…saya datang dari ..err..Seri Menanti..aa..amat jauh dari sini.” Nama tempat itu terkeluar dari mulutnya. Beliau sendiri tidak tahu di mana tempat tersebut. “oh..” Pak lurah mengangguk perlahan tanpa bertanya lagi. Beliau sendiri tidak tahu di mana tempat tersebut. Pak Chot tersandar, lega.
Pak Lurah menghulurkan tapak sireh pada Pak Chot. “Silakan, anak muda”. Pak Chot menyambutnya. “Terima kasih ” , sambil tangannya menggapai daun Sireh sehelai.  Daun Sireh diletakkan ditelapak tangannya. Pak Lurah juga mencapai sehelai. Beliau mencuitkan jarinya kedalam bekas yang berisi kapur.Di calitkannya benda putih itu ke permukaan daun. Kemudian ditaburkannya kepingan buah Pinang serta pecahan2 gambir di atas, lalu melipatkan daun tersebut membungkusi bahan2 tadi. Pak Chot perhatikan sahaja.
“Kenapa termenung sahaja, anak muda? Sila lah” tiba2 Mak Lurah keluar, menyapa. “ er…baik Mak Lurah, terima kasih”. Pak Chot meniru cara2 Pak Lurah menyediakan Sireh tadi. Bungkusan Sireh lalu di kunyanya perlahan-lahan. Telah puluhan tahun beliau tidak lagi pernah memakan Sireh.Wajah Pak Chot mengerut apabila rasa pahit dan kelat Sireh bagaikan menyengat pangkal lidahnya.
“hi..hi..hi..hi…” kedengaran gelak2 kecil dari Tingkap. Pandangan ketiga-tiga mereka berpaling ke tingkap. Rupanya Halimaton sedang memerhatikannya. Pak Chot kemerah-merahan. “Eh..tak baik ketawakan orang..!!” Mak Lurah memarahi Halimaton. Halimaton menyembunyikan diri di balik dinding.
Pak Chot cuba bertahan dan terus mengunya perlahan-lahan. Dinding mulut Pak Chot terasa kebas. Akhirnya beliau mengalah. Di capainya bekas yang disediakan khas untuk meludahkan sireh dari sisi Pak Lurah. Diludahkannya semua. “Maaf Pak Lurah. Saya tidak biasa” Dia tersipu, malu. “tak apa, nak” Pak Lurah bersuara sambil tersenyum.
“hi..hi..hi..hi” suara Halimaton tergelak kedengaran lagi. Mata Pak Chot meleret ke arah suara gadis itu.Dalam hati, beliau ingin sangat menatap wajah ayu Halimaton.
“Dialah satu-satunya anak kami” Ujar Pak Lurah , bagaikan memahami apa yang tersirat disebalik pandangan Pak Chot terhadap anaknya itu.
“Kami sebenarnya sedang tercari-cari calun yang sesuai untuk memperisterikan Halimaton”. Sampuk Mak Lurah pula.
Berderap darah Pak Chot mengendar kata2 Mak Lurah. Ingin saja dia katakan “Saya sanggup..!!!” Tapi ….. ah biarlah Mak Lurah yang cadangkan, bisik hatinya.
Pak Chot diam. Dia terasa Mak Lurah seperti memerhatikannya. Bola mata Pak Chot tergerak ke arah Mak Lurah. Wanita yang sejak dulu dikenalinya itu tersenyum. “Anak tak berkenan kah?”. Tanya Mak Lurah, lembut, sambil melirik pada Pak Lurah, memberikan senyuman yang penuh makna. Itulah kah pertanyaan yang beliau nantikah? Patut kah beliau katakan iya? Beribu persoalan bermain dalam fikiran Pak Chot. Bangaimana kalau orang lain yang kebas? Aduh..Pak Chot kebingungan.
“Kalau tak berkenan, tidak apa, anak muda. Nanti kami carikan calon yang lain”. Mak Lurah bersuara lagi.
“jangan..!jangan..! Saya ada!” Kata-kata itu terkeluar dari mulut Pak Chot.
“Hah? Anak ada calun untuk anak kami??” Mak Lurah tercengang sambil terbeliak mata memandang Pak Chot. Pak Lurah yang tadi tenang mendengar sambil mengunyah sireh, tersedak, lalu tersembur cecair merah dari mulutnya. “Ya Allah..!! Kenapa Abang ni?” Mak Chot melompat, mengelak dari percikan.
“ahak..! ahak..! ahak..!” Bunyi batuk Pak Lurah berlarutan.Halimaton berlari keluar mendegar keriuhan di sana. Intan masih dipelukannya.
Pak Chot yang tidak sempat mengelak hanya mampu menutup matanya. Cecair Sireh Pak Lurah tersebur tepat ke mukanya. Wajahnya bagaikan dicat merah.  Perlahan-lahan dia membuka mata. Sebaik sahaja melihat keadaan Pak Chot dengan mata putihnya yang terbeliak, ketiga-tiga anak beranak itu tidak dapat menahan ketawa. Keadaan rumah usang itu hingar bingar dengan gelak ketawa mereka. Pak Chot turut ketawa. Begitu juga Intan.
“Limah, ambilkan kain dan segayung air, nak” Dengan lembut Mak Lurah mengarah sambil menahan ketawa.
“Maaf nak” Itu saja yang mampu dikatakan Pak Lurah sambil terbatuk-batuk kecil.
Halimaton meletakkan Intan di samping Mak Lurah. Dia kemudian berlari masuk dan muncul semula bersama kain dan gayung ditangannya Dia kini duduk di hadapannya. Pak Chot memerhatikan tangan yang lembut itu mencelupkan kain kedalam air dan memulasnya. Jejari2 manis itu mula mengusap wajah Pak Chot dengan kain basah tadi. Perasaan Pak Chot bagaikan disambar halilintar pada ketika itu. Beliau tergamam tanpa kata. Sekian lama dia tidak pernah merasakan usapan lembut seorang wanita. Hari itu beliau dapat merasakannya.
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Nantikan kisah seterusnya di Episod ke-17…..tunggu…..

Episod 17:

http://philantropist-wannabe.blogspot.com/2011/12/cerita-purba-ku-episod-18.html

Still on vacation mood.

This was mistakenly posted , when it was suppose to appear in another blogsite. Anyway, I decided to let it stay. Its an oil painting, created based on mood. Image referred from a photograph owned by an FB friend. If this place exists, I hope those who had visited will be able to recognise it through this horribily done master piece.

Since I'm in this mood, on the following night,  I picked up another canvas. Its bigger than the above. I still want to see blue. That was how I ended  with blue painting.Then it was time to  ZZzzZZZzzzZZzzzzzz...zzz.zz

Year-end Family Trip to Bandung

 

Not even 24 hours after the engagement of my nephew, we, including his mother, who is my sister were on the way to the airport.

13 of us, all family members were heading to Bandung , Indonesia, on our 2 days 3 nights trips. We only spend about RM 1200 (USD400) including the airfare and all-in (transportation, tour, accommodation and breakfasts + lunches + dinners).

It was only yesterday my M.I.A maid called to say that she wasn't coming back too soon due to a very STRONG reason, that, she was JUST MARRIED. So…I left my house in and mess and came back still in a mess. Fine…enjoy your honeymoon.

By 8am, we were already surrounded by the busy-ness of Bandung traffic. I had earlier set my expectation as such, so the noise didn't bother me.

     

 

We took a tour bus all around town.

Grace in Denim jacket, is a very friendly and informative Tour Guide.

As in my every trip to this part of the country, its always fun to observe the way of living and culture.

 

We passed by the national Mosque..

   

The mosque of The Chinese converted to Islam caught my special attention. It is named Lautze mosque, painted in Red, a meaningful color for Chinese.

We passed by many more historical buildings and monuments.

    

My eyes could not get off from looking at those Factory Outlets. It wasnt time for shopping. They were yet to open, then.

    

My dad were once been to this place, he said, but I guess, it was too long ago and he is too old to keep those memories fresh still.

  

 

 

We made a photo shot stop at Gedung Satey.

 

Everything is sold by the road side of Bandung. Be it a software or a hardware.

 

It was quite a long hours in the bus, waiting for the clock to point at lunch time. We have seen many building not only once. We went round and round, did a shopping stop and at last……lunch time at The Palm.

 

We had Karedok, we had…..err…ops I forgot. I just remember they were excellent. So tasty..!!

          

       

You can judge the taste through our seriousness when facing those dishes.

Next, we checked into our very cozy 4* hotel room at Golden Flower Hotel, just 1 block away from the all time favorite ‘Pasar Baru’ where local stuff are sold.

  

But, uh..! forget the coziness, lets go folks! Its shopping time again..!!

Before the time, we were ready waiting for our guide at the lobby.

I was too busy shopping and didn't bother to take more picture at Pasar Baru where local Batek materials and clothing are sold.

    

On the next day, at 8am, our bus was out there waiting. About 1.5 hour journey to our destination. We passed by Cihampelas shopping area, and Baven, among others.

The traffic was was quite congested, somehow we had fun watching those road side performers, stalls and interesting signboards too.

     

 

Along the way, were occupied by hawker stalls selling local food. Ubi  Bakar Lembang is a well-known baked sweet potato from the place called Lembang. Its a must taste food.

I also tried others, like grilled glutinous rice, grilled fermented tapioca, fermented tapioca and grilled banana. Interesting..!!!

That was my 1st time eating Blue Berries. Sweet and yummy.

At last, we reached our destination.

 

 

We were approached by determine sales men, upon our arrival. Key chains, hats, scarves, pens, wood carved figurines and many more. I bought sulphur for Rp30K per bottle.

Hey Hold on to your shopping, ladies. Enjoy your surroundings….

 

See how beautiful God’s creation can be.

    

Adri and his father could not let go the picturesque sights. So couldn't I.

Krater Ratu, at Tangkuban Perahu promised a perfect view. Grace told us about the legend, but I was too tired to remember.

We captured the moment.

    

I really appreciate the nature displayed.

 

HAH..!!! more to buy…  

The Angklong (music instrument made of Bamboo) seller followed my dad and my sister all the way until my sis decided to stop him by buying them. Problem solved.

 

Having Indo mie (local product instant noodle) in this cool breeze ..hmm.. good idea, my son.

Horse ride adds excitement to kids and kids-wannabe.

   Fun..fun..fun..!

 

Next destination, hot spring. Soak your feet.

Let me tell you that …Its HOT..!!!!

At the camera shots, we pretended.

SMILE…..!!! and the moment it clicked.. Ouch..! ouch..! ouch..!  burning hot.

            

 

Certain sites are too tiring for my nephew, Haikal and mom & dad to climb. A bench came in handy though..phew..!

 

For my youngest twins, Jia &Jerry every trip must come with adventure.

 

And I can be a  kid’s challenger, at times too..

Aiman Hakim, watch your Aunt. ……..BANG…!!   

WWHOAAHH……!! see that…?

On the way back, we stopped for a great lunch at Balibu Restaurant. Perfecto..!!

       

 

After lunch. All posed with happy expressions in a middle of a Tea Plantation. Drizzle caught us, so we continued our journey.

 

 

Back at the hotel……

hush..hush… lets leave the oldies and the youngs in the room. We need a trip to a SPA. Ah..!!!!! my sisters and I needed a good body massage (Rp140K/hr ~ RM47). My hubby , my  son, my mom, my brother and sister(EB), made do with a badly-needed foot reflexology. (Rp75K/hr~RM20)

We all had a good sleep that night.I thought of my sisters-inlaw, as we did the same thing once.

The next morning….

shopping and shopping and shopping…..then…treat yourself with Durian Ice-cream.

 

I called a little road-side guitarist to the bus to entertain our trip. Big tips he got.

 

Then back to the airport and time to say good bye to the guide, Ms. Grace.

We reached Kuala Lumpur at 7pm.

Home sweet home. I looked around the house. OMG..what a mess. I gotta do spring cleaning. I while doing it on the next day,

Ting..!..Tong..!

I opened the door “Ma’am I’m home..!!”

My maid who had been absent for a week without notice appeared at the door.

“GET OUT..!! I don't need you anymore..!!!” I wanted to tell her that, but thinking of the mess that I needed her to handle, I changed my statement to …..

“oh its you..come on in..I need your help to clean up”

She walked in happily  as if nothing happened.