Last night I was surprised by a question from LiL, “Is it true that men are happy when their families left them alone during the summer?”
I was driving, and the children at the back seats stopped their own chatter and went silent, awaiting my response. We left a friend's house about 11.30pm, having gone there directly after the YDP Agung’s birthday celebration. Ten other friends also converged there – having second round of Nasi Lemak dan Lontong brought back from the event.
click the logo to read about the YDP Agung event!We spoke about topics men talk about. Nooooo!! Not sex. And Noooo!! Not football either. We did not talk about sex, serious! But we spoke about politics and its impact on individual rakyat and the future of our next generations. Serious topic! Different views were exchanged, and whenever the conversation got a bit too hot – one or two injected some humor. Serious, there were no sexy jokes either! The jokes were mainly about politicians and their
One thing about my new found circle of friends which I find clinical is that they don’t talk about girls, or women or sex. Sometimes I wonder if it is because they think I will be offended – in which case, I want to reassure them I am a normal man. Other times, I wonder if they think I am too old to talk about girls or sex or topics yang sewaktu dengan nya. If that is the case I want to tell them, I am still young at heart!
I tried to prolong the silence. LiL kept looking at me urging for an answer. My children at the back seats have gone one stage further – they were pretending to be asleep.
So I resorted to the best trick I have up my sleeve. I answered her question with a question. “Why do you ask?” I glanced into the rear view mirror and I could see Luqman straining his ears wanting to make sure he did not miss anything.
“I noticed your ‘bujang’ friends were looking very happy just now!” She said.
Oh, so that was the reason. And I recalled that a couple of our ‘bujang’ friends actually arrived late and came in looking very cool in black T-shirt and even were wearing socks. Those two who normally go around with sandals were actually wearing leather shoes too. We were teasing them the whole evening, “Wah….pakai stoking….ada event dengan dayang-dayang istana pulak ka?”
Earlier at the YDP Agung's event both Lil and I overheard a group of men talking about their joy of being ‘free’ for a couple of months. One said, “Aku dah bujang, anak dan bini aku dah balek!! Semua pun dah boleh!” The other was heard saying, “Bini aku tak nak balek la pulak. Jenuih aku sughuih dah!” Noooo, I don’t know them. I think they were probably from Abu Dhabi or maybe from one of those effluent neighborhoods in Dubai. From their dialect I also guessed they were Oghang utagha la tu kut naa!
“Kenapa pulak men should be happy when they are left alone?” LiL persisted.
“I really don’t know la. I know I will miss you and the kids when you leave!” I said while overtaking a lorry. We were already passing the Global Village, only ten minutes before we reach home.
“Betul ka tu?” She asked, but she was smiling.
“Betul la…. kenapa la pulak nak curiga nya!” I squeezed her hand.
At the instant all three at the back seats said almost at the same time, “Betul ka tu ayah!”
Hahahaha…..macam ada konspirasi la pulak!
“Betul!!!” I said. My little laughter at the end of my responce made LiL glanced at me sharply.
Her last word as I parked the car in our garage, "Jangan nak over-over nanti bila I tak der!"
A few of my 'bujang' friends are coming to our home tonight to watch the Netherland / Russia semi final game live. LiL will be preparing 'Teh Tarik' dan keropok goreng. She may even join us watching the game. To my 'bujang' friends, "Better conceal a little of your 'happiness' guys!"
You may even talk about how lonely it can get to be left alone.
*wink!*
Above: The consul general of Malaysia - Tuan Syed Mohd Hasrin menyampaikan ucapan.
Meremang bulu roma bila lagu Negara Ku bergema di foyer MATRADE! Lebih kurang 250 Malaysians berdiri berganding bahu menyanyikan lagu dengan semangat waja - kasih kan ibu pertiwi walaupun berada di rantau. Begitulah suasana di permulaan majlis Sambutan Ulang Tahun Keputeraan DYMM Yang Dipertuan Agung - yang di anjurkan oleh pihak Konsul Jeneral di Dubai, dan diberi kerjasama kelolaan sepenuhnya oleh MyUAE-PRO. 
Tuan Syed Mohd Hasrin dalam ucapan beliau mengimbas sejarah dan perlembagaan Malaysia sebagai peringatan dan sumber pengetahuan kepada anak watan di rantau. Ada diantara anak anak kita yang telah dilahirkan di perantauan dan tidak fasih berbahasa ibunda apalagi mengetahui sejarah negara. Beliau juga mengalu-alukan kedatangan semua Malaysians ke Majlis tersebut yang harus dipergunakan sepenuhnya untuk mengeratkan silaratulrahim dan networking sesama kita. Tidak lupa beliau mengucapkan terimakasih kepada semua yang telah bekerja-sama menjayakan majlis - terutama MyUAEPRO!
Di atas, anak anak watan mendelekmasi sajak patriotik nukilan Puan Nazrah Ayu. Di bawah, empat serangkai !
Para hadirin dijamu berbagai juadah selera Malaysia. Di antaranya, nasi lemak, meehoon goreng, berbagai kueh-mueh, dan juga lontong. Majlis di serikan dengan berbagai acara sampingan - kuiz mengenai Malaysia, pembacaan sajak patriotik, dan pertandingan Fotografi.
Cabutan bertuah menyaksikan ramai tampil ke pentas menerima hadiah2 yang di sediakan oleh penaja2. Malaysia Airlines menyediakan hadiah utama berupa dua tiket ke Beirut! Di bawah, Pengurus Besar Malaysia Airlines - Afrika dan Timur Tengah, Puan Merina Tahir menyampaikan hadiah kepada pemenang utama di saksikan oleh Tuan Konsul Jeneral!
Di atas Mushil mengacarakan Kuiz, dan di bawah Sdr Fadli menyampaikan cenderahati kepada Aidir salah seorang yang telah menjayakan delekmasi sajak!
Di atas - yours truely bersama isteri, dan di bawah Sdr Zuraimi membawa Konsul Jeneral meninjau pameran foto-foto !
Veritas menyediakan hadiah utama untuk pertandingan Fotografi. Di bawah, Pengurus Veritas Sdr Karim menyampaikan hadiah utama kepada pemenang! Fendi dari 
Malaysian Palm Oil Council in Dubai as always has been supportive through their contribution of hampers for lucky draw winners. 
Thank You Sdr Zafri - Director of MPOC based in Dubai!
There were exciting moments when we exchanged presents. Guests were told to bring a present of minimum AED50 in price - but when given as gift, will be invaluable.
Gambar di bawah ni dari album! hehehe. Malam tadi tak sempat nak posing romantics sebab terlebih makan kueh Lompat Tikae! 
There were embarassing moments when a few of us tried to get 'Dikir Barat' going - but our vocals somehow did not sound as good, perhaps without the budu! Tock Jogho cari you-tube Dikir!
To Puan Neme,