she does a lot of armchair travelling. besides being easy on the finances, she doesn't need to deal with jet lag and flight delays.
so she goes around the world daily, to the laplands and the pacific atolls, to patagonia in south america and the taklamakan desert in mongolia. to iced alaska and the incredible ruins in aleppo. to havana and the russian quarters in harbin. not forgetting shangri-la in the hidden valleys of mystical tibet.
and that was how she encountered french speaking malays in new caledonia. ancient circular double storey housing blocks in rural china. punta arenas - the southernmost city in the world. the surreal beauty of cappadocia and petra. the whimsical nasca lines. the palaces of knossos. the river dolphins of the amazon. the haggis of the scots.
she just couldn't get enough of traipsing the world.....
Thursday, 31 January 2013
saturday nite movies
after dinner on saturday nites there'd be an excitement. a commotion. first formers rushed to the great hall with their soft toys to book places. then hordes of girls in their nightie finery descended at the venue. crunchies. fruits. chocolates. teddy bears. even pillows.
there was a whiff of fun and laughter in the air. books were laid aside for a while. young hearts and minds need a dose of relaxation.
saturday nites were movie nites. looked forward to by all and sundry. memorable movies like 'summer of 42', 'the godfather', 'romeo and juliet', 'bonnie and clyde', 'love story' etc etc were shown in the mid 70's when she was there. all managed by the cinema club girls themselves.
ah, yesterday when she was young....
from the song 'those were the days...'
'those were the days my friend
we thought they'd never end
we'd sing and dance forever and a day..
we'd live the life we choose
we'd fight and never lose
for we were young and sure to have our way....'
there was a whiff of fun and laughter in the air. books were laid aside for a while. young hearts and minds need a dose of relaxation.
saturday nites were movie nites. looked forward to by all and sundry. memorable movies like 'summer of 42', 'the godfather', 'romeo and juliet', 'bonnie and clyde', 'love story' etc etc were shown in the mid 70's when she was there. all managed by the cinema club girls themselves.
ah, yesterday when she was young....
from the song 'those were the days...'
'those were the days my friend
we thought they'd never end
we'd sing and dance forever and a day..
we'd live the life we choose
we'd fight and never lose
for we were young and sure to have our way....'
the lunch box to school
when her kids were in school, she made them lunches. she woke up early to cook them simple fares like bread dipped in eggs and fried (some call this french toast). or tuna sandwiches. sometimes they would bring fried rice in their colorful containers. or noodles.
she tried to include vegetables -, lettuce, carrots, cabbage, beans, spinach.
and she made sure they bring drinks too. the kids liked cordials. she preferred plain water.
those days were.... hectic, topsy-turvy, exhausting.... yet oh so beautiful.....
she tried to include vegetables -, lettuce, carrots, cabbage, beans, spinach.
and she made sure they bring drinks too. the kids liked cordials. she preferred plain water.
those days were.... hectic, topsy-turvy, exhausting.... yet oh so beautiful.....
the humble nasi lemak
those green packets so familiar. they cost 10 sen each when she was in primary school in the 60's. she especially loves the ones with prawn curry and french beans (buncis).
the nasi lemak, simple wholesome fare from the villages making it big now in vibrant pulsating cities. about a ringgit apiece, it appeals to young and old alike. a packet is just about enough. two will satisfy most.
in the mornings they beckon with their enchanting green banana leaf packaging. in the evenings they stand in rows by the roadside, tempting passers-by in their pyramid shaped innocence with promises of warm coconut rice and an exciting assortment of sambals - anchovies, fish, prawns, cockles, squids, chicken, beef, eggs....you name it...
when she was younger she looked for nasi lemak with sardine curry...pure provincial goodness.... or the thick sambal with fried fish and a teeny weeny slice of boiled egg. some even come with cucumber wedges or the occasional boiled kangkong.
come fine dining or the sophisticated elitist fusion concoctions.... the humble nasi lemak still holds court.....
it is here to stay.....
.
the nasi lemak, simple wholesome fare from the villages making it big now in vibrant pulsating cities. about a ringgit apiece, it appeals to young and old alike. a packet is just about enough. two will satisfy most.
in the mornings they beckon with their enchanting green banana leaf packaging. in the evenings they stand in rows by the roadside, tempting passers-by in their pyramid shaped innocence with promises of warm coconut rice and an exciting assortment of sambals - anchovies, fish, prawns, cockles, squids, chicken, beef, eggs....you name it...
when she was younger she looked for nasi lemak with sardine curry...pure provincial goodness.... or the thick sambal with fried fish and a teeny weeny slice of boiled egg. some even come with cucumber wedges or the occasional boiled kangkong.
come fine dining or the sophisticated elitist fusion concoctions.... the humble nasi lemak still holds court.....
it is here to stay.....
.
one quiet evening
it was the term holidays. 1975. she returned to school a week earlier, intending to put in extra hours of revision. after a day she had a terrible bout of homesickness. she decided to return home.
she walked down the green hill. she waited for a bus to town. there were a few boys at the bus stop, bags in hand.
somehow they got talking. she couldn't remember exactly how but all four of them started thumbing for lifts from passing cars. in those days it was okay to do that.
a rather battered sedan stopped and they got in, glad to save a few cents worth of bus tickets.
she sat in front and the tree boys were at the back seats.
they reached S town shortly and headed for the bus terminal, looking for a bus to the capital city. it was already nearing six and the train for the northern states leaves kl at about 9 pm.
she was worried. all buses to kl were already packed to the doors. she had to get to the city before 9 pm.
two of the boys managed to get seats on the bone-shaker of a bus. one was then given to her, the damsel in distress. such a gentleman!
she still remembers fondly that lovely evening. and the 'gift' that she eventually threw away due to a foolish whim.
will she ever be forgiven?
she walked down the green hill. she waited for a bus to town. there were a few boys at the bus stop, bags in hand.
somehow they got talking. she couldn't remember exactly how but all four of them started thumbing for lifts from passing cars. in those days it was okay to do that.
a rather battered sedan stopped and they got in, glad to save a few cents worth of bus tickets.
she sat in front and the tree boys were at the back seats.
they reached S town shortly and headed for the bus terminal, looking for a bus to the capital city. it was already nearing six and the train for the northern states leaves kl at about 9 pm.
she was worried. all buses to kl were already packed to the doors. she had to get to the city before 9 pm.
two of the boys managed to get seats on the bone-shaker of a bus. one was then given to her, the damsel in distress. such a gentleman!
she still remembers fondly that lovely evening. and the 'gift' that she eventually threw away due to a foolish whim.
will she ever be forgiven?
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
her students
her class is now 30 strong! the students range from a 5 year old pre-schooler to a 17 year SPM student.
there are no tables and chairs. the white board is courtesy of a very generous benefactor who also contributes many story books, stationery, a huge world map etc etc.
she groups the boys and girls into lower primary, upper primary and secondary. all sit on the cement floor. there is no need for electrical fans as the wind blowing from the padi fields around is really refreshing. no light bulbs could outshine the natural lighting at the open terrace of the village house.
she loves watching the excitement of the boys and girls, eyes all lighted up at some new knowledge. she guides them through grammar, essay writing, science, history, geography; even simple astronomy.
she fires their imagination. she pushes them to the edge. she drives them till they are fatigued.
but now they are equipped with confidence when speaking the english language, they have better grasp of their country and the world around them, they have aspirations where none stood before, most important of all they are slowly but surely nurturing the culture of acquiring knowledge ....
she prays and hopes their generation will be free of the chains and drawbacks of the hardships and struggles of their forefathers..
that these young boys and girls will reap the rewards of a life of diligence and steadfastness, and bring their families out onto a plain of plenty.....
success stories are so heartwarming....miracles happen when you believe....
there are no tables and chairs. the white board is courtesy of a very generous benefactor who also contributes many story books, stationery, a huge world map etc etc.
she groups the boys and girls into lower primary, upper primary and secondary. all sit on the cement floor. there is no need for electrical fans as the wind blowing from the padi fields around is really refreshing. no light bulbs could outshine the natural lighting at the open terrace of the village house.
she loves watching the excitement of the boys and girls, eyes all lighted up at some new knowledge. she guides them through grammar, essay writing, science, history, geography; even simple astronomy.
she fires their imagination. she pushes them to the edge. she drives them till they are fatigued.
but now they are equipped with confidence when speaking the english language, they have better grasp of their country and the world around them, they have aspirations where none stood before, most important of all they are slowly but surely nurturing the culture of acquiring knowledge ....
she prays and hopes their generation will be free of the chains and drawbacks of the hardships and struggles of their forefathers..
that these young boys and girls will reap the rewards of a life of diligence and steadfastness, and bring their families out onto a plain of plenty.....
success stories are so heartwarming....miracles happen when you believe....
a 13 year old aspiring writer
she was in secondary one. full of mark twain's 'the adventures of tom sawyer', robert louis stevenson's 'treasure island', louisa may alcott's 'little women', charlotte bronte's 'jane eyre' etc etc... she began her own book of short stories. she wrote many heartfelt tales of unloved children, unfulfilled loves, tear jerkers, adventures, journeys off the beaten tracks, faery tales..... fully illustrated by herself of course....
and her mentor was her very accommodating english teacher. who even took home the very thick yellow covered book of stories to read and correct.
that was the start of the love affair with writing.
writing gives her endless joy. it is magical, the journeys of the mind. strolling through the shadowy lanes of fancy....no boundaries, no obstacles..... just endless rolling green meadows and woodlands.... and rivers and brooks.... and scenic lakes .....where the skies are always blue...
and her mentor was her very accommodating english teacher. who even took home the very thick yellow covered book of stories to read and correct.
that was the start of the love affair with writing.
writing gives her endless joy. it is magical, the journeys of the mind. strolling through the shadowy lanes of fancy....no boundaries, no obstacles..... just endless rolling green meadows and woodlands.... and rivers and brooks.... and scenic lakes .....where the skies are always blue...
Monday, 21 January 2013
koko's adventures
koko is spirited, adventurous often stubborn. his eyes glint from his sleek black fur.
when the wanderlust calls, koko jumps across the hurdle of board placed at the kitchen door. rushes into the kitchen, the dining room, the lounge.... and climbs the staircase...
so she calls him christopher columbus.
koko would go to the bookshelf and peered at the titles (?), stretching upwards till he looked about 2 feet tall. he'd roam under the black kitchen cabinet till she switched on the lights under the cabinets as he'd blend in with the color scheme.
maybe koko was playing hide and seek with her....
when the wanderlust calls, koko jumps across the hurdle of board placed at the kitchen door. rushes into the kitchen, the dining room, the lounge.... and climbs the staircase...
so she calls him christopher columbus.
koko would go to the bookshelf and peered at the titles (?), stretching upwards till he looked about 2 feet tall. he'd roam under the black kitchen cabinet till she switched on the lights under the cabinets as he'd blend in with the color scheme.
maybe koko was playing hide and seek with her....
les miserables
they bought a huge box of popcorn. her eldest girl got tickets for some private seats.
envisaging a peaceful enjoyment of the musical on a weekday evening.
about 20 minutes to the end, two old oriental ladies from the lower cheaper seats came to sit right next to them. and the misery started. les miserable .... for they gave a much unwanted running commentary despite all the disapproving tut tuts from around them... gone all peace, all quiet...
envisaging a peaceful enjoyment of the musical on a weekday evening.
about 20 minutes to the end, two old oriental ladies from the lower cheaper seats came to sit right next to them. and the misery started. les miserable .... for they gave a much unwanted running commentary despite all the disapproving tut tuts from around them... gone all peace, all quiet...
sweet sweet breeze
she was walking in the park, savoring the sweet balmy morn. nearing a group of huge spreading trees she thought of kiko and koko and their favorite snack of dried keledang leaves. that morning the grass below the trees were bereft of fallen leaves. ah, she thought, will get them another day.
then, the gentlest of breezes blew. a leaf fell right in front of her....
smiling she picked it up..
ah.... beautiful morning....
then, the gentlest of breezes blew. a leaf fell right in front of her....
smiling she picked it up..
ah.... beautiful morning....
Monday, 7 January 2013
about ambitions...
maybe her advice to her children was not quite right. she told them to choose careers in fields that they are confident they will excel in.
maybe the kids witnessed too often the sleepless nights she spent at the drawing board, red eyed and groggy trying to finish unending projects.
none of her 5 children took up the career path she loved.
thus now she has another advice to them. to identify a kid/kids of their own with a natural talent for the arts in the earliest stages. to nurture that interest and flair . expose them to culture, the bounties of nature, the early masters, books etc. take them to art galleries, museums. give them brushes and colors. the works.
perhaps some of her grandchildren might follow her footsteps.... maybe one quiet little girl who looks exactly like her..... another little alice wandering under autumn skies....
maybe the kids witnessed too often the sleepless nights she spent at the drawing board, red eyed and groggy trying to finish unending projects.
none of her 5 children took up the career path she loved.
thus now she has another advice to them. to identify a kid/kids of their own with a natural talent for the arts in the earliest stages. to nurture that interest and flair . expose them to culture, the bounties of nature, the early masters, books etc. take them to art galleries, museums. give them brushes and colors. the works.
perhaps some of her grandchildren might follow her footsteps.... maybe one quiet little girl who looks exactly like her..... another little alice wandering under autumn skies....
ah temasik....
after 4 long years she stepped gingerly on its shores. greeted by a gentle drizzle, hopes were riding abnormally high.
and that was the root of the fiasco. a long absence gave her awkwardness. she has long forgotten how to behave in such situations.
now she clings to memories of good times. in preference to nurturing regrets. how one is more aware of missed opportunities in retrospect is incredible.
another lesson learned the hard way. another mile of wisdom for the pain.
but she is the ever grateful count-your-blessings person she hopes to be to her children most importantly.
always count your blessings. always be grateful.
a tiny pebble on the beach is as beautiful as the brilliantly sparkling southern stars....
and that was the root of the fiasco. a long absence gave her awkwardness. she has long forgotten how to behave in such situations.
now she clings to memories of good times. in preference to nurturing regrets. how one is more aware of missed opportunities in retrospect is incredible.
another lesson learned the hard way. another mile of wisdom for the pain.
but she is the ever grateful count-your-blessings person she hopes to be to her children most importantly.
always count your blessings. always be grateful.
a tiny pebble on the beach is as beautiful as the brilliantly sparkling southern stars....
on and off pal
last nite she remembered someone from the past. she wrote a few words to the pal in the fraternity. brethren in the volatile yet exciting field they are both passionate about.
this morning at dawn she got a reply. he was in the midst of managing jet lag from a trip abroad.
she smiled in the cool pre-subuh darkness.
sometimes it feels good to have a friend who doesn't ask questions. a friend who is always there for you... no matter what.
this morning at dawn she got a reply. he was in the midst of managing jet lag from a trip abroad.
she smiled in the cool pre-subuh darkness.
sometimes it feels good to have a friend who doesn't ask questions. a friend who is always there for you... no matter what.
a lingering melancholy melody
sometimes she'd hear them. melancholy, sweet, enchanting, haunting melodies. on the radio. in the tv. even on twilight breezes traversing the slim branches of young trees at the forests' edge...
unknown songs with mysterious lyrics. strange rhythms and magical melodies. or just pure simple notes of the harp or piano. dancing on the starlight. teasing the cold night wind.
echoing.
oftentimes sad. also bewitching.
where do they come from...
trailblazing the future
she used to dream of a time in the distant future when roads will move instead of vehicles. not unlike an unending conveyor belt system. units of individual or group vehicles will move onto this moving belt, in a slot and later get off at their specific destinations.
while the road moves on ....
there will be no room for incompetent drivers, the ragers, the impatient. no more carbon monoxide pollution. it is simple, systematic. clean.
perhaps destinations are islets off the solid rivers in perpetual motion.
perhaps.....
while the road moves on ....
there will be no room for incompetent drivers, the ragers, the impatient. no more carbon monoxide pollution. it is simple, systematic. clean.
perhaps destinations are islets off the solid rivers in perpetual motion.
perhaps.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)