Time to reflect...

“People don’t take trips; Trips take people...”

We woke up very late and had lunch at Restoran 23 Jam.

Went to Giant to buy plastic containers for the kurma and kismis. Packed some to be given to relatives and friends. The 2 containers of air zam zam are still with Ustaz. We need to collect them from the travel agent’s office later.

It is time to reflect on the trip when it is over...

Togetherness is Happiness...

"The time you feel lonely is the time you most need to be by yourself..."

We were glad to be home.

Glad that the 3 ikan kaloi were still alive and active. Glad that my Spectra and his Honda Shadow could start on the first attempt. We treated ourselves to a special dinner at Sri Thai. The tomyam and ikan siakap masak tiga rasa were so very delicious.

We were tired but happy. And left the unpacking till tomorrow.

7th Umrah Trip: The holy pilgrimage...

“To travel is to take a journey unto yourself...” - Dena Kaye

Today is my last day to work before our Umrah trip. I took half day off and we had time to visit Mak and Abah in Melaka. Abah was not looking too good. He looked tired but still cheerful. Mak as usual gave lots of advice. Asking us to doa banyak-banyak kat Mekah nanti.

Completed our packing and retired early tonight. We promised each other that we’ll make this trip our best ever Umrah together and we'll be having a stop-over in Dubai for a few days.

For this is a journey we all must make,

And each must do it alone,

It's all a part of the plan,

A step on the road to home.

My Overseas Travelogue: Madinah, Makkah and Dubai

A pathway of dreams...

“A change of climate is easier than a change of heart.." - Russian Proverb

In dreams, I walk with you amongst the Stars
The Milky Way this pathway that we stride
And all the wealth of Worlds, built over years
Are naught besides you at my side?

In dreams, I am reluctant to return
A frosty world in no way can compete
But lest I lay and dream my life away
A worldly path to you I must complete

Kota Bharu: Where time stood still...

"This life is what you make it. Not matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes..."

We had late breakfast. Toast and half-boiled eggs to fill up a little. Reached Kem Kijang near noon. Dollah Goy was already waiting for us. Had an interview session with him. If I was not mistaken he was one of those Kelana Putra or Kelana Bakti guys who use to be our Scout Masters for the 1st Girl Scout Troop in the 70’s. He showed us around the camp. Showed us places where we used to camp, where we used to dance for the festival of lights, around the campfire, the Rambong and the Loy Kratong,

These places brought back nostalgic memories from the past. It was here when I first knew about life, about love. About sharing, about loving. I longed to go back through time, to that particular moment where time stood still. Our motto then was ‘Get Smart, Forever Enjoy’. Life was so adventurous and exciting then.

Visited the Museum and to my surprise, there were pictures of the 1st Girl Scout Troop and pictures of the Big 5 in the museum. Had some photo shoots with the seniors. Promised to write to their bulletin one of these days.

Went to PCB and bought some batik kaftans to bring back to KL. PCB was not as serene and beautiful as before. I wondered why they need to change the beach name from Pantai Cinta Berahi to Pantai Cahaya Bulan.

Met a few more old friends at the airport before we bade them goodbye. Promised to see each other again very soon.

Kota Bharu: Childhood innocence...

“Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are...” - Markus Zusak

'

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After subuh stayed in bed and continued chatting and updating each other with stories. Senator Ubai bought us varieties of kelantanese food for breakfast, some exotic to the taste. Ani and Nik Noraini aka Kid came around 9.30 a.m. Ubai had sent the children to grandma’s house for these two days. And we had the house to ourselves.

Later, we drove to Pasir Mas to Bee’s old house but nobody was home. Went to Kak Mini's and Kak Chik’s house to meet Bee’s mum. She was so happy to see the five of us, together again after so long.

Met up with the rest of the girls at Ubai’s house. Lunch was Thai food, courtesy of Senah’s Warong. Very delicious indeed. More stories and more photo sessions. The news of Big 5 get together must have spread, as we have to ward off some uninvited visitors. Evening was spent at Kid’s house to see her mum and later at Ani’s house to meet hers. Reunion dinner was at Oriental Restaurant. Almost all that we had contacted came.

After more than 30 years, Big 5 were together again.

Kota Bharu: Boundless and carefree...

“We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be...” - May Sarton



(My bestest of friends...)

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The whole day was busy contacting travel agent and arranging flight details. Others suggested earlier flight but we preferred the last one.

Picked up Bee at Kg. Tunku at 6.30 p.m. Abang Yusuf was not at home. I heard that he’s going to KK this weekend leaving the children by themselves. Drove to Kak Nora’s house to say hello and to inform her of our trip to KB. Though practically confined to her bed because of diabetes, Kak Nora looks cheerful and energetic.

Drove to KLIA. Had ample time for a leisure dinner as our flight was at 10.40 p.m. Before boarding called Ubai to remind her to pick us up at the airport in KB. Ubai was already waiting for us with sleepy Hajar. Although the Senator’s house has seven rooms, we bunked ourselves in the guest room for the next two days.

Chit-chated until 2.00 am in the morning.

Mountain high enough...

“Life is to be enjoyed, not endured...” - Gordon B. Hinckley

My office was in a mess.

Today they circulated the list of furniture and odds and ends to be auctioned to staff. I heard many were eyeing for the full-length cupboard in my room and also the discussion table and chairs. Even the 4-drawer cabinets and curtains were up for auction.

Linda did most of the packing and labeling for me. By the time we finished sorting things out, we could barely straightened our backs. Tomorrow they would start to cart off the boxes to our temporary office. A swing area near the lecture theater sufficient to provide us with the bare necessities. We would stay there while waiting for our new office to be renovated.

Left office early for the spa. Nik Aminah’s mother was there undergoing treatment for her ailing legs. Chit chat with her for a while. She looked frail but still bubbly with stories to tell. Had to leave her with her knitting and succumbed my exhausted body to an intensified stress-relief massage. Need to complete my treatment early.

We watched Puteri Gunung Ledang at One-Utama. A little too slow but the story was good. Called Ubai and Bee to inform of flight details. Had our midnight drink at coffee bean. Reached home near 1.00 a.m. Packed for tomorrow’s trip to KB. Feeling very excited…

Our Embassy in Jakarta...

“Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody...” - Stephen Chbosky

Completed the Vault inspection at Safeguard together with the representatives from Internal Audit and Risk Unit. Came back to office just in time to have a quick lunch with Zila at Kupang. Called Bee and told her about the KB trip. She was all excited to come along. She got to ask Abang Yusuf’s permission fast as we need to book the tickets.

With all the excitement, I have forgotten about my date with Nik Aminah tonight. Called her and promised to be at her house after office. After the solat Maghrib, we drove to One-Utama to buy tickets for the movie, PGL. Again the tickets were sold out. Nik Aminah bought tickets for Saturday. She’s watching the movie with her family. I bought tickets for tomorrow night. Cholesterol aside, pleasured ourselves with lamb stew at Secret Recipe. Bought us incense sticks and trinkets. Drove to Sri Hartamas, stopped at Uncle Don to say hello to Nik Kamaliah's sister. Managed to get her number at the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta. Went to Tanjung Puteri for ice lemonade and teh tarik and indulged in a lot of story telling. Sent Nik Aminah home around midnight.

Senator Ubai returned my sms at 2 a.m. I wondered what was she doing in the wee hour of the morning.

Friendships’ revered...

“People aren't born good or bad. Maybe they're born with tendencies either way, but its the way you live your life that matters...” - Cassandra Clare

I promised Senator Ubai that I would call Kid to check and confirm the date when she’s flying back to Malaysia before her next posting in Wellington. I recalled from our last conversation that this Consulate’s wife would want to spend a week in KL and meet up with Big 5 before going back to KB to be with her mother for a while.

Linda called Davao but received news that the Malaysian Consulate and family were already in KL. Managed to get their contact numbers in KL and KB from Wisma Putra. Talked to Kid and she apologized for not informing us about the changed dates. We wanted to meet up but tonight she’s flying to KB and would be coming back to KL end of next week. We both felt so sad. Felt so disappointed. Would not be able to meet the rest of the Big 5 in KL next week, as I would be away for the Umrah.

Called Senator Ubai and Bee. Now that Kid is in Malaysia, determined to have the reunion regardless whether it's in KB or in KL. The afternoon was spent contacting old friends and making plans for the reunion.

Had roti chanai at Plaza Damansara and solat magrib at Mesjid Saidina Othman. Played an hour of squash and later two games of bowling. While having our dinner at Tanjung Puteri, told hubby of my plan to fly to KB this weekend for the reunion. He knows I missed the gang so very much.

Couldn’t help feeling so excited and thrilled…

Are you great enough...

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter...” - E.E. Cummings

Heart, are you great enough

For a love that never tires?
O' heart, are you great enough for love?
I have heard of thorns and barrier,
Over the meadow and stiles,
Over the world to the end of it
Flash for a million miles…

We had our teh tarik at Lake Garden. Hubby's class was cancelled. Mine was still on even though the attendance was not too encouraging. After class we had tom yam dinner at the new warong.

Balinese garden party...

“I'm killing time while I wait for life to shower me with meaning and happiness...” - Bill Watterson

I was surprised to see Nik Aminah's daughter helping her auntie at the spa. She was on a three weeks’ vacation and would spent practical time there. A chance to even earned some pocket money.

It was raining quite heavily. When the last client for the day left, we had tea at the balcony. The yellow-stemmed bamboo trees bordering the balcony produces an exotic effect to the surrounding. While the adults were relaxing and chatting at the Balinese garden, Nik Hasnah’s and Nik Aminah's daughters were enjoying themselves in the steam bath. The girls must be having a lot of fun. Could hear them laughing and shouting. Joanna and Bella must be tickling them while scrubbing their backs with loofas.

Later that evening, we went for dinner at the food court at Sri Hartamas.

Guardian angel on-call...

'“Life is for the living. Death is for the dead. Let life be like music. And death a note unsaid…” - Langston Hughes

I was dreaming of something good when hubby's call awakened me from my slumber. It was already 10.30 a.m. and I was supposed to wake Ja up. His bus was at 12 noon and his abah would be sending him to Pudu Raya. I had arranged prior appointment with the girls at the spa this afternoon but I promised him to have lunch together. He wanted to baca doa selamat for kids’ coming exam and also doa tolak bala for Ja. Lately Ja has been encountering a series of bad lucks and disasters, one after another!

Prepared the cream caramel in a jiffy, at top speed. Packed some for Ja to bring back to Kuantan. The rest I would bring to the spa later. Sara packed some for Saufi. We went in two cars, as I would need to shoot off immediately right after lunch.

I wished Iwan and Ja were here with us.

Simply Traditional...

“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy...”

The Ball Room at the Sunway Convention Centre was packed with colorful traditional dressed guests.

I hosted table number 122. The table was supposed to sit for 10 people but there were only eight of us. And the food was in abundance. A pity to see the abalone and king prawns went to waste. While savoring our dinner we were entertained by the Ghazal and Gamelan Group from JB. Traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian songs complemented the theme for tonight’s Annual Dinner – Simply Traditional.

There were also lucky draws in between. I got lucky and got me a cute Ikea table lamp. Linda was even luckier. Her number was among the last five to be called and she got herself a 14” TV. After collecting the prize we drove home and missed the comedy sketches by the Instant Café.

Wishing longevity...

“Not knowing where. Bring not knowing what. The path is long, the way unknown..." - Glenn Clark

Poongsan’s booth was next to ours at the KLIMOF Exhibition. We had arranged for at least two of our officers to be on duty at the booth. We even supplied free t-shirts for the occasion. I wondered whether the crowd at the PWTC exhibition hall would be as heavy as last year. In fact, last two years we won the prize for the best booth. Looking at the grandness of our booth, if there was such a prize, we would surely win again this year.

I received a box of ginseng tonic and a lovely copper paperweight from Mr. Kim from Poongsan Corp. He never failed to supply the team with ginseng tea or ginseng in any other forms whenever he comes to KL. When asked about the design of the paperweight Mr. Kim explained that the design depicts ten objects which were believed to enjoy longevity. They were the sun, the moon, mountains, water, stones, pine trees, turtles, cranes, deers and mythical herb that were believed to bring eternal life.

I will use the paperweight when I move to my new office at end of the year. Right now my room is in a mess. With piles of papers to be shredded and stacks of boxes to be labelled. We need to vacate our office by middle of the month to make way for our new Customer Service Center. By early next year the department will be split into 3 floors.

Ignoring the havoc and the mess, an hour of strenuous squash game at the club tonight, enough to shed a week of sweat.

Folklore & fairy tales...

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation..."

The queue at the cinema was extra long tonight.

The thought of watching the Puteri Gunung Ledang excite me. When I was young, I used to read the Hikayat Hang Tuah over and over. Fascinated with the stories and enthralled with the mystical and supernatural fairy tales from the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah. I must watch this film. I heard different conflicting reviews about this legend.

By the time we reached the end of the queue, the tickets were sold out. Watched the Collateral instead. A little frustrated but the film with Tom Cruise playing a gray-haired hired assassin was quite ok. Worth my while to watch …

25th Anniversary: Rainbows in my tears...

“But better to be hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie…” - Khaled Hosseini

There isn't much I haven't shared

With you along the road

And through it all there'd always be

Tomorrow's episode

Who's to say who's right or wrong

Whose course is braver run

Still we are, have always been

Will ever be, as one

(Elton John)

We skipped class tonight and decided to have dinner at Victoria Station. Shared a combo plate of lobster and steak.

These tears I shed tonight, they weren’t tears of sadness, more of love and emotion. After all these years I’m still trying to figure out the odds and ends. Thank you for being there for me all these wonderful years, yang. And all the years to come.

Happy 25th Anniversary yang..

Momento from Turkey (1996)

"you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory..."

(Antique copper vases)

Copper Craft

The era that ended the Stone Age more than 7000 years ago was none other than 'the Copper Age', where Copper could be mined, smelted and worked as the first metal known to mankind. For this, Copper holds a very specific position in relation to Mankind as a whole.

Since then, the first societies to work Copper never gave up their superior hand on Coppersmithing to any other. As of today, the ultimate Copper craftsmanship finds place in Turkey, India, Pakistan, Iran and Syria. As for the traditional Ottoman way of crafting and hammering copper, one can only encounter it in Modern Day Turkey and Syria.

I was in Turkey in December 1996, April 2012, April 2016 and May 2018.

My Overseas Travel Blog: munmus.blogspot.com