Place That I Needn't Welcome

I hated coming here yet I had no choice but to show up. The last time I was here, it was an unpleasant memory.

The irony was the sign that greeted me. It reads: Selamat Datang ke Wad AG. Selamat Datang! Do you think I like to be here? And everybody else for that matter. You do not have to welcome me here. Hospital is not a place I really like to visit. It is a greeting used in the wrong place. Totally unnecessary I think.

I was there to see my father and he was warded for the last few weeks. His condition had improved compared to the weeks before. His face was not as pale before but his knee was painful. He limped and moved slowly. Anyway, I was glad to see the progress he made.

Well, one good thing was that he was well taken care of here. The conditions of the ward are not bad at all - well-ventilated, well-lit, proper facilities and the staff are friendly. It was obvious that father missed home but he could not rush. He wanted to talk to someone and I am glad that I was there. I had the time so I kept him company. I accompanied him to the X-ray room. Took this photo from his back while he was waiting for his turn. Noticed that his shoulder had shrunken. He used to have broad shoulder.

I left after 2 1/2 hours. Mum was waiting for me at home.

Not a place I like to visit. I was wondering how long they are keeping my father here. That day was 21 June 2009.

He was discharged on 25 June 2009. I am sure he was happy finally at home. He missed home.

Thank You Michael Jackson, For The Sweet Memories

There isn't much that I can do for you so I dedicate this song - Smile - in my blog to you.

SMILE

By Nat King Cole

Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though its breaking

When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by

If you smile through your fear and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever so near

Thats the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile

Thats the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

I remember (I read it somewhere) that Smile is one of the Michael Jackson's favourite songs. This track was included and covered by him in one of his albums (of which I can't remember now) and the melody stayed with me up until today. Needless to say, it has become one of my favourite songs too.

I thought you did not matter to me until I came to know about your passing from the news today. Well, I was shocked, a bit but very quickly I came out of it. That's just part of life isn't it. Funny it may sound to you but I had somehow predicted your death. For the last few years, whenever I come across your news I paid close attention. There was this feeling that "It's about time". No, I wasn't cursing you but... I was just feeling something wasn't right or more precisely, something bad was going to happen to you. Then I heard the news this morning...

Despite all the bad things that I heard about you over the years, I must say that your music has brought so much pleasure, happiness, and memorable moments in the early part and certain points of my life.

I remembered when I was knee-high and at that time, the word 'music' has no meaning to me. I got very excited seeing my brothers moonwalking across the hall, squealing, moving around with hands and body to the music. They were trying to imitate your moves. As a small child, it was exciting for me to watch my brothers did those moves and they did it sooooo often and so funny. I giggled and laughed while watching that. Sooner after that, I know the name of the music - Billy Jean.

Not so long after that, Thriller came and raided the airwave and followed by Beat it. These music did not fail to amuse me at my tender age. Whenever the beat came on, I would turn to my brother and they would immediately become 'Michael Jackson'. These are my memories of your music, Michael.

Your music created so much of excitements in the early part of my life. It was fun, it was amusing, it came to me with positive feelings and brought so much smiles to me. Everything about you was exciting! Did I mention that the whole Kampung was crazy about you too? Malay, India or Chinese. Everybody just loved your music.

I know that you were planning to make a come back. But you can't do that now. Just like the song that you sang - Gone too soon - You were gone, too soon.

GONE TOO SOON

By Micheal Jackson

Like A Comet

Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky

Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow

Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye

Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly

And Splendidly Bright

Here One Day

Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight

On A Cloudy Afternoon

Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle

Built Upon A Sandy Beach

Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower

That Is Just Beyond Your Reach

Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight

Here One Day

Gone One Night

Like A Sunset

Dying With The Rising Of The Moon

Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon

May you rest in peace and find your Neverland. Thank you so much for your music.

Old Photos

I was browsing through some old photos in my laptop out of the blue and I come across these photos that I like so much. They were taken in November 2006 using Sony Ericsson K800i and at that point of time when I was working in Bahrain.

As I was looking at the photos, they gave me nostalgic feeling as if I am back at that time and at the place at the exact same spots taking the photos - Al Fateh Fort.

The magic of photo - it connects you and suddenly I am feeling old...

I just love the last one!

Datuk Sudirman Arshad

Gees, why sooooooooooo late. That was my first reaction when I read about the news this morning that The Late Sudirman Arshad was conferred Datukship recently after 18 years of his passing.

Some might think that better late than never but I think the recognition should have come much sooner. It should have been given to him at the time that was matter to him most - when he was alive and made Malaysian proud. If my memory serves me right, he was famous, popular and a role model for all of us. He is a great entertainer / performer / actor and totally deserved the datukship. He sang the ever so famous song - Balik Kampung - the song that is truly a classic to me and would be remembered by everyone of us for a long long long long time. He is one of the artists that would make me glued to the TV for his concert show in RTM1.

Don't know about you but I feel it lacks the sincerity in conferring datukship to him after 18 years. I can understand the delay if it is late by 1 or 2 years but 18 years is just too far and irrelevant to me.

Anyway, congratulations to the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad and his family for the recognition that has finally come.

For the younger generation or those uninitiated, please click here for details about him.

Photo source: www.budiey.com/page/24/

Photos Of Cameron Highland Trip

Some photos that I took during my trip to Cameron Highlands on 22 to 24 May 2009. Mostly flower shots but I am quite happy with the result. Lot more things to learn about Ms Pany.

I took this one in a garden of a family selling famous Blackberry jam near Robinson's Fall.

I took this shot at the entrance of Sekolah Menengah Convent. The school is at Tanah Rata and it gives you the view of whole Tanah Rata town.

This one has a very nice background. I was trying very hard to make the background blur and the flower more detail but obviously, I did not get what I want. Nevertheless, I still like this photo.

Some of the shots in Cactus Valley. It has hundred types of cactus and worth visiting.

Wouldn't you like to be there? The scenery is magnificent. Wait for my detailed write-up on the trip.

Snow White And Evil Step Mother

Do you believe in fairy tales? Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, the handsome white horse prince, frog-kissing princess, those happy-ending or happily-together-ever-after stories that you and I, one time or the other, familiar with as we grow up.

Okay, by fairy tales I don't mean the Hooker-and-very-wealthy-man-fall-in-love-for-each-other-and-the-wealthy-man-on-his-knee-asking-the-hooker-for-marriage kind of Hollywood romantic fairy tales.

You know what, I believe everybody likes fairy tales because they taught us to look at positivity at the bad times. But there is a great danger if one gets too many fairy tales ideas in his / her head. It blurs reality world and the imaginary one and worse still, it clouds / fools one's judgment and don't laugh, it happens to everyone even one who has and view upon as a very wise man: Here I quote you an example. Click here to read.

Why do I named this post Snow White and Evil Step Mother?

Well, let just say there is an equation mark between Snow White and PAS, UMNO and Evil Step Mother. Do you think it is a good idea AT ALL that Snow White fancies a family reunion with the witchy step mother who will not stop at nothing until she gets Snow White killed / silenced / exterminated or whatever you call it.

Yeah right, I know what you mean: The Snow White has gone cuckoo or she is overly naive. Obviously, she did not learn from her previous lessons. She can't see clearly that: -

• Evil step mother is one big ugly witchy old women who wants nothing but to be remained in the power and will take whatever means necessary, legal or illegal, to achieve that.
• Evil step mother is nothing but a very selfish old lady who only cares about her beauty but wouldn't care much about the welfare of the people of her country. Yes, you are right, there is no friend-friend with evil step mother. She has only herself in her world and that's all she needs.
  
• Evil step mother has been living in such evil ways for the past 50 over years and there is no way she can make positive changes herself. At the early stage, she had very noble intention to be the lovable King of her people and do something good for the people but as soon as she become obsessed with her beauty, she turned her back on people.
  
• Evil step mother is highly superficial and has perfected her evil skills all these years: She likes to play up the racial issues in order to gain advantage. She likes to talk only but no action. She likes to lie about just almost everything. She controls everything and anyone who defies her will be locked up without trail, etc.
• Evil step mother has very narrow perspective of the world.
  

Snow White ar Snow White, ask yourself if you really want to become like your evil step mother because there is no way you could or capable of changing this witchy woman to a human. The day your step mother a better person would be the day she lays down quietly in her coffin. The only option that you have is to become like her: Speak, think, act, and behave like her exactly. Evil step mother will like you and treat you the way she treats herself and then there can be a truly reunion between the two of you.

While Snow White isn't happy about the fact that the relationship between her and her seven dwarf friends isn't going well: There is infighting, bickering, disagreement, dispute and etc, it isn't hard to see why the people have better hope with this group rather than the evil queen mother. Who can deny the message of 308?

Snow White, this is the time to work out the relationship not walk out.










"I am glad that you are coming back to me Snow White, one more apple, dear?" Evil step mother looks and asks Snow White tenderly like a mother to daughter.

Take a bite Snow White?