Kenduri Durian

Saturday is normally full of activities at our house. It is the day the weekly turns up, as early as 8 a.m to scrub and clean for about four hours. I would be doing almost the same, or sometimes simply read. Once in a couple of months or so, the gardener would come to trim the grass and clear up, outside. If AHS goes to market, I'd have to clean and sort out whatever is bought. We would then either have lunch outside, or, when in the mood, I'd cook something.

But last Saturday AHS had inspiration for a kenduri: tahlil for family members who had passed on. And what brought about this inspiration? Durians! AHS is a 'hantu durian'. If we are on the road somewhere, and there are lots (must be the season) of durians, he will stop by the road side, choose one and we will eat the king of fruits by the roadisde. So AHS phoned me from the market, sounding quite pleased with himself, saying: "We are going to have tahlil after 'asr; I'm buying durians." I had brought back some work to complete, and wasn't feeling too good to top it up. (Notice how people would get sore throats when durians are abundant?

My dear AHS came home all eager, greeted by a sullen wife. How come I wasn't consulted? He gave the excuse: I thought there wouldn't be any durians.

Well, the tahlil was simple enough. I made pengat durian with a quarter of the durian, while the rest was eaten with santan (added with a pinch of salt), plus white sugar and scraped gula melaka on the side. Simply divine. I also brewed a pot of kopi kampung and teazan-- an Algerian concoction of tea leaves. It was a small affair with just the imam and wife, AHS' daughter's family and both AHS and myself. Amazingly the grandchildren were on their best behaviour.

I don't know why I was upset with AHS' impulsive act. It turned out very well and, in retrospect, I wouldn't have it any other way.

5 minute reverie at the barber's

It was a lazy Sunday.

I like having my weekly dose of tosai at the nearby eateries, and so on Sunday, AHS and I went to Melawati. It was already way past 9. The place was full, and I was glad for that - somehow I don't like a mamak place to be devoid of customers. After we had our fill of tosai biasa and nescafe tarik, AHS headed to the barber shop a couple of doors away, while I took some negatives for reprinting. Once done (wanted to get size 5R, but it is so expensive now), I walked the short distance to the barber shop, shared with a grocer's.

I'd not been into a barber shop in ages. When I was about 4 or 5, my grandfather (Aki) used to take me to the barber shop for my haircuts. So if you see my photos before I started schooling, you'd see the length of my hair well above my ears. Yup, not a pretty sight, I can tell you; but that was my Aki's idea of looking smart. I remember going to the barber's at the junction of Jalan Dato' Lim Hoe Lek in Kuantan, riding on my Aki's Raleigh bicycle. I must say I sensed a feeling of pride, somehow, when Aki took me around. The barber's was a small setup, and they would always call out a friendly greeting whenever we stepped in.

Aki would always be near, saying soothing words and praising how good I looked afterwards. I didn't like going -- I was afraid my ears would be cut off. But now, the hairdresser can have her time doing my hair.

So last Sunday, when I stepped into the barber's, I felt satisfied -- that it was very old fashioned; similar to those in my childhood days. The shop was narrow, and the door opened to a row of 5 leather chairs facing gleaming, slanting mirrors. The mirrors delighted me. AHS hair was being snipped, and I smiled at him, not wanting to make him move if I said anything in case his ears are cut off. there were 2 other people being attended to; and I walked straight in, to chairs arranged along the wall at the end.

The barbers were very gentle. Somehow that surprised me. My hairdresser isn't as gentle. They moved their hands in graceful ways and gently massaged their clients' necks and shoulders. How I wish my hairdresser would do the same. When AHS was done, paid, and waved at the barber, I felt that it was a beautiful day. So glad.

The Oil Debate

It was a good thing-- having the debate. As Datuk Shabery said: there wouldn't have been the debate if it was under the previous management team. Anwar was exceptional, I feel; no longer the shouting Anwar I used to know (even when presenting the Belanjawan). I used to cringe when he spoke so loudly when he was the DPM, when he addressed any crowd at all. His approach last night was aimed at the people, for, what should any government fight for, if not for the people, to quote him. He had substance, and he delivered it.

I am not his supporter, far from it; neither am I passionate about the current management team of the country. But after his release from the Sg. Buloh prison, I have not heard him speak, until last night. As soon as the cameras focused on him, I... sympathised with him and his plight. This was a man who was fighting for what he felt was right; someone who has been wronged. I felt tears looming for a reason that was beyond me. I prayed that both would be civilised and curteous; and they were. I hoped that they would do well; and they did. Shabery should do more research, true, but perhaps he was told not to veer from certain points -- I don't know. He poked at Anwar's past 'mistakes' and Anwar took it in stride ( I like his facial expression). Did Anwar say they (Pakatan) will support the government if they did what was suggested by Anwar? Hmm... that we have to see. I've never really listened to Shabery speak, but from last night, he was ok. He could have done better.