Happy Birthday Aizat

My feeling was 'over the moon' on being around to celebrate my eldest grandchild's birthday bash on the eve of his 17 year of age last evening. It was done on a very modest scale.

We were the earliest guest, arriving during Maghrib. Soon after the others joined in. It was sort of a close nit All In The Family Garden Party – attended by Grandpas & Grandmas, uncles and unties together with Aizat's 4+3+1+2 first cousins and also his 3 sisters.

According to the law - Aizat would reached the age of majority on his next birthday. A shift to adulthood; hence the simple celebration. No balloons, no fanfare, no normal handout of birthday kits for the kids to spoil themselves. I was certain it was planned that way by his Mummy and Abah.

Only that, ( I observed ) the birthday cake had this 'symbolic overture'. I have yet to ascertain.

Between Grandpa and His Grandson, me and Aizat had this small 'open' secret. As a grownup, like any other kids Aizat aspires to drive..... He told me this in not so many words. I advised him; firstly he need to have a valid driving licence before being allowed on the road. He could get himself enrolled at a Driving Institute after his coming Exams. I promised him to persuade his Abah & Mummy if they are against the idea.

'Aizat!!....Its a model of a car. A mini cooper?' I exclaimed as the birthday cake being brought forward. 'Aizat.... now TokBabah can assure you that you are going to have what you have been expecting for. Only that you have to give your very best shots for your forthcoming SPM exams. Make your Abah, Mummy, your siblings and all of us proud of you; gratitude would fill your days.'

Now for entertainment – a debut performance by the birthday boy himself singing and playing the guitar. Tok Babah was lost for words. It was 'like' only yesterday I drove you (as a tiny tot) around Kelana Jaya; with frequent stops at someone front gates to intimidate their guard dogs. Together we enjoyed responding to the angry barking and howling of those agitated canines. Then we proceed on and on, saying 'meow' to any cat 'purring' from brick gateposts. Spontaneously we giggles together. At a point TokBabah nearly drove the car into a drain...ha..ha..ha.

It was those little adventures we had together, a secret Tok Babah cherishes. Of course you don't remember the frequent drives we had, as you were too small then and just learning to walk. In the first place TokBabah should not have taken you for the drive. I did so, because I did the same to your Abah when he was a tot of your age, only he was placed on a special rattan chair hung suspended on the front seat of my old Borgward Arabella, TokBabah's and TokMama's first car.

(You cannot find Borgward Sporty car models on Malaysian road nowadays. Those days only a handful of Borgward Arabella sporty supermodel car could be found on the Malaysian road. Tok Babah was proud to own one.)

So Aizat, happy birthday. Now that you are 17, you and I can talk man to man. I hope your Abah would do the same to you.

We love you earnest and TokBabah & TokMana always pray to ALLAH for your better health, and successful future.

With All Our Loves -

TokBabah&TokMama

Quey Sera, Sera.....

Thursday October 13: D.Day for more than ½ million plus 11 – 12 year olds of this country. It was the government (pre-planned announcement) on UPSR (Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah) 2008 result on the morning of that day.

Much anticipations, expectations and probabilities in the minds of most young parents throughout the country. So would be for my 3 children. Like other young parents, I presumed they too would take leave from works, to be around with their children. (Lucky though they did not rope in the Grandpas and the Grandmas to tag along.)

That morning while most of their children would be in their respective classrooms heralding the impending final term holidays, these young parents, fretting in the canteens as well the school compounds waiting for the authorities to lash out the long awaited news of the year.

I had 3 candidates put to test for this year's UPSR. They are my grandchildren, a boy and 2 girls. I anticipated by 10.00 am the least, ( akin the announcement of The General Election Result) the news would trigger in. I also believe, like most General Election Results, preferences for early announcement would be favoring the most talked about candidates. And so be for the UPSR result this year. My 3 grandchildren (Erfan,Nureen & Aifaa) are the most talked about candidate in our family circle. They are the pride of their parents, their Grandpas and their Grandmas. Of course, The Breaking News would be for the top scorers. Those garnering the converted 5As, as their parents would readily loud their candidates achievements. Other results, the 4As1B,the3As2Bs,the2As3Bs would follow suit. I was depending on that for the morning.

That was what exactly happened. Good news needs no embargo. Good news travels fast. The Breaking News for the morning was from my eldest daughter. Her son scored 5As. both Grandpas and Grandmas must be informed. Its time to rejoice.

Sometimes later the 2nd news - an SMS from my other daughter. Her eldest daughter got 3As2Bs. Since Grandpa had sent a congratulatory SMS note to Erfan Hamad with copies to the others (dirty old man’s trick) he need to be immediately inform that Nureen Hanna scored 3As2Bs. Not too bad for Nureen. (Tak malu bagi tau orang.)

Then what about my other granddaughter - Nurul Aifaa. I anticipated her score to be equivalent to Nureen Hanna, if not better. Finally my daughter-in-law SMS me……”Dear Babah, …I will let Aifa herself tell U all her results. Iam…….” I could’nt believe my eyes. Has disaster struck my son’s family. Did Aifaa flop the exam? Cannot be. Nurul Aifaa is an intelligent 12 year old. I voucht on that. She may be playful, but a responsible girl. Or my daughter-in-law, just pulling my legs? I was fixated.

Then came this message of a Family gatherings at The Lemon Garden, Hotel Shangrila KL on the night of the 16th from my daughter in-law: TO CELEBRATE ERFAN, AIFAA & NUREEN UPSR RESULTS + AYSHA'S BIRTHDAY. It was a 5 star++ celebration. The invitation justify my belief that ( after all) my 3 grandchildren did well in this years UPSR. Syukur Alhamdullillah.

.........

I had my first taste of Ujian Penilaian Kelayakkan when I was in standard 3 in a rural Malay School. The Ujian Penilaian Kelayakan was for admission into the Special Malay Class in the Government English School the following year. Me and another from the same school was selected. Father and Mother was too happy for me attending English Education the following year. They believed that English was the ultimate language to master, as the country was under British rule then. Mother prepared Nasi Kunyit for the doa kesyukuran.

Looking back the Ujian Penilaian Kelayakkan that I took in 1952 has changed my lifelong career developments and opportunities. (Serve as Public Servant for 35 years. Professionally trained in UK and Germany. Throughout my career represented my country in various inter-governmental meetings as well professional seminars on communication hosted by UNESCO, AIBD,ISBO and others, The Governments of Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippine, Hong Kong, Japan, USA, Korea, India, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Egypt & Tunisia.) Not bad for a Kampung Boy groomed by illiterate rural parent of the pre-Merdeka era.

'Quey Sera Sera,

Whatever will be will be;

The future not ours to see,

Quey Sera Sera.

I prayed to Allah for all my grandchildren livelong achievements.

Geleri Chandan & Potraits of Bidong

GELERI CHANDAN

was established on May 2008
and was officially launched on Monday 16th June 2008

at approximately 5.29 pm
by

His Royal Highness Dr Raja Nazrin Shah.

The Raja Muda, Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan.





Today it premiered its 2nd exhibition, the work of a local impressionist artist Razak Abdullah officiated by Dato'Seri Shafie Afdal, Minister Of Art, Culture & Heritage.

It was another auspicious occasion for art enthusiasts savoring the creative works of another aspiring local artist as well meeting old acquaintances at Geleri Chandan. It was a worthy event, true to its colour and pomps with a mixture of music, poetry, and specially composed songs. The occasion not only honoured by the attendance and congratulatory speech from the honorable Minister of Art, Culture & Heritage, it also featured an academic overview on Razak Abdullah works as a contemporary impressionist by Prof.Dr.Muliyadi Mahamood, UITM entitled The Beauty of Bidong from the perspectivee of a Contemporary Impressionist.
As an artist Razak Abdullah has found his nitch as Malaysia's contemporary impressionist. He is deeply concerned with his environment. His works soulful and poetic with harmonious symphonies of colour. The 'Potrait of Bidong' series gathers views of the seabed that depict semi abstract of images of life forms and seascapes.
Razak Abdullah paints directly from nature and put the technique of expression to optimum using bold strokes of strong colour to create the subject's tones, fantacy and vibrancy as he feels them.
His accompanying poetry entitled Pulau Bidong resonate his love for nature and the artist true feeling for his mother land - Trengganu.





Bidung Island


A long time ago

"Jong Hill on Bidung Island

Pulau Karak is split into two"

Such was a message of old fisherman

To sailors lost at sea


Then

Bidong from the shore to the land

is a sacred island

"In seven steps it is reached"

the message was sent

to Ho Chi Minh city

"Here there are feasts,

resting place and hope"


Now
from head to tail on Bidong
new crops grow on her chest
concrete coral reefs
thought up by intellectuals
progress, or so they claim......


by Razak Abdullah
translated by Brigitte F.Bresson


Congratulations to Razak Abdullah and Geleri Chandan for a job well done

'Tis Raya

'Selamat Hari Raya' from Space
13th September 07 – 1st Shawwal 1428, the 50th Raya after Merdeka. Truly 'Tis Raya is different from other Raya for most of us, Malaysian.

The months of Ramadhan & Shawwal significant to all Malaysian Muslims as well as our Muslim Brothers world over. Ramadhan: a month of soul searching and ‘guts testing’ for the less religious, and a very holy month for the devout Muslims. So the sighting of the first lunar of Shawwal signifies a month of rejoice and renewal of Muslim Brotherhood. Hence the yearly exodus of “Balik Kampung” by most Malaysian to to celebrate the auspicious occasion with their parents and family members. Together they offer prayers and submission to the Almighty Allah.

So like their Muslim brothers world over the beginning of Shawwal starts with a mass Prayer at Mosques and Suraus. “Allahu Akbar…Allahu Akbar..Wallillahilham….”

The celebration of triumph and joy, also signifies as one's personal accomplishment, a ‘tower of strength, soul searching to the Right Path, fulfilling the Five Pillars of Islam.

And an accolade for all Malaysia and the Muslim World over - the achievement of Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor our very own astronaut orbiting in space right at this very moment. Last night he boarded the International Space Station, signaling Malaysia’s membership in the space community. As was reported Soyuz TMA-11 carrying Dr Muszaphar and 2 others (an American Peggy Whitson and a Russian Malechencko) docked on schedule with ISS at 6.52pm Moscow Time (10.52pm Malaysian Time). The spacecraft Soyuz TMA11 was launched from the Balkonurcosmodium in Kazakhstan on Wednesday 28th Ramadhan at 9.21pm commandeered by an American astronaut Peggy Whitson. “Selamat Hari Raya to all Malaysian on this historic occasion,’ greeted Dr Sheikh Muszaphar from space. He also greeted his proud parents. He is schedule to return to earth on October 21st. “A Standing Ovation’ to those responsible make it happens. World count he is the 8th Muslim astronaut travelling in space. The “Malaysia Boleh” spirit has taken us this far. A quantum leap for a nation with a mere 25 millions populations. I am proud it happen during my life time.

A Nostalgic Feelings:
Come Eid Fitri, I find it difficult to dismiss my nostalgic feeling on how we fare during those hard times. Till tis very day, some of my past years Raya feelings still vivid on my mind. Some 50 years ago in 1957 for example, my Raya was a bleak occasion at my rustic Kampong Tanjung Bayan with my family and kampong folks. We were hardcore poor then. I was 16 years old sitting for my Lower School Certificate Examination. My father’s illness has degraded from bad to worse. We don’t really know what he was suffering from, because he never had a proper medical examination. What we know of was that he was suffering from a terminal illness. His frequent coughs, vomit lots of blood. Some said he was suffering from Tuberculoses while others agreed that he was suffering from Cancer. However, the local Bomoh had a different opinion. He firmly believed that my father’s illness was the work of Witchcraft by a very close relative.

We grief in pain on our family misfortune. My father was the sole breadwinner. With his regular confinment on his sickbed, life was depressing for most of us. Earlier that year, it was decided that I drop from school as my family has no means to support me. (Those days we need to pay monthly School Fees to be in English School). My family has runout of 'means' to fund me. Later (after his short meeting with the Headmaster) my father changed his mind and fledged to support me through school. He was adamant. At time he would force himself fishing in Sungai Bernam for an extra Ringgit to support my schooling. Most of the time me or my mother accompanied him.

Come Raya, as most of his children were grown up, we dismiss the notion of having new dress like any other kids for the auspicious celebration. Discreetly I engaged myself on some odd labour job, moving loads of sand into barges at Hutan Melintang dockyard or cutting grass at Jandarata Estate. My father was devastated and scolded me for my effort. I was baffled by my father sudden outburst. I told him that I merely wanted to help. He did not talk to me for some days after that. Only later I came to know that someone visiting him on his sickbed, told him in jest that “his son an English School dropout now working as odd labourer moving loads of sand into barges at Hutan Melintang dockyard, an employment that need no proper Education.”

He died ( 2 years later ) a few months after my Cambridge School Certificate Examination result in 1960. Our family Raya after that was never the same, as we were brought up by a single parent – our mother.

And A True Sense Of Fullfilment
Come ‘tis Raya Alhamdullillah I am blessed with a healthy family. The first day of Raya was celebrated in Kelana Jaya with my siblings, friends and neighbours. A big turnout. Lots of food on the table. And “Duit Raya" for all children accompanying their parents, also for some single parents and ‘warga emas.’ My sister from Batang Kali and her sibling plus almost a dozen grand children was the last visitor on the first day Raya.
I was lost for words. The Almighty Allah has blessed our family. Alhamdullillah.

How long time has passed since our family struggles to make ends meet. How we missed our long departed parents. I longed wished we are together again as a big family spending the months of Ramadhan & the beginning of Shawwal at our family home in Tanjung Bayan. A worthy efford.......only if, it could be done!!!

Finally I persuaded them to joint me for The Kenduri Aruah & Korban at our Kampung Tanjung Bayan this coming Eidil Adha. Hopefully they would honoured my invitation.

SYUKUR ALHAMDULLILLAH

‘Syukur Alhamdullillah,’I’ve been blessed by Allah with a good family and quality life. And, I am proud of that.

At this age (66yrs old) what more can I say, except ‘syukur alhamdullillah’ for a good life granted by Allah the Almighty, and that my daily ‘doa’ (prayer) answered.

With all the 8 grandchildren hugging you, kissing your cheeks or fore head, or bowing low with their head down while shaking your hands and kissing them, is a moment of life fulfillment: self contentment, satisfaction, happiness and joy any granddad or a grandma would long for. In short it is an accomplishment, of one’s lifelong dream of a perfect family.

We all have diligently prayed to Allah for contentment and good essence of life: healthy and quality siblings, affectionate family circles and also a good and prosperous living…haven’t we?

Of course we all have.

The morning on the first day, July 2007: THE KENDURI KESYUKURAN event at my daughter’s Hazleen & hubby Nizam’s place aptly befitting a worthy cause. As usual I am always thrilled for such an occasion, for I always believe that KENDURI KESYUKURAN as a day of restitution; a renewal of esprit de core among family members and friends. A social event blended with a religious tidings as this, has always been a statement of good fate, as well a social and spiritual obligation for truthful Muslim.

The morning was cheerful. The ambience cordial. I could see my 8 grandchildren full of enthusiasm and good spirit. Some had moved into Hazleen’s house as of yesterday. This morning more cousins and friends are on the way. There are spread of good food for everyone on the table. Together we then read Yassin and later the Ustaz recites the doa. The spirit of worthiness, the feeling of being blessed prevails.

In such a gathering as this, I always behold my pride and self esteem. I cherish the presence of my entire loved one around me. More so when I found out on the very morning that my ‘besan’ Haji Rahmat & wife, with his siblings (plus menantus) and their grand children arrived for the occasion, on the wee hour of the morning all the way from Johore Bahru. My other 2 ‘besan’ Haji Ismett & wife and Haji Jamaluddin & wife are other early arrivals.

We acknowledged each other's present. We exchanged greetings. We joked, and teased at each other. We had a good laugh. That’s the way it was and that the way it should be. The aura aptly befitting a worthy family reunion.

The occasion was also blessed by the present of Dato’Nik Farid & Tok Puan Faridah; also members of “Keluarga 7” and their children & grandchildren.

It was a good turnout from Hazleen’s family members too. Her brother Mohd Nazli & wife, her sister Hazlina & husband, also their children, aunties, uncles and cousins from around Lembah Klang came in full force.

Kudos. A very good hand, to the organizer please!!??

My doa for Hazleen & Nizam.