2009

Tomorrow is the first day of the year 2009. And yet there is not much to celebrate about. A heavy blanket of gloom is pulling us down. Economic woes are pending if not already here. What a dreary year 2009 is going to be ?

Even the predictions by the soothsayers are not encouraging. The picture they paint of 2009 is doubly gloomy.

But life goes on and we must rise above this gloom and make the most of whatever is coming. Who knows what our efforts bring. And we will make it as good a year as can be.

" With all its sham and drudgery, it is still a beautiful world. Be at peace with yourself. Be happy. "

Wise words indeed.

Brand promoters

Life is full of surprises. One will not be wrong to think that all promoters will be friendly and most unlikely to behave in a manner that can be called arrogant.Especially in a supermarket known for its excellent oriental customer service. I was utterly wrong. Allow me to relate my encounter.

I was at a supermarket in Balakong and my attention was caught by a promoter of a few bottles of a gel-like substance. There was a group of about 5 - 3 ladies plus 2 teenagers. This 60 + year old promoter was talking and pouring this greenish liquid for the 2 girls to sample , explaining its goodness to them. As I was also new to the scene, she then poured a reddish liquid into a sample cup and offered it with her left hand towards my direction without looking at me. Taken by surprise by my non-reaction , she then turned to look at me and said ,without a smile , that the sampling is for me. I was equally astonished. She expected me to drink this sample without telling me what it is. No , thank you, I told her.

I believe she has done a great disservice to her boss. She has turned away a potential buyer by her attitude. I wonder how she was chosen into this industry. or was it just a case of no takers because the remuneration is peanuts ? Nevertheless, she is more a liabilty than an asset . All interest has been erased by her irresponsiblity.

Earlier at another counter offering cereal sampling, the attitude of the promoter left much to be desired. A thirty something queried regarding one of the four cereal packets. She totally ignored this lady and went to prepare another type for her to sample with an air of " take it or leave it ". She then announced that she gives samples for every packet sold. The way she put that was so offputting. I feel sorry for her boss. Nevertheless, I will continue buying the product despite her. Because I have been taking this brand and I still like it.

Working hours.

A sort of career shift occurred. But, the effect from the shift came more from the change in working hours than the job itself. From shift duty to office hours can really upset routine that has been in place for decades.

Now, I have to battle jams on the return journey. Going to work early (like before) is no big deal. I get a smooth drive. Having lunch breaks has initially let loose my disciplined food intake. When I stepped on the weighing scale after a one-week leave, the reading nearly made me frantic.

It has been a month since the change. Now, I am back holding the throttle. I found a route that can take me home with the least hold on the brakes. I take the drive to listen to car radio - the music, the news and enjoy my new car. I let all the impatient drivers past me.

Used to having brunch at 10 am , I get very hungry when 1 pm comes. So, lunch tends to be heavier than the usual brunch. What more, with meetings where you get to nibble. Not so ,starting October. No more nibbling at meetings. Lunch back to brunch portions. The November reading should be encouraging.

I look forward to the weekends. Two days. Such luxury. I know I earn them. But, the longers hours we put in during our shift duties were not translated into days off. You get this feeling of injustice. Fighting the system was a futile effort. No one wanted to listen. HCOD should be put on shift. Things may change for the better for the shift workers.

September

September seems to be a universal active month. Remember Sept 11 ? My wedding anniversary is also Sept 11. This September seems to be set for many activities. A first overseas holiday for 48 Govt backbenchers. An expected tsunami, come 16 ? The tropical storms maturing into hurricanes raging America. Earthquakes recurring in SW China. And many more firsts - upheavals and declarations.

Wow, it takes a strong stomach to be able to digest all these gut reeling news. Especially the local news. We must give "credit" to the Executive for not forcing the clamps. Or can he ?

The fraternity of bloggers are euphoric over this new found medium of freedom and is adamant in maintaining it. Rightly so. The boundaries are set by the values of each individual. So, let us hope the upbringing of the person is something that we can marvel at , or at the least, respect.

September is the fall season. Some will find this fall a rise.

National Day

Today is 31 August 2008.

It is a very significant date to all Malaysians . Today marks the 51 st anniversary of independence for Malaya. A day when all Malaysians came together to wrestle ruling power from the colonial masters. A day in history , poignant with pride & tolerance. What is it to the current generation of Malaysians ?

We have to ask ourselves this question ? From the recent events around the country , I can only draw the conclusion that many among us have no idea of the 1957 spirit that has been so well hyped. There are big companies displaying this so called spirit in their TV commercials. Alas, in their day to day practice , it was totally the opposite with an added clause - no questions allowed. Period.

On this day , Malaysia is past 50 as a nation. 51 years is not too long a time as a nation but not that short either. How has that initial spirit evolved ? Are we becoming more as one or more polarised ? What is the obstacle ? Who is at fault ? Is it the education system , federal law, family values, or plain GREED ? No equality because you are not equal to me although you & I can be born on the same day in the same hospital . Many more deficits but say no more. The basic human makeup has the inate ablity to rise above adversity & become stronger. Strange ,isn't it ? The oppressed get stronger & the favoured weaker.

Happy birthday, Malaysia !

Not a homily

Someone reckons to believe in God is a sign of man's weakness. Many of us turn to God in times of distress . We want to lean on an imaginary great force who can prop us up. In a way , it is true. Man is weak. When faced with calamity, the strong ones seek their own way of handling it. The so-called lesser mortals pray to a higher being. But, man is not infallible. There are times when the strong feel weak & cannot see a solution. What do they do ? Suicide or kill ? So , are the strong still strong & the weak weak ?

"You do not seek God. God seeks you." How true. You want to believe & yet not practice the religion you embrace. Only by the grace of the Omnipotent, can we really partake in His ways. A friend of mine commented , " Then , the problem does not lie with man . it lies with God. " Aha. In an analogy. When your neighbour was looking at you, trying to make eye contact & start a conversation & you went straight from your car into your house, what happens. Your neighbour will not want to disturb you since you are so busy.

Man needs quiet time . Time to let go of all earthly embraces. Time to listen to the voice of the Almighty. Time for Him to send us His message . He does not need a calamity to enter our lives. If only we let Him....talk to us & we truly listen a few minutes a day.

Undercurrents

Well, well , well . Finally , a charge is pending. For a most "infamous " leader. The past headlines in the news have been mindgoggling. Like reading some CSI . Except evidence not evidence, victim not victim, aggressor not aggressor. Looks like there is a great hand in the works. Wish I can read the producer's script. At the end of the day , let us ask " who stands to gain ? " May be, this will give us a clue.

Amidst all this turmoil, the economy will suffer. With it , the poorer strata of society. There will be more suicides from financial disasters & the like. Can someone really sleep on his pillow every night , pray to the almighty & preach the gospels & yet wrong his fellow man ? And bring misery to the masses ?

"What does it bring to gain the world & lose his soul ?"

I can only pray.

Chinese painting

Today, I got a new idea how to spend my retirement years. Someone asked what I liked to do as a hobby.
I answered " learn chinese painting ".
One elderly gentleman added " computer chinese painting ".
I furrowed my forehead . " Computer or chinese painting ?"
" Computer chinese painting ". He answered very decisively. " You can learn chinese painting using the computer . No need to go & buy paints & paper."

Well , that will be excellent for me. But, I do like the smell of the paints & the feel of the rice paper . I like too, to hold the brush & perform the strokes. At the same time , I am game to try what the gentleman recommended. If at all I grow to like it , I may then venture further . Get all the stuff & make myself busy setting the props as an artist.

Retirement activities

I have been working at my "old " job on a new contract for a week . It does feel a bit odd though . I felt like I am a newbie on the job in many ways. It is a job that I have been most adept at . Yet , the feeling of the newness did not escape me. All my colleagues are the same; they treat me the same way. The place is the same. I know it is me. But, it does require getting used to the feeling that you are on a time limit.

Many of my classmates are not working anymore at this age. Fifty six , to me is still a very young age to stay at home & not contribute to society. I guess they have other ways to do so , & to their own satisfaction. Doing charity work , learning a new skill , having fellowships with friends , starting a hobby are some of the activities I have in mind. These are some of the things I am already doing. May be, add church work which I have put off for some time.

My job gives me a lot of satisfaction. I am happy to contribute to their recuperation & see the smiles on their faces. When work is over , I go home carefree. No homework to burden my free time.

Going on holidays & seeing places are also my favourite pastimes. Will be going to Chiangmai soon with hubby & friends. Looking forward to it.

A much needed rest

Today I am officially retired. After 36 years in service, I can call it a day . I have been on leave for the past 10 days. There was no urge to go anywhere. ( I even turned down a friend's invitation for dinner a few days ago.) Only a desire to laze around the house & feel the ultimate luxury of time on my hands. Lazy to wash the car , lazy to go into the garden & pull the weeds, lazy to clear the store room. Just want to laze, laze & laze. I never had this feeling before. There was always something to attend to in the past.

But today , I feel rejuvenated. I can take any bull by the horns. I have started to do all that needs to be done . And knowing me, all will be done in day. Feels good to be on leave like this. All my previous leaves have been spent travelling to places I had always wanted to visit. It was hectic . I felt tired after those leaves.

Celebrated my birthday yesterday at a Thai restaurant quietly with the children. Kin was on call & was unable to rush back from Penang. Better not , with the fuel hike & the unsafeness of the buses. I was given a very thoughtful gift. Yes , the children have been well brought up , like Weng said. All these blessings from the Almighty. " Give thanks with a grateful heart "

Have received a few calls from friends sending good wishes.

Low morale

It has been some time. There was so much uncertainty in the news. Anwar, Alantuya, PI Bala, SDs, threats, murders. What is the coumtry going into ? Not digressing into some lawless nation, I pray.

I thought the country was righting itself in many departments after March 8 2008. The present state of affairs is very unsettling, not only to investors but also individuals. Credibilty in the law enforcers seems to be a foreign word.

What is happening in the country as a whole seems to be affecting the GLCs as well. Incredulous siphonage of coffers drain a once prosperous establishment to zero. Benefits have been removed on a gradual but sure basis. Morale in the establishment has never been so low.

We can only pray this low national morale will not lead to extreme frustration. Riots and disillusionment will cause the individual & nation to fall apart. We have to watch our newly elected leaders to see what direction we are going.

Retirement

We have reached a stage in life when we experienced all that were told to us . The importance of people over material goods reigns above all. We appreciate our loved ones & our friends much more now than ever. Perhaps, we have enough to sustain our basic needs . We can afford to go up the heirachy of needs.

We can afford to think of the less fortunate & offer more in kind & deed. This is a time many of us retire. Some of us dread the impending loneliness when we may have nothing to do . Self -improvement classes add to "things - to - do "list . But , nothing will beat charity work to those who need it most. We were once in those straits. How much a "small" deed meant to us then !

After the celebrations of retirement farewells, it is time to face the reality of odds. What does life mean to me now ? What can I do to help those in need ? Then get into the act. Life will be more meaningful & happier.

apprehension & euphoria

Today is may 7 2008.

So many happenings have come & gone. But the apprehension & euphoria still linger.

Apprehension that there are still ongoing sabotages at implementation level in the 5 states. This action is putting the previous governments in these states in very bad light. In the end the rakyat is being punished. What then is accountability & transparency ? It merely goes to show the selfish greed of the ex- ruling party. Disgusting . Arrgh..

Euphoria is still in the air. Our grand class reunion has come & gone. My , my ! What a GRAND reunion ! Ladies came from all corners of the world & all walks of life. Gay abandon was shown in the way friendship reconnected or established. Time is the only obstacle. To overcome this, there followed many mini reunions both in Penang & KL. Cameras were clicking everywhere . Pictures, evidence of the good times were shared to extend the feeling of euphoria. The pics are still coming in to the shared site. One thing is sure - the girls sure look young !

Finetuned play

The Star published an article about the Japanese celebrating the arrival of spring yesterday. We , in Malaysia are feeling the effects of a political tsunami since March 8.

There is apprehension in the air as more drama unfolds. Five states in Peninsula Malaysia have a change of leadership. A change in helm at federal level appears to be in the offing. Who will it be ? A prince or an ex- prisoner ? We are waiting in apprehension .

This decision will chart the future of Malaysia & her diverse peoples in particular. The answer may be here sooner than you can imagine. April is almost here.

Political games will be finetuned to beat the odds. We are watching closely.

class reunion

This is my first post of the year. 2008 . Whew !

My classmates in Penang are planning a grand reunion . It will be the first reunion of the graduating girls from year 1969. Many from overseas have confirmed attendance. I cannot imagine that many of our girls are really scattered all over the globe. Sri Lanka , St Maarten, USA, UK, Australia...

The date however, is not very conducive for those who have made plans to return to Penang for Chinese New Year or for Ching Ming. So far , the numbers are good but still not good enough. Fifty or so confirmed is not reflective of the 5 classes of 40 odd in a class. I believe 100 is a more encouraging number.

Perhaps January is still too early for the mood to catch on. Let us wait and see....