Fifty!

I am updating this entry with more pictures taken while in Amsterdam. This morning I have arrived in Dubai. Both my birthday and the Merdeka anniversary will be celebrated in Dubai.

Taxi......not a bad sight, pretty cool.....and behind are two policemen on horses.

More bikes.....One can rent a bike for euro1 per day.

Another landmark...and I actually went in for a cup of coffee...! Better ambience than the Genting casino.

Canal cruising ....a tourist attraction.

Budaya lepak pun ada di Amsterdam!

Alahai abang sorang nie....asyek tutup perut jer...hehehe....

Cycling is really happening is Amsterdam......everyone cycles!

Group picture with colleagues at the farewell in Amsterdam. The gentleman in white next to me is Mr F, an ex boss.

---------Below is an entry posted from Sheraton Hotel, Amsterdam -------------

For the last twenty four hours I have been trying to write an entry about the Independence day celebration. I wanted to write about Malaysia and about Malaysians - what progress the nation and her citizens have achieved. I wanted to share my emotion and reflection. There were so many stories I wanted to tell - including stories of my life. All fifty years of it.

I deleted more than a dozen beginnings - the words just did not come out right. I had logic clashing heads-on with emotions. Logically, I don't know what I want to celebrate. What do I tell my children that we are celebrating. Are we really independent when we have to live behind bars even in our own homes. We are filled with fear walking the streets. Are we really independent when it is not uncommon to find three generations in a family working to serve "Majikan" and financial loan providers.
Can we be truly proud as citizen of this independent country when we look up and admire towering office building and sky scrapping condominium - Looking up and admire are all we can do. I am told that more than fifty percent of those condominiums around the KLCC are owned by foreigners. Moan, moan , more moaning......Hey, we can find a thousand and one reasons to moan if we look at glass half-empty. Moaners can consider to join Namewee as his back-ground singers and moan moan moan somemore......!
Emotionally, I clenched my fists and punch the air with a cry of "Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!" every time I see that black and white re-screening of Tunku during the declaration of in year 1957. I could imagine how the hopes and optimisms of every Malaysian citizen in those days floated high in the Malaysian air space - when they saw the National Flags taken over the poles from those flags of the "Penjajah!".
I am ready to celebrate our 50th anniversary of independence and freedom from the Penjajah! Even when they tried to 'jajah' this dignified nation through the currency crisis in this modern day battles of might - we remained free and independent. Bravo bravo bravo to the leaders of the country......

For the last twenty four hours I have not been able to write any entry with substance about the Merdeka celebration. When I stop thinking and just let my mind roam freely across the nation like a Mid-night express train - I do realize there are plenty of reasons to celebrate. The country has progress leaps and bounds. Super modern infrastructure spider-webbed the nation, there are more than twenty Universities without even counting those run by private sectors, and we even produce our very own cars. During his years of tenureship, Tun Dr M has put Malaysia on the global map - that today, Malaysians can walk tall around the world. In her fifty years life, Malaysia has produced qualified and capable talents from renowned heart and brain surgents, scientists and innovators, and even conquerors of the Everest. Hey !, There are a lot of reasons to celebrate! Stop moaning and rejoice......*smiling ...............*

I wanted to write how I am touched by Merdeka advertisements sponsored by Petronas every time they come on air with those well thought of values. How I spent half a morning walking the streets of Mesjid Jameek and Kuala lumpur city center taking pictures of Malaysian flags on display. Never mind that most of them did not even follow the right decorum and procedures of flying the flags properly - in the spirit of the celebration it is heart warming to see Malaysians regardless of creed are all united behind one Flag, one Malaysia.

My ex-school mates, the whole batch of them are celebrating their 50th birthday this year - Anak2 Merdeka. Recently STAR joined forces with SDAR and STF in organizing a fiftieth year celebration dinner - Majlis Makan Malam Tiga serangkai. Unfortunately I did not attend. The creation of boarding schools was a product of a far-sighted vision of the then leadership of the country to provide excellent education to the rural and less elite group. A way of balancing the economical equation .......*applause.....from a beneficiary!*
Being fifty, the same age as the country triggers some serious pondering.....
"Who am I? What do I represent? Where am I going to? and what will I be leaving behind?" Come 31st August, I will be celebrating with my children and other Malaysians inDubai. A Malaysian Flag will be flying high on that day - from the highest point of my house.

Happy 50th birthday Malaysia! Happy 50th birthdays geng STAROBA, SDAR and Serikandi STF batch 1975! Mine will be on August 26th. Lil and my children have already celebrated my birthday in KL, knowing that I am traveling. Nice gesture, thank you!
I feel some sort of panic that I am turning fifty. Feeling inadequate in so many ways, especially in spiritual preparation for the life after. Anxious about my health. I am happy ( although not yet satisfied ) with what I have achieved in my career. I am extremely proud to see my children's development and progress. Most of all, I am grateful that I have a dearest and loving wife in LiL to accompany me growing old......

To God I pray that I will be free from sinful desires....be a better person during this second half of my life journey. My ship has set sail into the horizon........hopefully willingly and gracefully! Dear God, please contnue to provide me with calm waters and smooth winds, ameeeen!

Merdeka!
Merdeka!
Merdeka! there is only one Malaysia......together, we shape our destiny!








Today Aug 23rd 2007
is the thirteenth birthday
for Haziq!
Happy birthday son.....
and may all your
good wishes
come
true!

I am in Amsterdam....

I am in Amsterdam, on the invitation of my ex-boss to attend a farewell dinner with professional colleagues with whom I have had the privilege of working together for the last four years. Most have become close friends.

The company which I joined in 1997 went out of their way in saying goodbye. Since the announcement was made that I was leaving, I have had five farewells including this one. And one more to go....
If a good company is normally judged on how they welcome new people, a great company in my view is how they treat people who are staying and also leaving. And my bosses and colleagues in this company have left a lasting impression on me......

Farewell speeches were kept short and brief. My ex boss recognized me for my honesty, loyalty and dedication. Musics to my ears....but then again, most farewell speeches are like that. Funny isn't it that we reserve the good things we want to say until after people leave.

One of my colleagues known for his sense of humour said a lot of things, and got carried away with his jokes....he nearly lost the plot. Another colleague, H gave me a gift and a card written with these words: ( Thank you H! )

"Dear Dear friend, A token for the time we spent as colleagues, a pair of
candle stands:
- For light when you rhyme and write poetry
- For times
you think and philosophise
- For romantic dinners with your loved one
- For all the best wishes in the future
But most of all, for being yourself, in
your own way you are enlightening,
giving energy and direction for people to
follow, grow and develop"

I traveled close to twelve hours from Kuala Lumpur to be here for this last re-union with my colleagues and friends. Despite the jet lag I was feeling and having only arrived this morning, my excitement took over and I enjoyed the occasion very much indeed. Here I want to thank everyone for a splendid time together, for all the gifts and the encouraging words you have given me. Thanks!

My flight to Dubai is not until Thursday. An opportunity to be a tourist of Amsterdam - the city of the Tulips, Bicycles, canals and many more...I have been here before, but has always been on business travels which limited the opportunities of sight seeing. So, I do look forward to spend a day cruising the canals, walking the streets, and unfolding the mysteries of this beautiful city.

Hopefully I will be capturing some more nice pictures tomorrow which can be posted in this entry later on as a post-edit.

Congrats Angah.....!!

I woke up at 5am, excited and ready. It was Saturday Aug18th, the day of Zeti's convocation.
We left home dead on time as planned and arrived at the venue, the Putra Jaya convention center also dead on time. To those who have not been there, I can confidently vouch that the PICC is really a first class facility.

Zeti looked radiant and magnificent in the graduation robe. For the first time I saw her as a young lady...no longer my little girl. A lady who is ready to fly into the sky, to sail the ocean and to weather the storms and the ups and downs of life. When her name was called up the stage, I beamed with a silent pride and wiped my watery eyes, and due to that unexpected tripped of emotion I missed the opportunity to take her photo. Photography wise, fortunately she was called two more times to go up stage to receive awards as the Best student for her course and also for being on the Dean's list. I clicked away.....smiling, and whispering praises.
When the official ceremony was over, our celebration started. Hugs and kisses! More clicking away at the shutters of Zeti with her friends, lecturers and siblings. LiL was a proud mom, her smile beamed gloriously. MIL was equally thrilled .....One of the recognition accorded to her as a high achiever was to be invited for lunch with the VIPs and Parents were invited along. LiL and I enjoyed the recognition more than the food. Zeti obviously was happy that she has delivered her promise to us....."To do her best in her studies" In the excitement of the moments, I am glad that I remember to congrat LiL for it was her who has provided the support, encouragement and guidance to Zeti more than I.

One of Zeti's strength is her clarity in what she wants to achieve. Her interest in accountancy started when she was ten years old. She sets herself high standards and expectations. She was the best student for her course from year one until the final graduation. Something she take pride in....and of course so do we. She is self-motivated. As a person, Zeti is cool and happy go lucky. She gets on along very well with people. Although slightly on a shy side, she is confident of herself. She has strong views about things and has no hesitation in sticking to her beliefs even though it will mean she has to take drastic action. I wish her more success in her future.....

Bouquets of flowers to Zeti.....congrats!!
Tonight, Zeti will be leaving for Dublin. We will be missing her of course. We will also be cheering her on....encouraging her to spread her wings, and reach for the sky..."We all love you!" If there is one highlight of my vacation this time, this must be it! Seeing my little girl turning into a young and capable lady, one qualified to be an accountant and one who stay as sweet as she has always been.

At the same convocation, my eldest son Along also celebrated his friend's graduation - the friend was one of Zeti's classmates. Ada apa2 ka tu Along...hehehehe.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=q3KK3mLzvi8 <---this song is of MMU, the university attended by my eldest son A-long........the song is sang by one blogger I know ! Isn't she wonderful....!!