tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48833026502363942632024-03-14T03:42:30.818+08:00Tales From JitraSiti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-85813057278257956012012-04-01T19:47:00.000+08:002012-04-01T19:47:17.716+08:00Dear Blogger Friends,<br />
<br />
I encountered some problem here, so I had no choice but to migrate<i style="font-weight: bold;"> <a href="http://sitiroffini.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>. </i>Hope to see all of you again soon.<br />
<br />Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-1032785024462039842011-07-07T14:28:00.004+08:002011-07-08T16:11:22.029+08:00Goodbye, Tuah.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzpuWVhURrw/ThVKcVcvtAI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/VOFgu1T1Puw/s1600/tuah+come.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzpuWVhURrw/ThVKcVcvtAI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/VOFgu1T1Puw/s320/tuah+come.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been a week since my beloved cat, Tuah, passed away. I am still grieving his loss. Tuah died last Friday1st of July at the ripe old age of almost 14 years which is equivalent to an astounding 98 years of human life! He had been with us ever since he was born, living together under the same roof..This may sound cliche but he was truly a part of the family. His sudden demise created an emptiness, a void, a vacuum which may sound a bit too dramatic to some people. It's hard to explain how an animal can have such a profound effect on a full grown adult human being!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rs3qBUIcx4k/ThVKZ9E-gqI/AAAAAAAAAhM/LBPSrvMzdgs/s1600/DSC00014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rs3qBUIcx4k/ThVKZ9E-gqI/AAAAAAAAAhM/LBPSrvMzdgs/s320/DSC00014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This picture of Tuah was taken exactly a year ago</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Despite his age, Tuah was in a fairly good health. Of course, he was no longer active like before but he was still strong and arrogant. He gave us not the slightest of indication that he would be leaving us so soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> It pains me to relate his sudden transformation from a healthy cat with a big appetite to one who lost a complete interest in food. It was so abrupt it was hard to believe. He only survived on plain water for the six days. It was his self induced starvation that eventually led to his death. We tried ways and means to coax and lure him into relenting just a bit, but to no avail. Even the vet's expertise to save him proved futile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-at0o2_x1hLo/ThU_D1xqA2I/AAAAAAAAAhA/XgHsCs14l14/s1600/DSC00472_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-at0o2_x1hLo/ThU_D1xqA2I/AAAAAAAAAhA/XgHsCs14l14/s320/DSC00472_2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuah could still make it to my room on the night of June 28. He was already so thin and weak.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>His deterioration before our very eyes was something which will haunt me for a long time. I am not ready to share his final moments just yet. Suffice to say that he was conscious till the very last gasp of breath. He was still responsive minutes before he died in front of my mother, xnuripilot and me.. That makes it even more difficult for me to let go.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewHj4xIzRC0/ThU9-6WbYeI/AAAAAAAAAg4/4vIGBb4tW8E/s1600/sehari+sebelum+pergi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewHj4xIzRC0/ThU9-6WbYeI/AAAAAAAAAg4/4vIGBb4tW8E/s320/sehari+sebelum+pergi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuah, gaunt and dishevelled at 5.38p.m., one day before he died. He chose to be here, in my mother's bathroom. It was here that he finally succumbed to old age and died.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We buried him beneath the palm tree in front of the house surrounded by ixora and lantana. He loved to sit there in the wee hours of the morning, looking up occasionally at the birds flitting across the dawning sky.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYZFFA0vegM/ThVQkhJnwHI/AAAAAAAAAhY/qj3GgzpURvQ/s1600/DSC00487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYZFFA0vegM/ThVQkhJnwHI/AAAAAAAAAhY/qj3GgzpURvQ/s1600/DSC00487.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuah's modest grave.</div><br />
Goodbye, Tuah. I miss you so much.Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-69022006224821597822011-04-21T11:40:00.001+08:002011-04-30T12:07:09.801+08:00A Man Obsessed Is A Man Possessed Initially, it was a lot of fun getting reconnected with old friends via Facebook but the fun was short-lived. I discovered to my dismay and <i><b>horror</b></i> that most of them had changed.....or is it the other way round. I'm confused.<br />
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It all started when I decided to give my comments on a friend's status regarding the much publicised and speculated sex video. I knew that I was about to tread on dangerous ground but the discussion, which was heavily punctuated by obscenities, was proving a bit too much for me to swallow. I was still able to contain my anger despite all the spillage of profanities but the last straw came when one wrote that those who refused to see it their way were <i><b>insensible</b></i>. Now, that was a bit too much. I decided to go to war knowing well that it would be a lone battle. But, it would be a war worth fighting for. No one calls me insensible.<br />
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I am not really bothered by the fact that they are on the other side of the divide. They are entitled to their opinions and ideologies but to out rightly condemn others who do not share their opinions is unforgivable.<br />
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I did not charge them head-on for that strategy would have seen me dead instantaneously, regardless of the fact that we were campus friends once upon a time. I decided to adopt a more subtle approach........well, with a bit of cynicism thrown in for effect. They understood my message and did not hesitate to attack. And attack they did. One decided that my line of argument was only fit for a coffee shop discussion. Another challenged me to provide evidence to support my refusal to accept their theory after I demanded they produce evidence to support their claim! But, most decided to use religion as a weapon against me. It was an easy way to ensnare an enemy. One wrong word, one wrong move and you'd be sent straight to Hell. One decided that I should be given 80 strokes of the cane and that he would be willing to carry out the punishment himself. He even insinuated that I was Satan! Astaghfirullah! As if that was not enough, he decided to turn vulgar. All these explosive bursts of anger and hatred behind the religious facade!!!!!<br />
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I have to admit that I am no expert on Islam. And neither are they. So, there's no point in prolonging the war. I think I made a wise decision. Two days after leaving the battle field, I was both surprised and amused when a message came through my e-mail. The guy who decided to give me 80 strokes of the rotan, who hinted that I was Satan, who spewed obscenities in his comments against me <b>APOLOGISED!!!!!!!!!</b><br />
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I guess it was <i><b>him</b> </i>who was temporarily possessed, not <b><i>me</i></b>. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone into a trance, jumping about madly and uncontrollably over some harmless comments.Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-60872579621421919342011-03-09T11:56:00.000+08:002011-03-09T11:56:05.840+08:00Mulberries, anyone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Strawberries are not readily available here, in the supermarkets of Jitra. Of course you can get them in Tesco but that's in Alor Setar which is about 20km from where I stay. So, when a friend, Abang Tad, who is xnuripilot's regular golf buddy, gave a cutting of a "mulberry" plant about two years ago, I was very sceptical by its ability to thrive under the blazing hot Jitra sun especially so when he described the fruit as being very strawberry in both taste and appearance! I'm sure many my age group learnt in our Geography class that mulberry leaves were fed to silkworms in temperate China. How an earth will it survive the tropical heat here?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Knowing Abang Tad would expect a progress report on his precious cutting, I had no choice but to plant it, albeit very reluctantly, for this would mean an extra plant to water. I did ask him for some sample of the berries before submitting to his good intentions but was told he had just pruned his plant. I could not understand what pruning had to do with my request!! (The relationship was discovered later).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was not wrong in my assumption for Abang Tad enquired many times on the outcome of his cutting via xnuripilot, in between their games. I had to furnish xnuripilot with the necessary information to be relayed over to Abang Tad. I made sure the information supplied to xnuripilot was heavily exaggerated to avoid an unwanted inspection by the owner of the cutting himself. I was quite certain the plant would not be able to withstand the extreme heat so why should I waste both time and energy on it..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, the cutting started to sprout leaves and before I knew it, small green berries were seen clinging to the tiny branches. All these in just over two months!! It made me feel less guilty in faking my interest to Abang Tad. I didn't want to disappoint the old man who seemed overly enthusiastic when relating about the goodness of the mulberries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, in my opinion, these mulberries will never be able to compete with those succulent strawberries we're so familiar with but they are a passable substitute for someone staying in remote Jitra and not willing to drive 20km to get the real thing. With a bit of cream and sugar, they can be quite delectable and promise a delightful change from an otherwise plain breakfast. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2X9m2UiY0sI/TXb0Y4G-TgI/AAAAAAAAAgo/M6ZR4amuCgM/s1600/DSCN0817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2X9m2UiY0sI/TXb0Y4G-TgI/AAAAAAAAAgo/M6ZR4amuCgM/s320/DSCN0817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A bowlful of freshly plucked mulberries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A0ECw8yKeAg/TXb2C3A4QWI/AAAAAAAAAgs/LOPBtf-S4cI/s1600/DSCN0820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A0ECw8yKeAg/TXb2C3A4QWI/AAAAAAAAAgs/LOPBtf-S4cI/s320/DSCN0820.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mulberry tree which started out very humbly from a cutting given by Abang Tad. The berries will appear almost immediately after pruning. So, in order to ensure an endless supply of berries all year round, prune the branches regularly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-17190695256951151722011-02-22T17:29:00.000+08:002011-02-22T17:29:35.323+08:00A Good Time With FriendsMy former colleagues from SMK Alor Biak (SMKAB) aka SMK Tunku Seri Indera Putera (SMKTSIP) decided to have a mini reunion last Tuesday. Everything was planned and organised via Facebook. One more reason not to take FB for granted. I must admit, I am slowly being devoured by this FB mania. Well, like they say, if you can't fight them, join them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dFEccXydIGE/TWN62AukKeI/AAAAAAAAAgM/LrsDYjAJB-E/s1600/smkab13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dFEccXydIGE/TWN62AukKeI/AAAAAAAAAgM/LrsDYjAJB-E/s320/smkab13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The line-up present that evening. I was given the honour to sit down with the three gentlemen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVFIQjqfkeQ/TWOABoWAesI/AAAAAAAAAgY/KzqTSHHT7n8/s1600/smkab15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVFIQjqfkeQ/TWOABoWAesI/AAAAAAAAAgY/KzqTSHHT7n8/s320/smkab15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just the ladies with our backs facing the light hence this blurred image.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ua8Ofs676kM/TV3KqXTHWDI/AAAAAAAAAf0/mwkxcLzOux8/s1600/smkab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ua8Ofs676kM/TV3KqXTHWDI/AAAAAAAAAf0/mwkxcLzOux8/s320/smkab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's Surhana, the belle of the ball, being flanked by Sakinah on the left and me.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5tzJuxbnRQ/TV3NDFOjmaI/AAAAAAAAAf8/JDg4nBPL0xM/s1600/smkab3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5tzJuxbnRQ/TV3NDFOjmaI/AAAAAAAAAf8/JDg4nBPL0xM/s320/smkab3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Clockwise starting from me are Sakinah, Zuwiyah, Harison and Firdaus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x30gkC3CSzg/TV3PA3aLRJI/AAAAAAAAAgE/HoH7pb-bido/s1600/smkab5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x30gkC3CSzg/TV3PA3aLRJI/AAAAAAAAAgE/HoH7pb-bido/s320/smkab5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qr67qnkEjLo/TWN81Qbju9I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/lqTSYMQNoSo/s1600/smkab8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qr67qnkEjLo/TWN81Qbju9I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/lqTSYMQNoSo/s320/smkab8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was obviously having a good time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5rngKy4o9MI/TWN9I6zaeTI/AAAAAAAAAgU/htO1xIBzROM/s1600/smkab9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5rngKy4o9MI/TWN9I6zaeTI/AAAAAAAAAgU/htO1xIBzROM/s320/smkab9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In a more sombre mood before we called it a day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-49630768720838488592011-02-17T16:35:00.003+08:002011-02-17T18:40:34.281+08:00The Reunion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div>My association with Facebook (FB) is best described as "neither dead nor alive". It is an on-again and off-again kind of thing. It often makes me wonder why people go crazy over FB. I have yet to uncover the pleasures that many find so irresistible. However, something happened recently which compelled me to scramble back to Facebook.<br />
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Things changed (for better or worse I have yet to ascertain) after I attended a UPM (Universiti Pertanian Malaysia) Reunion recently here in Alor Setar. Friends, some of whom I had never met since the day we parted ( more than 35 years ago) were there. Amidst all the hugs and kisses and shouts of excitement, there was no escaping the word "Facebook" that kept on echoing throughout the excited conversation. Everybody was telling everybody else to download (or is it upload) the photos onto Facebook.<br />
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I was " well prepared" for the gathering like all the rest. I had the camera fully charged the night before and dumped safely into my handbag. One has to be well-equipped these days, especially when one is a blogger, albeit a very lazy one like yous truly. I was confident there was no necessity for me to rely on friends, much less on FB, to get the pictures for my blog.<br />
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So I set out for Sri Malaysia the next morning feeling extremely happy at the thought of seeing old friends again and the fact that I was sufficiently prepared to record our precious moments together made me feel doubly thrilled. But sometimes things don't always turn out the way you want them to and that's exactly what happened to me that day.<br />
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After the initial excitement at seeing them all again had subsided, I dug into my handbag for the camera and started taking pictures as planned. After about 10 shots, I was aghast to read "Battery Exhausted" on the tiny screen. I pressed all the buttons visible in the hope of reviving it but to no avail. Disappointed and a little bit angry, I had no other alternatives but to meekly request these long-lost friends to post their pictures onto the walls of their FB!! I was not really certain at that point, how to put the request to good use but that could be resolved later, I told myself. I suppose I could use the phone's camera but I didn't want to exhaust that battery, too.<br />
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There was nothing on my wall or my friends' the next day. and the day after. Then,they came. An avalanche of pictures accompanied by numerous comments from friends who were present at Sri Malaysia as well as those who were not able to make it that day. Needless to say I was glued to the laptop. My interest in FB was once again renewed. But, for how long, I just can't say.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3x7A9b0XJs/TVn6rcmVjtI/AAAAAAAAAe0/-Dx98-UeVDQ/s320/paired+me.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The young and the old me paired by En. Ahmad Fuad Muhammad, a fellow graduate of UPM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SAAkKxjT7-4/TVn7DUJmvkI/AAAAAAAAAe8/NKKOZnSgQcQ/s1600/168754_1552421859443_1502059334_31131264_8042657_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SAAkKxjT7-4/TVn7DUJmvkI/AAAAAAAAAe8/NKKOZnSgQcQ/s320/168754_1552421859443_1502059334_31131264_8042657_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's Ahmad Fuad teasing me about the huge glasses I wore during my student days</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SAAkKxjT7-4/TVn7DUJmvkI/AAAAAAAAAe8/NKKOZnSgQcQ/s1600/168754_1552421859443_1502059334_31131264_8042657_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CiYXRCcNLNA/TVn7CVqEP2I/AAAAAAAAAe4/Tvzc17fPQQo/s1600/168448_1552423139475_1502059334_31131266_5319415_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CiYXRCcNLNA/TVn7CVqEP2I/AAAAAAAAAe4/Tvzc17fPQQo/s320/168448_1552423139475_1502059334_31131266_5319415_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From left, Dr. Meriam, Khamariah Khalid, Dr. Noor Aziah and me</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PoO5TiVk2A/TVn7FA0V97I/AAAAAAAAAfE/gGgVmCm1S1c/s1600/167285_1552425699539_1502059334_31131275_4066766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PoO5TiVk2A/TVn7FA0V97I/AAAAAAAAAfE/gGgVmCm1S1c/s320/167285_1552425699539_1502059334_31131275_4066766_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Greeting an old friend, Rabiah Md Aris</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9LrSgA-rxDo/TVn8HMFFRJI/AAAAAAAAAfI/nrfT0w9SdqU/s1600/DSCN0782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9LrSgA-rxDo/TVn8HMFFRJI/AAAAAAAAAfI/nrfT0w9SdqU/s320/DSCN0782.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Those present from the Class of 75, seated from left, Ahmad Fuad, Nafisah Hassan (Fuad's wife), Masitah Arshad, Dato Mastika Junaidah, Dr. Noor Aziah and me. Those guys standing, Sorry! You all look so different now. Don't blame me for forgetting your names!!!! Kolej Pertanian was upgraded to Universiti Pertanian the year I joined it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ht-eWmh1GAA/TVn8gwzZ5UI/AAAAAAAAAfM/r-vQznAtAkE/s1600/DSCN0773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ht-eWmh1GAA/TVn8gwzZ5UI/AAAAAAAAAfM/r-vQznAtAkE/s320/DSCN0773.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dr. Noor Aziah and me. We were very close back then. Still are now. Dr. Noor Aziah was the Freshie Queen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-72164592734205851452011-01-12T11:37:00.000+08:002011-01-12T11:37:12.291+08:00When Bonds Are Broken<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">After taking a long break, I find it difficult to start all this again. I always tell myself every time I start to write that I'll be consistent in my writing but somehow I never seem to be able to keep the promise.There is not much news anyway, on the home front. Kitty is doing well, eating away to her heart's desire. I think it's quite safe for me to say at this point, that she is not pregnant. Thank goodness for that. Her huge tummy is conclusively the result of her continuous eating sprees as Mum had earlier predicted.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TS0W4V4Sh1I/AAAAAAAAAdc/UD8lB-7zglU/s1600/DSCN0767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TS0W4V4Sh1I/AAAAAAAAAdc/UD8lB-7zglU/s320/DSCN0767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kitty</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Still on the topic of cats, I discovered a few days ago that one of the strays was limping badly. I could tell that she was in great pain the way she tried to make her way slowly to where I normally put the food for her. It's been almost a week now but she is not recovering as fast as I would like her to. There's no way I could take her to the vet for she never allows me to touch her, not even now when she's in dire need of help. I have been feeding her twice daily for almost 5 years now and still she does not trust me. Watching her this morning I realised that it is this element of distrust that has made her survive the odds thus far.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TS0Ye9vRRWI/AAAAAAAAAdg/Y-HwJu_vt1w/s1600/DSCN0769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TS0Ye9vRRWI/AAAAAAAAAdg/Y-HwJu_vt1w/s320/DSCN0769.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The injured stray waiting patiently for her food. The fact that she found her way up the wall is indicative of her progress</div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">May be as human beings, we should follow the same policy. It makes me wonder whether our vulnerability is largely due to the fact that we put so much trust on people around us, friends and family alike. We often fall prey to the trust that we have in them. We trust that they will be there for us when we are in trouble. We trust that they will forgive us for whatever little mistakes that we make. We trust that they will stand by us through thick and thin. Alas, it is this dependency that weakens and in extreme cases, breaks the bond completely.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Something happened recently which made me realise that you have to be extremely careful with words and actions if you want a bond to remain intact. Never take things for granted. What in your opinion is trivial and insignificant may NOT be interpreted the same way by others. Everything is relative and subjective.You have to be thorough on these two topics. You cannot afford to make a mistake. Sometimes your rational thinking says that it is not a mistake but if it is perceived as a mistake by the other party, that's it. Sayonara. You are not given a chance to defend yourself. The door is slammed shut with a bang right in your face.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Never assume that all the bonds that connect you and your friends or relatives are indestructible. Believe me, they are so fragile and brittle and delicate. A little tap is all that it takes to disintegrate them to smithereens. There's no way you could put the pieces back to its original form again. If a family bond is involved, the consequences are even more destructive because the two feuding parties share the same family members. It's not easy to dismiss the whole thing as inconsequential as often proposed by the other "neutral" family members in their attempt to ease the tension..<br />
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A family, both immediate and extended, is a precious, almost sacred institution. There are numerous bonds that are intricately intertwined to make it strong and firm. A single broken bond is enough to render the whole structure unstable. Once damaged, it would be quite impossible to restore the family to its original strength and splendour.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I am aware of the fact that I have been very abstract in my attempt to pour out my feelings. I don't want to be accused of blowing up an issue, making a mountain out of a mole hill. I have to exercise great care and caution in whatever I say and do from now on. There are people out there who are trained to read in between the lines and this particular entry is for them to analyse and decipher. For the others who have not acquired the skill, you are not in any way inferior. It is safer to remain unskilled than to make a serious mistake misinterpreting meanings in between the lines.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I hope my writing is not offensive, especially to those close to the broken bond. I have no intention to worsen the situation. I still treasure my association with those directly linked to the broken bond and I hope they feel the same way towards me. InsyaAllah. </div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-20096216283547104892010-11-24T11:24:00.000+08:002010-11-24T11:24:30.122+08:00Please Forgive Me - Part 2I have been giving contraceptive pills to the female strays for three years now without any feelings of guilt since they appear to be healthier and happier. With no young ones to nurse and fret over, their quality of life has improved and needless to say, mine has improved, too, in sync with theirs. Then, everything changed...............<br />
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About a month ago I heard a loud meow at the back of the house and on investigation, found a hungry female cat begging for food. I didn't have the heart to shoo her off so I did what most people would have done.......gave her some food. I knew that this single act of kindness would be interpreted as an invitation for more meals. I was not wrong in my assumption for Kitty ( I decided to call her that) not only expected to be fed twice daily but also decided to make the premise her home. So, I felt justified that she be put on the pill, too, like the rest of the female strays.<br />
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Of course I did all the preliminary examinations essentially important prior to starting her on family planning. A wrong move will have disastrous results. A pregnant cat will not show immediate results after swallowing the pill. She will carry through to full term as if nothing had happened. The problem will only arise at the time when she goes into labour. In most cases, according to the vet, the cervix will not open and the only option left is surgery. With this in mind, I did a thorough examination on Kitty which was to view her abdomen from various angles!!! Satisfied that Kitty was not pregnant, I gave her the pill.<br />
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Kitty seemed happy and contented with her new home and she began to expand, belly included. The marked increase in belly size began to make me feel uncomfortable. Even my so-called expertise wasn't quite enough to tell the difference between a food-laden belly and a belly full of kittens!! My uneasiness over Kitty's ever-growing belly was driving me crazy. I called the vet to lessen the anxiety that was plaguing me but was told there was nothing he could do now. He advised me not to worry so much. That wasn't good enough for me. I had to be further assured, so being a firm believer in the philosophy "Mothers Know Best", I did what I always do in times of trouble like this......sought my mother's opinion. After some thought and some mental calculation on when Kitty first came to stay with us, Mum attributed Kitty's overly rounded belly to her endless eating sprees!!! I hope she's right again this time.<br />
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I was never particularly bothered about giving them the pills before Kitty came into the scene. There had never been any mistakes, or so I thought, until one night while lying in bed thinking whether I had done the right thing to Kitty, the mysterious death of another female cat, Adik, two years ago was unfolded. I had done the same thing of giving her the contraceptives as I did with all the other females. She was OK throughout the one year she was with us until one evening I noticed she was not her normal self. On inspection I noticed there was fluid oozing out of her genitals. I thought she had a fall or was bitten by something. The time was 5.30p.m. Friday 2008. I could have rushed her to the vet but she did not appear to be too much in pain for she could still walk. I thought she would be OK by tomorrow. That was to be a big mistake which had me feeling extremely guilty to this day. The next morning at 5a.m. I found her lying on her side unable to move. She could still open her eyes when I got near her and even to this day I still remember the painful groan she let out as if begging for help. There was nothing I could do to help ease her pain because the vet was closed every Saturday. She died a long and slow agonising death at 1.30a.m. Sunday. I never knew the cause of her death until that night just a few weeks ago. The realisation kept me awake the whole night. It took me two years to realise that she was, in fact, in labour when I noticed the fluid. Her small tummy belied the fact that she was pregnant. She must have vomited one of the pills that I gave her fortnightly and mated during that period.<br />
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It was the stark realisation that made me feel guilty of the possibility of repeating the same mistake on Kitty. What's done cannot be undone so now I keep a close watch on her. and pray that she will not go into labour on Saturday. If, however, she decides to do it on a Saturday, then I will have to take her to the vet in Sungai Petani. I looked up the Yellow Pages and discovered this vet and when I called to confirm, they told me it's opened everyday.<br />
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As at of this writing, Kitty does not eat as much as when she first came. She is no longer sluggish and I think her tummy has flattened out a bit. It was not mere imagination for Mother commented the same this morning. I hope and pray Kitty and the rest of the strays will not suffer the same fate as Adik, Insya Allah.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TOx76eEKrYI/AAAAAAAAAcs/ZO89cpuddEo/s1600/DSCN0750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TOx76eEKrYI/AAAAAAAAAcs/ZO89cpuddEo/s320/DSCN0750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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This picture was taken 2 weeks ago. Note the belly.<br />
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Also taken 2 weeks ago.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TOx8usD1pcI/AAAAAAAAAc0/kqCQ69yYN20/s1600/DSCN0758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TOx8usD1pcI/AAAAAAAAAc0/kqCQ69yYN20/s320/DSCN0758.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Picture taken yesterday 24th November.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-40888983146399330932010-11-11T13:51:00.000+08:002010-11-11T13:51:08.898+08:00Please Forgive Me - Part 1The morning is bright and sunny here in Jitra. It's amazing how the weather is able to lift a person's mood. I have been feeling rather depressed and dejected lately, not because of the flood, but rather, a <b><i>blunder</i></b> I had committed out of sheer ignorance. Well, to be honest, not completely ignorant but let's just say I took a <b>BIG </b>risk when I did it and now I have to face the consequences.<div><br />
</div><div>I have been feeding stray cats ever since my mum took pity on a cat which eventually became a part of the family. Twenty years have passed and I am still as tolerant to strays as I was on that fateful day; the only difference being the number of feline mouths I have to feed now as compared to only one, two decades ago. Over the years I have learnt a lot about cats and one very prominent one is that they multiply at a tremendous rate once they have enough to eat and this is the <b><i>crux </i></b>of my problem!</div><div><br />
</div><div>There is only one registered vet in the Kota Setar district and I am fortunate because his clinic is at Pumpong which is about 15 minutes drive from my place. It is through him that I seek help every time a cat falls ill. I know that one of the ways to prevent stray cat population explosion is to have the females spayed but this particular vet is not in favour of this procedure on the grounds that it is very invasive. The other alternative is to give them contraceptives and there are two ways of administering them, either orally or via injection. Both are equally troublesome for me but after some deliberation I opted for the former, oral contraceptives, solely because I am able to do it at home. The other method would require me to ferry them to the vet every three months and we are not talking one cat here but 8 at the time I decided to curb the population about 3 years ago, and still counting if no measures were taken. Now there are only 5 left and hopefully not counting. </div><div><br />
</div><div>But, there are risks involved and the risks are more with oral contraceptives. Once swallowed, they will have to remain inside the the body for at least 4 hours to ensure that they are completely digested and fully ingested or simply put, the cat must not vomit for the duration of at least 4 hours after swallowing it. This is the trickiest part for me. These strays just come for the food. If I try to go near them, they will just back off. There is no way I can touch them, let alone caress and fondle them even after so many years of knowing each other!!! After they have had their fill, they just disappear. One of the reasons for this very uncatly behaviour is their fear for Tuah, my 12 year old male cat. Tuah has no qualms about chasing them away if they try to hang around. So, the strays know their routine which is to make their appearance once in the morning and once in the evening and then making their hasty exit. So, how in heaven's name do I keep tabs on them after giving them the pill? An impossible feat obviously but one which I have to gamble for the sake of keeping my sanity. Simple as it may sound, the task of giving them the pills entails a lot of both patience and passion. Over the years I have perfected the art of administering the pills to them without having to touch them at all. </div><div><br />
</div><div><b><i>To be continued</i></b></div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-11108953400422228172010-11-10T10:28:00.000+08:002010-11-10T10:28:32.291+08:00Clearing Up The MessI thought there won't be any more rain for a couple of weeks at least but it started again though not as forceful as to trigger yet another flood, I hope. Most areas in Jitra have dried up and judging from the mess caused by the flood, the victims are now faced with a more gruesome task of clearing up the mess. The little bit that I saw was enough to choke me and I didn't have the heart to take pictures of them trying hard to literally pick up the pieces. Most of them were engrossed in what they were doing, despair written all over their weary faces. However, there were some who just stood still gazing helplessly and blankly at the damage and the debris left by the flood. I did not want to appear inconsiderate and heartless driving around trying to record their misery while they were toiling away. Besides, the stares that I got were enough to make me slump down as far as I could go in my seat. xnuripilot was left to deal with the questioning and occasionally hostile glances that were thrown at us as we drove past them, all by himself.<br />
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Generally speaking, life in Jitra has gone back to normal. The shops have resumed their businesses. Schools, banks and government offices and the airport have started operating again. There is not much evidence left of the disaster that had just ravaged the town except for the huge mountains of damaged furniture that were discarded outside.<br />
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The debris that got stuck to the gates of this house indicates the height of the water level in this area.<br />
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As at of this writing, this road is still littered with the debris left by the flood.Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-50086522366241324582010-11-06T11:29:00.001+08:002010-11-09T10:14:38.275+08:00Jitra As You've Never Seen BeforeThese pictures were posted by xnuripilot's friend Lt Col Basri Omar PGB (R) from K.L. It would seem rather odd that we did not get to record all these ourselves being right in the middle of it all.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNTFhsoVdMI/AAAAAAAAAcI/eIfkg0WJ7t8/s1600/jf7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNTFhsoVdMI/AAAAAAAAAcI/eIfkg0WJ7t8/s320/jf7.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNTFhsoVdMI/AAAAAAAAAcI/eIfkg0WJ7t8/s1600/jf7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNTFhsoVdMI/AAAAAAAAAcI/eIfkg0WJ7t8/s320/jf7.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNTGo4kZacI/AAAAAAAAAcY/zJr1i9Zh5QU/s1600/jf11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNTGo4kZacI/AAAAAAAAAcY/zJr1i9Zh5QU/s320/jf11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNTGxygtHdI/AAAAAAAAAcc/vBhxF5WLkM4/s1600/jf12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNTGxygtHdI/AAAAAAAAAcc/vBhxF5WLkM4/s320/jf12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-51630748930380523572010-11-04T19:47:00.001+08:002010-11-04T19:50:46.540+08:00The Worst Is Over!. Late yesterday evening, xnuripilot and I decided to check on the flood situation.<br />
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The sky was bright and clear along this Wang Tepus road. The road was still flooded but there was a lot of improvement.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNI0rXiMBvI/AAAAAAAAAaI/mT_2_EVcu4w/s1600/DSCN0696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNI0rXiMBvI/AAAAAAAAAaI/mT_2_EVcu4w/s320/DSCN0696.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">The highway to Alor Setar was still closed to traffic.</div><br />
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The road to Taman Mahsuri was still under water.<br />
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The road leading to Jitra town was still under about a foot of water. This was as far as we could go yesterday evening.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNI15Du8K4I/AAAAAAAAAaU/thNpnzLGjDQ/s1600/DSCN0699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNI15Du8K4I/AAAAAAAAAaU/thNpnzLGjDQ/s320/DSCN0699.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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There was a huge jam on our way home.<br />
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The weather was superb this morning so I persuaded xnuripilot to take me on a tour inspection of Jitra town after his round of golf. We left the house at about 11a.m. and below are scenes I managed to capture as we drove along.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNJJ7akulsI/AAAAAAAAAaw/H0mc-X5ktrE/s1600/DSCN0700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNJJ7akulsI/AAAAAAAAAaw/H0mc-X5ktrE/s320/DSCN0700.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Father and child and fishing net.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNJfm-XhbII/AAAAAAAAAa0/IKNZ7a_s8OY/s1600/DSCN0701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNJfm-XhbII/AAAAAAAAAa0/IKNZ7a_s8OY/s320/DSCN0701.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">We passed this river on our way to Jitra town. The level was still dangerously high and the current was strong. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNJ6EhajmJI/AAAAAAAAAa8/bLDyQmol_iw/s1600/DSCN0703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNJ6EhajmJI/AAAAAAAAAa8/bLDyQmol_iw/s320/DSCN0703.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Even these buffaloes decided they've had enough of wallowing in the murky flood water. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNJ7RM74Z_I/AAAAAAAAAbA/Uq8BgpAg8Qs/s1600/DSCN0704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNJ7RM74Z_I/AAAAAAAAAbA/Uq8BgpAg8Qs/s320/DSCN0704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've always been fascinated by these Asoka trees lining the whole length of the padi mill. They looked even more spectacular surrounded by water!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNJ90T3OsRI/AAAAAAAAAbI/NvURGWplHvM/s1600/DSCN0712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNJ90T3OsRI/AAAAAAAAAbI/NvURGWplHvM/s320/DSCN0712.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Most of the shops were still closed including Secret Recipe and Dr. Rozmey's spa at the back of it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNKA0bvJsEI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/pXeHfzLgMDA/s1600/DSCN0711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNKA0bvJsEI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/pXeHfzLgMDA/s320/DSCN0711.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Petronas station in Jitra town was still in bad shape.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Taman Ehsan still half-submerged.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sekolah Menengah Jitra (SMJ) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNKDWMCx94I/AAAAAAAAAbg/hn5BcrYAr8w/s1600/DSCN0708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNKDWMCx94I/AAAAAAAAAbg/hn5BcrYAr8w/s320/DSCN0708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">The row of shops in Pekan Jitra 2. Almost back to normal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNKD5bsHXYI/AAAAAAAAAbk/zk33rpR10Ts/s1600/DSCN0714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNKD5bsHXYI/AAAAAAAAAbk/zk33rpR10Ts/s320/DSCN0714.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">My cousin's house in Taman Mahsuri Permai. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNKETQkMbSI/AAAAAAAAAbo/aqDzxiEJFEM/s1600/DSCN0715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNKETQkMbSI/AAAAAAAAAbo/aqDzxiEJFEM/s320/DSCN0715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">The river behind Taman Suasana. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNKEt0rSWWI/AAAAAAAAAbs/nIT-pdvtmdA/s1600/DSCN0717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNKEt0rSWWI/AAAAAAAAAbs/nIT-pdvtmdA/s320/DSCN0717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">The road leading to the lake at Darulaman Theme Park is now visible again. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-40254859867151413982010-11-03T13:52:00.002+08:002010-11-03T14:03:48.469+08:00It's Getting Worse In Jitra!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We woke up in high spirits this morning since there had been no rain for the past 24 hours. xnuripilot left the house at 7 a.m. for his round of golf with his buddies at the Darulaman Golf And Country Club. I was quite sure the flood was getting better until xnuripilot got home at 10.30 a.m. with more pictures of the flood shown below. Contrary to my assumption, the flood has worsened. The places which were still accessible to us yesterday are now under water! We are now marooned!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNDOfJR8xlI/AAAAAAAAAZM/xY8qGWHgZ3U/s1600/03112010133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNDOfJR8xlI/AAAAAAAAAZM/xY8qGWHgZ3U/s320/03112010133.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TNDOy1z1YjI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/A1FCLAZS6Bc/s1600/03112010135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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Part of the highway to Alor Setar.<br />
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The road leading to Taman Mahsuri. We passed through this road yeasterday at 9a.m.<br />
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This is taken at the Wang Tepus-Darulaman Golf And Country Club junction. The bundles on the left are not heaps of rubbish but clothes and belongings salvaged by the flood victims.<br />
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One of the kampungs submerged by the flood.<br />
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A closer look at the same kampung.<br />
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The road leading up to Wang Tepus. Yesterday, the water was further up the road. Now, it has spilled closer to our junction.<br />
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The entrance to Taman Mahsuri Fasa 2B.<br />
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The two guys in the water taking full advantage of the flood.....bathing and fishing !<br />
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The bridge connecting us to the surrounding areas. If the river gets higher than the bridge, then there won't be any more pictures for my blog!!!! We will be completely cut off from the outside world.<br />
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I am not able to take pictures of Jitra proper because there's no way of getting there from where we are.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-39202504030502638702010-11-02T20:45:00.001+08:002010-11-02T21:05:48.678+08:00Flood Updates From JitraThe rain finally stopped at about 7 this morning. This is the first time, since we moved here 10 years ago, there was a continuous heavy downpour for a record breaking 3days and 4 nights. The last record was 2 days and 2 nights about 5 years ago and that caused a severe flood in the Kubang Pasu district.<br />
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Yesterday, xnuripilot and I drove to Alor Setar but we did not see any signs of the 2005 flood repeating itself . The highway was glistening wet due to the heavy rain but there was no indication of an emerging flood. I did, however, comment to xnuripilot that the padi fields on both sides of the highway were like lakes. But, then they are always that way after every heavy downpour.... no cause for alarm was my conclusion.<br />
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Our housing area is on high ground. Except for the heavy rain, everything seemed perfectly normal until we heard the evening news on TV. It was a shock to see some parts of Kubang Pasu already submerged in flood!<br />
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Heavy rain continued all night long but we were still unaware of the actual situation surrounding us until xnuripilot and I once again decided to get some fresh vegetables from the Jitra wet market this morning. We were rudely greeted by the swelling river at the entrance to our housing area.<br />
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If it starts to rain again, then the water will swell into a friends house below.<br />
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This is the back portion of the friend's house at Suasana Permai. The water is seen inching its way into her backyard.<br />
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Cars are seen parked all along the roadside. These car owners managed to drive their cars up to higher ground before their houses got submerged.<br />
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Water is seen cascading down the road from Wang Tepus at the junction into Darulaman Golf and Country Club where our house is situated.<br />
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The entrance to Taman Mahsuri Phase 4 is impassable due to the rising water.<br />
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This is the lake at the Darulaman Theme Park. Ordinarily, the road leading up to the lake can be seen from this point but now it has been inundated by the swollen lake making it impossible to tell where the road ends and the lake begins..<br />
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This is the main road from Kepala Batas into Jitra town. The flood water has gushed into this road starting from the Yawata supermarket. Even these huge lorries had to stop.<br />
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The road leading to Tanjung Pauh is completely under water.<br />
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A scene in Taman Aman, Jitra.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>xnuripilot and I had to abandon our plan of getting to the market. There was no way we could get there, anyway. The weather has been good the whole day today. Hopefully, everything goes back to normal tomorrow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-71999810334286104082010-11-01T10:59:00.000+08:002010-11-01T10:59:04.125+08:00I'm Back!After taking a long break, it feels good to be back. But, I must admit after the long rest, it requires quite a bit of willpower to start this all over again. I have no particular excuse for my absence. Well, may be there is one....LAZY.<br />
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It's been raining non-stop these past two days here in Jitra. After the mini tornado which spiralled through Kangar a few days ago, the rain came. The long dry spell has come to an end, as it always does every year at about this time.<br />
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Talking about tornadoes, believe me, they are not only restricted to the U.S.A!! I had seen one about five years ago here in Jitra. It was exactly like those we often see on TV. I was in school when it happened and I remember the whole school came out to the balcony to witness the phenomenon. Ironically, we did not rush into the classes for shelter!! We were so awestruck by the spectacle that we forgot about our safety. Some of my colleagues started reciting verses from the Quran; some were scared to death while others seemed to enjoy seeing the thing in real life. But one thing is for sure, we forgot to take pictures of it. I think it was a first time experience for all of us otherwise there wouldn't have been such a commotion.<br />
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We were lucky it spiralled away from us. All of us stood there transfixed until it disappeared from sight. I think the vast expanse of padi field surrounding the school made it possible for us to witness it that morning. If they were to srtike in areas which are not so open, then probably they would have gone visually unnoticed leaving only immense destruction along the way as proof of their existence. <br />
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Lately, we have been having tremors here in Malaysia and now tornadoes. Is Malysia, which was once thought to be free from all these natural disasters slowly mimicking the other countries which are often ravaged by earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, ecetra, ecetra? Only time will tell. Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-85594642666513547022010-09-28T11:31:00.000+08:002010-09-28T11:31:08.771+08:00The Aftermath of Syawal.At last I completed my puasa enam yesterday, together with mum and xnuripilot. If I remember correctly this is the first time we took so long to complete the 6 days of fasting, mostly to accomodate xnuripilot's hectic schedule of golf and more golf plus a few open house invitations.<br />
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Despite the 36 days of fasting, I have put on a bit of weight. I guess this is a common phenomenon among Muslims everytime Syawal makes its appearance. What a waste! After a complete detoxification period of one month during Ramadhan, we gorge on everything within sight. How else do we explain the immediate weight increase so soon after fasting.<br />
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I console myself by telling that everything would be back to normal, weightwise that is, once Syawal is over or the raya cookies exhausted, whichever comes first. But, wouldn't this be a bit too late to get back my pre- Ramadhan weight of 48kg. Through experience it is easier to shed off the unwanted kilos before they turn to muscles, or in my case, flabs of fats. It would be disastrous to allow the excess weight to cling on to you for too long. The longer it's stuck, the longer it takes to take it all off. So, I have to act fast.<br />
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But. it is easier said than done.<br />
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Call me vain if you want to, but the truth is, I feel good when I'm lighter. Besides, it's not cheap to have a new set of wardrobe for the new shape and size!!!<br />
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Something has gone very, very wrong. Usually, I am rather strong-willed but this time I don't seem to be able to remain that way. <br />
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Sadly, this is a lone battle. I know I would not get much support from all the people that I know. Most would say that I am overly conscious and that I look much better this way but no amount of praise would sway me on to their side.<br />
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Guess you're wondering what my weight is that's causing me so much distress. I choose not to reveal just yet. Suffice to say that it's not an uphill battle. I think I can achieve my goal within a month at the very latest, Insya Allah and then only will I reveal <b><i>the</i></b> weight.Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-15157988089187370182010-09-17T11:25:00.003+08:002010-09-21T21:42:24.695+08:00Raya 2010Started my puasa enam six days after the Raya. Raya this year is pretty much the same as those celebrated before.<br />
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Visited the graves of Dad, grandparents,an uncle and two cousins at the Tanah Perkuburan Akar Peluru , Alor Setar on the eve of the Raya. That's mum reciting the doa for her loved ones.<br />
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Then proceeded to Tanah Perkuburan Al-Bukhary, Alor Setar where an uncle and a cousin were laid to rest .<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Also visited The Royal Mausoleum at Langgar where an aunt (Mum's elder sister) was laid to rest last year. She was the consort of the late Tunku Mohd. Jewa Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid. Unfortunately, I was not able to take pictures because cameras are not allowed here.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TJA19PohNJI/AAAAAAAAAW4/CpPMMzwk-yY/s1600/DSCN0560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TJA19PohNJI/AAAAAAAAAW4/CpPMMzwk-yY/s320/DSCN0560.jpg" /></a></div>My first guests on the morning of the Raya were Ayah Teh (Mum's younger brother) and his entourage. Ayah Teh and wife, Tunku Maryam (aka Mak Teh) came with their son Saiful and five grandchildren. Also in Ayah Teh's entourage were nephew Dazran and his Filipino bride, Michelle. (L to R, Tunku Maryam, yours truly, Dazran, Mum, Michelle and Ayah Teh. The 5 little ones are Ayah Teh's grandchuldren)<br />
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Open House at Abang Tad's on the 3rd Raya. Abang Tad is xnuripilot's golf mate. Abang Tad, Kak Kiah (facing the camera) and me .<br />
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That's me tucking into the cold and sweet lychee kang quite oblivious of the crowd !!<br />
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Six days after the Raya, Mum's raya cookies which were filled to the brim have receeded noticeably. Mum's cookies may appear plain and simple but they taste heavenly.<br />
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Had to put the puasa enam on hold because cousin Baizury insisted that we come over for her open house. Mum and I struck a pose before the ride to Baizury's.<br />
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Posing for the camera from left to right, xnuripilot, me, Mum, mum's sister (Baizury's mother), Baizury's father and Baizury's son.<br />
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Baizury standing at the far end with son and husband.<br />
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This picture is added specially for "Uncle who was in Yokohama years ago."<br />
That's Saiful at the extreme right.Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-8875721832997485252010-08-31T11:08:00.001+08:002010-08-31T11:16:34.643+08:00I Miss You, Ayah.It is customary for the Muslims of Malaysia to visit the graves of their loved ones the first day of Hari Raya. I am no exception but I make it a point to visit once a few days before the Hari Raya for the sole purpose of clearing the graves of creepers which seem to thrive very well in such habitat. Mum and I used to do this together but ever since her knees were no longer able to bend without causing her great pain, the task fell on me. Mum protested, insisting that she could still help me weed out those unwanted creepers but I firmly put my foot down. I will make another trip on the eve of the Raya and this time I will dutifully bring Mum along to pay her respects to Dad and Mum's parents.<br />
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Dad was buried in the Akar Peluru Muslim Cemetery Alor Setar in 1990 alongside my grandparents (Mum's parents), my uncle and two cousins who died when they were babies. So, sometimes other relatives beat me to the noble deed of cleaning the graves of our loved ones.<br />
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Last Friday, equipped with the necessary tools, xnuripilot and I headed for Akar Peluru. I prayed the ground would not be wet and muddy. It would then be a very, very sticky and messy affair. Surprisingly the ground was dry despite some rain a few days ago. I discovered no relatives had been here before me this time around.<br />
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I wasted no time in tackling all those creepers.<br />
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Almost done.<br />
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Despite the grim and sombre atmosphere surrounding the cemetery, xnuripilot insisted that I take this picture of him!<br />
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Ok, done. Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atas roh mereka. Amin.Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-21406844825839863692010-08-28T14:23:00.000+08:002010-08-28T14:23:54.156+08:00Good News And Bad NewsJust before Ramadhan I had my blood sample taken for a routined 6-monthly check as ordered by the doctor who treated me for Hepatitis C. So, the morning of 24.08.10 was the scheduled appointment with the doctor. It was with some trepidation that I set out for Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital Alor Setar with xnuripilot at the wheel of my car. I always have this feeling everytime the blood test results are ready for the doctor to review.<br />
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As always, I sat down timidly while the doctor studied the results. I was overjoyed when he read out the results. Blood sugar 4.0. Cholesterol 5.3, a marked decrease of 1.0 from the previous test results and ALT 14.0. ALT of the liver function test is an indicator of a Hepatitis infection and thus of great importance to people like me who have had the disease before. But, I was ordered to do a chest X-Ray after xnuripilot took it unto him to announce to the doctor that I have been coughing rather badly for the past few months!!!<br />
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My next appointment is less than two months away on the 19.10.2010. So much for the good news.<br />
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We left the hospital in good spirits heading for Tesco,with me excitedly telling xnuripilot what I did to bring down my cholesterol level. After about 10 minutes of driving we had to stop when the traffic lights turned red and then the engine just stopped, too. xnuripilot hastily turned on the engine and it responded for a few seconds before it died down again. He repeated the process several times but the engine just refused to come back to life. There we were stranded right in the middle of the road and the cars behind us blaring their horns relentlessly with all their might.<br />
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xnuripilot managed to manouvre my BEB to the side of the road. He then called the mechanic for assistance. The mechanic decided the car had to be towed to the workshop. We were left with no choice.<br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Feeling somewhat dejected, we decided to walk a few metres away from the car to seek refuge from the hot Ramadhan sun, under a huge tree.</div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/THec2gJbw0I/AAAAAAAAAVA/aR6JvAj82S0/s1600/DSCN0499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/THec2gJbw0I/AAAAAAAAAVA/aR6JvAj82S0/s320/DSCN0499.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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xnuripilot trying hard to act cool, calm and collected.<br />
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The stench from the heavily polluted river behind our resting place was unbearably nauseating. No wonder Leptospirosis is on the rise.<br />
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Surprisingly, the tow truck arrived in less than an hour. The ramp was lowered ready to pull up my car.<br />
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She was all ready to be strapped and buckled for her trip to the workshop.One problem solved. Now, how do we get to the workshop? Cabs are scarce here in Alor Setar. In fact, there wasn't even one in sight while we waited for the tow truck. So,...........<br />
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...........both xnuripilot and I clambered hurriedly into the front seat of the truck after seeking the driver's permission, of course! It was quite a comfortable ride, my first and hopefully my last, in a tow truck.<br />
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We arrived safely at the workshop and BEB was gently lowered down. xnuripilot paid RM120 for the towing service.<br />
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The mechanic turned on the ignition and she purred and hummed in total obedience much to the consternation of her owner. She was back to normal as if nothing had happened but we told the mechanic to investigate why she decided to behave that way without giving us any prior warning like she used to. She turns 8 this November 25. She is one of the very few luxuries that I just could not resist the moment I set my eyes on her. I acquired her fresh from the factory. She is not one of those revamped version. I just don't understand why she decided to play her childish pranks on us during Ramadhan, of all time. Having said all the above, she has never given me any trouble before except for the usual wear and tear stuff.<br />
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The mechanic replaced all her old spark plugs and she's back with us after having spent a night at the workshop. Last year xnuripilot had to tow his car in the same manner. Read his story <a href="http://xnuripilot.blogspot.com/2009/12/keretaohkereta.html">here</a>.Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-27619708861824098782010-08-18T12:01:00.029+08:002010-08-18T17:46:25.684+08:00Love Thy Neighbour.......I TriedDengue is on the rise, with 95 deaths throughout the nation as at yesterday as compared to 63 for the same duration last year. There were two reported cases in my taman, Darulaman Heights a few weeks ago. Whom do we blame for this obviously blase attitude towards the disease. I think the culprits are the residents themselves. The pictures below are testaments to my theory.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGOWk9RsGMI/AAAAAAAAASo/ir6iiy5Sm8A/s1600/DSCN0468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGOWk9RsGMI/AAAAAAAAASo/ir6iiy5Sm8A/s320/DSCN0468.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This monsoon drain has ceased doing what drains are supposed to do. This picture was taken in front of my neighbour's house. It's the responsibility of Majlis Daerah Kubang Pasu (MDKP) to clean up this drain but both they and the owner of the house are quite content with drains like these. After every heavy downpour, xnuripilot (my other half) has to lower himself down to clear up the debris that will be washed down. The thick undergrowth prevents them from flowing any further and if not removed will create a mini dam excellent for mosquitoes to breed. xnuripilot has written a <a href="http://xnuripilot.blogspot.com/2010/08/e-mel-untuk-ydp-mdkp_15.html">letter</a> to MDKP.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGiSC7aySoI/AAAAAAAAAS4/BGyN1xpljSc/s1600/DSCN0469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGiSC7aySoI/AAAAAAAAAS4/BGyN1xpljSc/s320/DSCN0469.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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A cart load of the debris that was washed down after a recent heavy downpour.<br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I try to keep the monsoon drain in front of my house free from undergrowth. Maintaining this drain is the responsibility of xnuripilot, with lots of coaxing and nagging and monitoring by yours truly. </div></div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGiU_YNuFxI/AAAAAAAAATI/-5DyWTtF6E0/s1600/DSCN0477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGiU_YNuFxI/AAAAAAAAATI/-5DyWTtF6E0/s320/DSCN0477.jpg" /></a></div><div>This is the common drain at the back of my house shared by my Dato neighbour to the left of the drain and me. This is my territory because it is not as deep as the one in front. Every morning without fail, I will jump in and out to collect the leaves that have fallen inside. It is quite difficult to maintain your gait walking the whole narrow length of 110 feet so I jump in where the leaves are and out again to the next spot until all the spots are clear. It's almost like step-Reebok, except that each step here is thrice the height of step-Reebok. People say the work you do around the house does not have any cardio benefits. I suggest they try this. My house is on the right side of the picture so the grassy patch is also mine to maintain. The Dato and Datin never once stepped in this area. The fact that they have walled up their lot does not necessarily mean that the responsibility is mine alone.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGiZ5na34UI/AAAAAAAAATQ/w7Y5VI1TBzY/s1600/DSCN0475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGiZ5na34UI/AAAAAAAAATQ/w7Y5VI1TBzY/s320/DSCN0475.jpg" /></a></div><div>This is a common side drain shared by another neighbour of mine, on the left, and me.Throughout my 8 year stay here, they have never shown any interest in sharing out the responsibilities in keeping it Aedes-free so I am left with no choice. I have to continue my jumping acts along this stretch of 80 feet, too, every morning. How do you think I maintain my svelte figure of 48kg. I sweat it all out. Thanks to some inconsiderate souls. This neighbour has a passion for gardening. Besides the banana trees as seen in this picture, he also has...........<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGjcKzC20CI/AAAAAAAAATY/2vEYa2Sakzg/s1600/DSCN0488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGjcKzC20CI/AAAAAAAAATY/2vEYa2Sakzg/s320/DSCN0488.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Yes, he also has 4 salak palms squeezed into that narrow patch of land. These have very long and sharp thorns. I got pierced many times while doing my jumping acts. And, his passion does not end here as depicted in the next picture below......<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGjfr_7_yzI/AAAAAAAAATg/GLzAx1r-6AY/s1600/DSCN0476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGjfr_7_yzI/AAAAAAAAATg/GLzAx1r-6AY/s320/DSCN0476.jpg" /></a></div>Oh my God!!! He has just planted 4 tapioca plants. Going by his track record, these will be tended to with tender loving care until his interest starts to wane, which does not take long in coming. They will provide a nice and cosy hiding place for the mosquitoes, let alone the leaves that will accumulate in the drain. God, have mercy on me. Obviously, he was hard at work, clearing up this patch for his tapioca and guess where he dumped all that he had cleared.......<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGjk5-149TI/AAAAAAAAATo/8ICdHQepKaM/s1600/DSCN0474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGjk5-149TI/AAAAAAAAATo/8ICdHQepKaM/s320/DSCN0474.jpg" /></a></div>HERE, which is at the front end of the narrow strip of land. Incidentally, these are land encircling our lots. Our lots do not share the same perimeter so there is excess land and we stake our claim to this land with the drains acting as boundaries. Get the picture? These narrow strips of land are a hive of activities, mostly gardening in nature. I, too, planted a rambutan tree and 2 nona trees on this no-man's land BUT I keep mine under control as shown below.<br />
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My rambutan tree grown on the excess land. My house is on the left of the grass strip.<br />
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And my nona trees.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGop6CZWgUI/AAAAAAAAAUI/Wi8SEM5mOm4/s1600/DSCN0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGop6CZWgUI/AAAAAAAAAUI/Wi8SEM5mOm4/s320/DSCN0489.jpg" /></a></div>These were supposed to be bonsais which the same neighbour painstakingly transported from the jungles of Perlis using huge trailers. Cranes were utilised to plant them all round his house. Contractors spent months erecting those huge concrete base for the giant bonsais. (I thought bonsais are supposed to be miniature plants). Wires were wound round and round the branches to get the signature bonsai shape but sadly he was not able to keep up pace with the fast growing leaves resulting in these hideous-looking giant bonsais which have since transformed into a haven for a myriad of creatures both harmless and lethal.<br />
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More bonsai-craze-turned-sour pix.<br />
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The more the merrier. You don't need a GPS to get to his place OR mine. Just look out for these bonsais and you're on the right track. Why am I being so nasty to him, you may wonder. The reason is............<br />
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SNAKES!!! It's only the skin but they must be lurking around close by. I found this near the drain.<br />
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And this, a few feet away. May be this is a fragment of the same skin but whatever it is, it scares the hell out of me. A few days ago while feeding the stray cats I noticed one of them peering into ..........<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGtCzNnD7sI/AAAAAAAAAUs/4wGXb5soHns/s1600/DSCN0495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TGtCzNnD7sI/AAAAAAAAAUs/4wGXb5soHns/s320/DSCN0495.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>.......this hole. This hole drains water from underneath the house. I observed the cat peering in and then backing off several times. I knew it had to be something it was scared of. Standing some 2 metres away from the hole, I bent down to investigate and what I saw confirmed my worst fears. I could see the silhoutte of a black head with a white snout and it wriggled at the sight of me. xnuripilot was summoned to solve the problem. He was not able to persuade the creature to come out of hiding so using a long pole, he plugged the hole tightly with newspapers. I think the creature has suffocated to death because I thought I detected a faint smell of rotting carcass when I went to get this picture. Poor thing. I hate any form of cruelty to animals but cobras are potentially dangerous creatures.I cringed in fear when I read <a href="http://utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0818&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Dalam_Negeri&pg=dn_05.htm">this</a>.<br />
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I know this is the month of Ramadhan. Please God, forgive me. I am on the verge of exploding so I need to spew some off to ease the pressure that's building up inside of me. The moral of the story is, the world would be a healthier, a safer and a better place if everyone of us do our bit in keeping our surroundings clean. </div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-31731799800068333472010-08-01T16:00:00.000+08:002010-08-01T16:00:47.836+08:00Teachers And Politics<h1 id="story_title" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 29px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 35px; padding-top: 0px;">Teachers in grades DG41 to DG48 can engage in politics. Read more <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/27/nation/20100727131440&sec=nation">here</a>.</h1>I don't really like to air my thoughts on politics because my knowledge is much too shallow to render a fairly decent comment. But, this particular one about teachers being given the option to participate in active politics is far too close to home for me to remain silent and let it just slip away. They say, once a teacher always a teacher. I think I need to break my silence on this one even at the risk of being made a laughing stock or an object of ridicule.<br />
<h3 id="story_date" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></h3><div>Ever since the announcement, I have not stopped questioning the rationale behind the drastic move. I thought all government servants, teachers included, have to pledge their undivided loyalty to the government of the day. By having this clause amended, are they allowed the freedom to support any political party? If this is the case, then, wouldn't it be contradictory to serve the ruling party and yet support the opposition, for those who choose to do this. Unless, of course a provision is stated which forbids them to support the rival party, which I think is nowhere to be found in the clause.</div><div><br />
It appears to me that the government is confident the results of this action would swing in their favour. I, on the other hand, is of the opinion that they are treading on highly explosive ground. One wrong step would have the whole thing blown up to pieces. The fact that the opposition has given their blessing is indicative that they, too, think the move would benefit them. I think they have been waiting for something like this to come their way. It's like <b><i>pucuk</i></b><b><i> </i></b><b><i>dicita</i></b><b><i> </i></b><b><i>ulam</i></b><b><i> </i></b><b><i>mendatang</i></b> for them.<br />
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Politics is extremely infectious. The merest hint of a provocation could turn the most timid of teachers into roaring tigers ready to pounce and prey. I have seen it happen many times before. Is the present government ready to face the consequences should there be an outbreak of an epidemic, or pandemic even? May be it would be too late at that time to revert to the original unamended clause. (Is this possible?)<br />
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One final question before I close shop. Is the government certain that the vast majority of teachers all over Malaysia is on their side? If so, then there's nothing to fear but if it goes the other way round, you are in deep trouble. When you are just an ordinary teacher, like who I once was, you mix around with ordinary teachers. You see and hear a lot of things which I think have failed to reach the ruling party, otherwise they wouldn't have been so rash in their decision. It is important to carry out a thorough investigation prior to taking such a big step. It would be foolish to just rely on what you see on the surface. The underlying waters may tell a different story altogether.<br />
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One thing is for sure, I'm completely lost when it comes to politics, but being the busybody that I am, it's difficult for me not to poke my nose in this one. Whatever, the outcome, we'll just have to wait and see. And in the mean time ,Good Luck Barisan Nasional.</div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-58865536285004150302010-07-18T21:02:00.005+08:002010-07-18T21:21:40.904+08:00My Painful Introduction To Wasps<div>A lot of things, which could be turned into interesting blog pieces, happened since my last posting but I was not in the mood to write. It wasn't easy to recharge and psych myself back into writing mode after two weeks. Hopefully this one gets posted today.<br />
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Of the many things that happened during the short break I took from blogging, this particular one which I am about to relate eclipsed all the rest. It catapulted me back to an incident which happened some 53 years ago when I was stung by wasps at a tender age of about 5. I was sniffing at some flowers Mum planted outside the house when I felt a sudden intense pain, both sharp and piercing in my nose and ran screaming back into the house. I didn't know what happened but told Mum that something went inside my nose while sniffing those flowers. It was not just the pain that made me howl and scream. I had been forewarned many times <b>NOT</b> to go round sniffing at flowers. Mum explained that insects might find their way up my nose and that doctors would have to remove my entire nose to get at the insects. It was the fear of losing my nose plus the intense pain that made me scream my heart out. Mum acted the doctor, inspecting my nose, torchlight and all. When both the pain and howling subsided, Mum went outside to investigate. She came back and told me I had nothing to be scared of for I was ONLY stung by wasps.<br />
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Needless to say, I exercised a lot of caution every time a beautiful flower came into sight ever since that traumatic experience. But, fate has a way of knocking at one's door without prior notice.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Fifty three wasp-free years have passed before I came face to face with yet another encounter of the same kind...........well, with a slight twist. I have this habit, which I picked up from Mum, of plucking out yellow leaves off shrubs, trees, whatever, as far as my hands could reach before they fall to the ground. The logic behind this seemingly ridiculous act is to avoid a much more gruelling, back-breaking task of having to pick them off the ground. So, when I saw all the yellow leaves sticking out of this rambutan tree, I stretched and lunged at them like a woman possessed. (If I may offer an analogy, the feeling is very similar at the sight of grey hair sticking out of your head!!!) Even though I was engrossed with this addiction to yellow leaves, I did notice this particular leaf. It was already a dark brown but still firmly attached in between the branches and it was nicely rolled up like a fat cigar. Thinking that the branches must have prevented it from falling, I tugged at it and......... you guessed it.......All Hell Broke Loose!!!! The hand which tried to dislodge their home was their prime target. The moment I felt that unmistakeably familiar pain of 53 years ago, sharp and piercing, I knew it was them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TEJv9T4MH-I/AAAAAAAAARs/Bh5UM9tbo5U/s1600/DSCN0462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TEJv9T4MH-I/AAAAAAAAARs/Bh5UM9tbo5U/s320/DSCN0462.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rambutan tree beside my house</div><br />
The whole sequence of events which followed were remarkably similar to those of 53 years ago. I ran back into the house as fast as I could and told Mum all about it, but this time around, minus all the screaming and howling, of course! Mum is still overly protective of her daughter. She insisted on burning the hive immediately herself. I had to plead with her to let my other half undertake that manly job. Well, they are still up there in between the branches, nice and comfortable, even though I poured out my painful story to my better half. As always, the answer was "OK, OK I'll do it <b><i>afterwards</i></b>". It's been almost 2 weeks now since he made the promise. May be the job is not <b><i>manly </i></b>enough for him. Hmmmmm......may be I should try and get that leaf, wasps, hive and all and shove it inside his golf bag. On second thought, this would not be a good idea. I would stand to lose not only the branch but the whole tree!!! I don't want to lose the tree, even though it has stopped bearing sweet and crispy fruits of the <b><i>lekang nyok ( <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">in Kedah lingo)</span></span> </i></b>variety. Why it has stopped bearing fruits is an entirely different story altogether . Suffice to say that golf man and his theory were the reasons the tree has stopped bearing fruits, temporarily I hope.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TEKciu3j0sI/AAAAAAAAAR0/ySx9t9At8XE/s1600/DSCN0464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TEKciu3j0sI/AAAAAAAAAR0/ySx9t9At8XE/s320/DSCN0464.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The deceivingly harmless dried leaf . I braved all odds to get this shot </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Profile of the wasp</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TEL5Pipl4DI/AAAAAAAAASU/xE_aFP0XQdo/s1600/thumbnail.aspx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TEL5Pipl4DI/AAAAAAAAASU/xE_aFP0XQdo/s320/thumbnail.aspx.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The hive</div></div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-34555242584094313602010-07-05T12:05:00.003+08:002010-07-05T13:16:12.831+08:00The Magic Of NumbersThis piece of news <a href="http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2kct/Article/">here</a> about Datuk Siti Nurhaliza has prompted me to write this article. They say everything starts with a dream. Well. I started nurturing a dream of becoming rich and famous ever since I was in my teens but to date there's not the slightest of hint that I am heading in that direction. It doesn't matter anymore now but I do keep abreast of what our local who's who are up to flaunting their wealth like there's no tomorrow. It is fascinating to note how the rich and famous splash and splurge their enormous wealth with such nonchalance leaving people like me gaping in awe and disbelief . Apparently, having expensive cars is not quite enough for this exclusive lot. They have to take it a step further by having personalised registration numbers and in the case of the country's top singer, RM60k is mere chickenfeed. Well, I suppose when you do something, do it all the way. It suddenly dawned on me that I had made the biggest mistake of my life; I should have pursued singing as a career 40 years ago!!! Who knows, I might be chauffeur driven in a Rolls by now. Fat hopes.<br />
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I'm not against the Datuk. I would have done the same had I been in her position. If there's anything that fascinates me, car registration numbers is one of them. It pleases me to see cars with a nice registration number. They need not be single digits; four digits would be fine if they are nicely arranged. It is annoying to see numbers which are haphazardly arranged, even more so if the cars are worth hundreds and hundreds of thousands or millions, may be. I just don't understand how some people are willing to fork out so much and yet skip the finer points which stick out like a sore thumb.<br />
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It was this craze for car numbers that had me trying my luck to obtain one some twenty years ago. I was realistic enough not to try the single digits. They were well out of my reach even twenty years ago. Two digits seemed a bit scanty on the length of the plate. I was not really keen on three digits so the only choice left was to go for the four digits. I had to sweet talk my better half to make the necessary enquiries from JPJ. He obliged but not without first retorting that nobody would ever notice a Proton Wira Aeroback with a nice registration number. That was the new car I planned to buy then.I was neither disheartened nor disillusioned. He was entitled to his opinions. I had my own reasons. If I can't have a Merc or a BMW, then at least, give me the pleasure of getting a nice number plate. Is that asking too much?<br />
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I didn't know what the running alphabets were for Selangor at that time. There was nothing I could do to rearrange them even if I wanted to. So, I had to accept them as they were. It was indeed a double joy when I not only got the number that I wanted "<b>6789</b>" but it also came with an impressive "<b>BEB</b>" and all for RM200. Well, babe, that was one good catch.<br />
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Now, twenty years and two cars later, I still retain my "<b>BEB 6789</b>". And I must add this bit....remember the guy who passed the caustic remarks about nobody taking any notice of 6789 on a Proton Wira Aeroback? Well, soon after that, he decided to register his car with the same number and like me, two cars later, he still keeps his <b>6789. </b>Incidentally we both share the same model but his is gold and mine is silver.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TDFXShWrAPI/AAAAAAAAARY/oUY4JGu6l90/s1600/DSCN0450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TDFXShWrAPI/AAAAAAAAARY/oUY4JGu6l90/s320/DSCN0450.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His</div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-84438256794004603802010-06-29T20:43:00.000+08:002010-06-29T20:43:02.535+08:00Tales from Jitra....The Sweet Temptations"Precious Moments" was a hasty choice in my eagerness to get a glimpse of my blog when I first experimented with blogging. Now, after almost a year, I feel a new title "Tales From Jitra" would be more appropriate.<br />
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Today's tale is about my monthly blood sugar check-up. I'm not diabetic, never have been and would prefer to remain that way forever, God willing. I can't remember exactly when my husband first started acting the doctor, pricking our fingers with such finesse that would put many nurses and even doctors to shame!! But, it was not an overnight success story. It took him years to hone his skills to perfection, and it was in both my mum and me that he experimented zealously. We had to suffer the brunt of his hands-on, trial and error art of finger pricking, in silence. Any show of resentment at being made guinea pigs would doubtlessly put an end to our regular monthly tests carried out in the comforts of our home and FOC, too. So, my mum and I decided to submit to his well-meaning "onslaught" despite the numerous painful finger pricking sessions we had to endure before he finally turned pro.<br />
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The results were normal for both mum and me, according to the "doctor". I thought mum's 5.8 reading was a bit on the high end but the "doctor" explained that, given her age, this was OK.<br />
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So, mum celebrated her results by making bubur kacang. And some bubur kacang it was, with very thick santan and a generous amount of sugar,of course, cooked to a perfect gooey consistency; Mum loves her bubur thick and creamy. Not wanting to lose out to mum, I also celebrated my victory in great style, nonetheless......went to the market and bought 4 durians!!! After all, there's a lot of time to surrender to all the sweet temptations before the next finger pricking session.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TCnnQlkgqLI/AAAAAAAAAP8/gdLf_UFDVA0/s1600/DSCN0431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x2p10zVvbTo/TCnnQlkgqLI/AAAAAAAAAP8/gdLf_UFDVA0/s320/DSCN0431.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mum's extra rich, extra creamy bubur kacang</div>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4883302650236394263.post-71702162756966122402010-06-26T15:11:00.002+08:002010-06-27T14:49:14.176+08:00The Fate That Awaits UPSR And PMR<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">I read with interest and listen in earnest to all the discussions and debates that have been dominating the local media for weeks now on whether or not to abolish the UPSR and the PMR. The proponents to abolish these two exams have gone to great lengths to prove their obsolescence while the opponents have not budged an inch in their efforts to retain them.<br />
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I find it hard to remain neutral and indifferent. Having been a teacher for the best part of my life, all 32 years of it, it is extremely difficult to detach myself and make a clean break from the profession. When an issue of this magnitude surfaces yet again, I feel as though I am still a part of the whole system and hence the need to give my views. So, here goes.........<br />
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I strongly feel that PMR should be scrapped and immediately, too. What is the point in having an examination which serves only to......<br />
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i) complicate a student's already tight and hectic schedule <br />
ii) burden a teacher's already heavy workload <br />
iii) meet a principal's unrealistic target<br />
iv) heighten a parent's anxiety<br />
v) exaggerate the Ministry's role in increasing the percentage of passes<br />
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And all these for NAUGHT!!!!!<br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Yes, PMR serves only to bring a moment of glory or despair to students, teachers and parents. It has no long term discriminating effects on the student. In fact, emphasis is often placed on these weaker students to ensure that they would not bring down the overall percentage passes of the school in the next exam, the SPM. A student who scores straight A's will continue to Form 4 on an equally same footing as another who scores straight E's. The only concession being, the top scorers will be placed in the Science classes where as the mediocres and the failures will fill up the rest of the classes. And they start all over again regardless of their performance in PMR. This time they strive for the final and most important exam in their 11 years of schooling, the SPM. Unlike PMR, SPM is the one which will ultimately determine whether they can continue to pursue their education right through the tertiary level.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">So, why be sentimental over an exam which has no significance whatsoever. It is wiser to scrap it and devote time, energy and money in preparing for SPM. But my hunch says that the Ministry will retain, if not both UPSR and PMR, then at least one of them. Well, may be not exactly a hunch.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mahyuddin who holds the Education portfolio has made his stand loud and clear. He is all for the termination of the exams. Read more of what he has to say <a href="http://nst.com.my/nst/articles/Schooltestoption_br__i__small___8216_Scrappingexamswillpromoteinnovation_sports__8217___i___small_/Article/index_html">here</a>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Mahathir (our ex-Premier), on the other hand, is against the termination. It is interesting to see what the final outcome would be. If I remember correctly it was to old man Mahathir that Mahyuddin ran for help during the Badawi crisis. It would be impolite to go against the old man's wishes now, wouldn't it?</span><br />
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We'll just have to wait and see but whatever it is, l am all for the abolition of UPSR and PMR once and for all. </span>Siti Roffinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03156706438424232897noreply@blogger.com4