Hi folks, sorry for being late but would like to wish you all Selamat Hari Raya, maaf zahir bathin. Hope you had a good Raya and a good break last week. Mine was pretty normal. Spent the first day of Raya with my parents and the rest of the family. Then left for Jakarta on the second day. Or at least it was the second day for us but still the first day for Indonesia because they celebrated Aidil Fitri a day after us.
Since we know longer have my late mother-in-law who traditionally hosted open house on the first day where all our relatives would congregate, this year we went to visit various uncles instead, from both sides of the family. Jakarta open houses are not as elaborate as ours here but no less meriah for it.
Came back to KL in time for Dad's open house yesterday. As always it was very crowded and hot. People queued a long time to shake hands with Mum and Dad and many took the opportunity to take photos with them. The new thing this year was to bring Dad's book, Doctor in the House, and get him to autograph it. Some who didn't manage to get his signature asked for mine instead, which I thought was rather funny. Anyway I marvel at how Malaysians are willing to endure all that heat and crowd just to briefly greet my parents and have a bite to eat every year. Open house is truly a Malaysian tradition that I hope will always remain the same.
A few friends also braved the crowd to come and see me. One of them was Yvonne Foong Ming Niang whom I've written about before. Yvonne is doing well although her hearing is still not great. But she's not one to dwell on her illness but instead is not only gung-ho about life but is also ever-willing to help others.
Today she wrote to me about a friend of hers, Syahidah Ishak, a 33-year old lecturer who has Acoustic Neuroma, similar to Yvonne's case. Inspired by Yvonne, Syahidah is also not one to give up her independence because of her ill-health. She needs to have surgery for her condition in the same hospital as Yvonne's in Los Angeles and to do that, she has been selling all sorts of merchandise. Thus far she has raised RM65,000 through her own efforts, which is quite impressive already. Unfortunately she is still short of RM85,000 to pay for her surgery scheduled for next month. Read about her in her blog here.
If any of you can spare a little change to help Syahidah, it would be really good. May you be showered with Allah's blessings for your kindness and generosity.
Since we know longer have my late mother-in-law who traditionally hosted open house on the first day where all our relatives would congregate, this year we went to visit various uncles instead, from both sides of the family. Jakarta open houses are not as elaborate as ours here but no less meriah for it.
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| Scene from Open House at Dad's yesterday. |
Came back to KL in time for Dad's open house yesterday. As always it was very crowded and hot. People queued a long time to shake hands with Mum and Dad and many took the opportunity to take photos with them. The new thing this year was to bring Dad's book, Doctor in the House, and get him to autograph it. Some who didn't manage to get his signature asked for mine instead, which I thought was rather funny. Anyway I marvel at how Malaysians are willing to endure all that heat and crowd just to briefly greet my parents and have a bite to eat every year. Open house is truly a Malaysian tradition that I hope will always remain the same.
A few friends also braved the crowd to come and see me. One of them was Yvonne Foong Ming Niang whom I've written about before. Yvonne is doing well although her hearing is still not great. But she's not one to dwell on her illness but instead is not only gung-ho about life but is also ever-willing to help others.
Today she wrote to me about a friend of hers, Syahidah Ishak, a 33-year old lecturer who has Acoustic Neuroma, similar to Yvonne's case. Inspired by Yvonne, Syahidah is also not one to give up her independence because of her ill-health. She needs to have surgery for her condition in the same hospital as Yvonne's in Los Angeles and to do that, she has been selling all sorts of merchandise. Thus far she has raised RM65,000 through her own efforts, which is quite impressive already. Unfortunately she is still short of RM85,000 to pay for her surgery scheduled for next month. Read about her in her blog here.
If any of you can spare a little change to help Syahidah, it would be really good. May you be showered with Allah's blessings for your kindness and generosity.
out of topic, but I'm just wondering what is your stand on Mat sabu latest stand on the Bukit kepong/communist issue. Notice you were relatively quicker to comment on other similar interest issues, but when it comes from the pro anti fed. gov, you r slow to pick up on it. or is it just me.?
ReplyDeleteVery out of topic. But actually I haven't paid much attention to this issue. I think it's just a lot of grandstanding by politicians from all sides and I'm not about to give them more space. Actually am so sick of politicians. People are ill, starving, dying everywhere and politicians only want to talk about themselves.
ReplyDeleteas-salam, saya memang telah dapat merasakan yang kamu ini memang kurang mengambil berat tentang umat melayu dan agama islam, kalau perayaan untuk agama/kaum lain dengan pantasnya kamu akan memberi ucapan dan menghargai mereka. adakah ini merupakan balasan dari TUHAN kamu kpd famili kamu di atas ajaran berorientasikan barat yg kamu terima? wallahuallam, boleh lepas ke komen saya ini wahai MARINA?
ReplyDeleteZeeman fajlir, kalau kamu lebih mengambil berat daripada saya kepada umat melayu dan ugama Islam, sila lah hulurkan bantuan kepada Syahidah ya?
ReplyDeletewhat the hell is zeeman fajiir smoking?
ReplyDeleteZeemann fajiir, kenapa baling batu sembunyi tangan?
ReplyDeleteThat Bigot above belongs to the circles that are programmed by UMNO coupled with a draconian mindset. Datin, i like your reply to him. Goodness! Why can't these people mind their own business???!!! As usual, using Islam as a Passport to menyibuk hal peribadi orang lain.
ReplyDeleteHello Marina.
ReplyDeleteI was one of the many that have endured the hot sun and long queue to meet Ayahand and Bonda. It was worth every minute of the standing queue and hot sun as I got both their autographs ...buat kenangan manis.
I was also just next to Dato Siti when she arrived with her husband.
But one thing that I am sadden about this open house is the amount of food and rubbish generated by our fellow Malaysians.
I was not in the mood to eat (after standing for a couple of hours) so I decided to take a walk and look around Tun's house. Wah !! I was shocked by the disarray of plates and food of our fellow Malaysian made. Half eaten food were strewn every where. Sate sticks look untouched were thrown just as well. Ceramic plates were everywhere on the floor, and the at one point, MM1 has a couple of paper plates on it..oopss..
I feel sad that Malaysians have not learn and improve in their civilisation. Almost ten years ago I last visited Tun at Putrajaya..and now, the situation has not change. The mentality have not change.
Well, with the over crowded situation, tempers flare every where when especially tired folks with children were ill informed of where to wait for the shuttle vans. Some were given the run about and vans not stopping as it should.
This is made worse with fellow Malaysians jumped queue and unashamed proceed to board the vans without heeding the scores of folks who were profusely sweating under the hot tents (me included..)
Anyway, no further untowards situation occurred, and about after an hour, I got my ride back to the Palace stop where I parked my car.
Its a sweet and sour experience for me. I get to meet with Tun and Toh Puan Rosmah, Dato Mukhriz, and also Dato Siti and see a list of VVIPs..
But I also hope to see our Malaysians become more bertemadun.
Selamat Hari Raya to you and your family..
Dear Pai Seh, thank you for coming and for enduring the heat and crowds. Just to note that my Mum's name is Siti Hasmah and not, um, Rosmah...:-)
ReplyDeleteHahahahahahahhaa! Even a joe living down the gutter knows Tun Dr.Siti Hasmah lah! My God! And to refer to her as Rosmah! ROTFL!!!
ReplyDeleteJoshua,
ReplyDeleteWhat UMNO program are you talking about? It seems to me that the bigot would be more affiliated with PAS. I always hear this bs on Facebook and forums placing blame on UMNO and Utusan just because the people are pro opposition. Seriously?
Anyways, hope Hari Raya has been kind to you Marina.
Adam
the bugger is affiliated with PAS-B but works for UMNO-A. go figure.
ReplyDeletelots of hate postings now all over, all sites. try recall the last time we can almost feel the waves of hatred ?
yes, that's right. it's coming here now, using public funds i bet.
Dear Adam Johari,
ReplyDeleteI was referring to Mind Programming by UMNO on certain circles of Malays especially the rural ones.
It's an easy job, just tell them that the Non Malays want to take over the country or that their religion has been hijacked by Christians, BINGO! The rural folks Spiral out of control and jump into the band wagon with UMNO. This is a strategy to win the support of the rural folks. But everyone knows that this strategy doesn't work with English educated Malays who are smart, exposed and highly read and i would think that you fall into this category.
The people's support for the opposition has nothing to do with Anwar. Anwar is history. Today, it's about change, a dire need for new governance in the light of new hope, Democracy in it's true essence but off course there's no country without short comings. To begin with, we shouldn't be comparing ourselves with third world countries like Zimbabwe and the likes.
Joshua Lopez says ...
ReplyDelete"just tell them that the Non Malays want to take over the country or that their religion has been hijacked by Christians, BINGO! The rural folks Spiral out of control and jump into the band wagon with UMNO."
Or communists are trying to spread their influence in this country. What would be most shocking would be something like Anuar embracing Christianity. That ought to get the wheels moving alright.
zeemann fajiir just wants Marina to take seriously the Malay & Islamic matters.
ReplyDeletei don't agree. i think Marina would do better to stay away well out of anything Malay and Islam.
i think people like zeemann fajiir already represent Malay & Islam very well indeed.