Back in Malaysia

I am back in Malaysia, last Thursday actually. It was a successful trip. Many things happening since then. Came back with diarrhoea I seldom get whenever I travel. I had to be always in my sarong at home for 2 days, senang kalau melancul (hehe). My Fuzzy got herself all glued with rat glue (now she is almost like a New Zealand sheeps get shaved for their fur). Topsie turvie in the office. But most of all, I am glad to be back, back to my kids I missed so much!.

Fatehpur Sikri and Jaipur

We depart for Jaipur after breakfast. On the way, we stop at Fatehpur Sikri, another world heritage in Agra. Fatehpur Sikri was Akbar's imperial capital, about 40 km from Taj Mahal.

(The ruins of Fatehpur Sikri)

(The entrance to Fatehpur Sikri Palace)

(Lonely!)

I arrive Jaipur, the Pink City at noon. Checked in into Holiday Inn, I am looking forward for my meetings here. I have arranged for a total of 36 meetings to be completed in 2 days.

(Room complimentary from Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerse and Industry)

After some rest, I have to rush to the City Palace for a Gala Dinner, put up by FICCI.

(The City Palace at night)

It was a fantastic dinner with traditional shows and delicious food. I tasted my first Vodka (I don't know they mixed Vodka into the juice until a friend told me). I don't feel good, I called Rajendra to pick me up and send me back to my hotel room before the event finished. They say Vodka doesn't make your head spins but I go back with spinning head, and vommitted! I guess it is a psychological effect,

Agra - Agra Fort and Taj Mahal

We depart from Delhi around 9 am. Rashpal was already at the lobby when I finished my breakfast. It is going to be long 4 hours journey to Agra, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, the land of Taj Mahal. It is my dream to see Taj Mahal in my naked eye and this is the dream come true. Along the journey, we passed through Mathura, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krisna. We arrive in Agra quiet late. Its funny, to compare Rashpal's wreckless driving while in Delhi against his too speed limit concious while on the expressway. He drove at 80km/hour!

On arrival Agra, I checked in into Pushp Villa Hotel, a nice 3 star hotel in Agra, with revolving restaurant at the top where ones can see Taj Mahal. The whether was so hot at 42 deg celcius, we decided to wait until 3.30pm for our tour. We first visited Agra Fort, on the banks of the River Yamuna. It was said that Agra Fort, "from top to bottom the fire-red stones, linked by iron rings, are joined so closely that even a hair cannot find a way into their joints". Shah Jahan was incarcerated here, until his death gazing out at the Taj Mahal.

(The Mussaman Burj of Agra Fort - the place where Shah Jahan lay on his deathbed looking out at the Taj Mahal)

(A glimpse of Taj Mahal at the background from Agra Fort)

Then, the moment of truth. I am going to touch Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. Taj Mahal is actually just a tomb, a tomb to Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Emperor Shah Jahan. Built between 1631 and 1648, the four minarets, which lean slightly outward so as not to fall on the main building in the event of an earthquake.

(No, it is not a poster or a picture taken by some professionals. It is real!)

(On the upperdeck of Taj Mahal, facing to the entrance gate)

(The keepers of Taj Mahal)

(Another side of the Taj Mahal upper deck)

(Sunset at Taj Mahal)

Taj Mahal membuat hatiku sayu!

Delhi tour

It was 9am and I was waiting for Sanjay at the hotel lobby. We planned to go around Delhi, visiting places of interest. So, I am a tourist today! Some of the pictures I managed to snap - myself!

(Jamek Mosque - commissioned by Shahjahan in 1644)

(India Gate)

(Rashtrapati Bhavan - Presidential Palace located across India Gate)

(Lal Qila, The Red Fort with Sanjay)

(Humayun's Tomb - prototype of Taj Mahal)

At night, I had a meeting over dinner with Ishfaq, a friend from Kashmir. He took me to a restaurant near Baghwali Mosque and we had a very delicious Tandoori. Original Tandoori. Tomorrow, Rashpal will take me to Agra! Wooohooo!

Delhi, here I come

Finally, decision made. India, here I come again. Mat sent me to the airport after saying goodbye to my children. Sad to leave them but work requires me to make this trip. Reached KLIA at around 4.15pm and I proceed to self-check-in terminal. After handing over my luggage, together with Mat, we went to have the tarik at Chatterfield. Arrived back at KLIA at 5.20pm, ready for my departure at 6.20pm via MH190. However, flight was delayed until 7.10pm. I was already at boarding area when announcement was made (at 6.15pm!) What else to do, other than switch on to my laptop and replying emails.

The journey was a smooth one, but travelling with groups of Indians is a real challenge. They have their unique behavior that many might interpret as uncool. “Please put your seat upright and fasten your seatbelt” but you can see many will seems not hearing. While take off, someone will stand up and trying to get something from the overhead compartment, without ability to wait. A young couple seated a row in front of me pressed the assistance button, requesting for white wine when the plane’s engine is struggling pulling the aircraft upward. She is very important that her request must be attended whenever she feels like wanting something. After 40 minutes, food were served. I was seated at row 38A. The stewardess served food from front to back. After serving row 35, the stewardess move to row 36, then 37 then to my row. Just about to hand over my ration, the lady in row 36 pressed the assistance button. “Can I have another bun please” OMG! I haven’t got my ration and she is asking for another bun. But, emm, she said please.

It was a smooth journey, with a little turbulence every now and then. We were suppose to arrive Delhi at 10.20pm (Delhi time) but we made it at 11.00pm. Ting tong! “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. We have landed at Indra Gandhi International Airport bla…bla… You can only switch on your mobile phone once the seat belt light is switched off. Thank you for fl” The stewardess has not finished her announcement and you can hear kluk klak kluk klak everywhere, the sound of passengers unfasten their seat belt. Few moments later, toot toot and ta daa sounds is everywhere, the sound of handphone signal coming in! And the plane is still on taxi mode, moving slowly to the parking bay.

My friend, Khem was already at the arrival hall when I exit.

KJ ternyata bukan liabiliti

Apa dah jadi di Bukit Selambau dan Bukit Gantang? Dari kacamata saya yang buta politik (tidak dalam turutan):

1. Tun M? Saya bersimpati dengan beliau. Ternyata, beliau tidak mendatangkan hasil kepada BN. Sepatutnya, faktor pleasant surprises yang beliau buat dengan berkempen disaat akhir untuk calun BN akan menjadi katalis kemenangan BN. Mungkin sangkaan beliau, bila beliau turun, PR di bawah DSAI akan tersepit dan tertekan. Ternyata, hanya angan-angan palsu beliau. DSAI lagi hebaaaat!
   
2. Tun M (lagi)? Kembalinya anda ke dalam UMNO tidak menguatkan parti. Tapi saya rasalah, anda mempunyai agenda tersembunyi, untuk menyekat KJ dari terus menyerlah selepas Mukriz tewas dengan teruknya semasa pemilihan Pemuda. Mukriz dah besar lah! Biarlah dia berdikari. Dan KJ ada kekuatan sendiri. Walau disekat, dia tetap akan mara. Take my word!
   
3. Siapa kata KJ menjadi penyebab kekalahan BN di Permatang Pauh dan Kuala Terengganu? On your face! KJ menjadi low profile di Bukits dan Batang, mungkin kerana desakan dalaman UMNO supaya beliau menjauhkan diri dari berkempen, supaya tidak menjadi liabiliti. KJ tak ada pun, BN kalah juga! So, Bukit Gantang dan Bukit Selambau membuktikan bahawa KJ BUKAN menjadi penyebab kekalahan BN di Permatang Pauh dan Kuala Terengganu.
4. Ezam and the Gang? Modus Operandi anda sudah tidak relevant lagi, bro! Cuba fikir cara lain pulak next time, itupun kalau masih tak malu lah!
5. DSAI? What shall I say. Tetap relevant, tetap berkarisma, tetap dihormati, tetap berkalibar, tetap bijak, tetap disanjung. Kalau orang kata tohmahan terhadap Najib cuma sekadar tohmahan, kenapa pula tohmahan terhadap DSAI dibenarkan? Anda tidak mendapat benefit dari DSAI? Anda adalah kawan kepada Najib? Tampi dan tenang sendiri.
   
6. Sultan Perak secara indirectly telah dimalukan.
   
7. Bigger majority in the 2 Bukits - kemusnahan total BN
8. Samy Veloo (betul ke spelling mcm ni?) - sudah laaaah!
9. HINDRAF - anda terbukti salah. Sifat perkauman anda sangat terserlah. Masyarakat India Malaysia bukan lagi masyarakat terpinggir. Mereka telah bersama-sama di dalam mainstream dan berfikiran terbuka. Mereka telah keluar dari kepompong MIC.
   

Tapi drama sebabak ini tetap mendebarkan.

A journey worth while.

Balik kampong is always an event I am looking forward to. Last Saturday (lepas latihan kawad kaki Kakak and kak Uda), we, the whole family balik kampong - Kampong Pulau Pandan, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. It is my kampong, where I was born about 45 years ago. The objective to balik kampong is to visit my Mak (Mak Tok to my children). Walaupun kami baru aja berjumpa two weeks ago when we celebrated her birthday kat Seremban, tapi the feeling deep inside me rasa tak sedap hati. The meeting was a very unfulfilled one with so many people around. So, I decided to go balik kampong, that we would have her all by our own!

(Some of Mak's pets.)

Suasana kampong sangat mendamaikan. I don't think there is any other kampong that is so damai and nyaman. Mak was not at home when we arrived. She was at a kenduri at a house nearby. Eventhough she canot do much at the kenduri, tapi she is a compulsory figure for every kenduri at my kampong. Lepas my father passed away, the kampong people turn to her for advise, and she never fails to deliver. Since Mak is not at home, we cannot enter the house. Tapi...jeng...jeng...jeng... hey, I lived in this house before, remember? I go around to see if my secret path is still there, holy crap! It is! LOL! After sooooo many years, I again became that cute little naughty boy, sneeking into the house using my secret path. So, when Mak's home, she did not surprised AT ALL! She knows me very well. She always say I will find my own way to get myself into anything I want. Malam tu, we watched Akademi Fantasia 7 with Mak. (Hafiz Rocks!)

The next day was cleaning up day. (read: pembakaran terbuka) I get all the children to gotong royong cleaning up the compound of mak's house. It was tiring but fun! I took the opportunity to show my children around (for the umpteenth times, hehe!). I showed them the coconut tree I grow together with my late father. (There are three trees, one each for my younger brothers Chu and Icam, and one for me. Apak cakap sebagai tanda that the kampong also belongs to me) I showed my favourite mangosteen tree where I will climbed and spent many afternoons there reading (on the tree!)

(The Mosquito's Busters)

It was a trip worth while. I got to spend quality time with Mak. We chatted until late. And oh... I present her with a few combs made of buffalo horn, I ordered from my staff who went back to Padang, Sumatera for his holiday. She had wanted it for quiet sometimes. And the bestest (hehe) thing is that she cooked me (err... my wife cooked using my mum's kitchen) my favourite lauk - Telur Itik Pucuk Ubi Masak Lemak Cili Padi! Masyaallah!

Win together

It is a very competitive life and full of challenge. In this situation, perseverance plays a very important role. However, many of us fail to realise that winning is not everything. I strongly believe, the purpose of life is not to win. The purpose is to share and to grow together. It should not be to win, but to share the win. When we look back on all we did in life, we will come to realise that we get more satisfaction from the pleasure we have brought to other people's life than we will from the times we outdid and defeated them. Familiar with the holy word win-win situation? The formula is to add value to other people - our spouse, our team mates, our co-worker, our supplier, our customer, our children, our friends and our boss (remember the word "make the boss looks good?") By adding value, we are actually enlarging them. We can see example of good enlargers in football players. Roberto Carlos and David Beckham are two examples. Their cross passes to the penalty area give opportunity for other player to strike goals. They make other people look good while at the same time they are remembered as a superb team player who add value to their team. So, people, do not be selfish. No man is more cheated than a selfish man. Amir-Husiners - enlarge people surrounding us then we will grow (and win) together!

Listen, or thy tounge will keep thee deaf.

It is a native American proverb. It reminds me of Richard, a friend in New Orleans. We always eat Poboy along the Bourbon Street and sometimes hang around at Jacksonville area while listening to the super talented street jazz performer. I missed New Orleans. I don't know how New Orleans looks like now since Katrina hit her badly few years ago. By the way, I remembered Richard for his empathy. He will lend me his ears on whatever occasion - and understand it. Empathy is the word. It involves understanding another's heart, mind and spirit - including their motives, backgrounds and feelings. The more empathy we have on others, the more we come to appreciate and reverence who they are. But most people do not listen with the intent to understand, rather they listen with the intent to reply. People are busy filtering everything through their own perspectives rather than trying to understand another's frame of reference. Sometimes we just want company. True. But what we really prefer is a company who understands us, or who at least do their best to understand us. I have a friend in Richard.

Hujung minggu yang menyeronokkan.

Kakak dah register to participate in Suka Ria Astro Ceria a few weeks ago and the event is today. She registered herself, Kak Uda and Anik fo Pakaian Beragam and Telematch. The program starts at 6:30am. So, lepas subuh sepi'e tu, kami pun pergilah ke Bukit Kiara Equastrian park, where the event is to be held. Orang tak lah ramai sangat so we manage a parking space near to the entrance.


Keseluruhannya, to me, the event is not a success (if not a failure). It was not properly organised. Tak ada orang yang explain how the event is supposed to be played - the rule, the procedure, where to start, where to end, what to do, where to gather, etc. The crew was standing around not helping, or rather not knowing what to do. My kids were so frustrated. They are so used to an organised event (especially those organised by Papa, hehe) that they decided to terminate earlier. It was not what they expect when they have to be up by 5:30 in the morning. To compensate their frustration, I promised to take them to Kids Club @ One Utama later that afternoon. Yeay! (Their tricks work on me!)

(Mengantuk!! Do not mistaken the bushes at the back as a real bush. It is a family of participant with 'bush costume' yang ambik bahagian untuk pakaian beragam. Yo yo oh betul!)

(Tengok parent lain, kiasu betul nak bagi anak mereka menang, tapi Anik did it on her own! wooo hoooo!)

So, later that afternoon, after some rest, we (Teh, Kakak, Kak Uda, Anik and I) went to Kids Club. Barulah depa (read: kami) nampak seronok! While waiting, I grab a book at the nearby bookstore, sat at a corner, ordered a basket of fried potato with a cup of hot chocolate and get drowned into my own world.

What a relaxing afternoon. This is the kind of life that I enjoyed so much - take the kids out during weekends, let them play, eat ice cream, shop, read, eat some more, shop some more and do nothing else, stay inside an air-conditioning mall, no cigarette smoke and no pollution. And for this relaxed and enjoyed afternoon, it cost us only RM100. But what is more precious is the time spent with the children and listening to their laughter. Food for every parent's soul!

Earth Hour 28 Mar 8:30pm

The clock shows 8:15pm.
Kakak: Earth hour! Earth hour!
Me (from upstairs): Alaaaa.... Papa baru nak tengok Diari Akademi Fantasia! Nak tengok Che Mah Mulut Bernanah ni!

Time ticking

Kakak: Now! Now!
Long: Lagi 2 minit!
Teh: Sekarang lah! Tengok lah jam
Long: My time is the official time! (as usual, acting as the boss. He force the kids to call him The Coolest Brother Ever!)

Suddenly - all darkness! We clapped our hands. Its 8:30pm.

EARTH HOUR! EARTH HOUR!

A week wrap-up

So many things happen in a week. Fast and furious! I am struggling to catch my breath. Business has been very busy. I am also cleaning up our back-office. Updating our reporting format. Cleaning up the backlog of claims and billing. Upgrading our data entry procedure and flow, etc. So, it's been hectic. I left a few entries in my draft box, not able to post pending my uploading of the photos. Finally, today in between Magrib and Isyak, alone in my office, I managed to post them all (Isyak? It's 10 pm now!). Summary as follows:

19 March: Happy Birthday, Teh!
20 March: Woman and Man
23 March: To my Mum, on her 76th birthday.
25 March: Ketua Pemuda UMNO: KJ

Ketua Pemuda UMNO: KJ

Ramai yang mengeluh bila KJ diumumkan sebagai Ketua Pemuda UMNO yang baru. Saya bukan ahli UMNO tetapi saya mempunyai ramai kawan-kawan yang berada di barisan hadapan UMNO, terutama di dalam Pergerakan Pemuda dan Putri. Jadi, saya cuma mengambil tahu perkembangan kawan-kawan. Berbalik kepada kemenangan KJ, saya mengucapkan tahniah kepada beliau (saya tidak mengenali beliau secara dekat). Apa yang menarik ialah apabila kemenangan beliau di boo oleh perwakilan-perwakilan sendiri. Sesuatu yang tidak pernah terjadi di dalam sejarah UMNO. Bukan setakat di boo, malah di jerit dengan kata-kata "Rasuah! Rasuah! Rasuah!" yang sangat jelas kedengaran ketika saya menonton pengumuman kemenangan beliau melalui Astro Awani. Jadi lebih menarik, apabila bukan Pakatan Rakyat yang berbuat demikian, tetapi dari Pergerakan pemuda itu sendiri. Apa dah jadi?

Saya ditanya, apa komen saya? Pada saya cukup mudah. Ini adalah UMNO, parti yang memperjuangkan kelangsungan kekuasaan politik orang Melayu. Wajib bagi perwakilan memilih pemimpin yang boleh, mampu dan berani kehadapan sebagai orang Melayu. Pemimpin (terutama Pemuda) mestilah seorang Melayu yang vokal, aggresif dan nakal supaya ditakuti oleh orang bukan Melayu. Saya guna perkataan 'ditakuti', bukan 'dihormati' kerana itu yang orang Melayu perlukan. Untuk penghormatan, biarlah barisan kepimpinan UMNO yang senior uruskan. Pemuda harus kembali sebagai barisan pendesak. Pemimpin nombor wahid Pemuda mestilah seorang yang pandai bertutur kata dan berani berdebat. Dia mestilah seorang yang sanggup kehadapan di medan perang. Pemuda harus kembali ke zaman Harun Idris dan Anwar Ibrahim. Berani berdebat dan berani bertindak. Ini saya lihat dari ruang lingkup UMNO sebagai parti orang Melayu. Ia tidak sesuai diaplikasikan di dalam PKR atau PAS kerana kedua-dua parti itu bukan parti yang berteraskan Melayu. Jadi, pada saya pilihan 304 perwakilan pemuda adalah tepat. KJ adalah orangnya, berbanding MM yang dilihat terlalu diplomasi dan KT yang terlalu berperangai seperti orang tua.

Rasuah, politik wang, membolot kontrak..... well, sekarang politik adalah komersial. Itu sahaja yang saya boleh kata. Yang lain, fikir sendiri.

Sekali lagi, tahniah kepada Khairy, kepada Dato' Zaki, kepada Gasing, kepada Lokman, kepada Dato' Idris (caya lu!), Shahanim (tetap sweet seperti biasa) dan pemenang lain. Kepada Dato' Hasan, Dato' Noraini, Ijan, terus dengan keyakinan anda. Kepada Li Botak, apa wa nak cakap sama lu lagi, bro. Kena gantung terus! Sabau aje ler! Janji glamer! Nanti kita pegi Bandung lagi, shopping!

To my mum, on her 76th birthday.

Never Enough
(23 March 2009)

Many times I wanted to say thanks for all you've done,
but then they fly away as quickly as they come.

If I could tell you what's deep in my heart.
There are so many things where do I start?

Words could never explain how I feel about,
when even prayer is not enough, I seek from God

How could I possibly thank you enough, the one who makes me whole,
the one to whom I owe my life, the forming of my soul.

The one who makes such sacrifices to always put me first,
who lets me test my broken wings, no matter how it hurts.

Are there really any words for this, I find this question tough,
anything I want to say just doesn't seem enough.

What way is there to thank you for your heart, your sweat, your tears,
for many thousand things you've done for me, for oh so many years.

For changing with me as I changed, for accepting all my flaws,
not loving cause you had to, but loving just because.

For never giving up on me when your wits had reached its end,
for always being proud of me, for being my best friend.

Who paints the world a rainbow when it's filled with broken dreams,
for trusting in me, when to care no one had even seems

Look at me now, what I've become,
do you see yourself in me, the job I am blessed that you have done

Thank you for everything you do, the whole world can see
but thank you Mak most of all for believing in me.

Happy Birthday, Mak!

Woman and Man

I got this email from a friend the other day:

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

Betul ke?

Happy Birthday, Teh!

Today is Teh aka Tomok's birthday. Pejam celik pejam celik, Teh dah 13 tahun! What is Teh's forte? Not like my other boys (and girls), he is the heaviest of all. Tapi cute. Perangai resembles me when I was his age. Kememe, cembeng but full of love and care. Misunderstood lot, Teh is very gentle at heart, impressionable, and receptive. He is a dreamer. The world of his imagination, feelings, and intuition is as real to him as anything in the outer world. He thought the underworld of Bikini Bottom is real! Very sentimental and usually keep to himself. Tapi, bila dia start bukak mulut.... laser! He told me he wanted to be a Chef when he grows up. (Just like SpongeBob who is a fry cook at the Krusty Krab restaurant) You should try his Maggi Goreng....sooooo yummy! Teh would make me his Maggi Goreng for my bekal to office some Saturdays. I seldom take lunch, but with his Maggi Goreng, I cannot resist!

Happy Birthday Teh. Papa love you!


(Ahmad Najmuddin Najmi - He insisted not to have cake on his birthday, too kiddy, he said. So, we have some fast food of his choice, and a REAL Candle!)


(Special appearance by Abg Ajiq on Teh's birthday)


(But the next day, the sisters baked him a cake)

RM60 billion stimulus.

I read comments on the stimulus package. As usual, the backbenchers applaud the provisions and the critics, critics. I usually play the leftist, the rebellious one. But somehow, I just felt this time, I want to be in the mainstream. Suddenly I felt I am ready, able and willing to contribute to the shielding of our economic from drowning further. I believe I am in a position to assist, in my own small way. This time I want to believe that everybody is sincere enough to take us out from the so-called crisis. When this is over, I want to shout and say, I made it. Malaysians, let's do it together!

Perhimpunan Agung UMNO

I seldom do this - commenting on other's idea or entry from other blog. I have my own opinion and I respect others. I always think that in regards to this particular subject matter, let others to comment, not me. But somehow or rather, I never came across comments that really similar to what I have in mind. Well, I don't read/surf much. So, here goes.

I read an entry in Datuk WCW here, commenting (or more correctly, wanting) what should be discussed in the coming UMNO General Assembly which should occur by end of the month. I believe, what he wants to see is also what other races in Malaysia expect to hear. In a summary, he wants to "hear speeches with substance on the economy and less on race from the delegates. That should be Umno's biggest agenda"

C'mmon Datuk (and other races). This is UMNO General Meeting. UMNO is no doubt the biggest political party (respect that!) but it also represents the Malay community. In fact, we should look at UMNO as the Malay political party FIRST, then followed by the realisation that it is the biggest political party in Malaysia. If we can do that, then we will see UMNO at the correct perspective. If we can understand that UMNO is the political party for the Malay, then the issue of keris shouldn't be a threat at all. The issue of Ketuanan Melayu shouldn't be misunderstood. There shouldn't be an issue about anti-PPSMI. Tell me, will MIC or MCA or Gerakan or PKR or even PAS will talk about Ketuanan Melayu? They are not a Malay-based party, I will die standing in shock and trauma if MCA approve a resolution to protect the Malay Supremacy. Eventhough I am not an UMNO member, sincerely and honestly, I will go straight to ICU if the MCA or MIC General Assembly is conducted in Bahasa Malaysia (however, I would like to see that to happen, or may be will remain in my dream for generations to come)

It is very unfair for anybody to expect UMNO to neglect the Malay related issue (remember, UMNO is the party representing the Malays, it is in their Perlembagaan, acceptance by the Malay is a different issue) or even to allocate more time on other matter rather than the Malay interest. Talking about how to save Malaysia economically will definitely in the agenda, no doubt about that. That is only because the Malays are also concern about the matter.

Datuk WCW also wants UMNO General Assembly to think how to "putting food on the table for all races". All races means the Malay, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans, etc. But UMNO is a Malay party. Is putting food on the Malay tables were also discussed during MIC or MCA General Assembly? I believe it does, as the UMNO General Assembly will definitely spare some time discussing about that too, I am sure.

To summarise, UMNO is a political party for the Malays. It is not a sin for them to talk 'anything and nothing but Malay' if they chosed to.

p/s At least, listening to their debate, ones will feel that things are happening in Malaysia, not in China, or Hong Kong or India.

Trip to Jaipur

Ok, I have to play this psy-war again! I am scheduled to go to Jaipur on 10 April 2009. Not for vacation, it is a business trip. Everything has been confirmed. Flight ticket is confirmed. Hotel and ground transportation kaw-timmed. (its free, thanks to Federation of Chambers of Commerce, India). My friend in Jaipur, Rajendra Sharma, has pledged his readiness to take me anywhere I want to go - IF I MAKE IT THIS TIME! He knows my weakness, canceling my outstation trip (especially abroad) in the last minute. I have heavy baggage - who will send my 6 kids to school every morning, will Long went ponteng during my absence, what if he quarrel with Teh again and nobody will protect Teh, what happen if Ngah cannot sleep at night and nobody stays up with him, who will be at home when my wife send the elder kids for tuition, what if something bad happen at home while no adults around, who will membebel to the children if they don't do their homework, I am sure the house will be like a wrecked ship during my absence, who will pat-pat Anik to sleep, who will console DeDe if she is sad, can Kakak take care of herself, who will emphatised with the children's grouses, will they eat their lunch and dinner, will they brush their teeth every morning, who will tell Ngah to comb his hair, who will stop Teh from potato-couching, who will control Long's abuse of internet, who will make noise if the wet towels are laying all over the places, who will pump the clogged drain especially in the boy's toilet, my wife will wear that tight track bottom which I hate so much, who will remind the children to make their bed, and the list goes on. Not that I don't trust anyone but track record shows. It is like Accounting. It is historical basis. What happened in the past, you can project it to the future. I am an Accountant, don't blame me for taking my life as a Balance Sheet. It is a war, internally. I don't want to go but I have to go. To the last minute, wait and see, 'what' wins. It's the battle of the wits!

Life is tons of discipline

It sounds very difficult and unfair. Think. Taking charge of our life requires discipline, yes, tons of it. Sounds like your headmaster giving his preach during school assembly? Think further. Discipline is neither readily attained nor easily maintained. It demands mental stamina to overcome empty passions and faulty habits. Emm... make sense? It also requires the fortitude and determination to resist the pull of so many temptations. And more than anything else, it demands a relentless focus on what matters most.It requires concentration until the goal line is crossed and the objective is achieved. I used to perceived discipline as the absence of freedom, especially during my younger days. However, I pushed myself forward knowing that I am the only one who must take control of my life, of what I want to be. It also requires luck (and rotan by my parents, once in a while. he he) to keep myself in between the discipline lines, lucky that I did not involved with 'things indiscipline'. As time passed by, I realised that discipline is infact, is the source of freedom. It's a kind of order that sets me free to fly (heard about this phrase, but couldn't remember from where). I can fly high. Everybody could. But the things that held us up to do so, is the absence of discipline. We need tons of it! I know I do!