Early sparks?

@HanisZalikha @remy_ishak Tolonglah mulakan suatu kisah cinta yang indah (untuk makcik akak follow).

A man transformed

Malam Demi Palestin, TV Al-Hijrah, 23 Dec 2012, 9.00 malam.

MATA KECILKU
Nukilan : Ammu Afdlin Shauki aka Abu Miasara

Kau buat mataku kecil
Kau buat badanku besar
Kau sayangkan aku

Kau buatku serba kekurangan
Supaya aku berusaha mencari kejayaan
Kemudian kau limpahkan dgn kesenangan
Kau sayangkan aku

Aku leka dengan hidup dunia
Tiada syukur tersemat didada
Hari hari bergelumang dosa
perhubungan kita tidak ku jaga
seperti seorang anak tak mengenang jasa
Kau sayangkan aku

Aku yg sudah hanyut jiwaku
Rasa tak layak lagi bersamaMu
Sangkaku tertutup sudah pintu kemaafanMu
kerana ke-alpaan diriku
Kerana kebodohan diriku
kerana keangkuhan diriku
Kerana ku butakan mata kecilku
"Masihkah Kau sayangkan Aku?"

f16 Israel membedil Gaza
Kau sayangkan aku

Bom Bom Israel mencari Syuhada
Kesengsaraan di tanah Gaza
Kehancuran merata- rata
Kezaliman yg tak terkata
Kau sayangkan aku

Kemanusiaan membawaku ke sana
Kau permudahkan segala cara
Walaupun debar menggoncang dada
Kau beri ku kekuatan minda
Selamat perjalananku ke Gaza
Agar akhirnya dapat ku guna
Mata yang lama tak bercahaya
Kerana hanya mengejar dunia
Kau Sayangkan aku

Mataku melihat, runtun hatiku
bukan kerana kematian dan kesusahan di situ
Gaza tanah barakahMU
walaupun semuanya kelabu
Dipenuhi oleh kekasih-kekasihMU
Yang tidak pernah menyoal cintaMU
Yang tak pernah menyalahkanMU
Walaupun apa saja kesusahan yang kau beri
Kesyukuran tak pernah meninggalkan hati
Semua kekasih kekasihMU itu merindui
BersamaMU di Jannah nanti

Air mata berlinangan dari mata kecilku
Melihat Ketenangan wajah kekasihMU
Melihat Keberanian jiwa kekasihMU
Melihat keredhaan hati kekasihMU
Melihat ketaqwaan hidup kekasihMU

Senyum kekasihMU penuh cahaya
Senyun terukir walaupun duka
Senyum di beri tak memilih siapa
Senyum penuh kesyukuran padaNYA

AKu terduduk, terdiam melihatnya
Mata aku berkelip tidak percaya,
tidak pernah aku melihat sepertinya
Adakah aku dibumi nyata
ataupun menghampiri ahli-ahli syurga

Palestin bergolak atas keizinanMu
Kau mahu Palestin menjadi guru
Pelajaran bagi semua umat Muhammad SAW MU
Menyuluh jalan pulang padaMU

Aku meminta pengampunan dariMu Ya Allah
Kerana setelah semua yg aku laku
kau masih sudi membuka mataku
kau masih sudi mahu bersama ku
Kau masih sudi sayangkan aku
Kau sayangkan aku

Aku bersyukur dan merasa rendah
kerana diriku yang masih kau endah
Akan ku balas cintamu dengan seluruh jiwaku
dengan badan besarku
dengan seniku, dengan jenakaku, dengan akalku
dengan mata kecilku yang kini melihat kebesaran Mu
kekuatan Mu, KebijaksanaanMu, PengampunanMU
Cinta Mu yang memang tidak ada seteru.
Semua yang ku lakukan kini kerana Mu ya Allah InsyaAllah

UntukMu inginku menjadi Qalam
Akan aku ceritakan kebesaranmu kepada sekian Alam
Akan ku sampaikan kasih mu yg sangat mendalam
Ya aku, Budak gemuk yg 120kg ni...sebenarnya ISLAM.

Lemony Slice-and-bakes

A big thanks to my friend Sally North who posted the picture on Facebook which prompted me to ask for the recipe. Makes about 50

To keep the rolled dough's cylindirical shape, chill it or freeze it inside empty cardboard paper towel tube.

Dough:
2.1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
1 tbsp vanilla extract
4 large egg yolks

Icing:
1.1/4 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsps (or more) fresh lemon juice
Food colouring (optional)
Sanding sugar (optional)

Steps:
1. Whisk flour and salt in a bowl. Use electric mixer to beat butter, lemon zest and and vanilla in a bigger another bowl, occasional scraping down sides until light and fluffy. Add in yolks, beat just to blend. Reduce speed to low, add flour mixture in parts to blend. Part dough in half, and roll each half into 10 inch-long log and 1/3/4 inch in diameter. Chill until firm, about 1 hour. Can be made 2 days ahead, and keep chilled.

Using a sharp knife, cut dough into 1/4 inch-thick rounds. Line on baking sheet, spacing 1 inch apart. 350F, 16-18 mins. Cool on wire racks completely.

2. For icing; whisk sugar and lemon juice (and food colouring). Spread or drizzle icing on cookies as desired. Let sit for 10 minutes. Store in airtight container.

The prefect

In primary schools throughout Malaysia, a prefect is a title that many school children covet. Those chosen are supposed to be of "good character" and some build so to be entrusted with some power to help the school "control" other students. And by God's design, I was one.

This is the neck tie I wore when I was a prefect in Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (Bahasa Inggeris), Jalan Padang Tembak (2), Kuala Lumpur. I was "Ketua Murid Rendah" in 1974; "Ketua Murid" in 1975 and "Ketua Sekolah" in 1976. Those were exaggerated and inaccurate titles to be given to a child, don't you think? Wouldn't the headmaster/headmistress the rightful head of the school?

This picture above is the picture of the prefects with Puan Kamariah, the headmistress in 1975. #1 is Yusrina, the head pupil, and I (#2) was her deputy. When I was the head pupil in 1976, Rosmawarni (#3), was made deputy. I believe she succeeded me in 1977.

One of the chief responsibilities of the head pupil was to lead the National Anthem during assembly every Monday. The head pupil would stand on the intermediate landing of the staircase (marked with star) and as the music started to play, he/she would lift his/her hand much like an orchestra conductor. When I was in standard 5, I used to observe Yusrina carry out this task. By year 6, (putting up a brave front and pushing shyness aside) I just continued with the custom. Unbeknownst to me, that weekly performance brought pride to my uncle (Datuk Bulat's son who's one year younger than me). He would tell his friends, "that's my niece up there!"

Doll house and other memories of "13th May"

I will forever associate a doll house with the 13th May episode.

I was 5 at that time; I already had 2 younger sisters; 3 and 1 years old and a brother on the way. A few times when the men were called to assemble at Dato' Harun's house in Kampung Baru, the womenfolk and kids were sent to congregate in Makcik Lela's house, which sit right in the middle of our community off Jalan Jelatek. I don't recall much detail except that I loved it because we kids got to play with my friend, Icah's doll house and Lego set. That was a big deal then, because my friend's father worked for the Korean Embassy and we heard they got nice things from the embassy.

Because of the 13th May riot, food was scarce. I remember food was delivered to us in a van or lorry and I stood in line for sardine and bread (and maybe rice too). Thankfully, we planted pokok ubi around our house.

And there were the curfews. The government or the police imposed curfews at certain hours and we were not supposed to go out in the street. Anyone who violated this order would be punished by the FRU. During one of these curfews, my father decided to shift his family to his uncle's house in Jalan Keramat Dalam 3. It was not very far from Jalan Jelatek, but the mission was quite risky. We risked being caught by the FRU. It was getting dark that time (or it could have been early dawn), the five of us sneaked and snaked our way in between houses. When we were close to our destination, we caught sight of two uniformed guys standing and watching a man climb up and down a street light pole. We didn't stop to ponder; we full-heartedly scurried along. Later when we related the incident to our relatives, they told us that's how the police punish if one was caught outside their house during curfew.

My uncles (my father's cousins) had a radiogram (equivalent to karaoke set now) and they kept us entertained by taking turns at the microphone belting covers of A. Ramli and the likes. They must have turned down the volume, otherwise the FRU would have come over and gave us a stern warning.

To this day, I don't know how many days the 13th May incident lasted but I still can recall the stillness of the air and the smell of fear and uncertainty.

The following year, I enrolled in Kindergarten Capital.

The joy of patch work is ..

.... in the nostalgia. This bed spread was made in the 90's using pieces of fabrics left over from uniforms, curtains, dresses, baju kedah and pillow cases. It has outlasted most of the original pieces which had become washed out, torn, or given away. The oldest patches are the two pieces from my maxi I wore in 1989.

Every now and then, I would look at these patches and try to remember what project or whose baju they were taken from.

Big squares are easy to work with. Work on four squares to make one big square; and soon you'd find yourself with one giant spread. Repair is also easy as if one of the squares is ripped, you can replace with another, newer square.

Hope this one will survive a long time and become an heirloom for the next generation.

Yesteryear's jottings - Final Part

8-7-1992 

Angah dan Ad-din balik ke Penang malam ini selepas 2.1/2 minggu di sini. Ad-din sekarang 1 tahun 1 bulan, dah reti bahasa walaupun tak pandai cakap lagi. Bila cakap Umi dia nak balik Penang sorang-sorang dan tinggalkan dia di KL, dia menangis sampai bawak mengigau malam-malam.

Monday 28-9-1992

Mohamad Mujahid Hadi was born on Monday @12.40 noon.

Tuesday 29-9-1992

Almost the whole of Peninsular blacked out between 4 to 24 hours.

Ahad 28-2-1993

Hari keenam berpuasa. Azri sudah mula mengerjakan ibadat solat. Dia puasa penuh setakat ini, walaupun "nak pengsan" katanya di sekolah. Kalau tak tahan dia mandi atau basahkan muka. Semalam dia cabut gigi susunya yang pertama.

13-3-1994

Raya Aidilfitri. Abah beli TV. Ad-din, Mujahid and Aufa came to celebrate with us. Aufa is 3.1/2 mths old, already weighing 8 kilos. Mujahid dah pandai panggil Long, Chu and Nek. Abang Deen is mature beyond his 2.3/4 years. Mujahid caused the table fan to tumble down the stairs and broke the blade. Abg Deen repeatedly reminded his parents to replace the fan, and Mujahid not to play with it again.

~ THE END ~

Yesteryear's jottings - Part 4

Wednesday, 2-10-91

Azri says he wants to sell his "art" to his friends for RM0.30/pc. No one has done this at this school. What inspires him to venture into business or makes him think his works are any good, I have no idea. Personally, I can't see his friends buying his works because their pocket money on the average is less than 30 sen per day. And his subject matter is always robots!

I fear he'd be disappointed as I feel surely no one will buy his works. At the same time I feel glad that he has confidence in his talent and wants to profit from it.

Baru-baru ni Ayie sakit dan Doktor Kassim kata dia hampir dapat lelah. Jadi sekarang dia mandi air suam. Tapi pasal aiskrim, tak boleh dihalang.

Perangainya di peringkat ini, cepat panas baran. Suka manja-manja especially tengah orang tengok tv, dia pun tanya bukan-bukan. Nags me to buy him or bring him back paper from the office for drawing. Suka pukul balik kalau kena pukul and add some. Linda pula suka menyakat, memang kena pukul balik dengan Ayie. He will strike everyone in the family, except Abah.

Monday, 14-10-91

Ad-din is coming this weekend to stay with us for three weeks because his Umi is sitting for exams. We all look forward to this arrival.

P/S: Sometime in Sept. '91, I went with Azri to confirm his enrolment in SRK BTR. He and I only. When we reached the gate, Azri refused to step out of the car saying that it was not his school. So I asked him the direction to "his school" and followed it. We ended up at Jalan Jaya and on its right hand side was the SRK BTR football field. I said, "Ayie, itu kan sekolah BTR juga?". He said' "Mana Ayie tahu, sekolah nilah yang Ayie biasa tengok bila naik bas Cik Yam!"

Yesteryear's jottings Part 3

Monday 12-8-91

My Megavalve is no longer "the new and beautiful". During our visit to JB, some maniac scratched in the word "VIP" on the bonnet.

Azli is in Ipoh preparing to go to Wales at the end of August. Azhar is in UUM. He went there on 1-7-91.

Yesterday, Azri went on a tadika tour to Taman Burung, Rusa, Pusat Islam and Masjid Negara. When he came back, he was very moody and authoritative! Nowadays, if he is angry, he would talk in high pitch falsetto.

Friday, 30-8-91

Ali and Suki (Sarawakian friend) and six other USM students flew to UK by MH4 @10.55pm last night. Everyone, including Ad-din and Paman sent him off at the airport.

Ad-din sekarang berumur 2 bulan lebih, sudah comel dan putih. Dia belum lagi "mahu" dengan saya, walaupun kadang-kadang mahu juga respond.

Yesteryear's jottings Part 2

Tuesday, 21-5-91

Azri dah pandai naik basikal roda dua two weeks already selepas belajar sendiri. Puaslah kami ajar dia, akhirnya belajar sendiri baru dapat. Gigi depan dia yang dah rongak tu mulai goyang. Tak lama lagi tumbuhlah gigi baru. Pada usia 5 tahun 10 bulan, dia dah boleh baca fairly well.


Ali sedang bercuti sambil tunggu jawapan dapat pergi overseas ke tidak. Kawan-kawannya yang gagal telahpun dipanggil oleh USM untuk teruskan pengajian di USM, tapi Ali tidak. Minta-minta dia berjaya. Dia juga dah dapat lesen memandu. Sekejap je belajar dah dapat.Lebih baik belajar dengan orang lain dari kakak sendiri.

Azhar sedang kerja di Kentucky Fried Chicken sebelah Pertama Complex. Dia pun tengah tunggu result masuk U local ataupun overseas.

Thursday, 13-6-91

Two special events I want to record here. I guess I start with the soccer match because it happened earlier. Last night, I went with Ali and Ahar to watch England vs Malaysia (Dunhill Invitational) match at Stadium Merdeka. My first live soccer match ever! I am full of exhilaration I can't describe. But it is there in my heart to this minute and will be here many more days before it stops.

Secondly, this morning, Angah gave birth to my first nephew. The first one in the family. Mak, Alan are going to Penang tonight, and I'll be on leave to look after the house.

Friday, 28-6-91

My nephew's name is Mohd Rijaludeen or Ad-din for short. He is 16 days old today. He is quite adorable. Can't tell at the moment whether he's going to be dark or fair. It doesn't matter actually, only that his Walid, according to his Umi is a bit concerned about it. He is staying with us now. Already knows how to hold the bottle and stare at us.

Ahar is preparing for his registration at UUM. Neckties and all.

Yesteryear's jottings Part 1

Monday 28th. August,  1990

It rained for a while just now, a blessing for KL; at least it brought down some of the particles in the air that are creating the haze...believed to have been caused by the bush fire in Australia.

Today's assignment is to check and update the cost and quantity of Sports Stock for July closing printout. Yee-ga tengah bengang buat fake stock check for items still appearing in the listing whereas there is nil stock.

Wednesday 13th September, 1990

Malam ini kenduri arwah datuk Bulat 7 hari. Semalam Alan dapat lesen kereta.

Saturday 22nd September, 1990

My Meg came or rather was collected from the EON SHowroom in Taman Taynton on 18-9-90. Quite nerve-wrecking to drive it the first few days. Now I think I have conquered my fears and become the master of ngoh ge chaw.

Saturday, 27th Oct, 1990

Pagi ini sekolah agama Linda buat khatam Quran. Buatkan nasi kunyit dan sepaha bunga telur, tapi goyang-goyang, tak kukuh!

Saturday, 9th March 1991



Azhar has got his SPM results which were out on 5-3-91. He got 12 agg. Quite a feat! Tak sangka jugalah, tapi dia frust tentang Englishnya. Cita-cita nak pergi Jepun, jumpa Aminahnya agaknya. Si Azri pulak berangan nak pergi Jepun dengan abangnya. Semalam dia kata nak pergi tapi tak dapat cuti. Hari ini hari Sabtu, dia kata tak ada duit pulak.

Azri is very cute and entertaining and he knows how to crack jokes already.

Extension

Barack Obama's tenure as the chief of U.S of A got extended by another four years. Four years ago I blogged about his historic feat (pls search it if you care; am too lazy to backlink it). Thus, Michele gets another four years to dress-up in designer clothes while Barack gets the country back in shape.

Impressions on Bunohan

Initially I was turned off by the title of this movie. Bunohan conjurs the image of merciless and indiscriminate killings. In the movie, Bunohan is the name of a place in Kelantan.

But I can't ignore it after nominations for prestigious awards came pouring in. So I watched it.
Suffice to say I was delighted with the movie. It is one GREAT movie.
So you know it is not one that makes money at the cinema.
Sad but it's the reality with Malaysian audience.

Notes:

1. I thought I knew my Kelantanese; but I had to rely on the subtitles to understand the dialogue.

2. After watching the movie, I searched for the making of Bunohan video to understand the movie better. Then I watched the movie for the second time to pick up the scenes and nuances that I have missed.

3. I have new respect for the cast, particularly; Namron and Zahiril Adzim whom I just saw  as Javanese in the movie "Parit Jawa". And Pekin Ibrahim who is very evil in this one, a far cry from his previous role in "Aku Kau dan Dia". And the actor who plays Jolok effortlessly.

4. The movie trailer is misleading. Watch the movie. It's available online.

Pictures courtesy Gua.com.my.

Zahiril Adzim (centre in shorts) as Adil, uglified as the tomoi wrestler.
The character in the middle background is evil incarnate. One fine actor whose name I cannot recall.

Wan Hanafisu as Pok Eng, the patriach.

Pekin Ibrahim as Bakar, greedy school teacher and SOB. 

Faizal Hussein as Ilham, the assassin. He has only one outfit throughout the movie, so you can imagine how stinky he smells.

Supermodel Tengku Azura's character is one that ties the story. Her scenes are brief but powerful.