Berita terkini. Kepada 4 orang pembaca blog ini, sekiranya anda berkira-kira hendak belikan Embak buku Teacher Man karangan Frank McCourt, Embak nak maklumkan, Saya dah beli.
Semalam, Embak pergi ke MPH, nak cuba dapatkan diskaun 15% sempena besday Embak(salah satu manafat keahlian MPH Readers' Circle) walaupun besday Embak dah 3 minggu berlalu. Petugas di MPH berkata Maaf Puan, diskaun 15% tu hanya untuk tempoh seminggu dari tarikh lahir. Tapi berita baik Puan, esok kami akan adakan Sale, yang diskaunnya 20%. Woopee!
Maka Embak datang balik hari ni dan membelanjakan diri Embak dengan 3 buku. Jualan murah MPH akan berakhir 1 April. Jika anda bukan ahli MPH Readers' Circle, diskaun 15% sahaja. Pergilah beli buku, nanti boleh dapat potongan dari cukai pendapatan.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Wajah
Semalam Embak berjumpa dengan kawan Embak di kliniknya, yang juga menawarkan perkhidmatan kecantikan. Di ruang menunggu, Embak lihat dua orang wanita yang bertudung, yang sorang tu teramatlah putih bersih kulitnya, dan dalam kategori jelita. Dari perbualan mereka, Embak dapati yang mereka ini tidak asing dengan suntikan kolagen, vitamin-C, botox dan seumpanya. Terkejutlah Embak. Selama ini Embak ingat yang mengamalkan bantuan-bantuan kecantikan begini adalah dari kalangan artis-artis dan orang-orang yang, iyalah, trendy, sofisticated, fashion-conscious, glamour-seeking rich tai-tais.
Rupa-rupanya, semua lapisan dah mengamalkan gaya hidup suntikan ini. Patutlah klinik kawan Embak ni berdaya maju gayanya. Embak di sana atas urusan kerja, tak tahulah esok-esok pulak. Minta-minta kat Allah, tulang pipi Embak yang orang selalu kata tiruan ni, maintain. Takutnya hari ni kata tak nak, esok-esok bila dah kendur, pucat, kata nak pulak!
Rupa-rupanya, semua lapisan dah mengamalkan gaya hidup suntikan ini. Patutlah klinik kawan Embak ni berdaya maju gayanya. Embak di sana atas urusan kerja, tak tahulah esok-esok pulak. Minta-minta kat Allah, tulang pipi Embak yang orang selalu kata tiruan ni, maintain. Takutnya hari ni kata tak nak, esok-esok bila dah kendur, pucat, kata nak pulak!
Monday, March 19, 2007
A reminder for me
This is one of Angela McCourts's favourite songs, and one of two songs sung by her sons and grandsons at her funeral:
A mother's love is a blessing
No matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
You'll miss her when she's gone.
A mother's love is a blessing
No matter where you roam,
Keep her while she's living,
You'll miss her when she's gone.
Frank McCourt - My new favourite writer
I have seen his book,“Angela’s Ashes” many times at MPH warehouse sales, but because the cover is a dreary photo of a dirty boy, I never had the incentive to pick it up. I saw the book again at PayLess Books warehouse sale, a hardcover selling for RM8. Upclose, I read that the book is a Pulitzer prize winner. Because it was so cheap and apparently good enough to merit a Pulitzer, I bought it. It is about Frank McCourt’s stories of growing up in Brooklyn, and then Ireland.
I only got around to reading it last month; the book overwhelms me with images of hardcore poverty and hopelessness. I have never understood what being poor means before; it's so well written, that TV3’s Bersama Mu pales in comparison. To Frank and his brothers, an egg was a luxury, jam jars served as cups, and most of the time their once a day meal consisted of cold, weak tea. Their mother survived on beggary because the father was a hopeless drunkard. But the book is not all about despair; there are many places in the book where I laugh hard. McCourt managed to find hilarity amidst his family's misery. Truly deserving the Pulitzer.
Soon after I finished "Angela’s Ashes", I found “‘Tis”, the sequel to “Angela’s Ashes”, at the Big Bookshop warehouse sale (yes, I am fond of books warehouse sales!), which is still going on at Atria until 24th March. Very lucky find indeed as it was the only copy left. I finished this book too.
I am now looking for “Teacher Man”, which is the last of the memoir trilogy. Not too late to get me one as a belated birthday present. Hint, hint.
I only got around to reading it last month; the book overwhelms me with images of hardcore poverty and hopelessness. I have never understood what being poor means before; it's so well written, that TV3’s Bersama Mu pales in comparison. To Frank and his brothers, an egg was a luxury, jam jars served as cups, and most of the time their once a day meal consisted of cold, weak tea. Their mother survived on beggary because the father was a hopeless drunkard. But the book is not all about despair; there are many places in the book where I laugh hard. McCourt managed to find hilarity amidst his family's misery. Truly deserving the Pulitzer.
Soon after I finished "Angela’s Ashes", I found “‘Tis”, the sequel to “Angela’s Ashes”, at the Big Bookshop warehouse sale (yes, I am fond of books warehouse sales!), which is still going on at Atria until 24th March. Very lucky find indeed as it was the only copy left. I finished this book too.
I am now looking for “Teacher Man”, which is the last of the memoir trilogy. Not too late to get me one as a belated birthday present. Hint, hint.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Nohara Sinchan
Embak dan Maisara berebut patung Sinchan semalam. Mak dia belikan sebagai hadiah harijadi Embak, tapi dah dipeluk-peluknya si Mai, Embak pun mengalah. Hari ni Embak masuk bilik, tengok Sinchan dah ada atas katil Embak, hee hee. My first stuffed toy ever!
Dulu-dulu, Embak tak faham betul kenapalah adik Embak suka sangat tengok katun Jepun nih. Sekarang, Embak pulak dah tersangkut. Walhal, anak-anak menakan Embak ramai yang tak dapat tengok program ni - dah di "ban" oleh emak bapak mereka.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
More on Brunei
There are many beautiful and grand mosques in Brunei, many with gold-plated domes. I can't recall what this one is called, but notice the dome- it's gold plated. Many of the domes here are gold-plated including the one at Istana Nurul Iman, which I heard is solid gold.
I love their teh tarik India. I had one glass everyday I was there. It tastes like teh tarik but the way it is prepared that is giving its presentation. First you stir condensed milk and evaporated milk in hot water; then pull it to form froth. Pour in thick hot tea. Voila!
I also sampled their Mee Kolo (but no picture to prove- as I was so hungry). I do not know whether the one I had was authentic Brunei or not, but it was sedap! It is different from Sarawak Mee Kolo (which I have never tasted, but seen pictures of). Cucur Pisang and Murtabak Kosong is Goreng Pisang and Roti Canai, respectively in Bruneispeak.
I went to Jerudong Park, but it was closed during my stay there. They only open during the weekends. Admission and the rides used to be free until year 2000.
The Kampung Air was a nice experience. The 10-seconds boat ride costs 50 cents a way. The people may appear to be poor, but I change my mind when I saw their cars, parked at the specially built parking bay near the jetty.
Signboards of establishments are written in Jawi as well as Rumi. I had a fun time testing my Jawi proficiency. Notice Pizza Hut is Pondok Pizza in Jawi.
Empire Hotel and Resort
This 5-star hotel lies about 20 minutes from Bandar Sei Begawan. The opulence of the hotel should merit the hotel 6 stars, but a star was deducted because this hotel does not serve alcohol. It is a lovely place for Prudential sales incentive if only the Agency people know. We did not stay here though. I was informed a night stay costs B$199, which is reasonable. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, but I can't help but compare them with the ones in Bali which I find far more outstanding.
Interesting Finds
Instead of “Encik” and “Puan”, they use “Awang” and “Dayang”, though these could also be a family name. So, I was addressed as Dayang M. I saw “Awda” in their literature and I thought it was a typo for "anda"; but no. It is the combination of Awang and Dayang. So in a sentence, it is used like this: "Awda dijemput untuk ke majlis...."
“Kami” means “Awak”. So if you are eating with your Brunei friends, and they say “kami bayar”, it means they want you to pay.
Their official baju is called MIB, or Melayu Islam Beraja.There are about 380,000 people living in the whole sultanate, out of which a third are foreign workers or expats.
Bruneians do not ride kapcai unless they are McD delivery boys, couriers or newpaper men. Most drive to work. They ride super bikes after office hours.
Cars are cheap here. Vios costs B$23K. Mercedes B$80K. B$10 petrol can fill up the gas tank.
The drivers are very polite. They readily give way and patiently wait for you if you make a wrong turn. Generally, honking is frowned upon. You risk of getting slapped on the face if you happen to honk at the “wrong” car.
Kain ela is "the" thing to bring home. They have the "latest" designs and price is very the cheap. My friends and I enjoyed shop hopping the outlets of Nazmi, Hong, KoFom and YMRM and their branches all over Bandar Seri Begawan and Gadong.
Starting salary for a graduate working with the Govt is B$2,600. He/she enjoys free medical coverage and housing. After 15 years of service, he/she can perform the Haji for free.
Every Bruneian can apply for a piece of land or “tanah kurnia”, but it cannot be sold.
Despite their good salary and many perks, Bruneians are big borrowers; they borrow money even for hari raya celebrations.
“Kami” means “Awak”. So if you are eating with your Brunei friends, and they say “kami bayar”, it means they want you to pay.
Their official baju is called MIB, or Melayu Islam Beraja.There are about 380,000 people living in the whole sultanate, out of which a third are foreign workers or expats.
Bruneians do not ride kapcai unless they are McD delivery boys, couriers or newpaper men. Most drive to work. They ride super bikes after office hours.
Cars are cheap here. Vios costs B$23K. Mercedes B$80K. B$10 petrol can fill up the gas tank.
The drivers are very polite. They readily give way and patiently wait for you if you make a wrong turn. Generally, honking is frowned upon. You risk of getting slapped on the face if you happen to honk at the “wrong” car.
Kain ela is "the" thing to bring home. They have the "latest" designs and price is very the cheap. My friends and I enjoyed shop hopping the outlets of Nazmi, Hong, KoFom and YMRM and their branches all over Bandar Seri Begawan and Gadong.
Starting salary for a graduate working with the Govt is B$2,600. He/she enjoys free medical coverage and housing. After 15 years of service, he/she can perform the Haji for free.
Every Bruneian can apply for a piece of land or “tanah kurnia”, but it cannot be sold.
Despite their good salary and many perks, Bruneians are big borrowers; they borrow money even for hari raya celebrations.
Brunei Escapade
The plane was scheduled to take off at 3.15pm on 20th Feb 2007, but was re-timed to 4.oo pm because our assigned plane was still at Langkawi Airport. At 4.30, we were still not boarding, and then the rain came. We were given each an umbrella to cross the tarmac, but suddenly the rain got heavy and we were shooed back to the wait lounge. We finally departed at 5.30 pm amidst still bad weather. In mid-flight, there were a couple of scary turbulences, and I was very relieved and grateful when we landed, albeit late. We were further held back in the plane for another half hour, not sure why, but the plane had to get to another gate before we could disembark.
We were lucky to find a shop near our hotel, Le Gallery Suites that agreed to serve us dinner at 10 pm. We had nasi goreng kampong and teh tarik. It felt like Malaysia but we were already in a foreign land.
We were lucky to find a shop near our hotel, Le Gallery Suites that agreed to serve us dinner at 10 pm. We had nasi goreng kampong and teh tarik. It felt like Malaysia but we were already in a foreign land.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Merapu, meraba.
Hari ni, Embak dipaksa tukar ke format baru. Tak tahu lagi apa kelebihannya, tapi sebab dah lama tak post berita, Embak cerita dulu, sebelum intai apa yang bagusnya format baru ini.
Semalam, Embak habis membaca buku A Civil Action, oleh Jonathan Harr berkenaan kisah benar seorang peguam, Jan Schlichmann yang berjuang membela pelanggan-pelanggannya dalam satu suit melawan 2 syarikat besar dalam kes pencemaran pada tahun 80an. Embak ingat, ceritanya berakhir dengan kegembiraan, tetapi sebab ianya kisah benar, tak bolehlah pengarang membuat cerita sendiri. Walaupun akhirnya, Schlichmann berjaya mendapatkan pampasan untuk pelanggan-pelanggannya, tetapi dia menjadi bakrup. Buku ini sarat dengan proses perundangan dan prosiding di mahkamah. Penat membacanya.
Bila di "google" nama peguam ini, Embak lega yang dia kini kembali menjadi peguam, dan telah berkeluarga. Kisahnya telah dijadikan filem dengan wataknya dilakunkan oleh John Travolta. Ebert memberi 3 setengah bintang untuk filem ini.
Mulai 3 Februari, sebaiknya baik demam, Embak telah mulai kelas nurseri lanskap di UPM. Ini yang buat Embak teruja ni. Lima kali sahaja kursus ini yang akan berakhir pada 3 Mac ini, yang kebetulan Hari Lanskap Negara. Sekarang memang tengah kemaruk subjek ini.
Rancangan TV yang Embak ikuti sekarang ialah American Idol. Cuba juga nak tengok Heroes, dan Gray's Anatomy, tapi tak gi lah. Akhirnya Embak tengok balik DVD House MD Seasons 1-2. Tiada yang setanding siri House ini. Bilalah AXN nak mula siarkan Season 3?
Itu sahajalah rapuan ku ini. Oh, sebelum tu, Embak nak cerita, satu hari di masjid subang jaya, Embak terdengar sekumpulan budak perempuan sekolah agama bercerita, in disgust tentang seorang ustaz yang suka meraba. Mereka menggelarnya "Rubber Tapper".
Semalam, Embak habis membaca buku A Civil Action, oleh Jonathan Harr berkenaan kisah benar seorang peguam, Jan Schlichmann yang berjuang membela pelanggan-pelanggannya dalam satu suit melawan 2 syarikat besar dalam kes pencemaran pada tahun 80an. Embak ingat, ceritanya berakhir dengan kegembiraan, tetapi sebab ianya kisah benar, tak bolehlah pengarang membuat cerita sendiri. Walaupun akhirnya, Schlichmann berjaya mendapatkan pampasan untuk pelanggan-pelanggannya, tetapi dia menjadi bakrup. Buku ini sarat dengan proses perundangan dan prosiding di mahkamah. Penat membacanya.
Bila di "google" nama peguam ini, Embak lega yang dia kini kembali menjadi peguam, dan telah berkeluarga. Kisahnya telah dijadikan filem dengan wataknya dilakunkan oleh John Travolta. Ebert memberi 3 setengah bintang untuk filem ini.
Mulai 3 Februari, sebaiknya baik demam, Embak telah mulai kelas nurseri lanskap di UPM. Ini yang buat Embak teruja ni. Lima kali sahaja kursus ini yang akan berakhir pada 3 Mac ini, yang kebetulan Hari Lanskap Negara. Sekarang memang tengah kemaruk subjek ini.
Rancangan TV yang Embak ikuti sekarang ialah American Idol. Cuba juga nak tengok Heroes, dan Gray's Anatomy, tapi tak gi lah. Akhirnya Embak tengok balik DVD House MD Seasons 1-2. Tiada yang setanding siri House ini. Bilalah AXN nak mula siarkan Season 3?
Itu sahajalah rapuan ku ini. Oh, sebelum tu, Embak nak cerita, satu hari di masjid subang jaya, Embak terdengar sekumpulan budak perempuan sekolah agama bercerita, in disgust tentang seorang ustaz yang suka meraba. Mereka menggelarnya "Rubber Tapper".
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
My day
After turning and tossing, I finally slept sometime between 2 and 3 am. I tried to carry on until 8 am, to “make up” for the lost hours but my body clock simply refused. I got up, partook my nasi lemak breakfast, and sat to finish “All Too Human”. By 11 am, I was ready to see Dr Kassim again. I waited for my turn by reading a book that I once read two years ago, Deena Katz on Practice Management. I thought and still think, I have been disillusioned by the promise that a financial planner is a coveted career choice as it is in the US. I am trying to find again bits of wisdom in preparation for tomorrow’s meeting at SFP. Don’t worry, as I don’t care to explain, I don’t expect any of my readers to understand what I’m blabbering about.
Today’s shot is more painful than yesterday's. Come again tomorrow, the good doctor reminded me. I spent my afternoon reading some more Deena, and another book from my shelf, a fiction, White Oleander by Janet Fitch. By 6pm, as if by telepathy, an old, old friend sms-ed me, asking how I was doing. Just the break I need. I quickly called her back, thanking her for making my day. And All Praise to Allah, I felt I just need to sms another friend, and ask her how she’s doing. It turns out that she was feeling down, and my calling her up had cheered her. MashaAllah. Thank you Angah for checking on me first thing in the morning. I am also blessed for Makcik Timah who insisted on getting me daun bunga raya to cool my fever down, my buddies from my hostel years for calling, and for my abah for making me teh tarik and buying me peanuts from the night market.
Today’s shot is more painful than yesterday's. Come again tomorrow, the good doctor reminded me. I spent my afternoon reading some more Deena, and another book from my shelf, a fiction, White Oleander by Janet Fitch. By 6pm, as if by telepathy, an old, old friend sms-ed me, asking how I was doing. Just the break I need. I quickly called her back, thanking her for making my day. And All Praise to Allah, I felt I just need to sms another friend, and ask her how she’s doing. It turns out that she was feeling down, and my calling her up had cheered her. MashaAllah. Thank you Angah for checking on me first thing in the morning. I am also blessed for Makcik Timah who insisted on getting me daun bunga raya to cool my fever down, my buddies from my hostel years for calling, and for my abah for making me teh tarik and buying me peanuts from the night market.
Embak Demam
Sekian lama Embak tak demam (yang migrain sebulan sekali tu tak kiralah), hari Sabtu baru-baru ni, lepas balik dari seminar 1/2 hari, Embak rasa tak sedap badan, panas semacam. Tergoleklah atas lantai depan tv. Pukul 4 petang adik Embak yang dari Bukit Beruntung datang dengan keluarganya. Embak bangun buatkan air. Lepas tu dalam pukul lima, satu lagi keluarga tiba. Embak tambahkan air. Embak ambikkan cawan, sebab nak cepat, Embak tingkatkan sampai 3. Gopoh sangat, jatuh berderai. Dah terpaku anak-anak sedara Embak, tak dibenarkan bergerak takut terpijak kaca. Embak ambik vacuum cleaner, adik Embak yang sorang tu datang tolong dengan penyapu, yang sorang lagi ambik vacuum cleaner dari Embak. Lepas tu, Embak "excuse myself" dan terus lepak kat bilik Embak. Lepas tu, Embak dah tak ambik pusing, pandai-pandailah layan diri sendiri. Lepas muntah, Embak ambik Panadol.
Semalam, Ahad, demam Embak berterusan. Pagi-pagi lagi dah buat pengumuman yang Embak tak nak masak. Tapi tengah hari terasa lapar, Embak ambik keputusan buat masakan yang simple: meehoon goreng dan meehoon laksa cina. Ambik Panadol lagi. Dan Lozenges, sebab tekak dah mula sakit. Sepanjang hari tidur, walaupun badan rasa tak selesa, panas.
Pagi, tadi rasa kurang panas dan lebih kuat. Pergilah ke Klinik Dr Kassim, pukul 8.30 ambil nombor. Dapat No. 20. Embak balik dulu. Dalam pukul 10.00, Embak congak-congak barulah tiba giliran. Wrong! Pukul 10.50 lebih kurang, barulah dipanggil. Pembantu Dr Kassim kata demam akak kuat nih, temperature 38.5 darjah. Embak complain , kelenjar sakit dan nak telan sakit. Dr Kassima suruh buka mulut dan kata "aaaah", tonsil awak kiri kanan bernanah. "Saya beri injection antibiotik paling kuat" Esok dan lusa datang lagi. Kalau tak, nanah tu akan poison badan awak, dan rosakkan hati, blah, blah, blah". Embak kata, "Doktor, you takutkan I je". Dia kata, kalau tak percaya, malam karang awak akan menggigil. True enough, sekarang nih Embak tengah kesejukan. Dan tak boleh tidur. Walaupun tak buka kipas, Embak kena berselimut. Tapi bila di bawah selimut, berpeluh pulak. Tu yang tak tak selesa tu.
Jadi, nak cuba buat mengantuk, Embak ambil keputusan mengarang blog ni. Lepas ni kalau tak boleh tidur juga, kena baca buku All Too Human yang tinggal kurang dari 100 muka. Esok, eh bukan esok lagi, sekarang dah pukul 1; nanti pukul 8 pagi kena mengadap Dr Kassim untuk injection #2.
Embak dah menguap, insyaAllah boleh tidur dah. Wassalam.
Semalam, Ahad, demam Embak berterusan. Pagi-pagi lagi dah buat pengumuman yang Embak tak nak masak. Tapi tengah hari terasa lapar, Embak ambik keputusan buat masakan yang simple: meehoon goreng dan meehoon laksa cina. Ambik Panadol lagi. Dan Lozenges, sebab tekak dah mula sakit. Sepanjang hari tidur, walaupun badan rasa tak selesa, panas.
Pagi, tadi rasa kurang panas dan lebih kuat. Pergilah ke Klinik Dr Kassim, pukul 8.30 ambil nombor. Dapat No. 20. Embak balik dulu. Dalam pukul 10.00, Embak congak-congak barulah tiba giliran. Wrong! Pukul 10.50 lebih kurang, barulah dipanggil. Pembantu Dr Kassim kata demam akak kuat nih, temperature 38.5 darjah. Embak complain , kelenjar sakit dan nak telan sakit. Dr Kassima suruh buka mulut dan kata "aaaah", tonsil awak kiri kanan bernanah. "Saya beri injection antibiotik paling kuat" Esok dan lusa datang lagi. Kalau tak, nanah tu akan poison badan awak, dan rosakkan hati, blah, blah, blah". Embak kata, "Doktor, you takutkan I je". Dia kata, kalau tak percaya, malam karang awak akan menggigil. True enough, sekarang nih Embak tengah kesejukan. Dan tak boleh tidur. Walaupun tak buka kipas, Embak kena berselimut. Tapi bila di bawah selimut, berpeluh pulak. Tu yang tak tak selesa tu.
Jadi, nak cuba buat mengantuk, Embak ambil keputusan mengarang blog ni. Lepas ni kalau tak boleh tidur juga, kena baca buku All Too Human yang tinggal kurang dari 100 muka. Esok, eh bukan esok lagi, sekarang dah pukul 1; nanti pukul 8 pagi kena mengadap Dr Kassim untuk injection #2.
Embak dah menguap, insyaAllah boleh tidur dah. Wassalam.
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