Seri Kepayang

Good morning 2012

2012-01-01T12:00:00.002+08:00

Went to bed early last night and didn't wait to usher in the new year. I've never bothered to do so in the past. So this time, it's very much the same.

Woke up early and savoured the cool fresh morning air, and enjoyed the soothing view of our front garden from the living room. Subhanallah.

And what's more, Man United got whacked by Blackburn at Old Trafford last night. So it must be a happy new year indeed.

Good morning and welcome 2012.

Post Tsunami: Sendai on the way to revival

2011-12-28T09:24:00.001+08:00

I received an email from an old friend, Toru Tanaka, from Sendai, Japan, recently. Sendai is the capital city for Miyagi Prefecture in Japan. It is a city of a million inhabitants. Quite recently, we also got to know Sendai (and its vicinities) as being the area worst hit by the tsunami which overwhelmed the east coast of Japan in March of this year.

One would surely recall the images of destruction played out umpteen times on the television when the earthquake hit the area, only to be swiftly followed right after that by the devastating tsunami. The physical, social and psychological damages to to this island nation have been deep and profound.

But if there is one thing I have learnt from my three year stay in the Land of the Rising Sun, it is that the Japanese are a disciplined, hardworking people with a strong sense of identity.

They will rebuild, recover and rise up again from the disaster. And I'm talking from experience. For I have seen how they've rebuilt Kobe after the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995.

Being located 10km from the coast, the Sendai city centre itself is not much affected by the tsunami. But the outlying town and villages in the coastal areas were devastated and some have disappeared completely.

Some people are still staying in temporary housing as they still cannot afford to rebuild their homes. But the good news according to Tanaka-san is that the revival plan for Sendai City has been approved at the City Assembly last month. So, a full-scale revival of Sendai is just waiting to happen.

Incidentally, Tanaka-san just got married last September and is building a new life for himself too. He is also now in charge of managing the budget for the road planning program for Sendai.

The beautiful pictures of autumn Japan above were emailed to me by Tanaka-san. It makes me miss Japan. Very much.

Lyon Light Festival 2011

2011-12-25T22:27:00.002+08:00

The City of Lyon by the River Rhone, all lighted up

Lyon is the second biggest city in France located 470km south-east of Paris. The Lyon Light Festival is one of the most famous lighting festivals in Europe.

The festival has been held every year since medieval France. It has its roots in a religious-related event. But nowadays it has been re-branded into a modern, high-tech lighting festival much anticipated by many in France and near-by neighbouring countries. It attracts some of the best minds and most creative lighting experts in Europe who come to display their flair and hardware.

We were there at the festival to soak in the atmosphere and to see first-hand how a lighting festival is run.

Come 2013, we will have our very own full-fledged world-class lighting festival: The Putrajaya Light Festival.

Watch this space.

Town Planning lessons in Paris

2011-12-25T21:07:00.004+08:00

Avenue de La Grande Armee, one of the many boulevards put in place by Haussmann, viewed from the Arc de Triomphe

I was in Paris two weeks ago. Yes, France, land of the guillotines and home to Zinedine Zidane.

We landed at Charles de Gaulle at 6.20 am and was received by a cold Paris weather with temperature hovering at 5 Celsius. Charles de Gaulle is an old airport. But it is very functional in its design minus all the frills of a so called "modern" airport. For example, it has proper, separate prayer rooms for all the major religions. Even fancy, modern Changi can't beat that.

The airport is only about 20km away from downtown Paris. But due to the notorious Paris traffic jam, we were forewarned by Thomas, our guide, that the journey would take us a good one hour plus.

We were also told by Thomas that Paris is a city of more than 12 million inhabitants. That's big. But still, that's no excuse for gridlock traffic jams.

Nevertheless, I cannot help but notice that the Paris traffic is a tad more chaotic as compared to say, London or Tokyo. The French drivers also seem a bit more, well, should I say, more of a dare-devil? They'd just weave in and out of their lanes almost without a care for others. And then there are the scooters and motorcycles. Their numbers are noticeably much higher then in other major cities I've been. And their riders are just "super crazy" according to Thomas.

Surprisingly, over the course of one week I was there, I didn't notice any accident. Not even a single one!

Paris is a city of many long straight boulevards lined by trees like the one above. Now this is mainly the work of one fine gentleman by the name of Baron Georges Haussmann. Haussmann was civic planner commissioned by Napoleon III in 1852 to re-plan Paris.

I had studied Haussmann when I was learning to be a town planner at university. Only now do I see his work with my very own eyes. Quite spectacular and very visionary.

Another feature of Paris town planning are the courtyard building typologies.

The buildings which line the boulevards always seem like they are surrounded on all sides by long, unbroken street walls. Whereas one know very well that many of the buildings are mixed-use buildings accommodating commercial as well as residential elements. So, where are the back-of-house facilities and car parks then?

The answer is that they are right there in the centre of the buildings themselves, within the courtyards.

Now I know better what the planners in Putrajaya are trying to achieve through their urban planning exercise, especially for the Core Island.

Cold Paris!

2011-12-07T11:43:00.002+08:00

View from my room at Hotel Pullman Montparnasse, Paris. The sun just coming out but the temperature is actually around 5 Celcius.

Double-tracking comes to Kg Kepayang

2011-12-02T23:37:00.007+08:00

The railway line passes by our kampong. As far as I can remember, it has always been there. The trains pass by every few hours daily and as they approach, we were sure to feel the rumbling and vibration and hear the unmistakable chugging noise of the engine.

We used to spend many happy hours playing on the track and the areas within its vicinity. We used to fly kites here with Apak. We used to lay nails on the track so that they'd be flattened by the trains untuk buat pisau. We used to wait and watch for the trains to pass. Or sometimes, we'd just come here just to take in the beautiful views of the limestone hills and the trees and the long rail track which disappears into the horizon.

There used to be just a single track. But now, as the picture above shows, there are three!

Actually the line is undergoing the double tracking development as part of the northern Electrified Double Track project from Ipoh to Padang Besar.

A massive 329-km project, it involves the laying of two new parallel tracks to replace the existing single-track. In the picture above, the track on the right and in the middle are the two newly laid ones. Whilst the one on the left is the old one which will be removed soon.

The electrical cables and power system are not yet in place. Once those are up, electric-powered trains will swoosh by our kampong like never before.

Modernity comes to quaint, old Kg Kepayang.

My Father, The Kirkbyite

2011-10-26T07:00:00.001+08:00

Today, it is exactly three years since the passing away of Apak, my father (AL-FATIHAH for Hj. Ahmad Termizi b. Mat Nor).

In his memory, I am posting here an article that was first published in the coffee table book Kirkby College: A Heritage.

This story was written with the help of Azman, my brother. He started the piece, and I added to it and completed it before adding the photos.

For lack of space, the article that was eventually published was heavily edited and much shortened. Here, you will read the full and original version of the story.

What saddens me is that the book came a month too late for Apak. It was published and launched in conjunction with the Kirkby College Grand Reunion in November of 2008.

So Apak never got to see the book, nor read this short story of him as a Kirkbyite, written by his sons.

MY FATHER, THE KIRKBYITE

I call him Apak, a common term of endearment for father, widely used in Perak. Apak was born Ahmad Termizi bin Mat Nor on 1 March 1936 in Kampong Selat, Layang-Layang Kiri, near Parit, Perak. His was a typical kampong within the rural Malay belt, located on the banks of the Sungai Perak.

Growing up, I used to enjoy our occasional trips to his kampong when we go to visit Tok Mat Nor, my grandfather. One thing I’d always noticed was that, whenever we bumped into Apak’s childhood friends at the kampong mosque or the local coffee stalls, they would speak fondly of their “long-lost” friend. And then they would also praise his academic feats. Yes. And Apak’s academic achievements would prove to be the reason for him to be packed and sent away from his kampong, leaving behind his friends.

Much to the dismay of his uncles and aunties who had wanted their favourite nephew to be enrolled into a religious school, Tok Mat Nor had other plans for Apak. He wanted Apak to realize his full academic potentials by having an English-based education. So, Apak was sent to the famous Anderson School in the big town of Ipoh, at the tender age of 12, for his secondary education.

And as it turned out, this was to pave the way for his long and eventful journey to the Malayan Teachers’ Training College in Kirkby, England.

Apak spent two years at “Kampong Kirkby” near Liverpool. Amongst his friends from the 1956-1958 batch include Jaafar Saidin, Isa Ramli, Marmuji Koso, Zainal Abidin Mohamed, Tunku Yusof Jewa and Cheah Kok Choy.

Apak is a man of few words. So, although we heard bits and pieces of his days in England from Apak himself, most of the stories about Kirkby came to me through my Emak, Non Aziah. And then of course there were the many old, black and white photos from his Kirkby days at Tok Mat Nor’s house.

For instance, there was this long-framed group photo of Apak and his batch hung above the entrance to the master-bedroom at Tok’s house. It used to raise my curiosity. Standing below it, I would squint my eyes trying to make out what that long picture was all about. There were plenty more photos stashed away in a cupboard in the living room where Apak’s old books were kept. And then there were some more, in a big suitcase under the front verandah.

Although he didn’t much admitted it, I know the Kirkby days were something very special for Apak. Even as a kid I could somehow sense it. And now that I’m all grown up and been through the rigours of higher education and trainings of my own, I can’t help but feel proud that my very own Apak was one of those few to have been selected to train in faraway England back in those days.

Upon returning from Kirkby in 1958, Apak was posted to teach at a primary school in Kg. Melayu Sg. Raya, Ipoh. He was then transferred to Parit and Telok Bakong. He ended his teaching job as the first headmaster for Sekolah Menengah Kampong Gajah, a school he had helped to open. The royal town of Kuala Kangsar was his next stop when he was appointed as an education officer taking charge of primary schools in the Kuala Kangsar district. This was later followed by stints in Tapah, Teluk Intan, and finally Ipoh, where he retired on 1 March 1991.

True to his Kirkby background, Apak has a strong passion for teaching and education. He loved his profession. In fact, he even once had a wish that at least one of his children would become a teacher like him.

In his own way, Apak had started instilling in us the virtues of education since my brothers and I were mere kids. He inspired us to enjoy books by purchasing us the Grolier’s Children’s Encyclopedia, “The New Book of Knowledge”. This encyclopedia had really opened our eyes to the world of knowledge and learning. I remember us spending many happy hours sitting on the floor flipping through the pages, enjoying the pictures, singing out the nursery rhymes and sometimes trying to do the origami with Emak.

Apak’s far-sightedness also saw my brothers and I entering a “good school” in Ipoh. It was the late 60s and I guess the schools in Bota Kanan, where we were staying then, were not up to the mark for him. The best schools were in the big towns. So, as what his father had done more than a decade earlier, Apak sent us to stay with our maternal grandparents, Tok Hussein and Opah Badariah, and enrolled us into the SRJK Ashby Road. Apak was already preparing us for our future lives.

Apak used to monitor – in his own peculiar ways – our progress at school. For example, when I got to study at Sekolah Menengah Sains Perlis, a boarding school far north in Perlis, Apak had ordered me to write home at least once a month – in English! What I didn’t know until quite recently was that each time my letter reached home, Apak would be ready with a red pen in hand. The first thing he would do was to “mark” the letter and “circled” all the grammatical errors I had made. By the time the others eventually got to read the letter, “it was just like reading an English exercise book, what with all the red markings here and there”, my brother Azman once told me.

Apak has six children altogether with Emak. I’m the eldest. Then came Azmi, Azman, and our sister Nor Aliza who passed away at a very young age. This is followed by Azizah, and finally Azizul. Thanks to Apak’s guidance, all of his surviving children succeeded in getting a decent education. I managed to graduate from the University of Manchester as a town planner. Later, with his blessings, I also went to Japan and got a Master’s degree from Tsukuba University. My brother Azmi, the artist in the family, graduated from the School of Architecture at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Azman studied Communications at Institut Teknologi MARA and started out his career as a journalist.

As for Azizah, although she made the grades to do law, she opted to go to Universiti Sains Malaysia instead where she graduated in Education. With that, she became a teacher, thus fulfilling one of Apak’s wishes. The youngest in the family, Azizul, followed in the footsteps of Apak and went to England. He studied accountancy at the Northumbria University in Newcastle .

Although Apak was strict with regards to our education, he can be full of fun to be with. He introduced us to English football long before the EPL had seen the day of light. We used to watch Star Soccer together on our black and white TV in the mid-60s. He was very good at making beautiful kites. We used to buy all the materials needed, and then go into the woods in search of suitable bamboo for the frame. Then we’d spend hours flying the kites together at an open area close to the railway line near Tok Hussein’s house.

Like many of his Kirkby days friends, Apak was also an avid photographer. With his Kodak Brownie in hand, he would holler at us instructions to pose properly for him. He would insist that we be in our best batik shirts for the photo shoots. Sometimes we’d be in short-sleeved shirts, complete with neckties. Of course, the neckties would always look a tad too long on us. They were his.

Apak was a decent cook too. He could whip up a delicious meal of spaghetti for us all. Sometimes, when we wanted something different for breakfast, it was potato chips or toasts with fried eggs and baked beans for us. Mind you, spaghetti, chips and baked beans are hardly your typical Perak dish. So I guess these must have been some of the legacies of his two year stay in Kirkby.

Another legacy of his Kirkby days – and a valuable lesson in life for me – is the loyal and faithful friends he has kept. He has many. But two of them whom I know well are Uncle Jef (Jaafar Saidin) and Uncle Muji (Marmuji Koso). These two are like family. Why, even all of Apak’s uncles and unties know them. Recently, I have been lucky enough to get to know more of Apak’s friends from Kirkby. And what a cultured group of people they are, I thought. No doubt, a result of their proper training which allowed them to return home as “polished ladies and gentlemen with savoir faire”. So described one Yunus Raiss, a Kirkbyite himself.

Despite his sometimes serious demeanor, my Apak is a loving person, and can be pretty sentimental too. For instance, on the night when I left for England in September of 1979 to further my studies, it was Apak who got glassy-eyed when my plane roared off into the sky at Subang Airport and disappeared into the darkness of the night. Not Emak. This, I found out many years later, from Emak. That’s my Apak for you.

Since retiring, Apak has been staying in Kampong Kepayang Fair Park, Ipoh. He is now 72 and enjoys very much the weekend visits of his grandchildren

End

A young Ahmad Termizi, ready to fly off to Kirkby

At the front gate of MTTC, Kirkby, with close friend Jaafar Saidin. Just visible in the background

are the distinctive pipes for central heating which used to criss-cross all over the campus

Teaching Practice at an English school somewhere near Liverpool

With sons (circa 1965)

In Putrajaya with wife and grandaughter, 2007

1956-58 Batch Members ready for Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Prayers, 1957

Standing L to R: Marmuji Koso (Selangor), Jaafar Saidin (Kedah), Zainal Abidin Mohamed (Kedah), Hashim Mydin (Kedah), Abdullah Abd Rahman (Kedah), Syed Annuar Muhayuddin (Perak), Mohd Alkaf (Kelantan), Zainol Rashid Ahmad (Perlis), Ismail Hj Salleh (Kedah).

Front row L to R: Tunku Yusof Jewa (Kedah), Md. Ali Mohamad (Johor), Tarmizi Ridzuan ( Johor), Isa Ramli (Perak), Ahmad Termizi Mat Nor (Perak), Abd Halim Shukor ( Johor)

Apak (front row, third from left) in his element, dressed as a ‘pirate’ during the Freshies Parade

Putrajaya waterfront mountain bike ride

2011-10-23T14:56:00.003+08:00

After a long lay off (again) I finally had a good, enjoyable ride this morning
accompanied by my trusted riding buddy - Syafiq, my son.

Actually we were accompanied by Emak and Nadiah to Putrajaya. But they opted for a walk by the lake side in Precincts 2 and 3. Whilst Syafiq and I hit the road, and some dirt trail, in Precincts 1, 8 and 7 right up to the promontory where the Perdana Foundation is located.

What's Perdana Foundation? It is the former PM Tun Mahathir's office. Ok? So, now you know.

In all we covered about 16km over 1 hour 15 minutes. It was a nice workout. I was sweating profusely (as usual) with max. heart beat rate touching 160. But Syafiq, he didn't even break sweat!

Must do more exercise. If it's not riding, then some walking would be good enough.

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Melodies of Arabian night: reminiscing the 70s

2011-10-01T21:55:00.003+08:00

Do you have particular old songs which, when you hear it again after such a long time, brings the good old memories flowing back again?

I remember this tune from my primary school days.

I was then stying with my Opah Badariah and Tok Hussein in Kg Kepayang, Ipoh. Whenever maghrib approaches, whilst waiting for the azan, the old radio atop the cupboard would let out this tune conveniently called by the radio announcer as "irama padang pasir". You could also hear it in the early morning, before and after subuh azan.

Almost similar tunes would be played on the TV (in those days, RTM of course) before maghrib, especially during Ramadhan.

The tunes are in fact the work of an Englishman by the name of Ron Goodwin.

What a gifted musician Mr Goodwin was. Such melodic and soothing music which manage to capture the mood and culture of the middle-eastern people.

This particular tune by the way is called The Cedars of Lebanon. It is a homage to the beautiful and majestic tree which is now the emblem of Lebanon. An ode, if you like, to a tree which is of such historical significance to Lebanon and many middle-eastern/Mediterranean nations right from the times of the ancient Phoenicians and Egyptians.

Enjoy.

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Masjid Negara: a national heritage

2011-09-15T23:10:00.002+08:00

Standing proud right within the KL city centre, the Masjid Negara symbolizes the role of Islam as the official religion of the nation.

But more than that, it is also an iconic building. A landmark in itself. And now, an officially designated heritage building.

I am quite sure each and every Malaysian Muslim must have set foot here at least once in their life time. It could have been for a prayer break during one of those holiday visits to KL. Or it could be a short stop-by whilst on a trip to send their sons or daughters into one of the local universities.

Personally, I remember one trip to Masjid Negara with my brother, Azmi, when we were in our teens.

I think we were staying in Tapah at that time. Or was it Telok Intan? Anyway, Azmi had won a drawing competition and the prize-giving ceremony was to be held at the National Mosque. Apak couldn't make it to KL to accompany Azmi. So it was up to big brother to the rescue.

Not that I was familiar with KL myself! But we managed to reach KL safely by bus, and somehow succeeded in finding our way to the mosque. Right after the prize-giving ceremony, it was straight back to the bus station and home we went. For, as I told you earlier, I was not familiar with KL to go around and enjoy ourselves in the big city.

Completed in 1965, the mosque was designed by three architects at the JKR. It can accommodate a congregation of 15,000 at any one time. Featuring unique design features and a fascinating-looking roof, it was the biggest and most modern mosque at the time.

Once in a while I would pay a visit to the National Mosque. Its location is so strategic, one can just drop by when in downtown KL, or stopover en route from somewhere. It has changed a bit from during the day when I visited it with Azmi back then. But I am glad that it still retains its charm and calming ambiance.

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Reality check for Liverpool FC

2011-09-11T22:09:00.000+08:00

Stewart Downing (L) was outstanding

Didn't do too well last night Liverpool. We lost 1 - 0 to a resilient Stoke City.

With that, we have now dropped a total of 4 points from games thus far. And to make things difficult, the two Manchester teams are firing on all cylinders - it's full steam ahead for them!

To be fair, the team did control the game throughout. After all, we had 60% of possession.

But what we clearly lacked was the killer instinct to finish games off. That, and of course the big smile from lady luck. An array of chances thus all came to nought.

But there were positives to take away.

For one, the team played their hearts out right to the end. I couldn't believe my eyes as I saw the Liverpool machine harangued Stoke with wave after wave of attacks. In fact, practically the whole of second-half was played only in Stoke's half.

Secondly, two of our new boys played commandingly well. Downing and Enrique. Enrique was ever reliable at left back. And as for Downing, his incisive runs and crosses were a headache for the otherwise solid Stoke defence walls.

After a reality check such as this, let's hope King Kenny will do some soul searching and improve further on our game strategies.

It is still early days into the season. There's ample room to catch up yet.

All the best boys. YNWA

Rindu kampong halaman di pagi Raya

2011-08-30T06:46:00.003+08:00

All my life, except for the nine years I'd spent overseas, I have always spent Hari Raya at my kampong with Emak and Apak.

Even after I got married, if we were to celebrate the first day of Raya at the Mem's place, I will always end up in Kampong Kepayang eventually. It is something which I look forward to very much. So do my kids.

In the build up to Hari Raya, our kampong house would be a hive of activities for the preparation of the Hari Raya spread. There would be laughters and shoutings as the children kid around. And the air would be filled with a combination of delicious aromas of the food being prepared.

But this year it is a bit different. No, actually, it is a lot different.

Here I am di pagi Raya, and still in KL. For this time, my family and I are staying put in Kuala Lumpur for the whole of Raya as my mother is here with us.And so is my grandmother.

So instead of balik kampong, we will be with them here for Raya. Hopefully - in fact I expect, all my brothers and sister to come and join us. If not, it might be one lonely Raya celebration for my family here. Thankfully, Zizah and family have already arrived from JB yesterday evening.

Time flies, and things change. I guess I shall have to get used to this new way.

But I will definitely miss my kampong. That, is for sure.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri to all. May ALlah bless us with the opportunity to witness the coming of next year's Ramadhan. Ameen.

Rindu Syahdu Di Hari Raya

Indahnya sungai yang mengalir
Nyamanya angin yang beralun
Kicauan burung dipagi yang dingin
Bersama terbitnya mentari

Terbayang sanak saudara
Gurauan sesama keluarga
Mesra berkunjung ruih suasana
Riang menyambut hari mulia

Kini ku di perantauan
Di kota indah dan menawan
Tapi hati rindu pada kampung halaman
Desaku yang telah di tinggalkan

Ku memohon maaf serta ampun
Salamkan ku kirim pengganti diri
Doa restu ayah serta ibu
Menjadi penawar
Rindu syahdu di hari raya

Nyanyian: Nurul Abdul Wahab

Raya preparation begins II

2011-08-28T12:25:00.001+08:00

Sprucing up our home for Raya, today.

The lawn has been mown by yours truly and the pelita (actually, we call it
panjut in Perak) has been filled with kerosene by Anas ready to be lit
tonight.

The windows have also been wiped clean by Sakinah, and next, the blinking
festive lights will be put up with the help of lanky Syafiq.

Daging pun sudah beli.

So this evening the Mem would be start to be busy preparing the Hari Raya
spread with the help of Emak and my mother-in-law.

Top of the list, rendang daging cooked according to Emak's recipe.

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Raya preparation begins

2011-08-27T14:10:00.003+08:00

I remember when I was small, preparation for Hari Raya was like a festive in
itself. A joyous occasion.

A couple of weeks to the actual big day, my brothers and I would already be busy "helping out" Emak to cook the customary must-have bauhuluor kuih siput, and taking down the langsir or cushion cover to be washed. Sometimes, we would also be assigned to wipe and clean the naco window panes.

Two or three days before Raya, if we were in Kampong Kepayang, we would go into the woods and help Apak to get the buluh lemang. And of course we would also be asked to collect firewood for bakar lemang and for Emak to cook her big kuali-full of rendang.

So you see, Hari Raya preparation is always a good occasion to help our parents, for bonding with my siblings, and be enjoyable all at the same time.

Pics above show how my daughter, Nadiah, prepares the ketupat cases (sarung ketupat) for making ketupat daun palas using leaves from the palas tree.

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Green city initiatives: some British examples

2011-08-15T15:40:00.256+08:00

Bicycle hire station, London

Rows of bicycles for hire at a cheap rate, a brain-child of the Mayor of London himself

One of the many electric vehicle charging stations dotted around London

A car belonging to the City Car Club. The club has over 500 low-emission vehicles for people to hire. Car clubs help to reduce car ownership and encourage a transport mix mor ein line with being a sustainable city. This car is a Toyota Prius, a full hybrid electric vehicle

The London Olympic 2012 stadium under construction. The London Olympic aims to be the first Olympic ever to achieve 100% travel by public transport, cycling and by foot. That's 100%!

BedZED (Beddington Zero Energy Development). A zero-energy, environmentally friendly residential development in Hackbridge, Sutton near London. The houses have been designed to use minimum energy for heating and cooling through proper insulation and orientation of the buldings. Only energy from renewable sources generated on site is used. The buildings are also water efficient and constructed using low-impact materials. i.e. they are renewable or recycled materials from within 35 milesof the site, thus minimizing the energy required for their transportation

Walkable city. The new town of Poundbury in Dorchester has been planned based on traditional high-density urban pattern designed to create an integrated community of shops and housing. They are designed and built around the people rather than the car. The world famous architect and urban planner, Leon Krier, prepared the overall concept for Poundbury's master plan

This is an advertisement on the glass window of a restaurant. Instead of displaying the the prices of dishes on offer at the restaurant, it actually shows the amount of carbon emission that one could save (reduce) when one consume each type of dish

Small things matter. Even the carton which holds my breakfast egg & mayonnaise sandwhich was manufactured in an environmentally-friendly manner: recycled plastics, recycled paper etc.

The Malaysian Government has announced that Putrajaya - together with Cyberjaya, will be Malaysia's pioneer green city. That announcement was made way back in 2009, during his 2010 Budget Speech.

Not many people understood what that announcement really entails. But almost two years later, the two pioneering cities have managed to make some stride towards becoming Malaysia's true "green cities".

True, a lot still needs to be done. There was a lot of mis-conception. But at least now many understand that being a green city is not about landscaping as in planting more trees.

Green cities, in short, equates low-carbon cities. These are cities with conscious and concerted efforts and programs to reduce carbon emission.

Why the need to reduce carbon emission? It is because the release of carbon into the atmosphere will result in the phenomenon aptly called the "green-house effect" which would lead to global warming. And we all know what global warming means, don't we? Climate changes resulting in sea level rise and dozens of natural disasters such as flooding, land slides, extreme drought and so on.

So how do we become a low-carbon society? There are numerous ways and means which will contribute to reducing carbon emission. Carbon reduction strategies would cover wide-ranging actions in sectors such as energy, transport, buildings, housing, waste management, and urban planning itself. More specifically, they would include activities like reducing the usage of fossil fuels (petrol, coal), increase utilization of public transportation, reduce long commuting, the use of renewable energy and so on.

Admittedly, we are still new in this. But in more modern societies, low-carbon development and environmentally-friendly life-style is already the way of life. From the housewife who does her waste seperation, right to the taxi driver who would chatter away on how his city is turning green, eveyone understands it and will do their bit to make it a success.

The pics above show some relevant British examples photographed during my trip to the UK last December.

Aahhh...bazaar Ramadhan

2011-08-06T18:03:00.162+08:00

It's Ramadhan. So, it is that time of the year again when the perennial bazaar Ramadhan would sprout like mushrooms across the nation.

During Ramadhan, every evening, certain roads in cities, towns and kampongs alike would get choked with traffic and congested with people as they throng the bazaar ramadhan like ants attracted to sweets.

Granted, Ramadhan is the holy month much awaited by all Muslims for the bountiful barakah that it brings. All good deeds would be rewarded multi-fold during Ramadhan.

But more than that, it also brings joys and feel-good experiences of its own.

When I was small, Ramadhan is the month I would be sent on an errand to buy the ice blocks at the local sundry shop to be used to make cold drinks for iftar (break of fast). Then there was also the visit to the local mosque where I'd queue up to fill up our "sia" (some call mangkuk tingkat) with steamy, delicious kanji or bubur nasi.

Today, my children never get to experience such chores associated with Ramadhan. In this day and age when everything is commercialized and available for purchase, the one experience much often associated with Ramadhan is the visit to the local bazaar Ramadhan.

I don't make it a habit to visit the bazaar ramadhan. Buying food on an empty stomach, most often than not, would make us over-indulge and buy food which we never really can finish during iftar.

But what is Ramadhan without a trip or two to your pasar ramadhan? So my family and I do make the odd trips.

Usually it would be a fairly rewarding trip. For if ever we want to "tukar selera" then the pasar ramadhan would offer you loads of choice to choose from - anything which fancies your taste bud! But more than that, the pasar trip is also a good means for community building and socializing.

As one wanders around - and drool over the food and drinks on show - one is bound to meet up with friends and neighbours. The customary salam and small chats would ensue, allowing for sillaturrahim and friendships to be strengthened.

Isn't it just lovely the holy month of Ramadhan?

Note: pics above are at the Bazaar Ramadhan Bandar Tun Husein Onn @ around 5.30pm today
.

Ramadhan karim

2011-08-01T07:54:00.001+08:00

Engkau dinanti
Bulan agung nan berkah
Bawa hidayah

Cuci hatiku
Yang kotor bergelora

Ramadhan karim

.

Surat Man, 15 Januari 1981

2011-07-28T21:50:00.002+08:00

Man (on tricycle) with yours truly (circa 1965). Pic taken by Apak under Tok Hussein's old house before it was rebuilt. Behind us is a kandang-like storage area where Tok Hussein used to store his motorcycle during the night

My brother, Azman, is THE scribe in the family.

From schooling days it was already obvious that he was very expressive, and had a way with words. And it showed through his many letters to me when I was away in England. Each letter would be filled with little stories and news and his views of what's happening around him.

Here is a sample.

                                                                                             AZMAN
                                                                                             15 JANUARY 1981
                                                                                             FRIDAY

Menemui Yop semoga berada di dalam keadaan sihat dan riang selalu.

Terlebih dahulu Man pohon maaf kepada Yop kerana tidak pernah menulis surat kepada Yop. Man telah bercadang menulis kepada Yop semenjak 2 minggu yang lalu tetapi Man memang tidak punya masa langsung...kerja-kerja sekolah terlalu banyak dan cikgu juga tak putus-putus memberi nota yang ditaipnya untuk dibaca di rumah. Hari ini Jumaat dan esok cuti, boleh lah luangkan sikit masa. Man cuti hingga Monday kerana Monday ialah hari cuti Maulud Nabi. Walau bagaimanapun homework tetap banyak.

Tahun ini Man telah dilantik menjadi bendahari kelas Man, dan bagi Man ini adalah satu lagi sebab yang membuat masa Man sentiasa penuh, kena kutip duit dan kira tak renti-renti, takut hilang. Yang payahnya duit syiling banyak sangat. Duit-duit itu semua dikumpul untuk membeli barang-barang keperluan kelas yang di luar bekalan pihak sekolah seperti alas meja, barang-barang hiasan kelas dan yang utamanya untuk membeli majalah-majalah untuk dijadikan bahan rujukan seperti Mastika, Aktual, Dewan Masyarakat dan banyak lagi.

Man akan mengambil SPM hujung tahun ini dan tentu sekali punya cita-cita untuk maju dan berjaya dengan keputusan yang membanggakan. Nasihat Yop dengan panjang lebar diperlukan...kalau boleh. Di sekolah sekarang Man sentiasa ada mood untuk belajar dan Man harap ini akan terus kekal. Man duduk depan meja guru di dalam kelas supaya fikiran sentiasa tertumpu kepada guru. Pada hari Khamis waktu persekolahan habis pukul 2.30, dan pada hari-hari lain pukul 1.50 kecuali Jumaat. Sampai di rumah tentulah makan dulu. Belah petang siapkan homework yang mudah dan sedikit, belah malam baru buat Maths atau Physics. Man sekarang ambil tuition Maths di bangunan SKOMK. Apak juga suruh Man ambil tuition BMalaysia. Man turut saja kata dia. Nyah sekarang nampaknya duk rumah saja. Belah petang dia tolong Mak jaga Azlina dan belah malam dia dengar rancangan dari FM Stereo.

Keputusan SRP tahun 1980 telahpun keluar dan ianya adalah lebih baik dari tahun-tahun dulu di mana 25 buah sekolah berjaya mendapat kelulusan 100% antaranya MCKayKay, STAR, Izzuddin Shah Ipoh, dan juga skolah lama Yop di Kangar.

Berita paling hangat di Malaysia ialah penyerahan diri Musa bin Ahmad, pengerusi Parti Komunis Malaya. Beliau telah dipujuk dan dibawa pulang dari Peking, China melalui sebuah operasi sulit di bawah Tan Sri Ghazali Shafie, Menteri Pertahanan Dalam Negeri.

Masa Man menulis surat ini, Apak, Emak dan Zizah sedang menonton tayangan gambar Melayu, cerita Harimau Berantai. Nyah sedang dalam bilek dengar radio dan Cun pula dah pun lelap. Dia tu makin nakal nampaknya tapi cerdik juga dan boleh hafal kali-kali 5 atau 6 setakat ini,

Sekian dulu dari Man untuk kali ini dan sambutlah salam sejahtera Man buat Yop.


                                                                                          dari

                                                                                       Azman

Thank you Liverpool FC

2011-07-17T11:00:00.002+08:00

Full house

Bukit Jalil National Stadium filled to the brim

Outside the stadium, it's like a huge pasar malam

Match in full flow. This pic is during second half when 7 goals were scored!!

Charlie Adam being introduced to the roaring approval of fans

Three Kopites from Cheras

Two Kopites from Cheras

Game over. Syafiq and Anas showing their appreciation and saying their goodbyes to the Reds

It is not often that the mighty Liverpool FC juggernaut reach our shores.
So when they did, it was a rare opportunity that I just couldn't afford to
miss.

I'd been in Singapore for work since last Wednesday. I was supposed to fly
back home Saturday afternoon, which would mean that I couldn't be at Bukit
Jalil in time for the match.

But I was determined to be there with my two die-hard Liverpool sons,
Syafiq and Anas.

So a change in flight schedule was duly made, and I managed to reach home at
12.45pm. After solat and a quick lunch, by 2.45pm, we were well on our way
to the stadium, donning our Liverpool jerseys.

The atmosphere in the stadium was unbelievable. Everywhere you look you'd
see RED, literally.

Over 80,000 Kopites descended upon Bukit Jalil (that's the population of a medium-sized town - sorry, can't help the comparison, I am a TOWN PLANNER after all).

Thank you Liverpool FC for a hugely entertaining game. But many thanks also to
Harimau Malaya who didn't go down tamely and provided a good fight.

Nine goals scored over 94 minutes. Now that's value for money!

.

Floria Putrajaya 2011

2011-07-10T14:26:00.003+08:00

English garden

Tried to find also baja for tuan pokok yang malas, but there was none

The rose garden - my favourite of them all

The annual flower show Floria Putrajaya is back with bang!

This years's theme is "Roses are Forever". Numerous flowers and thematic gardens were on display.

For gardeners and flower lovers, this is definitely an event not to be missed . The Floria Putrajaya 2011 runs until next Sunday 17 July.

Sungai Perak, our River of Life

2011-07-02T10:38:00.135+08:00

Pristine and peaceful Sungai Perak

The boat belonging to JWW Birch anchored on Sg Perak near Belanja, Parit.

Yesterday, I was part of the crowd that gathered to see the PM launch the River of Life Project in KL. The project aims to revitalize the city's dirty rivers and transform the Klang and Gombak rivers into iconic waterfronts on par with waterways in cities like Amsterdam, London and Paris by 2020.

As a town planner, I think this program is laudable.

But isn't it funny how we allow our beautiful natural rivers to be clogged with rubbish and filled with foul effluents in the first place, only to spend billions to reclaim it?

The only plus point is that, according to the PM, this project is expected to contribute RM11 billion to the country's GDP until 2020.Which is good for the nation's economy and the creation of employment.

My late father hails from from Layang-Layang Kiri in Parit, Perak. He was born a stone's throw away from the banks of Sungai Perak. Even though I myself have not even once swum in the mighty Sungai Perak, Apak used to recount tales of how he would swim across the river and back with his friends just for the fun of it. He would tell us stories of how Atok would take his sampan to lead his buffaloes to the small islands which litter the centre of the river where the buffaloes are kept. And how he would spend hours by the river bank till the sun sets, fishing with his buddies.

It is stories like these from my father that makes me captivated with Sungai Perak and rivers in general.

Sungai Perak is, of course, the second longest river in the Peninsula running for about 400km from Hulu Perak down to Bagan Datoh before meeting the Straits of Malacca. Its history is very much intertwined with the history and development of the State of Perak.

The beginning of the current sultanate of Perak can be traced to the event when a descendent of the old Malacca royal family returned to the Peninsula from Sumatera when his entourage landed at Beting Beras Basah near Bagan Datoh in 1528. From there his flotilla sailed upstream along Sungai Perak to set up goverment. He was throned as the Sultan of Muzzafar Shah I, and chose a location on the bank of the river called Tanah Abang in Mukim Bota as his seat of government.

Since then, all sultans of Perak have their seats of government located by the Sungai Perak. There have been 15 of them to date including places like Kota Lama Kanan, Bota and Pulau Cempaka Sari. The current sultan has his seat at Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar.

We are lucky because Sungai Perak is still clean and pristine. Perhaps it's got to do with it being such a big river. But if we aren't careful, with uncontrolled logging and large scale land clearance for development, even a river of this size might succumb to over development and deteriorate in its health.

Although I have not swum in Sungai Perak like Apak, I did have the opportunity to take the Perak River Safari boat ride from Kuala Kangsar to Pulau Cempaka Sari in Parit. I was treated to the sight of quaint riverside villages, buffaloes, monkeys and various flora and fauna of the tropical rain forest that reach down to the water's edge. Fascinating.

As I soaked in the experience, I imagined tracing the journey of the royal flotilla. And I imagined how Apak had swum and played in this beautiful river. And I felt that, whatever happens, Sungai Perak has got to be maintained in its present beauty and splendour.

It is the River of Life for Perak.

.

Surat Mie 21.3.1980 - a bit of home soccer news

2011-06-17T18:39:00.000+08:00

Malaysia’s first-eleven lining up before the match against S. Korea on 6 April 1980. Malaysia eventually beat S. Korea 2-1 and in so doing for the Moscow Olympic. Those were the days when the Malaysian soccer team were Asia’s no. 1

AZMI A. TERMIZI

TK.ANSON

21 HB Mac 1980

Assalamualaikum.

Menemui kembali Yop dengan selamatnya. Apa khabar? Hendaknya Yop sentiasa berada di dalam suasana yang menggembirakan dan sihat-sihat selalu. Surat Yop yang bertarikh 26hb Feb. telah selamat Mi terima pada pagi 15hb Mac yang lalu.

Pagi itu, Emak, Apak dan Cun pergi ke Ipoh. Apak ada meeting. Man dan Zizah pergi ke sekolah.

Result M.C.E. Mi masih belum diumumkan lagi. Besar kemungkinan akhir bulan Mac ni, keluarlah. Sementara itu, result STP/HSC telah diumumkan pada 19hb Mac yang sudah. Setakat ni, Mi telahpun memperolehi 3 set borang permohonan dan buku panduan untuk kemasukan ke pusat pengajian tinggi iaitu dari ITM, UPM dan UTM. Mi ada juga minta dari UM, tapi belum dapat balasan lagi.

Tentang kaset yang Yop hantarkan tu, Mi terima pada 17hb Mac. Terima kasih Mi ucapkan. Ianya lewat 2 hari daripada surat Yop kerana “ditahan” untuk pemeriksaan Kastam.

Hari ni, 21hb Mac, perlawanan bolasepak pre-Olimpik bermula di k.L. Perlawanan ini ialah bagi kawasan Dua Asia. Dalam perlawanan pembukaannya, tadi, Mal. telah mengalahkan Indonesia 6-1.

Sekianlah saja untuk kali ini dan sambutlah salam hurmat dari kami semua.

Wassalam.

Yang ikhlas,

Azmi

*P.S. Kata-kata renungan untk dibuat pedoman:

(1) Dada adalah khazanah rahsia; kedua bibir adalah mangganya

dan lidah adalah anak kuncinya, setiap orang haruslah

menjaga anak kunci dan khazanah rahsianya. *

(2) Jika seseorang itu mengetahui kelemahan kita, dia pasti

dapat menguasai diri kita. *

In Labuan

2011-06-10T20:51:00.007+08:00

I’m in Labuan for a working trip.

Labuan, sometimes called the Pearl of Borneo, is an island with a population of nearly 100,000 people. The main town is simply known as Labuan Town. It was formerly known as Victoria during colonial era.

Labuan used to be part of Brunei rule until the early 1900s. It was briefly under Japanese occupation during World War II before being recaptured by Australian Forces in 1945. It was declared as a Federal Territory in 1984.

My first impression of Labuan is that it is a very clean and tidy little town. Rain trees line the major roads. Although they are not as big as ones you would find in KL or George Town in Penang, I am sure, once they are fully grown, the shades that they would bring would be a boon for pedestrians. It is already a walkable city. The pedestrian pathways are well maintained and clean. And being a small town where traffic is still manageable, vehicles are slow and do not intimidate pedestrians.

For tourists, the island boasts a Bird Park and some attractive beaches. But the big draw it seems is the Duty Free shopping. Clothes, chocolates and liquors and cigarettes are cheap. During weekends the town would be full of visitors from Brunei which is just an hour’s boat ride away.

But for fishing enthusiasts, Labuan is better known as a world class sport fishing destination. Being surrounded by six smaller islands, the blue

clear water around these islands is said to be home to one of the world's richest coral and fishing grounds which offers unlimited deep-sea tackling catches.

Surat Apak dan Chun 15.11.1980

2011-06-05T21:52:00.011+08:00

When I read back some of Apak's old letters I can't help but notice some similarities between what was happening within our little family back then and things now. For example, my daughter Sakinah is a scout. She'd join campings and and trekking expditions that even some seemingly tough boys would fine hard to follow.

I was a scout too (for a short while) but I never had the toughness to endure campings in the outdoor. But now I know that Sakinah takes after my brother, Man, who was an avid scout himself.

                                                                                                                    Pejabat Pelajaran ,
                                                                                                                    Telok Anson.
                                                                                                                   15 hb. November 1980

Assalamualaikum w.b.r.

Anakenda Azizi yang dikasihi lagi dirindui, didoakan moga sihat dan selamat sejahtera serta dicapaikan segala cita-cita yang terkandung di dada.

Surat anakenda yang bertarikh 27hb. Oktober 1980 telah ayahenda terima pada 3/11 berserta dengan tiga keping gambar dan diucapkan terima kasih. Kalau boleh emaknya minta anakenda kirimkan gambar lagi.

Keluarga kita di T.A. semuanya sihat-sihat sahaja. Azman sibuk dengann hal pengakapnya. Tiap-tiap hujung minggu ada sahaja kegiatan yang diikutinya. Pada 10/11 yang lalu dia dan kawan-kawan pengakapnya berbasikal pergi ke Tapah. Minggu ini dia pergi camping selama dua malam dalam kawasan sekolahnya. Nampaknya minat benar dia dalam pergerakan pengakap ini. Sehingga ini ayahenda masih belum melihat Kad kemajuannya.

Azmi pula mula menduduki Pep. SPMnya pada 12/11 yang lalu (Lukisan). Bahasa Malaysianya mula pada 17/11. Peperiksaannya akan berakhir dalam minggu pertama bulan Disember. Tolong doakan moga-moga dia akan lulus edngan cemerlang pada kali ini. Azizah pula mendaftar untuk masuk ke Tingakatan Satu pada hari ini di S.M. Sultan Abdul Aziz. Azizul pula…lihatlah suratnya yang ayahenda kirimkan bersama-sama surat ini.

Pada 10/11 kami cuti am kerana Awal Muharram. Ayahenda, bonda dan adik-adik, kecuali Azman dan Azmi, telah telah balik ke Ipoh pada 8/11 dan tidor di Ipoh selama dua malam. Pada petang ini pula ayahenda, bonda, Zizah dan Chun akan balik ke Ipoh kerana kami akan mengadakan khenduri turun batu Allahyarham Tonya. Mak Ngah dan Pak Ngahnya telah balik ke Ipoh pada petang semalam.

Berkenaan dengan pemilihan Universiti yang anakenda buat itu, ayahenda berharap anakenda akan dapat masuk Universiti Manchester kerana Universiti ini dekat dengan Blackpool dan juga dekat dengan Liverpool tempat Maktab ayahenda dulu. Pada tahun 1957 dulu ayahenda pernah melawat Universiti Manchester ini dan mengadakan perlawanan bolasepak dengan penuntut-penuntutnya. Ayahenda juga berharap biarlah anakenda masuk mana-mana Universiti, kalau boleh. Ini semuanya bergantung kepada keputusan Peperiksaan yang akan anakenda hadapi. Oleh itu cobalah dengan penuh dayausaha yang boleh.

Bersama-sama ini ayahenda kirimkan tiga keping gambar untuk tatapan anakenda. Dua keping diambil oleh Pak Ngahnya di rumah kita dan sekeping lagi itu diambil di Istana Raja Muda, T.A. pada 29hb. September yang lalu.

Sekian buat kali ini. Peluk cium dari ayahenda, bonda dan adik-adik semua.

Ayahenda

This letter below was attached together with Apak’s letter sent on 15 November 1980. Chun was only in Primary School, Standard 1.

yop yang dirindui.

apak suruh cun tulis surat ini kepada yop. kata apak kalau cun sudah pandai tulis surat bolehlah Cun selalu tulis surat kepada yop.

dalam peperiksaan akhir tahun 1980 Cun dapat nombor 3 dalam kelas dan nombor 7 dalam darjah. apak Hadiahkan Cun satu album setem. harap yop dapat kirim setem banyak-banyak kepada Cun. cikgu Cun hadiah kan cun satu kotak pensil.

apak suruh Cun belajar kuat-kuat pada tahun depan. mak hadiahkan Cun tiga ringgit.

sekian di maklum kan.

                                                                                                         adik yop yang
                                                                                                    tinggal di Malaysia

                                                                                                             Cun

Towards a vibrant Putrajaya

2011-05-17T09:06:00.001+08:00

Putrajaya is the new Federal Government Administrative Centre for Malaysia. It is the largest integrated urban development project undertaken in the nation.

Being a new town, its planning and development poses its own fair share of opportunities, and challenges.

Of course being a greenfield development it is fairly easy to plan and lay out the development components as we town planners would see it fit and proper. The developers would then come in and duly start construction as planned. But that, comparatively, is the easy bit. The greater challenge is in building the community and in seeing that the new town prosper and blossom into a vibrant town.

Putrajaya already has a sizable population of about 69,000. But what it still lacks - for the time being at least - is commercial developments. The Government of Malaysian is keen to see this new city become more vibrant for the locals and visitors alike. That will not happen unless and until there are more commercial complexes, F&B outlets and other retails.

All these have been planned for. Commercial areas have been earmarked within the city right at the outset. What is needed now is to attract investors and developers to come in and do their bit.

Easier said than done. But of late, big investors - including from overseas - have noticed Putrajaya's potential and started to pour in their money. A lot more needs to be done of course. Promotional activities to attract multinational corporation (MNCs), F&B franchisers and retail anchor tenants would be the way forward.

No point having ample commercial plots if people do not know what you have to offer. And Putrajaya do have lots to offer in terms of recreation, quality services and beautiful natural surroundings and living area.

Apak's cars over the years

2011-05-04T21:46:00.002+08:00

As far as I can recall, Apak had the opportunity of owning four cars during his lifetime. These automobiles gave him much pleasure as he went about his work, as well as, taking his young family on trips up and around the Peninsular. Well before the days of the PLUS Highway Apak would take us to as far as Pontian and Mersing, Kangar and Padang Besar, to Penang, and up to the Cameron Highlands.

His first car was a Ford Prefect which, I think, was blue in colour. This was during our time staying in Bota Kanan during my pre-school days. Apak used to drive it to commute to his school in Kampong Gajah. He was the headmaster there.

Next, came the red Toyota Corona. During this time I was already in primary school. By this time also our family had moved to Kuala Kangsar. Apak was then working at the Pejabat Pelajaran as an inspectorate. So the Toyota saw a lot of travelling as Apak went on his rounds visiting schools.

When I entered secondary school in Perlis, Apak drove the whole family to Kangar in this red Toyota to enrol me into the new school.

But one day when I came back home from Kangar, Apak's car had turned blue! Yes, he had changed his car again. This time came a continental one in the form of a Renault 12TL. By this time we had moved again - to Tapah.

Of all his cars, Apak had kept the Renault the longest I think. The car followed us to Teluk Intan when our family moved yet again. And when Apak transferred to work in Ipoh until his retirement, he still had the Renault, although by this time it had changed colour from blue to white.

When Apak retired, and as his health slowly deteriorated, it became very obvious to us that the big Renault had become quite cumbersome for Apak to drive around and manouvere freely. In any case, he didn't venture out to drive as much as before apart from the trips to the mosque, to Chun's house nearby and the odd trip to the local restoran Mamak with Emak.

So that was when my brother Man suggested that we buy him a small Perodua Kancil.

I was with my family staying in Japan when we bought the Kancil for him. The cute and nifty little beauty served Apak well as it was a convenient, fully-automatic car. I drove my whole family together with Apak and Emak in tow to Sg Petani in it once. No problem. When I' d finished my study in Japan, whilst waiting for my own car to arrive by sea, I borrowed the Kancil from Apak and took it to KL for a few weeks for my use to go to office.

Towards the end of his life Apak could not manage to drive himself even in this convenient little car. It got neglected a bit and lacked maintenance. But recently, Man bravely drove it all the way from Ipoh to Shah Alam, and is now slowly and lovingly trying to restore it back to its former glory.

Surat dari Apak 12.12.79: pelajaran adik-adik

2011-04-30T09:35:00.000+08:00

Brothers Mi, Man and yours truly.
The smallest is our uncle, Nasha (circa 1965)

Apak was always monitoring our progress at school. He wouldn't so much nag or pester us into studying or doing our homework. But as this letter shows, he keeps a tab on each and everyone of us, that's for sure.

Sometimes (most of the time, perhaps) he didn't like what he saw in terms of our performance. In one of his letters to me he would write thus: " Berkenaan dengan keputusan ujian anakenda yang telah diadakan sebelum Krismas dulu, ayahenda berasa kurang senang hati dengan keputusan Fiziks anakenda itu".

Hehe, when Syafiq and Anas read that, I'm sure they would say: "Haha, Abah dengan kita sama saja, Fiziks kantoi!!"

12.12.79

Anakenda Azizi yang dikasihi dan dirindui.

Surat anakenda yang bertarikh 28hb. November , 1979 telah ayahenda terima pada 8/12. Kemungkinannya surat itu telah sampai di meja ayahenda lebih awal kerana pada 6 dan 7/12 ayahenda ada urusan di Tapah dan tidak datang langsung ke pejabat di T.A.

Ayahenda dan bonda memang tertunggu-tunggu akan surat dari anakenda sejak ayahenda mengirim surat yang lepas pada 13/11, surat yang pertama dialamatkan ke rumah anakenda yang baru. Ayahenda fikirkan surat itu mungkin tidak sampai ke tangan anakenda.

Azmi sudah balik ke rumah sejak 30/11 yang lalu. Katanya dia ragu-ragu sedikit dengan Ilmu Hisab, Kimia dan Fizik dalam peperiksaan MCEnya. Dia juga ragu-ragu tentang B.Mnya kerana katanya tidak cukup masa. Walau bagaimanapun ayahenda berpuas hati dengan usaha yang telah dibuatnya dalam masa dia mengulangkaji pelajarannya. Keputusannya kita berserah dan berdoa ke hadrat Allah SWT.

Keputusan peperiksaan SRP Azman masih belum diketahui sehingga hari ini. Tetapi nampaknya dia mempunyai keyakinan untuk lulus cuma ayahenda masih risau tentang Ilmu Hisabnya.

Keputusan Peperiksaan Penilaian Azizah pula adalah seperti berikut:
B. Malaysia      A
Hisab               B
B.Inggeris        C
Sains               A
I.Alam/Taw.    B

Kawan Azizah, anak Cikgu Yusof di depan rumah kita itu dapat 5A. Seperti biasa, Azizah tidak berapa kisah hal pelajarnnya, asyik main, berbasikal ke sana dan ke mari dan kalau duduk di rumahpun asyik membaca buku-buku cerita sahaja.

Azizul pula akan mula bersekolah pada awal bulan Jun 1980. Basikal kecil Azizah yang rosak dulu telah ayahenda baiki dan Azizul sekarang ini asyik main basikal sahaja pagi dan petang.

Pada 4/12 yang lalu ayahenda telah membeli satu set TV warna 20 inci jenis ECE dengan bayaran ansuran sebanyak $99/= sebulan melalui Syarikat Kerjasama Guru2 Malaysia Barat. TV ini adalah untuk mengganti TV kita yang lama yang sudah tidak kelihatan langsung gambarnya. Adik-adik anakenda bukan main seronok lagi. Bondanya pula bersungut kerana pada masa rancangan yang baik (7.30 – 8.30 malam) dia sibuk memasak di dapur.

Pada 8/12 ayahenda, bonda dan adik-adik semuanya pergi ke Layang2 untuk melihat nyang anakenda yang sekarang ini sangat uzur. Dia sendiri telah berpesan hendak berjumpa dengan ayahenda. Kakinya sudah bengkak-bengkak dan badannya terlalu letih hinggakan tidak boleh mengiring ke kiri atau ke kanan kecuali ditolong oleh orang lain.

Manakala ayahenda duduk dekatnya dia menangis dan mengatakan dia tidak ada harapan untuk hidup lama lagi. Dia berpesan kepada ayahenda supaya jangan meninggalkan sembahyang. Pengingatannya masih baik dan dia selalu bertanya-tanyakan hal anakenda di sini dan ayahenda kata kan semuanya baik. Keadaannya sekarang ini amat menyedihkan.

Pada 10/12 ayahenda ada kerja di Jabatan Pelajaran di Ipoh. Bonda dan adik-adik semuanya ikut sama ke Kepayang. Ninda berdua sihat-sihat saja. Bonda Zauyah dan keluarganya juga sihat-sihat seperti biasa.

Dalam masa cuti sekolah ini adik-adik bersungut mengajak ke Pulau Pinang tetapi ayahenda sibuk sangat dengan urusan pejabat dan belum ada kesempatan hendak mengambil cuti rehat.

Dalam bulan Nov. lalu ayahenda telah menerima $45/= dari SKOMK T.A. untuk ‘bantuan pelajaran’ bagi anakenda. Kemudian pada minggu sudah ayahenda telah menerima sekeping cek bernilai $45/= juga dari GB. SM. Syed Puta, Kangar yaitu baki biasiswa anakenda bagi tahun 1978. Katanya oleh kerana anakenda telah menutup akaun anakenda dengan bank di Kangar wang itu tidak dapat dimasukkan ke dalam bank.

Oleh kerana ayahenda tidak ada wang dalam tangan pada masa ini ayahenda tidak dapat hendak mengirimkan wang itu kepada anakenda sekarang ini. Insya-Allah ayahenda akan kirimkan £20 kepada anakenda pada bulan hadapan.

Sekian buat kali ini. Peluk cium dari ayahenda, bonda dan adik-adik semuanya.

Jangan lewat sangat membalas surat ini kerana ayahenda bonda dan adik-adik senantiasa tertunggu-tunggu berita dari anakenda dan dengan kedatangan surat anakenda itu kurang sedikit rasa rindu kami terhadap anakenda.

Ayahenda

Tambahan:
Kamal Azreen anak Pah Chu di kangar dapat masuk
SM Syed Putra, Kangar tahun 1980. Tulislah surat kpd.
Tok Chu di Kangar.

Family Day @ Putrajaya Lake Recreation Centre

2011-04-27T20:38:00.001+08:00

Our office held an enjoyable Family Day in Putrajaya last Saturday.

The venue was the Putrajaya Lake Recreation Centre in Precinct 13.

Nothing elaborate. There were some games for the kids but for the rest of the time people were free to do their own activities. Some did a spot of fishing, others took to the paddle boats while others went on a motorised boat ride.

The climax of the day was when food was served. Lots of ikan bakar, and lots more kambing golek (grilled lamb).

Surat dari Apak: 24hb Sept. 1979

2011-04-22T22:58:00.004+08:00

In this posting, I will reproduce Apak's letter written to me 32 years ago.

As Apak grew older and frail, he could not engage in lengthy conversations as a result of a minor stroke he'd suffered. In fact, even before that, Apak was a man of a few words.

I have chosen to share this letter so that my siblings and I could be reminded of our dearly departed father. It is also to let my children know better the man they fondly call Atok.

Through this letter, and perhaps the few more to come, we can get to know his thoughts, his joys and his concerns in his very own words.

Hopefully, this will make us understand him better, and be ever more grateful to the man who was our pillar of strength and sole provider for our little family.

This letter is the very first one from Apak to me after I had first set foot in England at the age of 18 years old. It was posted from Teluk Anson on 25 Sept. 1979. I received it eight days later on 3rd Oct. 1979. It was type-written on a 30₵ Pos Malaysia aerogramme.

24hb. Sept. 1979

Anakenda yang dikasihi,

Surat anakenda yang bertarikh 16/9 telah sampai di pejabat ayahenda pada 22/9 tetapi oleh kerana pada 22/9 ayahenda telah pergi ke Tapah dan tidak pergi ke pejabat, hari ini baru ayahenda dan bonda dapat membacanya.

Anakenda, bonda dan adinda semuanya sangat berasa gembira mendapat berita dari anakenda dan ayahenda dan bonda bersyukur ke hadrat Allah kerana anakenda telah selamat sampai ke tempat yang dituju dan sudahpun mula merasa susah senangnya tinggal di negeri asing. Walau bagaimanapun ayahenda dan bonda senantiasa berdoa moga-moga anakenda senantiasa sihat sejahtera dan bergembira di sini di samping mengejar ilmu pengetahuan yang berguna demi untuk kebaikan dan keselesaan hidup anakenda pada masa hadapan.

Ayahenda, bonda dan adinda semua sihat-sihat sahaja. Bonda Zauyah masih belum bersalin lagi. Dia, Pak Ngah dan adinda Aida juga sihat semuanya.

Pada malam 9/9 yang lalu selepas kapalterbang anakenda bertolak, kami semua tidur di rumah ninda Haji Umar. Pagi esoknya bondanya membeli-belah sedikit di K.L. dan pada lebihkurang jam 11.30 pagi kami bertolak dari K.L. ke T.A. singgah makan tengahari di T.M. dan selamat sampai di rumah jam 2.45 petang pada 10/9. Ninda berdua tidur semalam lagi di T.A. dan balik ke Ipoh pada pagi 11/9. Pah Itahnya ayahenda hantar sehingga ke feri Kampong Gajah sahaja pada petang 11/9 dan dari situ dia ke Bota menaiki bas.

Pada masa di Lapangan Terbang, masa menunggu penerbangan kapalterbang anakenda itu, bondanya menangis sahaja sehinggakan dia tertarikkan selindang seorang perempuan lain yang berdiri dekatnya untuk mengesat air matanya.

Azizul pula terpesorok duduk di hadapan orang ramai di tepi railing, berpeluh-peluh tidak bergerak hinggalah orang ramai mula beransur turun. Di belakang ayahenda pula rupanya terdiri Cikgu Mansor, bapa Yazid, kawan anakenda di K.K. dulu. Tentulah anakenda ada berjumpa dengan Yazid dalam kapalterbang itu. Kami juga nampak menteri Tan Sri Manikavasagam dan DYMM Raja Perlis juga sama terbang ke England dalam k/terbang yang anakenda naiki itu.

Baju, kain dan kain selimut yang kali akhir anakenda pakai di rumah ayahenda Zabidi di K.L. dulu masih belum dibasuh oleh bondanya lagi. Sekali sekala, apakala perasaan rindunya terhadap anakenda mendatang, baju dan kain itu dipeluk dan diciumnya puas-puas. Tidur malam dia berselimut dengan kain selimut anakenda.

Ayahenda sendiri juga kadangkala terjaga malam dan terkenangkan anakenda. Tetapi apa yang hendak dikatakan. Selepas ayahenda mengingat kembali pengalaman ayahenda di masa ayahenda di Maktab dulu, dan selepas ayahenda berdoa ke hadrat Allah agar anakenda selamat sejahtera dan berjaya dalam segala cita-cita anakenda, barulah fikiran ayahenda berasa tenang dan dapat tidur semula. Ayahenda percaya anakenda juga berperasaan demikian, terkenangkan adik-adik di rumah dan sebagainya. Ayahenda cuma dapat menasihatkan supaya anakenda bersabar dan berserah kepada Allah yang Maha Pengasih dan Maha Penyayang.

Setelah membaca surat anakenda itu, bondanya berasa seronok mendengar cerita anakenda dan kawan-kawan masak lauk ayam. Bondanya teringin pula hendak merasanya. "Mestilah sedap" katanya. Tetapi bondanya berasa risau pula tentang sewa rumah yang anakenda duduki itu begitu mahal setelah ayahenda taksirkan dengan wang Malaysia. Adakah sewa sebanyak £28 itu bahagian anakenda seorang sahaja ataupun berkongsi dengan kawan-kawan lain? Jika berkongsi, berapa £ bahagian yang akaenda kena bayar? Jika dikira perbelanjaan sebulan, adakah elaun yang diberi oleh JPA itu mencukupi?

Sudahkah anakenda mula belajar di kolej? Jika sudah mula, pukul berapa pergi dan pukul berapa balik? Sudahkah anakenda membeli pakaian sejuk yang mustahak dipakai di sini? Kami ingin tahu semua yang tersebut di atas oleh itu, sila ceritakan dalam surat anakenda yang akan datang ini.

Sekian dahulu dari kami di sini. Salam peluk cium dari kami dan adik-adik semua.

Ayahenda

Delightful Lumut

2011-04-16T08:57:00.002+08:00

Last week I headed to Damai Laut, near Lumut, for a workshop on Structure Plan preparation. Yeah, it's work related...nothing much to do with recreation, unfortunately.

But a short trip to downtown Lumut allowed me to enjoy the delightful little town and helped to clear my mind of work for a bit.

Lumut is a coastal town with a population 31,000 located in the District of Manjung, Perak.

It is fairly famous in its own right, Lumut. It is the home base of the Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia and houses the Naval Dockyard. And of course, it is the gateway to the well-known Pangkor Island.

It is not that big a town. The main shopping area comprises two streets both running parallel to the beachfront. But it oozes some class and has a dignified air about it. It is not only clean and pleasant, but its waterfront is a surprising attraction that one would not normally associate with a small seaside towns in Malaysia (think Kuala Kedah, or Kuala Perlis).

The Lumut Waterfront is a great place to have a walkabout. It is not as big and elaborate as the Kuching Waterfront, but yet it is simple, functional and very presentable as in being aesthetically-pleasing. A plus point is that it was cleverly designed to capitalize on the views towards the water. Supporting facilities are great, too. The toilet is clean and airy - definitely an A+ !

I remember when I was small, Apak would regularly take us to Lumut for its annual Pesta Laut Lumut. Thousands of visitors would throng this small town during this festival. In the days well before Jom Heboh! was created, I guess that was the only means for ordinary folks to have a dose of entertainment and recreation.

The District of Manjung in those days was still called Dindings District. Even much earlier, I mean like in the 1870s, Dindings was part of the Federated Malays States of Penang.

How come! you might ask?

Well it is a result of the infamous Pangkor Declaration in 1874. The Declaration had widespread impact on the history of the Malay Peninsula. It marked the beginning of British intervention in administration of Malay States.

But that is another story for another day.

For now, enjoy some pics of the Lumut waterfront.

Clean, pleasant walkway

Cleverly-designed public toilet complete with a small retail outlet where the shopkeeper doubles as the "gatekeeper" who collects 50 sen form each person who uses the toilet

Plenty of shades and seating areas along the walkway

Korean urbanscape

2011-04-04T16:52:00.002+08:00

The Land of the Morning Calm. That's what they call Korea.

It is a name befitting a nation with a history and culture dating back thousands of years. And when one visits this proud nation, one is sure to be reminded of the rich history and culture of Korea.

I was told by a senior Malaysian Embassy official that the Koreans are on a deliberate campaign to promote all things Korea: from food to music, and from fashion to sports. It is a way of making Korea forever relevant and on the world map of major international events. Yes, now you know why the K-pop groups and Korean dramas are seemingly invading the local entertainment scenes?

My few visits to Korea has afforded me to observe another aspect of Korean culture - the town planning and its urbanscapes.

An arerial view of a Korean city would not offer much in terms of a feast for the eyes of the architects and planners. The buildings look boxy and whitish all around as far as the eyes can see. It is only when one walks the streets that a Korean city like Seoul would reveal its gems.

Urban pocket parks, city-centre streams, miles and miles of cycling and walking tracks along river banks, and trees lining the steets which would turn all red or yellow when the autumn season comes. These are some of the offerings of the Korean urbanscape that you can expect.

Potted plants in front of a convention centre near Incheon

Man-made water body complements a park in Songdo City

Public art sculputre in front pf convention centre in Sonngdo City

Pavement directional signage in Nam Daemun, a traditional shopping area in Seoul

A new park in Songdo City near Incheon

A city centre urban park in Seoul. This one is located in between two three-laned highways. It has lawns, flower plants, and water features

The same urban park in Seoul. You can see how popular it is with visitors

Cycle path and shrubs bordering a four-laned urban highway in New Songdo City near Incheon

Yummy ikan terubuk

2011-04-01T18:18:00.001+08:00

What's your favourite fish? For me, the shad, or ikan terubuk, would be amongst the top of the list.

The terubuk is an estuarine fish. It is full of bones no doubt, but its white flesh is soft and tastes quite unlike any other fish you'd find at the market. I don't know how to describe it (i just know how to eat) but its kinda lemak and ohhh...

But because of its bones, some people would never even take a second look at terubuk. They find it too difficult to eat! Which is just fine by me. I'll just have them all to myself, thank you very much :)

My love for terubuk started a very early age. I remember when we were staying in Bota Kanan, Apak used to bring fresh terubuk home for Emak to grill. The smell of the fish oil as it drips off in the grilling process was enough to make me drool in anticipation of a fine feast. We used to take the terubuk with some air asam. Mmmm..I'm starting to salivate now just thinking about it.

Sarawak terubuk is very famous for being amongst the tastiest in Malaysia. Their salted terubok is also much sought-after by visitors and tourists to the state. Where to get them? Just head to Pasar Satok and take your pick.

The photo above shows salted Sarawak terubuk at a market in Miri.

Quaint little Behrang

2011-03-26T23:19:00.003+08:00

Pekan Behrang? Behrang Stesen? I'm not quite sure what's the official name of this little town. But you can't really blame me for not knowing. This town is located off the way main transport routes.

My experience with Behrang is by way of the fact that Sakinah used to study at the Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah which is located close by. Even then I didn't get to discover the town until she was well into her second year of her three year stay at the polytechnic. And that was also only after being alerted to its existance by Pak Non.

Behrang is a rustic, quaint little town located about 2km off the Federal Highway Route 1. As a general reference, it is somewhere in between Tanjung Malim and Slim River. If you pass by it, you'd hardly notice anything special about it really. But once you decide to take the right-turn and drive into it, Behrang will turn its charm on you.

For one, Behrang has a cute little rail station serving the trains of Keretapi Tanah Melayu. Thus, the name Behrang Stesen, I guess. But what really strikes me is the atmosphere and its general ambiance which harks back to the little towns of the 1960s and 70s.

The shops are all of wooden structures. And they all have bamboo blinds on their front exteriors. The pace of life and activities are decidedly S-L-O-W and steady. Old gentlemen while their time away in kopitiams and there are definitely no traffic jams, of course.

Some attractions include the fishing shop which is well-stocked with fishing paraphernalia, the apam balik stall, and the Orang Asli-owned stall which sells petai and durian.

First convocation for the family: Tahniah Sakinah

2011-03-05T18:48:00.001+08:00

My eldest, Sakinah - or Keenat, as her friends would call her - had her convocation at the Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah last Monday.

Three years of toil and hard work has paid dividends and brought her a diploma in accountancy. On top of that, she was also awarded the Pingat Ketua Jabatan for her excellent result. That's my girl.

My heart pounded heavily as I got excited and mighty proud at the sight of my first baby striding forward to receive her scroll.

Tahniah my dear Keenat!!

Skyscrapers in Putrajaya

2011-02-18T23:11:00.001+08:00

It has been fifteen years since construction first started in Putrajaya. For the first ten years, most developments have been for government office buildings and government residential quarters.

Over the last five years though, one is able to witness commercial office developments come on line. And this trend looks set to continue.

As the development of government buildings come to a tail end, and especially as the population size of the city continues to rise, the private sector has finally got Putrajaya on their radar.

This is surely a sign of the city maturing. For it is now capable of attracting private commercial investors big time. Well, almost.

I am sure that it won't be long before Putrajaya will be able to give KL a run for its money and boast its own beautiful, high-rise commercial buildings. When that happens, MNCs (multinational corporations) will be making a bee line towards Putrajaya...so eat your heart out KL.

For now, Putrajaya already has its first four skyscrapers - albeit in the form of government ministry buildings.

.

Pameran 1 dekad kecemerlangan Putrajaya

2011-02-12T15:08:00.001+08:00

Sempena Karnival Wow! Putrajaya, suatu pameran sedang diadakan di Presint 2 Putrajaya bertemakan 1 Dekad Kecemerlangan Putrajaya.

Karnival serta pameran ini berlangsung dari 11 hingga 13 Februari 2011, iaitu sempena sambutan Bulan Wilayah Persekutuan.

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Dream debut for Luis Suarez

2011-02-03T09:07:00.004+08:00

It's been a hectic week at Anfield as the Reds welcomed Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll to the club.

Not to forget, the Reds also booted out want-away Torres for a record fee of £50m to Chelsea. That’s more than a 100% profit out of what we paid for him in the first place.

Thank you very much Abramovic for the big ang pow!!

And it seems that all the hardwork in the January transfer market has started to pay early dividends too.

Suarez required just 16 minutes after entering the action as a second-half substitute in the match against resilient Stoke last night to find the back of the net on his Reds bow. Talk about a dream debut.

Afterwards, Dalglish revealed the 24-year-old has not even had the opportunity to train with his new teammates as Liverpool awaited the completion of paperwork on his transfer from Ajax on Monday. But already he seemed to have adapted seamlessly into the team.

Once Suarez gets into training with his fellow Reds, I’m sure he will go from strength to strength as he settles into Anfield life.

Welcome Suarez.

And who needs Torres?

Happy birthday Syafiq

2011-02-03T00:04:00.001+08:00

Today Syafiq, my second child, turns 20.

My, how time flies.

Seems like it was just a while back that I used to ferry this cute little boy to and from his youchien (Japanese kindergarten) in Tsukuba. Now, he's a strapping young man studying to be a landscape architect at a university.

Happy birthday Syafiq, my boy. And all the best in your future undertakings.

Discovering Kirkby

2011-01-23T17:50:00.065+08:00

The word "Kirkby" may not ring a bell amongst most Malaysians. But in my family, everybody knows that this is where Atok, went to school at the Malayan Teachers' Training College (MTTC).

Kirkby is a small town with a current population of around 40,000 located just 10km away from downtown Liverpool. It is also about one-and-a-half hour's train ride away from Blackpool, where I used to do my A-Levels. But out of sheer ignorance and being "too busy" perhaps with studies, I did not make it to Kirkby until very recently, last December.

I set off from Blackpool by train via Wigan. The journey is not that long, but with it being winter, it does have its fair share of challenges. Firstly, fending off the sub-zero temperature. Secondly, I had to rush it as the daylight hours is very short. Even so, and although I've never set foot in Kirkby, looking for the former MTTC ground itself was quite easy.

You see, I've had tip-offs from Apak's former college mates, and especially Frank Moorhead, a son of one of the former lecturers at MTTC. I had also looked up maps and figured out the exact boundaries of the MTTC. I guess all those training as a town planner is quite useful after all.

As soon as I stepped off the train at Kirkby Station, I set about getting my bearings. And as I walked towards the South Park Road, I soaked in the atmosphere of this quaint little town and started imagining the ways of the Kirkbyites all those years ago. How they'd descent upon the station as they set off for their Teaching Practices. How they'd walk in groups, passing by the Railway pub as they visit the Kirkby Stores to buy the papers, and so on.

I had heard so much about Kirkby. I had seen old photos and even paintings of it by Uncle Jeff, a close friend of Apak from the Kirkby days. And of course, I had read so much about it too: form the Kirkby Website by Low Sau San, and the coffeetable book, Kirkby College-A Heritage. But today, I was finally discovering it for myself.

The MTTC campus is actually located just on the outskirt of Kirkby town centre. The local commercial centre comprises a short row of small shops along the main street which is Glover's Brow. Today, some of the services found here include a newsagent, convenient stores, a betting shop, a Chinese take away and an estate agent.

But, the key to finding the former site of the MTTC is to get to the South Park Road. The South Park Road is a narrow road with little traffic nowadays. But it was just off this road that the main entrance gates to the MTTC was located. My guess is that, back in the 1950s, this road would have been the main thoroughfare and gateway for all Kirkbyites to get to the shops, the railway station, and beyond.

As I walked along the main street and the former MTTC campus ground, I had the good fortune of meeting and talking to a few people who did have some knowledge about the former college. This includes Sally-Ann Davies who stays in the residential area which has been built over the MTTC ground. Another is a gentleman who pointed out to me the exact location of the former MTTC entrance gates, and that the College border fencings was located just behind the Waverly House.

Unfortunately, nothing much of the old college is left to be seen now. As time passes by, not even any of the locals would be able to recall that Kirkby used to be the proud home to the Malayan Teachers' Training College.

That is why I hope that the idea of putting up a commemorative plaque on the campus site would become a reality soon. Kirkbyites would welcome it, I'm sure. And the locals too could be proud to know of the historical significance of their little town.

I left Kirkby that evening feeling very cold, hungry and tired. But deep down, I was very happy and contented.

I have been to Kirkby, Apak. I now have new pictures to show, and stories to tell, my brothers and sister, as well as my children. Hopefully, with these, the memory and legacy of Kirkby lives on among your children and grandchildren.

At the Kirkby station. The station building is on the left just after the railway crossing bridge. The bridge carries the road Glover's Brow and a pedestrian way which leads directly onto the South Park Road to the right of this photo

The South Park Road which would lead one directly to the former MTTC campus. The Railway pub seen here is a landmark at the junction between the South Park Road and Glover's Brow. From here, the MTTC campus is just about 150m away to the left

The view along South Park Rd looking directly towards the College ground

The junction between South Park Rd and Glover's Brow (looking in the opposite direction from the photo above)

The far end of the South Park Rd before it swerves to the right and continue on from here. But you can see that it also branches off at this point and the road actually continues straight on. From this point, there used to be a lane which continues a little (about 75m) before coming to a halt. THIS is where the College gates used to be!

Just for comparison, here's an old pic of Apak (r) and Uncle Jeff (Jaafar Saidin) in front of the College gates back then

The friendly Sally-Ann Davies. She stays on the housing estate which has been built over the College grounds. She was on her way to post her Christmas cards when I stopped her to ask about the MTTC. Her mother used to stay around here, she said, so she knows about the College

Green open space within the residential area which is built over the College site. View looking towards where dormitory Blocks 3, 4 and 5 used to be

Another view of the residential development. This one is in the direction towards where dorm Blocks 8 and 9 once used to stand

The Waverly House which used to be the landmark right at the entrance to the College. It is now a protected building and still standing proud

The Carters Arms pub on Glover's Brow

The blue-fronted shop is called Village News. When the Kirkbyites were here, it was known as the Kirkby Stores and much frequented by Kirkbyites for their supply of newspapers, sweets and stationary

The new Kirkby station building. Its just a small station, but serves its purpose to link Kirkby to the bigger cities of Liverpool and Manchester in the North West of England

Kurma ayam, nasi goreng: Manchester revisited

2011-01-15T19:30:00.001+08:00

Manchester is a world famous city. It was the birth place of the Industrial Revolution back in the 18th century. It was from here that industrial development, as we know it today, spread to other parts of Britain and, eventually, the rest of the world. It is the home of the premiere British civic university which is The University of Manchester.

Oh, and not to forget, it is also home to the second greatest English football club - Manchester United.

But for me, Manchester will be fondly remembered as the place where I received my tertiary education, which would set me on my way to being a professional town planner.

Last December, after having completed my official work in the south of England, I took a National Express coach from the Victoria Coach Station in London and hit the M6 motorway to head north to Manchester. It was a golden opportunity that I would not have missed for anything.

It was, however, one very long, tiring trip, lasting more than five hours. But once the coach exited the M6, and especially when I saw the Manchester International Airport sign, I began to get excited. And when we passed by the Trafford area, and began entering the city centre, the sight of familiar landmarks got my heart pounding as I got nostalgic and more excited.

I was greeted at the Manchester Coach Station by Zol, a fresh-faced and well-mannered undergraduate student who would be my host during my stay here.

Zol stays in Rusholme an area south of the city centre fondly referred to as the "Curry Mile" for the large concentration of halal Asian restaurants along its street.

Initially, I had wanted to book a cheap hotel for my stay in Manchester. But when Zol offered me to stay with him, I just could not refuse the offer as it would give me the perfect opportunity to relive my student days of staying in a "rumah bujang".

But I was also looking forward to interacting with these bright young students. I wanted to be able to listen to them expressing their views and experiences - and trials and tribulations. I had also wanted to give them my views and experiences, as well as, share whatever little wisdom that I might have.

And I was not disappointed.

Although Zol and his flat mates Alip, Sopian etc. were busy with school work, they still had the time to "layan" me and hold conversations over meals.

But what I will remember most is the way they went out of their way to prepare simple but decent meals for this hungry traveller.

With the weather being unforgivably cold, one tends to get hungry very easily. So, home-cooked chicken korma and nasi goreng (even if fried without onions) can be very mouth-watering indeed!

Oxford Road. This is where the University of Manchester and the Manchseter Mteropolitan Univ. (formerly polytechnic) are located. The BBC Manchester is also to be found here

The University name signage over the Oxford Road at the Precinct Centre

The former Architectural and Planning Building. This is where I would go for my lectures and studio work. The studios are on the top floor

The former Architectural and Planning Building showing the studios on the top floor

Jenny, the friendly librarian at the Architecture and Planning Library. During my days here as a student the librarians were Val and one other petite lady

The oil painting at the far end of the library is still there. The only difference is that the table has PCs on it. We didn't have computers back then in the early 1980s

Overall view of the library. When exams are around the corner, one would be hard pressed to get a seat at the tables

The arch at the main university building. I received my scrolls here

The friendly sandwich man. When I was studying here, it was his predecessor who used to feed me almost everyday. The original sandwich man has since passed away, I learnt. But his replacement is just as friendly and helpful. He serves halal chicken sandwich.

To succeed at the highest levels one has to develop self- discpline. So, perhaps, it shows here. This is a notice pinned in the bathroom at Zol's flat urging fellow flatmates to follow a set of rules so as to maintain the cleanliness of the bathroom. I found this to be very interesting - and amusing!

Zol and Alip in front of their flat. Thank you guys

Yummy! Zol's chicken korma

Yummy too. Alip's offering of nasing goreng tanpa bawang! Thanks Alip. It kept me full and ready for the long trip to Heathrow

The China Town in Manchester. This is where I used to get my supply of kicap and maggi mee


Public toilets (urinals) at Picadilly Gardens. And it really is PUBLIC, for it is located out in the open in full view of passers-by. And its uni-sex too! Only in England...

Sakinah @ UUM

2011-01-09T19:13:00.002+08:00

We've just got back from Sintok, up north in Kedah, to send Sakinah for registration at the Universiti Utara Malaysia.

That was one very tiring, back-breaking 1,000km plus journey that was. But seeing my eldest daughter progress further in her education, plus the opportunity of meeting up with old family friends, made the journey well worth it.

Sakinah aspires to be an accountant ever since she was in secondary school. With so many aunties and uncles as accountants, I guess it was only natural that at least one of my children eventually gets hooked.

Sakinah already has her diploma. This stint in Sintok will earn her a degree insyaAllah.

All the best my dear. Go for it!

In Sintok we put up for the night at Azam and Fishah's place. Azam and Fishah are very close friends from our Tsukuba days in Japan. Those days there were just the two of them - no kids yet. But thirteen years later, they have caught up with us and have four of their own.

After such a long time, it was nice to see them again and see how their family have grown.

Thank you for receiving us Azam and Fishah, and many thanks for all your help.

Manchester city transport

2011-01-07T22:19:00.002+08:00

Manchester is the second (or is it the third) biggest city in the UK. But it was, of course, the birth place of the British Industrial Revolution in the 18th century.

To this day one could still find the many large buildings which used to house the cotton mills and warehouses back then scattered throughout the city.

Within the very centre of the city one would witness winding, narrow streets laid out close to each other suitable for, and reflecting perhaps, the typical transport requirements of the day back then which was most probably horse-drawn carriages.

During the 19th century Manchester used to have its own tram system. But later, like in most UK cities (bar Blackpool), the trams disappeared which only served to bolster the position of automobiles as the undisputed Kings of the Road.

Credit to the city's planners, the trams were brought back to the city centre in time for the Commonwealth Games 2002. They are now a permanent feature in the Manchester streetscape.

Before the trams made their comeback there was of course the buses.

I used to take the No. 81 Greater Manchester Transport bus from Cheetham Hill to the university. But after a few weeks of riding on the smoked-filled buses (there were no smoking restrictions back then in the 1980s) I gave up.

You see, the cigarette smoke would make me dizzy and sick every time I ride the bus. So I bought myself a cheap second-hand Ford Escort which would ferry me to school everyday as and when I pleased.

Note: pic shows a town bus at the Piccadilly Gardens bus station, Manchester.

Off to school

2011-01-03T11:57:00.000+08:00

Today my youngest, Nadiah, the baby of the family, starts her secondary schooling.

All the best Nadiah, work smart and enjoy secondary shcool.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device via Vodafone-Celcom Mobile.

Kampong Blackpool revisited

2010-12-31T01:45:00.000+08:00

Blackpool is my kampong away from home. This is where I spent the last stages of my teenage years slogging in preparation for entry into a British university.

Recently, after 29 years (gosh, am I that old now?) I returned to "Kampong Blackpool".

Blackpool, as I have blogged here and here before, is a seaside resort town. From spring to autumn the place would be teeming with tourists from all over Britain. It's like the whole town was forever in a festive mood. The restaurants, bingo halls and shopping centres would be packed-full with tourists. The streets would be congested with cars, and the buses and trams would be always be full that you'd always have to join a long queue to get on board.

But with my recent visit being in December, the hustle and bustle was not there of course. I was especially looking forward to riding the trams. Alas, I had to miss that too as the service was put off for track maintenance and repair works.

That did not deter me from visiting all my favourite spots. There was always the bus (I took the No. 9 bus from Talbot Rd Station to Bispham). And the freezing winter weather meant that I could walk on for miles without ever breaking a sweat.

The North Pier. A theme park over waters

Entrance to the North Pier

Empty benches, only during winter

No. 4, Cheltenham Road, Blackpool. This is where I first stayed upon arriving in Blackpool. By the same token, this is also where I first cooked a meal (if you could call it that) ever in my whole life. It was a matter of survival: if don't cook, can't eat

No.4 Hodgson Road. This is where I used to stay during summers and holiday breaks. So there are lots of happy-hour memories here, including one incident when we incurred the wrath of English lodgers who stayed on the top-floor. This was when my flat-mate Khalid started grilling the belacan. Upon smelling the grilled belacan, an English bloke came rushing downstairs demanding to know whether we were cooking our socks?!

Norbreck Road. This is where I lived for the most part of my two-year stay in Blackpool

No. 22, Norbreck Road. I stayed with three other Malaysians here: Shaari, Amer and Hamidin. The land-lord (we just called him Alex) stayed on the ground floor with his family

The top most window on the right was my kitchen's window. Cooked some fine meals (and many horrible ones) here. Again, SURVIVAL

The high street shopping area on Norbreck Road. It's a British institution where you'd fine the local grocer, butcher, bakery, the post office and chippy (fish & chips shop). The locals would meet up here whilst going about their chores and chat and gossip. Everybody would know each other. Here, the lady shopkeepers would just call you 'lov, as in "thank you 'lov, see ya again". very friendly.

The local post office where I'd frequent many times to buy stamps to post my mails to Apak back home and the occasional film roles to be processed by mail service

Yes, the post box is still there

From my house on Norbreck Road I would foot it to college. This is the route that I would talk daily for two years

The last stretch of the walk to college would take me across a large field (and I mean really large field). It is used for soccer training by junior players. When it comes to soccer development, they do it so systematically the English. We've got a lot to learn.

Distant view of my college as I trekked across the big field

One of my favourite spots in Blackpool is the beach. Nothing much compared to our beaches back home. The water is not crystal-clear and it is always cold. But it stretches a mile out to sea and the sunset is ever so beautiful. I used to spent many hours here watching the sun set over the Irish Sea and taking photos. Some friends remarked that I was wasting my time as I should be better off studying. But all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, no?

David, the landlord's grandson. When I was renting at his flat in Norbreck he was just a baby. He's now a businessman and doing well for himself. Despite the freezing temperature, he didn't seem to be bothered, whereas I was all wrapped up

The Blackpool Tower. Still regal and and standing proud. It can be seen from miles around as one approaches Blackpool whether by road or rail

Tahniah Harimau Malaysia

2010-12-29T22:12:00.002+08:00

Malaysia 4-2 Indonesia (agg).

Yes, we did it. After a long hiatus, Malaysian football looks like to be coming out of the woods, at last.

We used to be an Asian soccer powerhouse back in the 1960s and 1970s. But somehow, after that, we just faded away.

I think we know what happened there. But that's another story in itself.

Tonight, let's just savour our rise to the pinnacle of Asean football. And let's hope that this will shove in a new golden era for Malaysian football.

Note: photo shows Malaysian soccer fans braving the rain (many with vuvuzelas in hand), starting to fill into Dataran Putrajaya to watch the live Indonesia vs Malaysia match on the big screen.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device via Vodafone-Celcom Mobile.

Images from UK visit

2010-12-18T15:45:00.004+08:00

Kirkby Railway Station sign-post. This is actually Kirkby's new station. The old station used to be slightly away from this site

The railway line leading to Liverpool from Kirkby. Just behind those trees (in the background) on the embankment to the right of the railway line is the southern border of the Malayan Teachers' Training College (MTTC)

My first view of the MTTC former campus ground. This is where my father, Ahmad Termizi Mat Nor , used to study as a young trainee teacher between 1956 to 1958. The green open space used to be almost right at the center of the former campus ground

The MTTC former campus now has been redeveloped into an up-market residential area. The row of houses in the background is where the dormitory blocks (closer to the main entrance of college) used to be

Frost on bollards in Poundbury, Dorset

Holly plant shrubs by the River Lea. 'Tis the season to be merry, no?

Birds on Blackpool beach during sunset

Books on the book rack in the Architecture & Planning Department Library, University of Manchester. This is where I used to spend hours slogging it out

House boats on the River Lea. No need to pay rates

Signage on the National Cycle Network which runs by the River Lea and just close by the Olympic Stadium 2012 currently being built

Goodbye Manchester

2010-12-13T00:00:00.002+08:00

At 2.02pm my 10-wheeled National Express coach set off from the Manchester Coach Station on Chorlton St.

It has been a hectic and very tiring 4 days and 3 nights in the North West of England for me.

But for a sentimental slob (yeah, that's me) it was well worth it.

For I have managed to re-visit not only my old university in Manchester, but also my old college in Blackpool.

But to top it all up, I squeezed in a short visit to Apak's stomping ground all those years ago, which is Kirkby in Merseyside.

No easy feat all this running around. Especially when the weather is so unforgiving, and the daylight hours are so short (sunrise is round eight in the morning and it begins to get dark around half past three).

To be sure, my visit was helped by a great extent through the kindness of some bright Malaysians students in the city of Manchester.

I will write about my travails in the North West and my stay with my new-found friends in my next posting.

For now I'll let you "enjoy" a view of the British drab winter afternoon. Picture taken from my bus as we leave Manchester for London.

Here comes the sun

2010-12-09T19:36:00.002+08:00

After six days in London (at last) the sun is shining over Britain, or at least parts of it.

For the past few days, site visits have been conducted in freezing, sub-zero temperatures. This has got to be the most grueling site technical visits ever in my career as a town planner - and that's including my student days, too.

So the sun is here, for today at least. But according to the weather man, it won't be for long. Come next week, another cold front is expected to sweep over Britain.

I'm now at the Victoria Coach Station waiting for a bus to Manchester.

Note: The photo shows a man on a train platform on our way to Poundbury in Dorset. The sun may seem to be shining, but the temperature was actually -1 celcius.

On a flight to London

2010-12-05T07:24:00.002+08:00

The time is 10.55am and MAS flight MH004 takes off. Immediately I saw the Kota Warisan giant signage on the ground below.

Next came the view of Putrajaya. A magnificent view, I must say, makes me feel really proud.

From the aircraft it looks as if a blanket of light clouds hang just above the ground down below. So surreal. After 5 minutes I'm now flying over Shah Alam. Managed to track down and view Man's condominium block in Bkt Jelutong very clearly.

I'm on a trip to London for a technical visit with a colleague. We're flying on a Boeing 747-400P. MAS has 10 of this beautiful jumbo jet. With a length of 231ft, it can seat 359 passengers. The B747 can fly 12,900km non-stop and has a max. cruising speed of Mach 0.86 (that's 916km/h).

It's now 2.15pm and we're just entering India sub continent. Calcutta is somewhere to my right and Delhi is up ahead. Its JUST another 9hrs and 10 min to London with ONLY about 7700km more to go - gonna be a long day ahead. The aircraft is hurtling towards London at the speed of 874 km/h. We are now 9762m above sea level and the air temperature outside the aircraft is -2celsius.

3.45pm Malaysian time. We have just entered Pakistani air space. And I have just performed my zohor and asar prayer. Performing my obligation towards my Creator 9km up in the air. Subhanallah.
On my way out of the lavatory after performing my wudhu' I bumped into the flight captain. He was waiting for wudhu' after me in pepreparation for solat too.

Alhamdulillah. Its nice and reassuring to know the our pilot performs his duty towards Allah too, doesn't it?
Another 7hrs and 41 min. to London, with about 6391km more to go. The aircraft is now flying at 874 km/h. The outside temperature is -12celsius! Altitude is 9734m above sea level.
Up ahead, Afghanistan.

5.07 Malaysian time. After more than 5 hours of flying we are well into Afghanistan and fast approaching the Turkmenistan border. London is now 5423km away. Travelling speed is at 817 km/h. At this speed we are destined to reach Heathrow in 6 hrs and 28 min. The outside air temp is now -18celsius!

7.00pm Malaysian time (8 hours after take off). We are now flying over the Caspian Sea.
We are 5423km away from London. Another 4 hrs and 28 min to Heathrow. The outside air temp is now down to -27celsius! The plane is at a much higher altitude too: 10,585m. Up ahead is Russia.

8.30pm. Well into Ukraine and just passed Russian territory. Suddenly, espionage and the thought of Russian Mig fighter planes storming at us comes to mind. Yeah, I know, I got a bit carried away there.
The outside temperature is now at a mind boggling -32celsius!! Coming up ahead of us is Kiev (Ukraine's capital city) and then on to Poland. Its another 3hrs and 20 min. more to London.

10.30pm. We have just entered Germany and in a few minutes we'll be flying over Berlin. From here we will fly over Netherlands and then start our descend to Heathrow in about 1hr and 20 minutes time insyaAllah.
Light meal was served. Oven baked lamb loin.

The scenery far down below is dominated by white patches of land. SNOW!?

Freezing England awaits me! Brrrrr!

11.24pm. The flight captain has just announced that we will be descending in 9 minutes time and we are scheduled to land at Heathrow at 4pm British time.

12.00 midnight Malaysian time. After 13 hours of flight, we finally landed at Heathrow. The captain announced that the temperature outside is 6celsius.

Looking forward to checking into the hotel.

In PD

2010-11-27T12:34:00.002+08:00

We're in PD this morning, together with Mak.

For all her 68 years of age she'd never set foot in PD. Well, being orang Perak, Telok Murok (now Telok Batik) is like more up her alley.

I remember when my brothers and I were small we would often make the short trip to Lumut and Teluk Murok from our house in Bota Kanan for a our family outing and a spot of picnic. Always a thrilling and exciting occassion for us kids.

Of course Teluk Batik is not as beautiful as your east coast beaches. But it can beat PD anytime, me thinks.

But of course I'm bias, teman oghang Perak juga :-)

"Tough" ride

2010-11-21T15:20:00.001+08:00

Syafiq leading the way, always

My Merida bike lying flat from exhaustion. Okay, actually the owner was exhausted

Syafiq trekking back to retrieve exhausted dad

This morning I went for a ride with my son, Syafiq. And it was one hell of a tough ride.

It was tough because I've not had enough practice, no stamina. For this is my first ride since Hari Raya - that's Raya Eidul Fitri, not Eidul Adha!

Nevertheless it felt good to be riding again. We took it slow and easy and lasted 17km through the beautiful wetlands of Putrajaya.

I've just got to keep the momentum going.The good doctor has warned that my cholesterol level is rising, so I need the exercise.

One ride per week minimum, that's the target.

Of Family ties & Hari Raya Aidil Adha

2010-11-17T18:43:00.003+08:00

Today is Aidil Adha. All my kids are back home.

The house tends to get all messy and cluttered with things, and is much more noisier when they're all back home. But, as ever, I really look forward to them being back, nevertheless.

This morning my two brothers came over with their families for Eid al Adha. It got noisier, and merrier. Then the Mem Besar's brother and sister also came. More laughter - and the occasional cries of the baby.

We are blessed for our family.

You might have best friends, bosom buddies and office mates. But nothing beats the warm feeling of love and closeness with our family.

Whatever friends you might keep, and no matter how close you are to them, still, family ties are paramount.

This is not to take anything away from friendship, of course.

But that is another discourse for another day.

For today, enjoy some raya day pics, including flowers from our garden.

Selamat Hari Raya.

Sent from my BlackBerry®

In Penang

2010-11-06T15:17:00.001+08:00

This is Baha-san my colleague. We're in Penang for a workshop.

Another working weekend:-(

In Seoul

2010-10-24T20:34:00.001+08:00

At Incheon Airport car park

The Central Mosque inSeoul, close to the Ittaewaon Street. The imam is a Korean but Malaysian-trained

Insadong the street in Seoul, popular for its arts and craft

Open air concert, vibrant city

A small building designed as an arts and craft market in Insadong

Arrived in Seoul this morning. Attending the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.

The weather is fine. It's early autumn and the temperature is cool and is just nice.

The inaugural Korea F1 Grand Prix was hit by rain, though.

Will be back home next Saturday, insyaAllah.

Good bye and good riddance

2010-10-16T09:22:00.004+08:00

The Kops never took to liking the Yankees, ever

The jokers. Well, they do remind you of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, don't they?

The original Laurel & Hardy, which I'd much prefer, anytime

At long last the saga of the Liverpool takeover is concluded. And with that, hopefully, we've seen the last of the two Yankees who were intent in their desire to make tons of money at the expense of an English football institution that is Liverpool Football Club.

In hindsight, and to be honest, we should never have trusted and taken these two jokers on board in the first place.

They know nothing about football. And they just fail to embrace the history and tradition of this club, revered by fans not just in Merseyside, but millions around the world. They just do not understand that Liverpool FC is a passion, and a way of life which affects ordinary folks week in, week out

Even up until yesterday, Hicks was still making statements like this concerning his defeat in trying to hold on to the club: "It has hurt my family tremendously. This is a very valuable asset that was swindled away from me".

Says a lot doesn't it?

Good bye and good riddance you ignorant, greedy Yanks .

My only regret is that, in your three years escapade in Merseyside, you've almost destroyed Liverpool FC and taken it to the backwaters of English football like never before.

.

Repairing old photos

2010-09-04T12:10:00.000+08:00

We all have old, black and white photos which provide memories of old days and reminders of our loved ones.

Having scanned a few of my old photos with the help of my daughter Sakinah, it saddens me to see some of them showing signs of age. Some seems to be fading, whilst others have scratches and unsightly spots all over them.

But in this day and age of IT and multimedia, fret not.

Anything is possible – well, almost anything.

With the help of photo repair softwares – and there are many of them around – one could restore and retouch old, damaged photos and bring them back to their glory days.

The pic above was taken in 1979 or 1980. I was on a train from London (or was it Manchester) back to Blackpool.

I’m not very good at it yet. But it sure looks better than the old, damaged one.

Kad Raya, oh kad Raya!

2010-08-31T10:59:00.002+08:00

This is the picture used for our family kad Raya when we were staying in Japan. It was made out as a postcard complete with spaces for message, address and a little corner to stick the stamp at the back.

Hari Raya open house at our house at the University of Tsukuba. Our open house was always a merry occasion as the place would be filled with hungry undergraduate "bujang" students who did not have their parents around to feed them on a Raya morning.

My youngest daughter, Nadiah, has been pestering me to buy her kad Raya these past few days. Which is just as well, because Hari Raya is just slightly over a week away.

It is, perhaps, a sign of the times that we are not that bothered anymore with Hari Raya greeting cards.

I hold my hands up and admit, yes, I myself have not sent out any cards yet. But it's not just me. To date, I've only received a meagre few cards, whereas a few years back, by this time, there would've been one whole box of them already.

We used to love them in the old days. During my days at the boarding school, the arrival of the postman during the whole month of Ramadhan would be waited with much anticipation and excitement by us students to see how many cards we would receive every time he visited us.

When I started working, I would follow how Apak did it. I would buy loads of cards, or sometime print personalized ones so that I could send out to loved ones and acquaintances as an endearment or a gesture of respect, and true friendship.

Supermarkets and even news paper shops would stock them in all various sizes, design and a riotous of colours.

But with the advent of the IT age, another tradition looks like flying out of the window for good. The rage would be to send e-greeting cards or - for the computer illiterates amongst us - just plain sms.

How convenient. No need to buy cards. No need to buy stamps. And of course, no need to search for the post boxes.

Unfortunately, all these lack the personal touch and sincerity which goes hand in hand with the hassle one has to go through when sending out the traditional greeting cards.

So, okay Nadiah. You've got your wish. Petang ni kita pergi beli kad Raya. And I hope you would continue to hold on to this tradition.

At the very least, send it to Abah and Umi. It will light up our days.

.

Missing my lovable Tok Hussein

2010-08-28T17:03:00.002+08:00

Tok Hussein (left) on the day I left for UK to do A-Levels in September of 1979

This very old Ten Ringgit note (notice the dollar sign) was a gift from Tok Hussein to me and my two brothers - each one of us got one. I can't recall exactly, but maybe it was a duit raya. Ten Ringgit was a lot of money for a small kid in the 1970s. This note is still in my possesion till today

Every once in a while, we tend to recall and remember our departed loved ones. This may grow into a deep sense of longing and a strong feeling of missing them.

The recent incident in Kampong Kepayang when my Emak was hurt by a burglar who broke into our kampong home brought me back memories of Tok Hussein who was the patriarch of the family, the "master of the house" so to speak.

In those days, when Tok Hussein was still around, our kampong home was always safe and secure. Small it might have been, but as far as I can remember it was a blissful and cheery place for us kids.

Tok Hussein is Hussein bin Yaacob, my maternal grandfather.

As I recall, he was a man of slight built, with a fair complexion. And he was a kind man with a very gentle disposition. One could not ask for a more loving grandpa.

When I started schooling, my father sent me away to stay with Tok Hussein and Opah Badariah in Kampong Kepayang, Ipoh so that I could enroll into an English-medium school. So it was Tok Hussein who ferried me to and from school everyday, using his trusted Honda Cub motorcycle.

When I pillion ride with him, I would wrap my arms around his body from behind, press my face into his back and hug him hard so that I would not fall off the bike. To this day, I can still remember the nice smell of his body.

Tok Hussein passed away on 6th September 1980 at the age of 62.

Al Fatihah buat Tok Hussein bin Yaacob. Semoga Allah menempatkan beliau bersama orang-orang yang soleh dan dikasihiNya.

This is how Tok Hussein's signature looks like. I remember his signature well as he used to sign many receipts for payment of Duit Khairat Kematian. He was the treasurer, I think, as he would go around the kampong collecting the money from kampong folks. This particular signature was found on the back of one of the old cupboards at our kampong home. It is dated 21 June 1958

Life cycle: mid-life crisis?

2010-08-15T07:58:00.000+08:00

It's been quite sometime since I went out riding. Okay, its been a long time, actually. But my desire and aspiration to continue riding burns on.

This morning, I saw this interesting article in the BBC news which would nicely serve to motivate me to ride again. After Ramadhan is over, that is.

Read on.

Flashy sports cars are out, now no mid-life crisis is complete without a souped-up road bike. Why?

Every weekend, across the nation's rolling countryside, watch out for the Mamils: middle-aged men in lycra.

And ladies, if you have a man at home taking an unusual interest in how you shave your legs, you may have a Mamil in the making too.

Research conducted by the retail analyst Mintel suggests there has been a surge in the number of middle-aged men choosing to get on two wheels.

Given the number of men aged 35-44 who are buying fancy-pants road racing machines, is this a 21st Century mid-life crisis? Has the silence of skinny tyres and carbon fibre framesets replaced the thunderous noise of motorbikes?

Back in the day, when some men with a bit of disposable income reached a certain age, they did some strange things. The grind of the office and home life convinced some that the answer to an expanding midriff lay in a pair of designer jeans and a flashy but cheap Japanese sports car. Teenage daughters ran away screaming. Sons were deprived of the role models seen in adverts for shaving products.

Gents, our womenfolk were right all along. It wasn't a good look. And did it do anything for the beer belly?

The middle-aged cyclist's role model, sprinting legend Mark Cavendish

But then came a confluence of coincidences that gave a man an option other than looking like a gigolo cruising Italy's glitzy Lake Como.

The past three years have seen the rise of the uber-techno, super-flashy, full-carbon fibre, bobby-dazzler road bike. The market for these bikes has expanded faster than a 45-year-old's waistline, partly thanks to the success of the British cycling stars at the Beijing Olympics. Marketing departments have produced smart advertising messages that encourage a bit of freedom, elite performance and memories of teenage derring-do.

And the result can be seen on Saturday and Sunday mornings as middle-aged blokes polish the rear derailleur, lower the mirrored shades and pedal into the hills. Every couple of weeks, you'll see a girth of Mamils gathering to race a "Sportive", a form of amateur competing that has taken the British cycling world by storm.

While the serious, younger riders are busy getting into the zone of elite competition, we're comparing the latest GPS route-finding cycle computer and pretending that we know how to stretch.

No Mamil's life is complete without the spiritual journey to the mountains”

We hit the first hill and suddenly we're a puffing, panting, heaving mass of sweaty humanity that is well past its sell-by-date. Sounds humiliating? I've never had so much fun in my life - and there are also some unintended benefits of being the older rider.

First, there's the no-questions-asked fan club. My kids, on the promise of an ice cream, will cheer me over the top of any climb. They're still young enough to think I'm Superman - and you don't get that kind of pick-me-up on the golf course.

Even better is the Mamil's solution to saddle sores. A teenage shop assistant in a too-posh-to-pedal London shop tried to sell me some balm for £30. What's the point of that, I asked. I've got loads of unused nappy rash cream at home. He thought I was terminally uncool. I know better son, learn from your elders.

But no Mamil's life is complete without the spiritual journey to the mountains.

Robbie McIntosh is 45 and has spent much of the past year clad in lycra after being talked into cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats with a group of fellow Mamils.

Robbie McIntosh on Mont Ventoux - one of the toughest climbs in the world

Ten days of pain, rain and groin strain later, he decided he was ready for Mont Ventoux. This mountain, the Giant of Provence, is one of the toughest climbs in the world - 23km straight up. British cycling legend Tom Simpson died on its slopes in 1967. Last month, with terror in his belly, Robbie began turning the wheels.

"I wanted so much to say I'd climbed the Ventoux. It's an amazing mountain and a serious challenge.

"I was surprised at my nerves but I had a sense that if I could do this on a bike I could do anything and that was a feeling I wanted so much."

And make it he did. He wasn't as balletic as the local, young French riders - but he stood alongside them at the 1,910m summit and surveyed the world.

"Cycling has given me an opportunity to feel sporting achievement of the very highest level," says Robbie. "It doesn't matter that the pros ride up Mont Ventoux at twice the speed or more. I can scale the same sporting heights as the best cyclists on the planet. I can walk with giants."

Flash road bikes definitely look like a midlife crisis”

So a man becomes fitter and happier. Where's the midlife crisis in that? Ah. The costs.

Ladies, look away now. Men who seriously cycle typically spend about £3,000 to live that dream. For a time, at least. That sum will cover the set-up and the first year, then about £1,000 a year, at least, on top of that.

The must-have bike of the summer is the Pinarello Dogma, the bike used by the British Team Sky in the Tour de France. Yours for about £7,000. Grown men stop and stare at this machine, like seven-year-old lads pressed against the toy shop window.

Thankfully, most Mamils don't have that kind of money to burn. But it hasn't stopped the rapid growth of a suburban money-laundering operation. It goes something like this. Man dribbles while looking at £100 bib shorts on cycling website - they're the kind that make you look like a wrestler. Partner says no, think about the starving children. Man continues to look at bib shorts and decides they will help conceal his 36-inch waist.

Ventoux brings some men close to collapse

He calculates that three weeks of hard pedalling will help on the belly front - which is coincidentally the same time it takes to receive a secret new credit card to pay for the shorts. Job done. Platinum status achieved with the online cycling retailer. Discounts on more kit, all of which is sent directly to the office rather than home.

When you run the slide rule over all of this, flash road bikes definitely look like a midlife crisis.

There's a look to strive for, expensive kit and excuses for weekends away.

I and my band of hill-climbing brothers disagree. It's about becoming a happier and healthier person rather than sliding towards mediocre oblivion at the bottom of a pint glass.

But I conclude with a message from my own Mrs Mamil to other cycling widows. She's discovered a precise form of retaliation. If your portly husband buys another stupid fluorescent jersey, buy yourself another pair of shoes.

That way, at least one of you can look good.

Khenduri in Batu Gajah

2010-08-14T18:55:00.000+08:00

In June we went to Batu Gajah in Perak to attend the wedding of Abg Wazir's son. It was a good family reunion as it is seldom nowadays that I get to meet up with our relatives from my father's side.

The grand old dame that is Opah Chu was there, and so were a few other familiar faces.

Abg Wazir is related to me by "satu moyang" as we say here in Perak. It means that we have the same great-grandfather.

Besides meeting people it was of course time to savour traditional delicacies like the baulu, tepung pelita and tapai, mmmm.

Sorry about the photos, they were taken using my hand phone in low-light conditions.

Emak (left) with Opah Chu. Its been quite sometime since they last met

Mouth watering tepung pelita (left)

Lovely crispy kueh baulu, my favourite traditional kueh

Photography trips

2010-08-04T21:41:00.002+08:00

Seafront of Conway, North Wales

Student days are meant to be enjoyed. If you have the time, that is.

But you have to make the time. For these are the days when one is young and energetic. One has to go out and about, see new places, and learn new things. Enjoy life.

After all, you are only young once. Once you hit mid-twenties, its downhill all the way. One by one your senses and physical well-being will start to give way.

One of the things which I used to do during my A-Levels in England was to pick up photography. And oh, how glad I am that I did.

Photography has given me much pleasure and taken me to new places when I go on one of my photo trips with either my housemates or visiting friends from other cities. It has taught me to be more observant of my surroundings. And it has enabled me to look at the beauty of seemingly even the most mundane of things such as a puddle on wind-swept, very cold Blackpool beach on a winter evening.

Visit Floria Putrajaya 2010

2010-07-10T12:52:00.001+08:00

FLORIA Putrajaya returns.

Officiated by the Prime Minister this morning , the 2010 edition promises to be even more glorious and colourful.

This year’s festival is themed “Tropical Splendour” and it will showcase the best of the Malaysian and international landscape and horticulture industry; from commercial landscape products to garden design showcase and flower displays.

Those who love gardening are bound to have a field day visiting the numerous stalls selling flowers, plants, and all things related to gardening.

Pay a visit to FLORIA Putrajaya - Malaysia’s premier outdoor garden and flower showcase.

Anas at UiTM

2010-07-09T23:00:00.003+08:00

Tomorrow, it will be two weeks since Anas got registered into UiTM Bukit Mertajam.

Yes, Anas, my third child, the chubby, mischievous boy with the squeaky voice and loud shrills is now all grown up and well on his way into tertiary education.

Chubby he is not anymore. At 5ft 8 inch, he stands taller than me, that’s for sure.

The long break from school meant that Anas had got the chance to grow his hair long (although the Mem Besar was not THAT amused). But after almost half a year of loitering around at home he was getting a bit bored just sleeping and eating and watching TV.

So, he was kind of looking forward to this whole new experience waiting before him. All accept the fact that he had to crop off his hair, that is.

The whole family went to send him of, including Opah from Ipoh.

We used the chance to hop onto Penang Island to take in some sights. But, apart from the lovely ferry ride, our little excursion around Penang proved to be a bit of a chore as the traffic was just unbearable.

So, all the best at UiTM Bukit Mertajam, Anas, my son.

Work hard and work smart.

We love you very much, and we pray for your every success.

Masjid Tuanku Mizan, Putrajaya

2010-06-20T21:18:00.002+08:00

Jalan-jalan Cari Makan in Putrajaya this evening.
Destination: Taman Warisan Pertanian in Precinct 16.

We had tauhu bakar, sate Kajang, sotong kangkung, and roti John. The Mem Besar had a bowl of mihun sop all to herself. Watered them all down with ais kacang and laichee kang.

Before heading back home we stopped over for maghrib at the Masjid Tuanku Mizan in Precinct 3.

The beautiful mosque had just been graced and officially declared open last week by the Yang Dipertuan Agong himself last Friday.

With a capacity up to 20,000, this is the biggest mosque in Putrajaya.

Kite flying in Morib

2010-06-05T17:25:00.002+08:00

I'm in Morib with the family for the weekend. Had a spot of kite flying with my kids. It's been ages since I last flew a kite.

It felt great.

But it was cut short when our kite escaped and got flown away by the sea breeze.

Good fun, though.

Aksi juara Summer Camp

2010-05-30T13:30:00.005+08:00

Inilah gelagat Syafiq and geng semasa konsert di Summer Camp Sg Lui, Hulu Langat, 2007.

Tahniah kepada anak Abah, peserta Summer Camp Lelaki terbaik :-)

Taman Botani Putrajaya ride

2010-05-29T10:14:00.002+08:00

Today's ride is just a short one and I was accompanied by Nadiah.

Taman Botani Putrajaya is now almost ten years in existence. It is the first park to be developed in Putrajaya and one can see how the trees are maturing nicely.

Besides the trees and beautiful flowers, the botanical park is also home to a collection of plants including some rare species.

Worth a visit.

My new EPL team

2010-05-23T10:29:00.006+08:00

Bloomfield Road Stadium, the home of Blackpool FC

Blackpool are in the Premier League! Their promotion came following a hard fought and stunning 3-2 Championship Play-off final victory over Cardiff City at Wembley yesterday.

Finally, I have two teams in the EPL to support: Blackpool and Liverpool.

Which is just as well. With Liverpool looking highly unlikely to be able to kick out the American owners in time for the start of next season, no new owners can be expected. And with that, there goes any hope for meaningful and situation-changing purchase of new players.

My endearment to Blackpool is by way of my two year stay at this lovely seaside resort town in the North West of England from 1979 to 1981. For this is where I did my GCE A-Levels all those years ago as a teenager

I must admit to – due to financial constraints – having not set foot inside Blackpool FC’s stadium at the Bloomfield Road. But my friends and I did make it a point to check out the team’s results from time to time on match days.

Blackpool FC dates back to 1877. The team have eight Football League and fourteen cup honours to their name. The most notable achievement of course is winning the FA Cup Final in 1953 when they beat Bolton Wanderers 4-3.

Come next season of the EPL they’ll be slugging it out with the big names of English football. That in itself is already a big achievement for the Tangerines. With a home ground capacity of just 13,500 (all seated) it has got to be the smallest ground of any Premiere League team.

Come on you Seasiders!!!

Blackpool FC Info
Ground Name: Bloomfield Road
Capacity: 13,500 (all seated)
Address: Seasiders Way, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 6JJ
Pitch Size: 112 x 74 yards
Team Nicknames: The Seasiders or Tangerines
Year Ground Opened: 1899
Shirt Sponsors: Carbrini Sportswear
Home Kit Colours: Tangerine & White
Away Kit Colours: All White With Tangerine Trim
Kit Manufacturers: Carbrini
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