I was only 6 when our nation achieved independence. I have little collection of the happening then. What I remember were events that took place during my school days. There were lots of program for us school kids. I was always taking parts in cultural shows, elocution contests, big walks........in the name of nation building. I took part in those programs despite having to help my parents with the daily chores: I had to carry drinking water from the public paip to my rakit home; I had to collect empty milk cans from the back of kopitiams and clean them for my mum's coffee stall (to carry take-away drink) and I had to baby sit my younger siblings..........Life was tough but I had fun.
In the neighbourhood, my sisters and I were called Yah, Ti, Nab,and Yam by our Malay Friends. We had Pok Su and Pok Ya who would give us free kelubi and sugar cane whenever they stopped by on their way to the market. Mok Su would give us extra 'tepung bungkus' (malay kuih) for our purchase.
I grew up in a melting pot. I was aware of the differences between my Malay friends and I. I was fine with it when I was young, I was fine with it when I joined the teacher training college in the 70's and now as we celebrate our 52nd Merdeka Day, I am still fine with it. Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
August 3rd 2009 -A Hectic Day
The Nightlines started and Abang sat up on the couch to wish me Happy Birthday. Then, off he went upstairs to go to bed. Thank you dear for the good gesture. I knew he was very tired from driving the distance from our kampung to USJ the previous day. God Bless you,dear, for being there always.Ameen.
It took me a while to fall asleep. At 5.00 am my cell phone alarm was right on time. Just like the past 3 times, I quickly got ready. Said my Subuh prayer and waited downstairs. This time, my boy, N, his wife and baby son were a bit late. But they remembered to wish me happy birthday with a book on MJ's life. The traffic to Shah Alam was more congested but bearable and I kept praying for a smooth journey. Ours was no. 4th car at the parking bay and the area still deserted. By the time we arrived at the Immigration Department, there was already a long Q.
Again N looked agitated after he left the front counter and went to the writing counter. I went up to him. He was given new forms to fill. He did not understand why he needed to fill them and he did not have extra photos of his wife and son. I too was rather annoyed because their visa extension applications ware pending so why the new forms!! Then I recalled one lady's outburst during our 1st visit: 'Setiap kali datang, borangnya lain! Baris lama-lama, disuruh isi borang baru dan kena baris semula. Datang awal-awalpun tak guna!!' Anyway, my boy proceeded to the front counter and was given number 2003 and 2004 for counter "Penggajian" .
I couldn't bear his stressful look, so I went up to counter 4 and asked a young lady, not in uniform and about to photocopy documents, for some explanations. Thank God, she was so helpful. She made a few inquiries and explained to me and N. Anyway, we still could not comprehend why we need to fill the new application forms!
My grandson has been given 6 months visa extension but not my daughter-in-laws. Why? I have yet to comprehend. After paying RM 662 for his son's visa, as usual, N was asked to go back and fetch the passport at 3 pm. The wife has been given 3 months extension but that would be in one week time. N looked at me. I knew the SOS look. I volunteered to travel up again next week and accompany his wife to the department since the officer said only one of them has to be present. And so that he need not take leave from his probational job. Oh, for you, my loved ones, I am all ready for the hassle!
After a refreshment at the usual restaurant, we headed for home as I needed to be in KLIA at noon as Adik was arriving from LA. She had gone to San Diego 10 days ago for The Comic Conventions with her two comics artist pals. Since the arrival time was 1250, so Abang and I thought pushing off at noon would be just fine. Just as we were leaving the house, Adik massaged to say that the plane was docking. It was an early arrival and we were 20 minutes away! Anyway, I told Abang not to rush as Adik needed time to reach the main exit. Adik and I kept in contact via cell phones. Thanks Maxis for the free calls on my birthday. It's a blessing in disguise indeed. The timing was perfect. We arrived just as Adik appeared with her pals at the main exit. So no parking and no exposure to the airport air for long. Syukur Alhamdulillah. Eisu's mum was waiting so we wisked Adik away and homeward bound.
We stopped for packed lunch at the restaurant. Adik's favourite lala lemak makes her drooled. I guessed any local food was just fine after a week of processed foods!
After lunch, Adik excused herself and retired to her room promising our gifts after her sleep. Some more anticipation. Adik promised me soft toys. From her 2007 trip I received Willy, the killer whale. Wonder what would it be this time.
N left for Shah Alam and I waited for the plumber whom I called before leaving for the airport. Ah San, the plumber arrived with his new assistant. Michael has quit the job and has gone back to Sabah. He was a good and polite worker. The automatic valve in the water tank needed replacement. The leakage in the bathroom warranted new external piping. Ah San estimated it at RM180 + RM 380. I looked at Abang, the bargainer. Ah San agreed to do for RM500. Beggars got no choice. The leakage had done enough damage to the room floor and the ceiling downstairs!
After 2 hours or so, repaired done. The bill came to RM530 because I asked for a "pushing' pipe head! I commented to Abang that it would only cost us about RM 300 in the kampung!
About 6.30pm. Adik was still sleeping and Abang gave N money to go get pizza for my birthday dinner. We could not go out for all-you-can eat steamboat 'cause Adik had to go through home quarantine for a week due to the A H1N1 pandemic. Syukur Alhamdullihah. I have the most precious gift for my birthday. This time, my hubby, my son, my daughter, my daughter-in-laws and Adam Hajime, my most lovable grandson are with me. What more could I have asked for?
What a day! My birthday.
It took me a while to fall asleep. At 5.00 am my cell phone alarm was right on time. Just like the past 3 times, I quickly got ready. Said my Subuh prayer and waited downstairs. This time, my boy, N, his wife and baby son were a bit late. But they remembered to wish me happy birthday with a book on MJ's life. The traffic to Shah Alam was more congested but bearable and I kept praying for a smooth journey. Ours was no. 4th car at the parking bay and the area still deserted. By the time we arrived at the Immigration Department, there was already a long Q.
Again N looked agitated after he left the front counter and went to the writing counter. I went up to him. He was given new forms to fill. He did not understand why he needed to fill them and he did not have extra photos of his wife and son. I too was rather annoyed because their visa extension applications ware pending so why the new forms!! Then I recalled one lady's outburst during our 1st visit: 'Setiap kali datang, borangnya lain! Baris lama-lama, disuruh isi borang baru dan kena baris semula. Datang awal-awalpun tak guna!!' Anyway, my boy proceeded to the front counter and was given number 2003 and 2004 for counter "Penggajian" .
I couldn't bear his stressful look, so I went up to counter 4 and asked a young lady, not in uniform and about to photocopy documents, for some explanations. Thank God, she was so helpful. She made a few inquiries and explained to me and N. Anyway, we still could not comprehend why we need to fill the new application forms!
My grandson has been given 6 months visa extension but not my daughter-in-laws. Why? I have yet to comprehend. After paying RM 662 for his son's visa, as usual, N was asked to go back and fetch the passport at 3 pm. The wife has been given 3 months extension but that would be in one week time. N looked at me. I knew the SOS look. I volunteered to travel up again next week and accompany his wife to the department since the officer said only one of them has to be present. And so that he need not take leave from his probational job. Oh, for you, my loved ones, I am all ready for the hassle!
After a refreshment at the usual restaurant, we headed for home as I needed to be in KLIA at noon as Adik was arriving from LA. She had gone to San Diego 10 days ago for The Comic Conventions with her two comics artist pals. Since the arrival time was 1250, so Abang and I thought pushing off at noon would be just fine. Just as we were leaving the house, Adik massaged to say that the plane was docking. It was an early arrival and we were 20 minutes away! Anyway, I told Abang not to rush as Adik needed time to reach the main exit. Adik and I kept in contact via cell phones. Thanks Maxis for the free calls on my birthday. It's a blessing in disguise indeed. The timing was perfect. We arrived just as Adik appeared with her pals at the main exit. So no parking and no exposure to the airport air for long. Syukur Alhamdulillah. Eisu's mum was waiting so we wisked Adik away and homeward bound.
We stopped for packed lunch at the restaurant. Adik's favourite lala lemak makes her drooled. I guessed any local food was just fine after a week of processed foods!
After lunch, Adik excused herself and retired to her room promising our gifts after her sleep. Some more anticipation. Adik promised me soft toys. From her 2007 trip I received Willy, the killer whale. Wonder what would it be this time.
N left for Shah Alam and I waited for the plumber whom I called before leaving for the airport. Ah San, the plumber arrived with his new assistant. Michael has quit the job and has gone back to Sabah. He was a good and polite worker. The automatic valve in the water tank needed replacement. The leakage in the bathroom warranted new external piping. Ah San estimated it at RM180 + RM 380. I looked at Abang, the bargainer. Ah San agreed to do for RM500. Beggars got no choice. The leakage had done enough damage to the room floor and the ceiling downstairs!
After 2 hours or so, repaired done. The bill came to RM530 because I asked for a "pushing' pipe head! I commented to Abang that it would only cost us about RM 300 in the kampung!
About 6.30pm. Adik was still sleeping and Abang gave N money to go get pizza for my birthday dinner. We could not go out for all-you-can eat steamboat 'cause Adik had to go through home quarantine for a week due to the A H1N1 pandemic. Syukur Alhamdullihah. I have the most precious gift for my birthday. This time, my hubby, my son, my daughter, my daughter-in-laws and Adam Hajime, my most lovable grandson are with me. What more could I have asked for?
What a day! My birthday.
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