Friday, November 28th, 1932

There are a lot of nothingness to do and places to visit with the free time. 

It has been 3 weeks and there are plenty of weeks to go (I don’t really count them, make me anxious). Working in a such isolated place without good entertainment and quality fast-food (can’t believed those two words are connected) makes ones eager to go back to the concrete jungle i.e. KL.

Here, one thing for sure school breaks also synonym with weddings. Yup the dreaded weddings especially if the reception is for your best friend or worse, relatives, the worst? NOSEY relatives.  Then there's the golden question of The Partner.

You see, I am the straight to the point person.

I prefer the no beating around the bush approach.

No more annoying girlfriend questions with a non-hesitant manner of answering.

But, the game wasn’t over yet, 

"So when can we meet her?"

I have not mastered that as I have yet to warm up to the idea of relatives and girlfriend, being in one place, at the same time.

Many I-look-at-you-you-look-at-me moments of silence.

“So, when is your turn?"

……….. during a funeral

Cruel... Cherios.

Monday, November 17, 2310

It has only been 5 days since I start to drive in the busy KL road again but lotsa things had happened to remind me how good it was to drive in a not so busy road in Kapit (gosh I miss my Myvi a lot). I think I made less swearing back there compared to 5 days driving here. Most of my vulgar ‘bad words’ nowadays are in Iban language so it is ok if I get some sensitive person (read: mum and sis) riding shotgun. Hehe. Read down there and find out whether you are guilty too.

·         Happily cruising down the middle lane of a motorway with either indicator flashing, but going nowhere.

·         Happily cruising down the middle lane of a motorway even when the road is almost entirely empty.

·         Picking your nose and believing that no-one can see you. (it is tinted)

·         Not realizing that there is any other setting for your lights than high beam.

·         Indicating to move into a lane that you're already half way in.

·         Falling asleep at the wheel, just in time for the lights to turn green.

·         Sounding your horn one nanosecond after the lights change to green if the car in front hasn't sped off.

·         Sending sprays of wiper wash right over the top of your car and washing the one behind.

·         Overtaking then pulling in front and slowing down. (I do it sometimes just for a revenge.. ehehe)

·         Sharing whatever is on your car stereo with anyone within a mile radius. (guilty)

Hmm.. Actually it says quite a lot about me.. ehehe.. cheerios

How to get there?

This building is facing the Merdeka Square, just a walking distance from Pasar Seni (Central Market) You can also take the PUTRA LRT and disembark at PASAR SENI or MASJID JAMEK station.

What it has to offer?

The building has long been a landmark for Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur. Its predominantly Moorish appearance suitably reflects the cultural background of Malaysia. Located beside the Dataran Merdeka., it is a hot spot to hang out especially on weekends.. the building design is simply unique and brightly lit with colourful lights at night.

Why I was there?

Well like I said, it is situated in between Masjid Jamek (where India St is located) and Pasar Seni, so in order to go to Pasar Seni (from Indian St.) I have to walk pass by it to get there.. Duh!

Interesting fact.

In 1971, Kuala Lumpur suffered a huge flood after a heavy rainfall. Part of the building was not spared. In 1978, a massive renovation was undertaken. The renovation took six years to complete with a total cost of RM 17.2 million.

If you want the wikipedia version, click here.

Pasar Seni @ Pasar Budaya @ Central Market (CM)

How to get there?

Disembark at PASAR SENI station (gosh, can it be more clearer than this?) or walk from MASJID JAMEK LRT station.

What it has to offer?

The pasar @ market houses varieties of souvenirs and knick knacks from all over the worlds, it is a hot spot for tourist to find souvenirs to take back home. The price here is quite high though. My advice, shop around, be friendly and asked for a 'lil discount.

Some of the souvenirs available

Why I was there?

I have fond memory of this place; this is the place where I get supply of crazy and unique necklaces, dog tags and bangles during my University year (dare to be diff, one might say), but today I went to Pasar Seni to buy some Camior chocolates for my nieces and nephews.

The interior layout

Interesting Fact.

The walking mall parallel to the main building (facing the shop lots) is noted for housing street musicians or buskers. One of them which has been accepted into last season Akademi Nasyid (Islamic-oriented song reality search). Which one you might asked? Just come to Pasar Seni and find out for yourself.

If you want the wikipedia version, click here.

Jalan Petaling @ Petaling St.

How to get there?

Just like the rest of the places mentioned before, I walked.

What it has to offer?

Jalan Petaling a.k.a Petaling St. is a Malaysia Chinatown. Malaysian Chinese call it Chi-Cheong-Kai in Cantonese. It is infamous for pirated clothes and accessories along with bootleg DVDs and CDs. Here you must maintain a poker face because the DVD traders aren’t ashamed to approach you with the latest UNcensored XxX movie. My advice? Just a firm no or shook your head (like you really mean it guys) and they will leave you alone. Walk a few steps more and you will be approach again by a different person. Petaling Street however does not exclusively offer pirated products. The area has dozens of restaurants and food stalls, serving local favourites such as Hokkien mee, ikan bakar (barbecued fish), asam laksa and curry noodles. Traders here are mainly Chinese but there are also Indian, Malay, and Bangladeshi traders

Why I was there?

Cheap Adidas shoes, authentic looking watches, belts, x-rated CD, Superman Shirts and the list goes on.

Fantastic Fact.

Haggling or bargaining is a common sight here and the place is usually crowded with locals as well as tourists.

If you want more fact, click here.

Ok. Time to go back, my feet were aching for walking all day long. Tomorrow I am going to Genting Highlands with Mom, so most probably, no updates for the whole three days.

Ohya, feel free to use any of the photos here provided you guys mentioned this blog. The pics are courtesy of my faithful 2-year old Sony Ericsson K800i. Cheerios..

Saturday, October 11, 2141

What a *$%@+! day!!! It started just fine but ended in a very very sad mood. Lost my swimming goggles, my brand NEW swimming goggles, never been worn. I repeat….. NEVER. And I am really upset about it.

The Swimming 'Fool'

I bought it recently during hari raya holiday. Really love it & purposely brought it here to Kapit as part of my workout plan. What a better way to start a brand new health resolution than doing a few laps around the pool with a brand new goggles. I even got time to take a snapshot of it, but never got the chance to wear it, sad.

May you rest in peace

What really happened was, before I took the first plunge into the pool, I put the goggles beside the spillage drain of the pool (obviously, I didn’t see that the drain cover was missing..duh!).

Right after the plunge, the water ripple pushes the goggles away from the pool right into the opening of the spillage drain; you can see the ‘hole’ in the picture below. (Yes! Sure! Now everyone can see) and because of the fast moving current (and me panicking), I didn’t have enough time to rescue the goggles before it swept away right down the slabs into the unknown.

The hole is so obvious to me now

One might asked, why didn’t I wear the goggles before taking the plunge? Err, I don’t want it to get wet?? (read: lame). I don’t know.. stop asking.. show some emotion here…

Moral of the story? Hmm.. I don’t know, but since I always misplaced a lot of my valuables gadgets, maybe the Higher Being is telling me that I should take extra care of my belongings. But one thing that I am sure of, this particular incident will definitely make my new health resolution/goal much more difficult to achieve. (I am hoping to be 4-5 kg lighter by the end of October) How on earth am I going to do 10 laps without the aid of a pair of spanking new goggles? Maybe I should buy a bike instead. At least it is harder to lose and won’t be swept away by strong current.

Saturday, October 11 , 1000

Kapit post-rain

Today is Saturday. Dragged myself outta bed to send Kakju to the Belaga Wharf. She has been appointed as one of the invigilators for PMR there. Bangun yang terlalu pagi menyebabkan banyak benda yang dapat aku buat weekend ni. Starting with spring-cleaning the house first..hehe

Roti Canai Goreng

Pastu ronda pasar Kapit jap, singgah kedai Mesra Petronas, tak beli apa pun, window shopping. Then jalan kat bakery yang baru buka last few weeks. Hehehe, suka sangat aku, bukan suka makan cakes pun, tapi…

Famous Bakery

Dulu ada satu je kedai kek & roti kat sini.. Kedai Roti Ung tong nama dia, dia punya buns memang boleh tahan sedapla, boleh kata setanding dengan roti kat PapaRoti yang bersepah kat Semenanjung tuh.

Yang syoknya: Makan sedap, harga murah

Yang kurengnya: Q panjang, ramai tak civic minded, main redah jer bak kata Stacy, roti cepat abis dan yang paling KURENGNYER….

Pergh layanan…. Macam la kitorang ni mintak sedekah, seriously speaking, nasibla aku selalu beli waktu office hour lunch break hehehe. Kira boleh consider sebagai smartly dressed jugakla.. so layanan pun tak teruk sangat. Aku pernah nampak ada sorang Ayak (pakcik) ni beli roti, dia main tengking-tengking jer, ade sorang pompuan tua ni mintak supaya buns dia letak dalam dua plastik… punyela besaq bijik mata towkay (perempuan) kedai tu, habis di hamunnya .. sian aku tengok. Please do some thinking, you are doing business, and the heart of your business is your customer, tak kisahla siapapun, duit dia laku jugak. Kan? Kan?

So semenjak dari tu, aku asyik cakap (dalam hati aje la), kalau ada kedai roti lain bukak kat Kapit ni baru padan muka kau!! Haha! (Hmm.. Kalaula wishes aku yang lain-lain termakbul…. Hehehe). Tapi one thing yang kureng sket, harga buns kat kedai ni mahal sket berbanding kedai Nyonya Psycho tu.. maybe kadar sewa kedai dia mahal kot, tambah dengan lampu-lampu lagi.. (hehe… excuses.. excuses… pi beli kat kedai lama je lah)

Hehe, dah off track dah ni, balik rumah, tengok tv….

Thursday, October 9, 2053

(inhale…. exhale….)

Hmm.. Feeling much better today after the emotional outburst yesterday

Woke up late today, so glad that the thumbprint machine is still malfunction or else, red mark for me. Arrived at the office at 0815. Grab the morning newspaper and scan the news.

Hmm.. pasal isu Gadis Penan lagi..

“Akhbar berbahasa Inggeris di minta jangan spekulasikan isu”

I manage to get my last copy of The Star on Monday (6^th Oct), bought it in Sibu before boarding the express boat. (it is really hard to get a copy of The Star here in Kapit. Rather than getting tomorrows news today… we get yesterdays news.. the next two or three days hehe) It covered exclusively about Gadis Penan, that are reported being manipulated and used by the loggers working there. While the issue is still hot, the local based newspapers i.e. Utusan Borneo and Borneo Post are playing different tune, try to maintain its government stand that it was just a speculation or mere agenda to topple the local government.

Untuk yang masih tertanya-tanya tentang isu yang diperkatakan, aku sediakan link The Star ni untuk makluman korang. For the local based newspaper, I can’t find any site for you to follow.

Tapi basically bagi aku, ini merupakan satu kes besar yang tak boleh dipandang remeh, tapi bila aku baca laporan dari akhbar-akhbar ni, aku rasa memang ada suatu yang tak kena. Sebelum cuti raya haritu aku dah terbaca mengenai laporan ini yang dapat ruang hanya sebesar iklan 4D kat akhbar tempatan mengatakan this so called NGO i.e. Bruno Manser Fonds have no bussiness interfering with the life of the Penan people and to stop making false accusation.

IMHO, you can not just brush it off as just another rumour before at least looking into it. Aku rasa, kalau benar pun ianya hanyalah sekadar rumour, the government or relevant authorities should look into this matter. Pengalaman aku walaupun beberapa tahun di Kapit ni mengajar aku bahawa macam-macam boleh berlaku, including the unthinkable.

Yang satu pihak hanya menafikan, mengelak, menggelarkan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang membuat kenyataan ini sebagai mencari publisiti murahan, where as satu pihak lagi pergi ke kawasan penempatan Penan ni sendiri bagi mencari bukti & menemuramah orang-orang yang terlibat. Sejauh mana kebenaran cerita yang dilaporkan, only god knows, but as a citizen of Malaysia and as another human being, aku rasa kita patut ada rasa ingin tahu, concern dan ambil berat terhadap penindasan-penindasan yang berlaku (if it really happens).

Aku paling benci bila baca quote/s daripada mana-mana political people yang aku rasa tak berapa profesional (atau intelligent) yang seolah-olah menunjukkan yang orang di sekeliling mereka begitu bodoh (macam sesetengah dari mereka gak) dan aku rasa, semenjak berita ini mendapat liputan luas. Banyak pihak yang berasa panas mengeluarkan statement tanpa berfikir. Aku rasa tak perlulah aku tulis apa-apa quote kat sini.. hehehe.. (ini juga menunjukkan aku berfikir sebelum menulis hehehe.. consequences.. consequences)

Yang peliknya, Buletin Utama harini takder sentuh pun pasal kes ni. (atau aku terlepas tengok) Hopefully dengan campur tangan dan perhatian Menteri Pembangunan wanita , Keluarga dan Masyarakat (Dr. Ng Yen Yen) dan Suruhanjaya Hak Asai Manusia (Suhakam) benda ni dapat di gali sampai ke akar umbi.

Wednesday, 8th October, 2134

Aku ingat bila dah buat personal blog ni, aku boleh luahkan apa ajer yang aku rasa aku tak puas hati, but then ini dah masuk 4 kali aku delete benda yang aku nak tulis dekat sini. Maybe this is what people refer to as self-censorship. Nope. It is nothing vulgar, cuma melibatkan siapa aku sebenar. Aku tak tahu how others see me, but from my point of view, aku biasa jer, senang berkawan kalau kena gaya, & senang tinggal kawan kalau tak kena gaya. Tapi kalau di selidik dalam-dalam lagi, aku orang Indonesia rupanya and somehow, more often than not, this bother other people so much…..

Termasuk family orang yang aku sayang.

I never whine about it before, in fact I take it as a blessing. Seorang Mat Indon yang gigih berusaha without any “special crutches” yang selalu di berikan kepada bumiputra-bumiputra lain. Application aku masuk MRSM dulu dah pernah kena kick without any reason other than ‘tidak memenuhi kriteria bumiputra’. At one time, aku pernah kena teased masa masuk satu sekolah premier kat Perak dulu sampai la aku takle tumpu belajar and end up registering (again) in my old school, luckily all my teachers there accepted me with open hearts and arms (read: teachers’ pet). Nama aku gak pernah diasing letak dan ditempatkan jauh dari kawan-kawan sekuliah aku masa U dulu (yang ini takde hal, Cuma susunan bilik ikut taraf bumi/non bumi, so sebab aku non bumi, dapatla kat bilik non bumi yang secara kebetulan satu-satunya yang muslim). Tapi dugaan yang aku dapat ni biasa-biasa aje kalau nak di bandingkan dengan kakak-kakak & abang aku.

Kak Wiwi siap kena denda teruk kat sekolah masa darjah satu. ABC yang mudah jadi teramat sukar untuk dia. Reason? Cara belajar & sebutan ABC kat sini beza ngan Indonesia. A ialah Aaaah (bunyi dia) B ialah Beh C ialah Ceh. Jadi, bila budak-budak Malaysia ni baca ABC, akak aku pulak baca Aaah, Beh, Ceh.. much to the annoyance of her teachers.. hahahaha. (Ni mak aku yang citer, aku tak lahir lagi). Abang aku senang sikit ‘coz datang-datang jer terus masuk darjah Dua. He didn’t have to learn ABC ‘coz syllabus ABC dia dah terlepas, hanya untuk darjah Satu.. hahaha. Itulah dugaan pertama yang dorang tempuh semata-mata nak bersaing dengan orang lain.

Dah besar sikit dugaan yang dorang lalui bertambah-tambah, selain dari perkara biasa such as kena kutuk, panggil nama, ejekan etc yang dah lali dengan dorang (& aku)… Well.. sticks and stones my friends.. Perkara-perkara besar mulai timbul. Kak Nini aku yang aktif dalam bola jaring masa kat sekolah dulu, tak dapat main untuk pemilihan wakil Melaka ke peringkat kebangsaan. Reason? Kakak aku orang Indon, & waktu tu arwah ayah aku masih dalam proses bertungkus lumus dapatkan taraf kerakyatan Malaysia untuk kami semua. So disebabkan taraf penduduk tetap, akak aku hanya jadi penonton, aku tahu mesti dia sedih waktu tu. Tapi aku bangga (and aku harap dia pun bangga) sebab team lawan sanggup buat macam tu untuk elakkan akak aku dari terus main. Nampak sangat akak aku memang hebat.

Nak masuk Universiti pun satu hal jugak. Walaupun keluarga aku sedar yang kami ni bukan orang tempatan, tapi mak bapak aku masih pentingkan pelajaran. Punyalah susah naik turun kedutaan Indonesia waktu tu.. aku rasa berbelas-belas kali jugakla arwah bapak aku pergi-balik Melaka-KL untuk mohon kebenaran dan sokongan dari kedutaan Indonesia supaya akak aku dapat masuk ITM (sekarang UITM). Last-last berkat sabar, usaha dan bantuan dari insan-insan yang prihatin. Kakak aku diterima masuk U atas “tiket” Kedutaan, Kak Wiwi aku punyala gembira masatu, disusuli Kak Nini aku beberapa tahun kemudian dengan melalui proses yang sama.. Yang syoknya, tulah kali pertama aku merasa makan McDonald’s sebab akak aku dapat masuk ITM kat Melaka, bila kitorang pegi melawat, singgah kat Mc’Donald’s Fajar. Masih segar diingatan aku, beli burger daging, 1^st toy yang aku dapat…. pull-back car yang ada kepala bentuk burger… hehehe. Sebab apa aku ingat? Seminggu aku tido ngan kereta tu dalam tangan.. bukan senang nak makan kat fastfood restaurant masa tu. Pathetic one might say? Biarlah..

Arwah bapak aku nak beli rumah pun boleh jadi isu gak… Sampai ada orang-orang dengki sanggup ‘jenguk’ sekitar rumah aku 4-5 kali untuk perhatikan bila kami akan di halau dari tanah sendiri. Syukur kat Malaysia ni ramai insan yang berhati mulia dari yang penuh hasad dengki. Yang ini malas aku nak kenang, too complicated.

Macam-macam rejection yang family aku lalui sepanjang kami hidup ‘menumpang’ kat bumi Malaysia ni. Semuanya lain ragam, semuanya menyebabkan family aku lebih kuat and cekal hadapi cabaran, The obstacles really brought our family together.

Tapi, dalam banyak-banyak tu, satu yang aku & adik beradik aku sama-sama alami………

Soal jodoh, kecuali Kak Nini,

yang lain semuanya bumpy road…

sometimes too bumpy to jot down here.

Yang aku nak luahkan dekat sini sebenarnya ialah, aku sedar aku siapa,

Bapak aku datang dengan tongkang ke Malaysia…………..

Mak & adik beradik aku menyusul dan menumpang kat tanah Malaysia…..

Arwah bapak aku dari kerja buat rumah, buat batu bunga, jual kuih, bukak gerai sampai menutup mata….

Dari satu kerja ke satu kerja, tanpa rasa penat…..

Dari duduk menumpang atas ehsan & kemuliaan hati orang….

Menyewa sampailah beli rumah sendiri….

Siblings aku dari belajar semula mengeja…

Bersaing dengan orang lain….

Tanpa tahu samada ada peluang untuk terus belajar atau tak…

Emak aku yang sentiasa ada di belakang kami semua.

Sampailah kami semua secara sah bertaraf warganegara Malaysia….

Semua atas usaha tak kenal lelah bapak aku….

Beserta orang-orang yang sentiasa hulurkan pertolongan….

Sekarang Alhamdulillah kami semua berjaya…

Atas hasil arwah bapak & mak aku.

Aku ada degree in Engineering,

Kak W degree in Bussiness,

Kak N dah abis wat Master dah pun,

Abang aku….

Walaupun dia kerja awal untuk memberi laluan kepada kakak-kakak aku untuk terus belajar….. akan hadir konvokesyen Ijazah pertama dia 17hb Nov 2008…

Setelah berusia 38 tahun, seorang isteri… dan 3 anak.. ;)

Dah tentu aku rasa bangga dengan setiap ahli keluarga aku..

I am damned proud…

Dan tidak sekali-kali……

Aku akan biarkan orang pandang rendah pada aku atau family aku,

Tak akan aku berdiam diri bila orang memperlekehkan….

Keturunan aku,

Pada penat lelah arwah bapak dan emak aku…

Yang menjadikan kami berdiri sama tinggi, kadangkala lebih tinggi dari orang lain..

Pengorbanan mereka tak akan aku sia-siakan..

Itu sumpah aku…

Aku tak perlukan orang lain untuk bagitahu siapa aku,

dengan siapa aku boleh berkawan,

dengan siapa aku boleh atau tidak boleh habiskan hidup ni…

Dan jangan sesekali fikir..

Aku tak layak untuk sesiapa…