Welcome Shaun Pororo to our family

Before I got kids in the house, I used to have cats around as pet. When my wife and me first got our first child, I decided to get rid of cats in the house. The last one was an orange cat that I called "Labu". My wife simply call it "Orange". She didnt like cat during that time. Having to raise a cat was like to have an additional chores. I disposed Labu somewhere near a shop , about 1km from where we live. 3 days after that, it came back. I had to transport it again to a farther area where it could not find it way back home. That was 10 years ago.

Recently, I had quit smoking. Not really quit in fact, but 90% reduction. Its quite an accomplishmet for me. Having an interval time between the habit, I started to look for something that I can busy with during the weekend. Out of sudden, I came across a pet shop. A newly open pet shop not far away from my house. I decided to check it out. There I saw few cats , persion breed that captured my attention. I went back home to let my wife know about my intention to raise a cat. Of course I need to get a partial agreement as she would be the one who are going to sustain the cat. I took both of my kids to the pet shop. We picked one cat, an orange persion cat. It was 3 months old. There were few other cats, but this one really had me due to its affection respond when I touched it for the first time. Though my kids love animal, but they do not really use to it. So it's a kind of excitement plus caution when they wanted to touch the cat.

I brought for the first time a new pet to our home. The cost was about nearly RM900. Including the gadgets, food. brush, cat litter and cat cage. There goes my budget for a new handphone. But I dont really mind about that. I dont have much desire to get a HTC Desire. Let's wait for the next model. At first, I wanted to name the cat as Ben 10 as we bought it on the 10-10-2010. But Ben 10 was a bit aggresive name and too common. Then I decided Obiwan Kenobi. Too long for the car to remember. So the cat remained unnamed for a couple of days. I asked my wife to name him something. Finally she called it Pororo. Still I think hard for the cat to catch that name, but its a cute name anyway, so be it. Pororo is fine with me. Then while watching TV, I saw Shaun the Sheep. Our family favourite animated show. So added Shaun in front of Pororo. So officially our cat name is Shaun Pororo.

The objective of getting the cat was to add the sense of responsibility and caring for my two kids.They were too addicted to internet and computer games. I wanted them to have the same experience as me while I was at their age. As I recall, my first pair of cats were Murad and Abu, I was around 4-6 years old. Then I had Nadia in 1981, a cat brought from Pontian Johor to Johor Bahru by motorbike. My eldest sister brought thay to us. Nadia gave a birth to Mickey. Mickey died of car accident. In 1983, while I was 9 years old, our home was overwhelmed with Cats. We had Tuty (from Pulau Sayak) Lito (from Bakar Arang Mosque) , Tom (from Haji Musa) , Fifi (cant remember) , Pak Itam, Belang , Rakun , Kiko , Dangdut and couple of kittens that died after few days of birth due to the serial killer - Tom the Paranoid cat. Also had a siamese cat given by a friend, Shahrul. Couldnt recall the name, it died because of road accident as well. We brother from KL gave one persion cat name Bubble, I have no idea what happen to Bubble.

So, that's the cat story that I wish to share. Hope my kids would love cat as much as I do. After the second week of having Shaun Pororo in the house, I could see both of my kids really love the cat. And so does my wife to a certain extend. In fact, we do have an unoffcial cats, a group of stray cats about 5 to 6. They come and go for food. Not like Shaun Pororo, he has its own house, confortable pillow and expensive food. But the treat is, Shaun has to face my two kids who will always pick him up and play with him like a Teddy Bear. I am worry a bit with Adam as he is a little rough when handling the cat. I just took Shaun for vaccination an hour ago. Now he is resting under the coffee table, his favourite rest and recuperation area.

Solving the Ambiguities : Journey to the Unknown Zone

I received a call from my mom at 10pm on the 6th of August 2010, she told me my father was not feeling well and need medical attention. I rushed back to my hometown, just 45 minutes away from where I live. On the way back, I had a mixed feelings about the situation. What would be the best thing I should be doing upon reaching there? I took the highway instead of the trunk road. I knew I would be making few calls along the way before reaching there, taking the trunk road would be riskier as the road is not really smooth and full with unexpected cows along the roadside. I called up few friends to ask for opinions. I knew that my father had some medical history related to heart problem. That was the only thing that bothers me up. What if he really in need of immediate medical attention? There were few options, whether to wait until the next morning, to observe and monitor or immediately call an ambulance to bring him to the nearest hospital. I dont really favor the third options as to me it appeared to be a bit frantic. After getting few opinions from those who had gone through the same experience and also from a doctor friend (Dr Firdaus) in KL, I decided to observe and monitor the condition.

Upon reaching my parent house, I immediatety checked on my father and assessed his condition, it seems that he had difficulties to walk due to the gout illness that had attacked his both feet and knees. He had difficulties even to move few inches to past motion. I called up my brother that since there was no sign of heart related pain, we should wait until the next morning before transporting him. He had few cases few weeks back due to chest pain and tiredness but that night the situation was a bit different. My mother was helpless and could only talk to my father. I sent a quick text message to all my siblings, in Penang and KL. The very next day, my sister flew from KL. My brother who live nearby came along and we decided to take our father to the nearest specialist in town. Its easier for us to manage him instead of warding him in an earlier proposed hospital in Penang. That was a quick and firm decision we had to make in order not to delay the treatment.

Day 1 : Saturday 8/7/2010

The hospital was quite comfortable , and of course a 5 mins drive from where we stay. We were all clueless on the type of treatment, whether it was cardio related or some other issues. We let the hospital handle it. It was Saturday, there were no doctors in charge, just few nurses and some Medical Officers. The nurse gave a jab to stabilize my father as was having a slight fever. They had to give him water drip immediately. My father was then warded in a 4 sharing per room as I thought that it would be better to have some peers especially during night time. The first night was my turn to take care of my father. Having both feet in pain, he had to be assisted in order to move around or to go to the toilet. Couple of my friends came for visit. Alan, Azizi and Zallman. We had a long chat until 3.00am in the morning.

Day 2 : Sunday 8/8/2010

The following days, my father was a bit energetic. I could see he had some appetite to finish a loaf of bread , it was better than the day before where he refused to eat anything. My mom , as usual , is the loyal companion & soul mate to him. She used to prepare lots of food /dishes before but my father would vomit upon seing those food in front of him. That worried us badly as he was getting skinnier and weaker day by day. The doctor came along and monitored the situation. I was preparing to go back to my hometown as my father had recovered. Anyhow, in the evening, my father vomitted again. The doctor had no choice than to remain him at the hospital for another treatment. The doctor claimed that he needs to perform the endoscopic test the following day. My father was then tranferred to a single room. The sharing room was too noisy with other patients visitors, insurance agents etc. I went back to Kulim to fetch my wife and kids and then came back to the hospital. All of us overnight at the hospital. It was like a holiday in a hospital.

Day 3 : Monday 8/9/2010

On the third day at the hospital, my father was a bit weak compare to the second day but the water drip probably supplied him with energy. But still better than the night I first saw him. The Endoscopic procedure took place in the evening. After accompanying him to the operation theatre , I took my wife and kids for lunch in Sg Petani town. We came back around 6pm . My father was a little unconcious due to the sedative effect. After Maghrib prayer , I took my family again out for dinner, my brother also left the hospital leaving my mom alone with my father. I took my wife and kids to Tesco and around 9pm, I had a call from my brother saying that my father was having difficulties to breath. I couldnt get through my mother handphone. So we rushed back to the hospital. Upon reaching the room, I saw they put oxygen tube through the nose and all those breathing and heart monitoring equipments. It was the first time I saw my father was in a such critical condition, pretty weak and helpless. My brother came along and it made up two families of eight people , overnight in that room. I saw my mother in tears as she could not help while my father was having difficulties to breath. I decided to stay next to my father, monitoring the beeping and very annoying device that monitor the BP, heart pumping rate and also the oxygen level. I laid some newspaper and some pillows on the floor. Everyone else was too tired to stay awake i guess . I had a very strong feeling that my father was not fully recovered even though they gave him nebulizers treatment and some oxygen tube. I called up the nurse to check on the monitoring device. I was curious on the beeping sound. One of the nurses taught me how to read those indicators on the equipment. At around 11pm, I could see that the device keep on giving strange beeping sound. The oxygen level was dropping below the control range. I called up the nurse again and they came in to monitor. Few minutes after they had left, I could see my father was still in an uneasy condition, his movement indicated his discomfort. Something was botheirng him. I asked him what was wrong, he responded that he had problem to breath and had slighth chest pain. I called up the nurses again but this time the medical officer in charge came along. Upon checking, he found out that the oxygen tube was not properly attached. He escalated to the doctor in charge (Dr Amir). The doctor arrived within 30 minutes, the doctor came and checked. He told us that he suspected that the breathing difficulties was due to the water/liquid level in the lung was beyond the normal rate, it could be due to the over dripping or some other reasons. My father had to be transferred to the ICU for close monitoring. I had a chat with the doctor until 4.00am and slept nearly 8.00am.

Day 4 : Tuesday 8/10/2010

I left back to my hometown as my brother from KL just came by to take care of my father. I had to work the following day. My father was released from ICU in the afternoon. I came back again that night to monitor his condition and he was a bit better than the night before. My other sister Ana also came by from KL to be at the hospital.

Day 5 : Wednesday 8/11/2010

I went to work as normal. Called up my brother and he told me that my father was again having diffculties to breath but the nurse manage to increase the oxygen and it resolved the problem.

Day 6 : Thursday 8/12/2010

Day 6 seemed not much issue - I was not at the hospital , my brother and sister were there to look after my father.

Day 7 : Friday 8/13/2010

My father was supposed to go through angiogram procedure to check for the cardio related issue. Anyhow, it had to be postponed since the fluid level in his body was below the normal readings, the procedure had to be postponed for a week. He was discharged in the afternoon for a week rest at home.

Day 8 : Saturday 8/14/2010

I visited my father at his place He seems to be weak but much better than teh first time I saw him during the first night. He still having appetite problem but now he could walk a little bit. My sister Roslinda flew back from KL again and to check on my father's condition. We discussed on the next step of the treatment. Having to know some of the errors happened at the hospital, my sister was not comfortable and planned to move my father to other hospitals. She had done some homework and already engaged a heart specialist in HUKM. Earlier we were thinking of Institut Jantung Negara as the first choice, Kubang Kerian as the second and Penang GH as the third choice. She eventually had made the groundwork much earlier and made arrangement with HUKM, in Cheras, KL.

Subsequent days :

I alternatelty take charge to be at the house with my brother - it took me 45 mins drive from where I Iive. My son adam , a six years old was my loyal companion throughout the weeks. He would accompany me wherever I go, but of course , he will ask for some rewards in terms of toys, as usual. At least he kept my father smiling with all his nonsense questions.

My father was admitted again on Friday for the angiogram procedure but again , the body liquid was still low and the doctor didnt want to take any risk as it could ruin the kidney function. The following day, they made another endoscopic test to check the ulcer and the bleeding was gone and it was reported that 70% of the bleeding ulcer had recovered.Since we plan to go to HUKM, the doctor decided not to proceed with angiogram in that hospital.

Monday : 8/16/2010

Tuesday : 8/17/2010

My sister already arranged the appointment with Dr Oteh Maskon ( Heart Specialist in HUKM) - after checking through my father medical history, the doctor advised us to admit my father immediately , not to delay on the diagnosis. My father was warded in a single room in Wad Songket, 7th Floor of the HUKM hospital. The room was not as comfortable as the hospital in Sg Petani. But that was not the main reason we brought him here, we believe that the doctors and medical facilities would be better in HUKM. But the room was considered comfortable as it has private bathroom & some basic facilties. My sister Ana who is staying in Damansara accompanied my father on the first day.

Wednesday : 8/18/2010

I took my mum the following day to visit my father . She accompanied him on the second night together with my sister. I planned to overnight there together with my whole family , my wife and two kids, but unfortunately, kids under 12 are not allowed in that hospital. So we had to go back to my sister house in Mutiara Damansara. I realized that I have a friend who works as a Doctor in HUKM, Dr Azwa. I called him up the following day and manage to meet him. I also called a close friend of mine, Zallman stays nearby the area. He came along to visit my father, thanks my friend. My Indian neighbour in Kulim also called up her daughter who is living in KL to visit my father. Thanks to all of them who came by to cheer my father up.

Thursday : 8/19/2010

I left to Kedah the following day.It was a taxing experience but I appreciated every single moment of it. It has opened a new door for the real life experience. 2010 is a really challenging year for me in deed. At work , it was the most challenging period so far, having tones of work need to be done and changed of working pattern. In personal life, my father's illness has brought me to be dealing directly with life and death situation, decision making and articulation of the ambiguitiness. I was lucky that I happen to have friends who are doctors that could guide and advice me on the conditions & possibilities.

My father was warded nearly a month in HUKM, he had to go through the pain of blood samples (lots of them) , biopsy and those kind organ sampling test. Again, we were lucky to have good doctors attending to our beloved father. One of the doctors was Datin Dr Norela - I was told that she was one of the best Kidney doctor in the country. There was another Doctor that took care of my father , Dr Rizna. An ex-patriate from UK. It was Ramadhan, and my father had made it through the series of treatment and tests. My friend , Dr Nurul Azwa called me up to describe the condition of my father. According to the blood samples taken, he said that my father might potentially having a disease call Multiple Myeloma, one kind of blood cancer that rarely happens. But it was just a first cut information and analysis. I didnt really understand what Multiple Myeloma is all about. I checked out in youtube and did some study in the web. Well, from the reading, Multiple Myeloma is part of blood cancer that may lead to death. It developed in the bone marrow and spreaded to all part of the body. My father's blood sample indicates high in calcium. Treatments like chemo may be required. I was shocked to know all these. First we thought was heart problem, but then they suspected kidney,, and now its blood cancer. After 2 days , Dr Nurul Azwa called me up again, he told me the good news, the final blood test has revealed a negative result pertaining to multiple myeloma. So, it was a false call for cancer. But the bad news was, my father had to further stay in the hospital to continue the diagnosis and blood sample test.
Few weeks after that, my father was given treatment & medications. A week before Raya, I decided to go and visit my father. I went with a friend, Iffil. We departed after breaking the fast. We reached KL around 3.00am, just nice for sahur time. We stopped by Pelita Nasi Kandar near KLCC. I had my sahur around 4.30am at my sister's house in Mutiara Damansara. Had a couple of hours nap. I went to HUKM at 11am the following day. Good news again, my father had gotten the discharge note from the doctor. Thanks to Dr Nurul Azwa again for helping me up to speed up the discharge process.

My father was so relief to have finally able to discharge from the hospital. Most importantly, he wanted to celebrate the Eid Mubarak in Sg Petani. I guess he missed his house and friends in Sg Petani. We left KL at 5pm, reached SP nearly 12 midnight.

Eversince, my father was almost back to normal, he had lots of friends and relatives visiting him. His feet and knees were not fully recovered from the gout issue.y mom nurses him everyday. Eventhough he is not at the best of health, I would say the recovery was about 80%. And of course, he had already had plan to travel.

I am used to traditional massage. To be honest, any kind of massage will do. I feel relieve and relaxing. I offered the same method to my father as I know a person who is really good in this. I brought Pak Omar, a traditional massage practioner from Kulim to Sg Petani. Pak Omar lives near where I live. That was the first time my father had a full body massage in his entire life. dI could see he valued that kind of treatment as the following day he claimed to feel much better in terms of muscle pain and arthritis pain. Recenty, my brother Azham had an open reception for Eid Mubarak celebration at his office at Jalan Ibrahim. I was told that my could walk up the stairs of the 3 storey building. It was an achievement, in deed , he had gone through a transformation in his golden age. At 77, he managed to get through (with Allah will) all the hassle and taxing times. I guess he should be proud of the accomplishments and thankfull to Allah SW. We all should be thankfull to Allah SW.

Recognitions / Credits: (not in ranking order of course)

Hajjah Mariam bt Zainol = My mother who has been the best nurse/Personal Assistant to my father - even though she is vocal , and I mean really vocal, but I guess my father would appreciate her services & companionship throughout their marriage. My father is 78 and my mother is 72. My million of forgiveness for being a vocal son, stubborn, aggresive etc, I am just being a Jedi Knight in analogical term, I want to get things done effectively. I dont like discrimination to any kind of beings. I value environment , human and animals right , regardless or race & status & shape. Sometime I dont agree with some of your policies and action, but I do respect your supremacy as the highest being that I should hail. I believe most of my siblings had gone through such an experience with you.

Haji Ahmad Kayat = my father who has been very cooperative throughout the treatment/difficult times , thanks father for not being fussy about most of the thing except food. . Even though we have a very contradict personalities / characteristic (eg: I like Slash/Kurt Cobain but you dont..hehe...I dont even know what kind of music you like since you dont really play the radio in your car/in the house) , that does not mean we are different. Thanks for being there for me all those days. You are one of the most patience person in the world that I have ever met, relax and cool. I envy you as I dont have that kind of traits. I wish I could someday, but not now of course. I know all your grandchildrens love you very much. Ahaa...one thing that we have in common, we both like Mercedes & Busine$$. Finally I can find some similarities. I will be a businessman like you one day.

Azham / NorAsiah / family @ Laguna Merbok Sg Petani = my brother/sister in law they have been a very responsible people to have taken a good care of both my parents during the difficult periods. And thanks for being so understanding upon my behaviour. I am stubborn & do it my way, kind of person. Please dont get offended , its just because I am a big fan of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. And also I inherit some characteristic from "mama"...so what, like mother like son....

Mohd Adam Fariz = my son who has been my loyal companion throughout the time, with condition of buying him toys , he'll follow me anywhere. Thanks son. At least you make me smile.

My wife Jamishah & daughter Intan (Haruan Villa Kulim) = who have been very understanding about her husband / father rare behaviour - again, I am not crazy / evil, I was just trying to get things done effectively, and sometimes with vocal kind of aggresions, so be it, I inherit my mom's skill of scrutinizing & bombarding. And the dictatorship of Tun Mahathir.

My sister Roslinda (adek) / Abg Sarifuddin/family @ Mutiara Damansara = My wealthy sister/husband who had sponsored the hospital bills & taking care my parents while they were in KL. Million thanks & proud of your success !! Thanks for giving me the opportnity to drive the Toyota Harrier (obviously much better than my Nissan Sentra) , but actually i wish you could offer me to drive the BMW/VW instead. Thanks to Danial for assisting me at the hospital.

Ana / Abg Anis / Family @ Damansara Utama - Thanks for being there all the time (since my school time) , you guys are like the American sitcom couple, always welcoming people to your house & with the fullest hospitality. Food served is always great . Abg Anis full of stories and jokes. Thanks for the Garmin Nuvi GPS you gave me.

Ruzita (my eldest sister @ Bukit Gambir, Penang) /Family - specially for Yani/Iwan (my nephew/niece) - Thanks for the help while abahwan in hospital, I havent met Iwan/Yani fr quite some time, again, the difficulties have its sweetness. I was glad to have a reunion back with all of you, my Kurt Cobain team mates. You guys are really great & Uncle Uda will alway be there for you. Thanks to my eldest sister or Mak Long Ta for being the food experts, sharing the best food for curing the illness. My son Adam always like Mak Long since mak long likes to take him for a ride to the nearest shop to buy toys and candy.

Azuan @ Shah Alam(Nini) - my long parted/rarely met brother , thanks for coming along , i realized that all these diffciulties had finally bonded us to a certain extend if not regular basis. All of us are busy in our own way and work , wish you the best and we will always be family from far , always be there for you and your cute daughters Arisa/Ariana.

Friends & Relatives that came by & contributed : Abang Li / Kak Kristina in Jeniang that provided the Horse Grass to cure gout disease, Maksu Kassim - Taman TAR/Nora , Kak Faridah Shah Alam, Cik /Badin - Titiwangsa , Mak Nab/Pak Non Bunga Raya , Pak Harun/Makcik Juriah, Pak Talib/Mak Mah many more of their peers.

Zallman - my childhood friend since standard 3, we had gone through all the dark ages/ funs & adventures - thanks for coming forward & help me throughout the diffculty/taxing period while I was at the HUKM and Metro Sg Petani.

Dr Nurul Azwa - my scout mate, school mate, camping mate, after SPM golf caddy mate - proud that you are now a Doctor , Orthopedic Specialist - keep up bro...ride your superbike carefully..sorry couldnt make it during Raya gathering , I was on self curfew !! Mahathirsm again.

Hanif Mirza/Husaini Seman/Zaki/Kamal/Syahrul Effendy - who had spent their personal time to meet me at the Pelita Nasi Kandar Desa Seri Hartamas and Uptown Food Court.

Dr Firdaus Effendy - my scout mate, school mate, camping mate, fishing mate, and great pal all the time- thanks for your free medical advice. I will always be referring to you in future.

Norman Firdaus - my caddy friend - who has been so proactively concern about my father , you have made them feel honoured - thanks brother Man...

Iffil / Sara/Marsha - thanks iffil for accompanying me to KL leaving your family behind, thanks Kak Sara for visiting my parents couple of weeks ago. Again, you and Iffil reminds me of Dharma/Greg...a happy couple full with hospitality & adventures.

Indra /Chandran/family (my 1Malaysia neighbour) - Thanks for your concerns & visit while myb father was at the hospital

My friends in Intel, Norly, Prem, Alan, Azizi, Jit, CY Kaw , Poh Ai, Kar Lock, & not forgetting my boss , Mr Tee who have been supporting me throughout the diffciult period, my dad is fine now, thanks you guys for covering my work back in the office. Thanks again Azizi / Alan who be the first to come visiting me in Sg Petani Hospital (oohh..you guys got big superbikes, no wonder)

Staghorn Fern , the plant of life, love and future...

(Staghorn Fern / Pakis Tanduk Rusa , taken by Nikon D90 at Lata Sedim)


Couple of weeks ago, I took my family for a short mind and body recuperation session. A stroll into the nature. The place is known as Sedim River Recreation Park, about 35 minutes away from where I live (Kulim). It was quite awhile since I last been there.

( my wife tried to demo a fast shutter action splash , but I failed to

materialize it...shud have used the speedlight. Probably next time a better

shot. Its not Nikon's problem)

The place has alway amaze me with her own signature. But then, I was a bit upset over people attitude who threw rubbish all over the place. Some of the people just don't appreciate what they have until they lost it. Zainal's song "Hijau" or Green was in my mind at that particuar moment. How can I make a different? There were many ideas playing in my head.

Want to listen to "Hijau" (Green) by Zainal Abidin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68PJW15iJSw&feature=related

( Adam the Ben-10...actually a water freak!!)

My kids were both excited seeing the crystal clear water and listening to rythm of the nature. My wife on the other hand pointed out something on top of the tree. One glance, I could never distinguished a thing with all the greenish background and sunlight. I just noded my head and re-look again. It was up high on the tree. The picture (the first one) is a zoomed and cropped version taken from my Nikon D90 18-200.

(Intan wish to snorkelling around )



Some years ago, while I was in the early stage of dating my wife, I realized that she has always had trouble to start a conversation with strangers. No doubt that she was jovial amongst her close friends and family members but not to people she is not familiar with. She was a total introvert person I may describe. Fulfilling my mom request to meet the choice of my life (after I rejected her choice couple of days before), I brought my wife to be to meet my mother for the first time. I could guarantee that it was the toughest time of her life (other than job interview), having to see her future mother in law for the first time. And my mom , stereotypically like the CIA interrogator. And I was the last in my family to get married.



I purposely let my wife handled the situation by her own. And obviously she was paled and speechless. My mother kept on asking questions , both objectives and subjectives. I could see my wife to be was in a total discomfort. After a long paused, suddenly, one statement popped up from my wife mouth. " There are lots of those plant at my house..". My wife was pointing to the hanging plant in front of the main door. She was referring to the Staghorn Fern or locally we call it Pakis Tanduk Rusa. It has captured my mom's attention right away. My mom started to ask more about the plant, and expressed her wish to have more of the plants. If I was not mistaken, my mom already has three to four plants hanging in front of the house.





That was the turning point, the very next day I took my parents to visit my wife parent's , about 40 mins journey. Nearby their house were orchards, bushes and rubber estates. There was the place where Staghorn Fern grows, on top of the rubber tree. I guess I had to carry those plant few trips , back and fourth to my parent's house. My mom was very happy. Part of my justification has been fulfilled. I had learn my lesson, the nature bridges people. In my case, the nature (of course with Allah blessing) has enabled a relationship . Bonded two family together. And 2010 mark the 10th Anniversary of my marriage. Producing two great kids, the pretty house illegal mural painter, Intan Denissa and also Ben 10 clone brother, Mohd Adam Fariz.


Nature has its own force. It brings cheers to sadness, it heals the fraction of the urbanization. It has never ask for anything in return, indeed enlightening animals and human. Thus we should preserve and take a good care of the mother nature. I sincerely plead to the resident of the universe, to cherish our environment , heal the world . Make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race...

Heal the world (Michael Jackson) :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEsrVX2d8bE

Filem Melayu Kita

Salam 1Malaysia,

1. Ini adalah kali pertama saya cuba membuat ulasan filem dalam blog, tak termasuklah ulasan lisan pada rakan-rakan. Jadi segala kekurangan dimulakan dengan ampun dan maaf. Sesungguhnya saya melihat, menghidu, merasa, menyentuh dengan pancaindera saya , dalam komuniti saya dan dalam dunia saya yang serba terhad.

2. Namun saya merasakan ada keperluan untuk saya menyentuh tentang filem ini kerana bagi filem Melayu, jalan penceritaan filem Setem, kualiti warna dan gambar, kreatif sudut penggambaran, lakonan serta dialog filem ini sangat mengkagumkan saya sebagai pengemar filem dan drama, luaran mahupun tempatan. Tetapi saya bukannlah "Hardcore" filem, masih banyak filem-filem yang belum saya tontoni.

3. Saya juga pengiat dalam bidang fotografi, jadi saya amat apresiatif terhadap estetika sesuatu persembahan.

4. Saya perlu berterus terang bahawa saya bukanlah pengemar filem-filem melayu, tetapi ada beberapa filem yang benar-benar saya rasakan mencapai tahap penceritaan yang cemerlang. Ini filem kedua Khabir Bhatia yang saya rasakan mempunyai nilai seni yang tinggi. Filem pertama adalah Cinta. Juga sangat berkualiti nilai seni dan lain-lain aspek perfileman. Penggabungan isi cerita dan kesinambungan bersilang dalam filem tersebut adalah usaha yang saya anggap "genius" dan pelaburan masa yang sangat tinggi. Ingin benar saya mengenali saudara Khabir Bhatia dengan lebih dekat. Liputan mengenai beliau amat terhad dalam internet. Saya pula bukan jenis yang membeli majalah hiburan, hanya mendapat maklumat dari mulut ke mulut. "Thumbs Up" to Mr Khabir Bhatia .

5. Bagi rakan-rakan yang belum menonton, bolehlah saya membuat sedikit ringkasan mengenai Filem Setem ini. Filem Setem ini mengisahkan tentang dua orang sahabat, Joe dan Sidik yang dibesarkan di rumah amal. Mereka berdua mencari makan dengan menipu (Conman). Sehinggalah mereka tertipu dalam usaha menipu. Ideanya mungkin hampir sama macam filem Hollywood (yg pernah saya tontoni tetapi saya tidak ingat judulnya) tetapi pembawaan cerita dan watak-watak menjadikannya ia lebih Malaysian atau Asian. Yang lebih menarik adalah gabungan pelakon-pelakon pelbagai bangsa yang sangat "natural" , geng bakso indonesia, geng tosai - India , Geng Piranha - Gengstar Cina / Ah Long dan Geng Teraniaya - dua beradik yg dilakonkan oleh Que Haidar dan Vanida Imran. Pelakon favourite saya adalah Piranha Lim dengan loghat Utara campur Selatan. Pengarah telah membuat "homework"nya dengan baik di mana muka-muka baru dapat memberikan penghayatan dengan baik walaupun tidak 100%.

6. Saya rasakan Khabir Bhatia adalah seorang yang gifted, hardworking , committed & determined terhadap kerjaya beliau. Saya benar-benar tidak tahu berapa kutipan filem ini. Publisiti juga tidaklah begitu menyengat jika dibandingkan dengan filem-filem Melayu yang lain, yang mana persembahan seninya tidak seberapa jika dibandingkan dengan Setem , pada pandangan, mata hati saya.

7. Selalunya setiap plot yang berturutan dalam filem Melayu sering dapat dijangka tindakan atau acuannya, namun dalam filem Setem ini saya amat kagum terutamanya plot akhir di mana kumpulan multi-racial ini bersatu untuk menjatuhkan watak jahat berbangsa Inggeris. Tindakan yang ringkas tetapi padat.

8. Dan pengakhiran cerita juga amat menarik di mana pengarah membuat satu pusingan atau rumusan melibatkan kesemua watak-watak yang terlibat, termasuk watak Aziz Satar yang pada awalnya dijangkakan hanya sekejap. "Linkage" ini rasanya adalah kekuatan filem "Khabir Bhatia". "Linkage" yang sama saya perhatikan dalam filem Cinta.

9. Saya juga peminat filem P Ramlee, sesungguhnya filem-filem Tan Sri P Ramlee adalah tergolong dalam filem Retro Klassik dan bukannya untuk dibandingkan dengan filem-filem hari ini.

10. Tidak dinafikan filem-filem Yasmin Ahmad juga mempunyai "signature" tersendiri. Saya juga tabik hormat untuk filem dokumentari iklan arahan beliau berkenaan Hari Kemerdekaan. Saya juga menyampaikan tahniah peribadi melalui Facebook kepada saudara Norman Abdul Halim atas usaha syarikatnya mengenengahkan teknik CGI dalam industri filem Malaysia. Juga kalungan syabas untuk Les Copaques Production yang menerbitkan Upin & Ipin. Ianya benar-benar pencetus revolusi seni dan pendidikan minda peringkat rendah. Jauh lebih baik daripada anak-anak kita hanya mengenali Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck atau Optimus Prime.

29 tahun , 7 tahun : Kembali ke Sekolah : Pencetus Revolusi

Salam Sejahtera & Salam 1Malaysia,

Imbasan zaman sekolah dahulu :

Minggu lalu merekodkan lagi satu detik yang mengimbas kenangan hari pertama saya di sekolah 29 tahun yang lalu. Tapi kali ini saya pula yang memainkan peranan membawa anak sulung ke sekolah. Melangkah masuk ke sekolah sudah cukup memberi kenangan indah, getir bercampur baur.

29 tahun dahulu saya menjejak kaki ke sekolah dengan ditemani ibu, ayah , kakak dan dua orang abang. Bapa saya bekerja dan ibu saya barangkali memberi laluan kepada kakak dan dua orang abang saya untuk menjadi jurutunjuk dan menimba pengalaman. Kakak dan abang-abanglah yang membawa saya meninjau kantin, tandas, kedai buku dan lain-lain. Saya ditempatkan di Sekolah Rendah Temenggong Abdul Rahman Satu.

Melawat sekolah lama :

Dua tahun sudah saya berpeluang melawat kembali sekolah tersebut. Kebetulan saya mendapat tugasan selama tiga hari di Johor, jadi saya awal-awal lagi merancang untuk memandu ke sana. Tercapai jua hasrat saya melawat sekolah lama saya. Tibanya di pintu gerbang saya memberitahu pengawal tentang hasrat saya itu. Pengawal mengarahkan saya ke kantin, bertemu guru besar. Keadaan sekolah sudah jauh berbeza. Hanya satu bangunan sahaja dikekalkan. Selebihnya telah melalui proses modifikasi atau renovasi. Saya disambut baik oleh guru besar. Namun hasrat saya untuk mengambil gambar tidak dapat diteruskan. Pihak sekolah tidak membenarkan gambar-gambar diambil.

Masih jelas bermain dalam wayang minda bila mengimbas kembali pengalaman di sekolah tersebut. Terdapat dewan besar di hadapan pintu masuk. Pejabat disebelah belakang dewan, klinik gigi dan perpustakaan bertentangan dengan pejabat. Pernah sekali bapa saya lewat menjemput kerana urusan mesyuarat. Maklumlah dulu tiada telefon bimbit. Saya menangis kerana hampir kesemua murid telah pulang. Saya berjalan menuju ke pejabat. Saya dilayan oleh seorang kerani pejabat berbangsa cina. Saya masih ingat wajahnya, bercermin mata bingkai besar ala 60-an. Dia membantu saya menelefon ibu di rumah. Sejurus kemudian bapa tiba. Itu pengalaman getir semasa darjah satu. Saya juga pernah dibuli semasa darjah dua oleh seorang pengawas sekolah darjah lima semasa menunggu giliran untuk masuk ke dalam kelas. Saya masih ingat wajah budak itu yang memaki hamun saya. Mujurlah ada seorang pengawas lain menenangkan keadaan. Itu juga pengalaman getir di alam persekolahan.

Saya juga masih ingat pengalaman nakal. Saya pernah menolak seorang pelajar hingga tersungkur di bawah meja guru (anak tukang kebun sekolah). Namanya Ismail. Badannya kurus keding. Dia telah dengan sengaja menjatuhkan kotak pensil saya. Guru kelas pertama saya adalah Puan Maheswaran. Ismail terjatuh betul-betul di hadapan kaki Cikgu Maheswaran. Sejak hari itu murid-murid lain lebih berhati-hati bila bermain dengan saya atau harta benda kepunyaan saya. Ada juga yang mencemuh perbuatan samseng saya itu. Semasa darjah satu juga, saya ada seorang kawan bernama Syed Mahsyur. Dia ni jenis happy go lucky. Kerjanya ketawa dan buat "practical jokes". Dia sangat suka membuli seorang pelajar bernama Lim. Lim adalah pelajar Cina yang berpewatakan lembut. Setiap kali waktu rehat dia pasti akan membuat lawak praktikal ke atas Lim. Upacara kegemaran adalah menarik Lim ke belakang padang dan menolok Lim menyusuri bukit . Saya hanya ketawa melihat aksi mereka berdua. Jelas sungguh hingga ke hari ini "Flashback" 29 tahun yang lalu. Entah di mana individu-individu itu semua. 29 tahun telah berlalu.

Saya masih ingat, makanan pertama saya di kantion sekolah adalah Bihun Sup bergarga 50 sen. Ada seorang senior darjah lima, kenalan keluarga kami bernama Razak tolong belikan. Sejak hari itu hari-hari saya makan Bihun Sup. Sebab itu saja yang saya tahu beli.

Intan Denissa : Di alam persekolahan :

Anak sulung saya , "My only daughter" , Intan Denissa menjejakkan kaki ke sekolah beberapa hari sudah. Berbeza dengan saya, Intan lebih terdedah dengan alam persekolahan kerana sudahpun mengikuti kelas tadika selama dua tahun. Hampir setiapa hari dia bertanya bila pendaftaran "sekolah betul" akan bermula. Tadika ditafsirkan sebagai "sekolah tipu-tipu". Pada hari pertama, Intan nampaknya kurang selesa dengan persekitaran. Dia asyik mengadu tentang kelas. Kipas tak kena , panas, mengantuk dan sebagainya. Waktu rehat saya dan isteri membawa Intan ke kantin. Dia masih tidak tahu membawa diri. Mungkin atas sebab itu pihak sekolah tidak mahu ibu bapa berada di kawasan sekolah selepas seminggu kerana ia akan menyebabkan anak-anak terlalu mengharapkan bantuan ibu bapa. Pada hari kedua dan berikutnya, saya memantau dari jauh. Terasa pula macam Afdlin Shauki dalam filem Papadom. Saya melihat Intan sebenarnya boleh berdikari sebab dia sangat minat dengan alat tulis dan buku, saya cuma ingin memastikan proses penyesuaian diri berlaku dengan lebih cepat agar dia dapat menumpukan pada pelajaran. Selepas dua tahun di tadika, dia masih belum lancar membaca. Tetapi saya percaya proses itu dapat berjalan dengan cepat dengan sedikit usaha.

Pada hari kedua, isteri saya sudah menempah van untuk Intan ke sekolah. Saya merasakan ianya terlalu awal. Saya masih ingat, sepanjang darjah satu, saya dihantar dan dijemput oleh bapa. Darjah dua baru saya dihantar dengan van abang Mustakim yang juga tinggal di Taman Seri Tebrau, Johor Bahru.

Waktu tengahari, saya pergi menjemput Intan di tepi kelas. Namun dia dengan yakin menyatakan dia tahu macam mana nak balik sendiri dengan van. Masalahnya bila sampai di pintu pagar, dia mula keliru van yang mana satu. Saya membawanya ke van saudara Hafiz. Jam 12.45pm adalah masa murid darjah satu keluar. Disebabkan menunggu pelajar-pelajar lain, hampir pukul 2.00pm baru Intan sampai ke tempat asuhan. Saya mengekor dengan kereta van tersebut. Kanak-kanak lain nampak teruja dengan aksi saya mengekor van dengan kereta. Sebenarnya rumah dan sekolah hanya dua minit masa memandu. Hari-hari yang berikutnya saya menjemput Intan sendiri, mungkin pada hari yang saya sibuk, dia akan pulang dengan van.

Saya lebih melihat aspek keselamatan semasa waktu menunggu iaitu hampir dua jam. Semasa menunggu kanak-kanak selalu berlari ke sana sini , hanya bergantung kepada pemandu van untuk memantau. Yang keduanya adalah anak akan keletihan menunggu di tempat yang panas dan yang ketiganya pembaziran masa.

Masih jauh perjalanan Intan Denissa , begitu jua adiknya Mohd Adam Fariz yang bakal memasuki darjah satu tahun hadapan. 7 tahun berlalu dengan pantas. Jika 7 tahun lalu saya menyambutnya di Hospital Kulim dalam keadaan yang serba lemah, menunggu hampir 21 jam sebelum dilahirkan, kini dia mampu menjalani kehidupan sebagai pelajar, bebas berjalan ke sana sini. Memang saya perhatikan Intan suka berjalan ke sana sini, membantu mengasah pensil rakan-rakan sekelas. Kerja amal Intan di sekolah. Sungguh sekejap 7 tahun berlalu rasanya, mungkin semakin hari tahun-tahun dalam kehidupan kita berlalu bagaikan kapsul masa, sepantas cahaya melewati usia. Di mana pula saya berdiri 7 tahun lagi, di mana pula halatuju kenderaan masa . Semoga semua sejahtera , berjaya dan terus mencetus revolusi.

Link ke Portal sekolah Temenggong Abdul Rahman Satu : http://www.star1jb.edunet.my/index.html

Memori-memori lain semasa Darjah Satu (1981):

1. Rakan sebelah berak dalam seluar - belakang kelas ada satu kabinet untuk seluar sementara - keadaan seluar recycle amatlah mengerikan.

2. Mrs Tan mengajar subjek Bahasa Malaysia - nyanyi lagu Kueh Koci ( saya langsung tak tahu

apa benda kueh koci masa tu)

3. Kena serang lebah semasa pendidikan jasmani - saya lari sepantas kilat balik ke kelas - ada rakan yg lain kena sengat

4. Di luar perkarangan sekolah ramai penjaja - ramai sungguh , tak macam sekolah hari ini - penjaja tidak dibenarkan berniaga lagi.

5. Sekolah Temenggong ada unit OKU atau Terencat akal - pernah saya kena penampar dengan budak terencat akal sebab masa main guli terbaling batu , kena pada seorang girl dia.

6. Persembahan pertama saya atas pentas Dewan Sekolah Rendah Temenggong, saya berlakon jadi kambing - dapat hadiah water color.

7. Pengetua masa tu nama En Karim - dressing sentiasa kemas. Cikgu Pengawas En Jalaluddin Hj Lemin . Ustaz pertama saya adalah Ustaz Mohd Dom.

8. Lagu atau Rhymes English pertama adalah ..Hey Diddle, diddle the Cat and the fidle the cow jumped over the moon, the little dog laughed to see such sport and the dish ran away with the spoon...(nostalgia sungguh lagu ni)

9. Setiap hari semasa sarapan, abah ajar saya baca buku English, tak pernah miss...mungkin sebab tu subjek English tak pernah jadi subjek Fobia sampai la ke Universiti.

10. Masih ingat waktu kena hantar kertas periksa masa darjah satu, guna pemadam nak padamkan pensil warna yang tersilap, sampai koyak kertas periksa. Loceng dah bunyi tapi kerja belum siap. Tinggal sikit saja waktu rehat, kelam kabut lari ke kantin beli makanan. Sempat beli keropok saja untuk makan pukul 10 pagi. Itulah cabaran exam pertama !!

11. Lagu Sekolah...ingat sikit2 la..."Temenggong Abdul Rahman...., sekolah yang ku cinta, sentiasa, berusaha, itulah cogankata...dari sekolah ini, kita dapat didikan...bersama...bersama pelajaran....(itu saja yg ada dalam corrupted harddisk nih...yg lain semua lagu2 Battlestar Gallactica, Buck Rogers, Blues Gang, Catch the Pigeon dll...) - masa tu Alleycats tengah meletup dengan lagu "Andainya aku Pergi" ...