Negara Ku

Malaysia at 51: she hasn't done too badly, but could have been better. Politics-wise. The people are generally still very, very nice; the country still beautiful.

As a student many years ago, and now as a working adult, I look forward to Hari Kebangsaan as a day for rest (These days, rest from driving to and from work. However, the chores at home still remain). This time, 31st August falls on Sunday, which bestows Monday a public holiday. Yeayy!

I never thought of myself as being patriotic -- until some foreigner said something about Malaysia -- and I bristled. I don't go fighting physically for my country, but I think I would, if I have to. I would never fly the Jalur Gemilang (or any other flag)upside down. It just shows bad upbringing and lack of basic decency. A common vandal, Singing the Negara Ku can bring tears to my eyes, or seeing anyone intently and proudly singing their own National Anthems.

I love patriotic songs: they are catchy and short. In addition, they are sung full of spirit and not in those voices pretending to be coy and sexy (see why I love ABBA?). I remember listening to the booming voice of 'Pakcik Jamal' singing patriotic songs on radio all those years ago. I also believe all radio stations should play patriotic songs, especially in August.

I still catch Merdeka Parade on tv, while doing the chores, though. I admire those who can speak Malay without code-switching (Datuk Shahrir is good). I look up to people who know the history of Malaysia (Datuk Khoo Kay Kim -- naturally, my aunt, and Zainab, an ex-colleague). I need to brush up on my pool of knowledge about Malaysia.

SELAMAT HARI MERDEKA!

Nisfu Shaaban

Last weekend saw the passing of half of Shaaban, or nisfu Shaaban (nisf is half, in Arabic). It is a day celebrated with fasting. Yes, in Islam, celebrations take on a different nature than those we normally would have. Birthdays, for instance, are supposed to be a day for reflection about being a better person, besides rejoicing another year of life.

Nisfu Shaaban indicates Ramadhan is just round the corner. I normally would fast as much as I can in Shaaban and even Rejab (the month before).

When a lot younger, when I was about 10, I used to hope my mother would forget the day. How could she when her cousins and neighbours made a fuss of it. The eve of nisfu Shaaban would see the whole kampung going to the kampung surau to perform congregational prayers, read the Yaasin (a chapter of the Quran) and zikr (chant prayers).

I had hoped she would forget the day because, not used to congregational prayers, I felt very uncomfortable, standing so close to each other. The floor was rather hard, as well, spread over with a thin mengkuang mat. It was hot too. Not like the suraus and mosques these days -- equipped with air conditioning as well as carpeted. After prayers, the eating would start. Now that was worth waiting for.

Islamic celebrations start the evening before. For instance, nisfu Shaaban is the 15th of Shaaban, but we would start celebrating the evening of the 14th, with the congregational prayers. The next day, which is the actual day is the day for fasting.

Restlessness

Recently, I have felt the need to do 'something else' -- yes, to even have a career change. I discarded the thought very soon after, since I haven't the skill to do much else but what I'm employed for right now. Plus the A G E factor. Hubby, AHS, ventured into different portfolios every 12 years or so: teacher, administrator, lawyer and the legal line. And thus his friends are many.

When I was a lot younger, I wanted to be an architect. The only obstacle that dashed my ambition was math. I also harboured thoughts of becoming a background singer. Why background singer? Why, so that I can do other things when I'm not singing. And think about what songs would sound like without the background singers? I didn't pursue that ambition, but I did participate in many school and university singing events, in the choir.

But above all, I've been wanting to be creative -- to paint, or stitch or do a collage -- things along those lines. It's been a long while since I did any of those activities.

Now why the urge? Perhaps it's going back to Kuantan recently and seeing the placemats embroidered so long ago. And the tatting my mother and my aunt used to do. Or is it because I have now the time to indulge in leisure activities? I guess that's more like it. My lifestyle in the last 3 years or so had been so rushed I've not had much time to get a proper hobby anymore. There was a time when I went orienteering every weekend. It was fun, entering competitions, getting the skills and fitness, and meeting friends. I also used to follow tai-chi (46 steps) at the Lick Hung school in Subang Jaya. I must say I was exemplary!! It was like a dance; go with the flow, so to speak. It was a wonderful and rewarding experience.

So I've been browsing the arty crafty sites and have added two on this blog. I might start on a creative project soon. I'm quite eager to start, but cannot decide on which. The only thing is I want to be able to spend whole days on the project; if I leave it aside for too long, the interest may wane. That's me.

And while typing this post, I remember wanting to do a macrame hanging for my mother's glass balls (fishing buoys, really). The ones she has are really ancient. That will make her happy this Raya.

Settled for a recipe...

...or two. At first I wanted to write about what's happening around me, but it will end in politics again -- too bleak and dreary. I also thought of writing on the longest 5 kilometres I ever travelled: last Sunday. It took AHS and I an hour and 40 minutes inching along less than 5 km on MRR2. We turned on the radio hoping for info on the gridlock, but to no avail. AHS then phoned the police who explained about the cracked pillar 28. Oh, not again, I groaned. We spent several millions not 5 years ago to pay the German experts to mend the problem. This time we must do something to the original contractor(s). They can't get away with this shoddy job. Yet, it was another unhappy event to write on.

I finally settled on sharing with anyone reading this post a simple, yet delightful recipe which I tried for yesterday's tea. It was given by a colleague who had a chef from Hong Kong visiting her brother. So for a couple of days, this chef would cook up simple dishes for the household. On to the recipe (without permission):

Some yam, peeled, cleaned and diced.
(Although not in the recipe, I sprinkled some salt over it)
Deep fry the whole thing till golden brown.

Pour out the oil, leaving only a little. Toss in some spring onion -- just the green part (cut to about 1" in length). Stir quickly for just a few seconds. The aroma will tantalise you.
(Low fire please)

Add a spoonful of white sugar, stirring all the time, till it caramelizes. Add the fried yam, still stirring, till it is all coated with the sugar.

Serve with freshly brewed, piping hot, kopi kampung. Yummm...