This is "Kampong Senaling" taken in 2006. Has not changed since the 50s - gateway to Sri Menanti
'Kampong Senaling is approximately 5 kilometres from Kuala Pilah - on the Tampin trunk road'
" MAY PEACE BE UPON YOU "

30 December 2008

Proverbs 31DEC2008


Everything passes, everything breaks, everything wearies - French Proverb

He that promises most will perform least - Gaelic Proverb

A poor person isn't he who has little, but he who needs a lot - German Proverb

29 December 2008

Proverbs 30DEC2008

Do not rejoice over what has not yet happened - Egyptian Proverb

A man is as old as he feels himself to be - English Proverb

Goodness is the only investment that never fails - French Proverb

22 December 2008

Thought 23DEC2008

A lie runs until it is overtaken by the truth - Cuban Proverb

THE WISE WAY – Paradoxical Commandments
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centred; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people may often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is all between you and god; It was never between you and them anyway.
Written by Kent M Keith when he was 19, first published by the Harvard Student Agencies in 1968

Our faults irritate us most when we see them in others - Dutch Proverb

21 December 2008

Thought 22DEC2008

DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
Often we allow ourselves to get all worked up about things that, upon closer examination, aren't really that big a deal. We focus on little problems and concerns and blow them away out of proportion. A stranger, for example, might cut in front of us in traffic. Rather than let it go and go on with our day, we convince ourselves that we are justified in our anger. We play out an imaginary confrontation in our mind. Many of us might even tell someone else about the incident later on rather than simply let it go. Why not instead simply allow the driver to have his accident somewhere else? Try to have compassion for the person and remember how painful it is to be in such an enormous hurry. This way, we can maintain our sense of well-being and avoid taking other people's problems personally.

There are many similar "small stuff" examples that occur every day in our lives. Whether we had to wait in line, listen to unfair criticism, or do the lion's share of the work, it pays enormous dividends if we learn not to worry about little things. So many people spend so much of their life energy "sweating the small stuff" that they completely lose touch with the magic and beauty of life. When you commit to working toward this goal you will find that you will have far more energy to be kinder and gentler.
Richard Carlson, PhD - Extracted from his book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ... and it's all small stuff", Hyperion, 1997
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost. Now put foundations under them - Henry David Thoreau

Wedding Anak Hamidah Mohd Noor

The wedding ceremony for putera sulong Hamidah Mohd Noor (BNM) was done at her house in Jalan Yadi, Telok Gadong Kecil, Kelang on Sunday 21st December 2008. Some of us were there to celebrate the happy occasion
The arrival of the Mempelai for the bersanding ceremony
The few of us who went, arrived earlier
Dr Mala, Me, Siti Rowhoney and Ramly Adam (Cun)
Things to talk about - tak mengata, tak apa!
Dr Mala, Siti's Son, Siti & Ramly Cun
Ramly's Son, Ramly's Daughter, Mrs Ramly, Dr Mala
Kenang-kenangan dengan Ibu Pengantin Lelaki
Dr Mala, Hamidah, Me, Siti & Ramly Adam
Wan Asma arrived a bit later
Wan Asma with her 'better half'
Wan Asma, Ramly's Daughter, Mrs Ramly, Dr Mala
Mrs Ramly, Dr Mala, Siti, Ramly Adam
Wan Asma, Ramly's Daughter, Mrs Ramly, Dr Mala, Siti's Son, Siti
The Happy Newly Wed Couple
Semoga berkekalan sehingga ke anak, cucu, piat dan piut

18 December 2008

Thought 19DEC2008

TAKING A BREAK
Being a working woman can be tough, but holding a job and having children is even tougher. There's a story about a mother with three active boys who were playing cops and robbers in the back yard after dinner one summer evening.

One of the boys "shot" his mother and yelled, "Bang, you're dead." She slumped to the ground and when she didn't get up right away, a neighbour ran over to see if she had been hurt in the fall.

When the neighbour bent over, the overworked mother opened one eye and said, "Shhh. Don't give me away. It's the only chance I get to rest."
The Best of Bits and Pieces - extracted from 'Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul', Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Jennifer Read Hawthorne & Marci Shimoff, Health Communications, Inc., 1996

The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later, with astounding accuracy - Florence Shinn

17 December 2008

Thought 18DEC2008

THOROUGH PREPARATION
For thirty-three years Red Barber broadcast basketball games. One reason for his success was his habit of thorough preparation before each game. "You have to be as fully prepared for the dull game as you are for the great one," said Barber, "or else you won't be prepared for the great one."
Extracted from 'Bits & Pieces', The Economic Press, Inc., Fairfield New Jersey - From the Library of Puan Hajjah Zaihani Abdul Hamid

Trouble is part of your life, and if you don't share it, you don't give the person who loves you a chance to love you enough - Dinah Shore

16 December 2008

On The Train [Ipoh-Sentral KL]

The Train Ride - Ipoh -> Sentral KL
This time, December 2008, my in-laws spent their Hari Raya Aidil'adha at my house in Shah Alam. Since my father-in-law was not so well to drive back to Ipoh, I decided to drive them back to Ipoh and return by the next available bus or train or taxi; whichever is available. The train was priority, since I know that the KL-Ipoh-KL Shuttle started since 1st December 2008.
The new Ipoh Railway Station
Busy ticket counters at Ipoh Railway Station

Daily there are 5 daily Shuttle plying KL-Ipoh-KL. From either station, the train leaves at 5:00 am, 9:00 am, 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm; reaching either destination approximately 3 hours later, plus minus 5 minutes.
Besides the daily 5 Shuttles, other normal trains are still available.
The only mamak vendor selling some cakes, nuts, chocolates, hot and cold drinks. No other food stalls within the 50 metre radius of the station.
Makcik selling hot food (nasi lemak, mee, meehoon, fried eggs, juices, hot tea, coffee and everything else) - tasty and cheap; selling from her Van.
Busy-busy Ipoh Railway Station entrance
The Express Senandung Malam (Ipoh-KL-Singapore) supposed to depart Ipoh at 6:00 pm
Long train - approximately 30 coaches
Seats in the Superior Coach
The Buffet Car - food not as it used to be
We left Ipoh at 6:12 pm (12 minutes late)
Tapah Road Station - now bigger, modern and tiled
Tapah Road Station - bright, accommodating and lonely
The long and winding rail track - something that I have always enjoyed to look out for when travelling on the train
Tanjung Malim Station has also been spruced up to expect more passengers to accommodate the Komuter Train daily runs in 2009
All stations along the route have excellent signages, clean and all ready for the influx of train travellers expected from 2009. This is Tanjung Malim
Even though flat TV screen are available in our coach, it was meant for the KL-Singapore-KL route use only
By the time we reached Rawang Station, we were already dead tired and hungry. We reached Sentral KL (our destination) @ 9.49 pm; 32 minutes later that expected - which is considered good! For RM18.00 one way, I have no complaints.

Thought 17DEC2008

CONSIDER THIS
Beethoven handled the violin awkwardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his techniques. His teacher called him hopeless as a composer.
Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas. Walt Disney also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland.
Thomas Edison's teacher said he was too stupid to learn anything.
Louis Pasteur was only a mediocre pupil in undergraduate studies and ranked 15th out of 22 in chemistry.
Albert Einstein did not speak until he was four years old and didn't read until he was seven. His teacher described him as "mentally slow, unsociable and adrift forever in his foolish dreams." He was expelled and was refused admittance to the Zurich Polytechnic School.
Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school.
Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally succeeded.
Winston Churchill failed sixth grade. He did not become Prime Minister of England until he was 62 and then only after a lifetime of defeats and setbacks. His greatest contributions came when he was a "senior citizen."

extracted from 'Chicken Soup for the Soul, Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen,Health Communication,Inc, 1993.

No sword bites so fiercEly as an evil tongue - Sir Philip Sidney

15 December 2008

Thought 16DEC2008

THE INSPECTION
The scouts were in camp. In an inspection, the director found an umbrella neatly rolled inside the bedroll of a small scout. As an umbrella was not listed as a necessary item, the director asked the boy to explain.

"Sir," answered the young man with a weary sigh, "did you ever have a mother?"
Author Unknown - Submitted by Glenn Van Ekeren, extracted from 'Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul', Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Jennifer Read Hawthorne and Marci Shimoff, Health Communications, Inc; 1997

I've always tried to go a step past wherever people expected me to end up - Beverly Sills

14 December 2008

Thought 15DEC2008

NEVER HEARD OF HIM
I love the story of the high school basketball coach who was attempting to motivate his players to persevere through a difficult season. Halfway through the season he stood before his team and said, "Did Michael Jordan ever quit?" The team responded, "No!" He yelled, "What about the Wright brothers? Did they ever give up?" "No!" the team sounded. "Did O J Simpson ever quit?" Again the team yelled, "No!" "Did Elmer McAllister ever quit?" There was a long silence. Finally one player was bold enough to ask, "Who's Elmer McAllister? We never heard of him." The coach snapped back, "Of course you never heard of him - he quit!"
extracted from 'Speaker's Sourcebook II, Glen Van Ekeren, Prentice Hall, 1994

We know what a person thinks not when he tells us what he thinks, but by his actions - Isaac Bashevis Singer

12 December 2008

Thought 12DEC2008

THELMA
Even at the age of 75, Thelma was very vivacious and full of life. When her husband passed away, her children suggested that she move to a "senior living community." A gregarious and life-loving person, Thelma decided to do so. Shortly after moving in, Thelma became a self-appointed activities director, coordinating all sorts of things for the people in the community to do and quickly became very popular and made many friends.

When Thelma turned 80, her newfound friends showed their appreciation by throwing a surprise birthday party for her. When Thelma entered the dining room for dinner that night, she was greeted by a standing ovation and one of the coordinators led her to the head of the table. The night was filled with laughter and entertainment, but throughout the evening, Thelma could not take her eyes off a gentleman sitting at the other end of the table.

When the festivities ended, Thelma quickly rose from her seat and rushed over to the man. "Pardon me," Thelma said. "Please forgive me if I made you feel uncomfortable by staring at you all night. I just couldn't help myself from looking your way. You see, you look just like my fifth husband." "Your fifth husband!" replied the gentleman. "Forgive me for asking, but how many times have you been married?" With that, a smile came across Thelma's face as she responded, "Four." They were married shortly after.

Shari Smith, extracted from a 4th course of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Hanoch McCarty and Meladee McCarty, Health Communications, Inc.,1997

The future, according to some scientists, will be exactly like the past, only far more expensive - John Sladek

11 December 2008

Thought 11DEC2008

WOMEN ARE COMPLEX CREATURES
If you kiss her, you are not a gentleman. If you don't, you are not a man. If you praise her, she thinks you are lying. If you don't, you are good for nothing. If you agree to all her likes, you are a wimp. If you don't, you are not understanding. If you visit her often, she thinks it is boring. If you don't, she accuses you of double-crossing. If you are well dressed, she says you are a playboy. If you don't, you are a dull boy. If you are jealous, she says it's bad. If you don't, she thinks you do not love her. If you attempt a romance, she says you didn't respect her. If you don't, she thinks you do not like her. If you are a minute late, she complains it's hard to wait. If she is late, she says that's a girl's way. If you visit another man, you're not putting in "quality time". If she is visited by another woman, "oh it's natural, we are girls".

If you kiss her once in a while, she professes you are cold. If you kiss her often, she yells that you are taking advantage. If you fail to help her in crossing the street, you lack ethics. If you do, she thinks it's just one of men's tactics for seduction. If you stare at another woman, she accuses you of flirting. If she is stared by other men, she says that they are just admiring. If you talk, she wants you to listen. If you listen, she wants you to talk.

In short: So simple, yet so complex. So weak, yet so powerful. So confusing, yet so desirable. So damning, yet so wonderful ... WOMEN!
Source Unknown - got it from Puan Norazlina Amran, AFFIN Bank, Bangsar

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today - Franklin D. Roosevelt, message for Jefferson Day, April 13, 1945

09 December 2008

Thought 10DEC2008

TO MY GROWN UP SON
My hands were busy through the day. I didn't have much time to play. The little games you asked me to, I didn't have much time for you. I'd wash your clothes, I'd sew and cook, But when you'd bring your picture book. And asked me please to share your fun, I'd say. "A little later, Son." I'd tuck you in all safe at night. And hear your prayers, turn our the light, Then tiptoe softly to the door ... I wish I'd stayed a minute more.

For life is short, the years rush past ... A little boy grows up so fast. No longer is he at your side, His precious secrets to confide. The picture books are put away. There are no longer games to play, No good-night kiss, no prayers to hear, That all belongs to yesteryear. My hands, once busy, now are still. The days are long and hard to fill. I wish I could go back and do.. The little things you asked me to!
Author Unknown - Submitted by Eleanor Newbern - extracted from 'Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul', Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Jennifer Read Hawthorne and Marci Shimoff, Health Communications, Inc; 1996

He who never made a mistake never made a discovery - Samuel Smiles

08 December 2008

Thought 09DEC2008

CONDITIONED BY EXPERIENCE
According to an Associated Press report, a young boy panted and pawed for attention after he was rescued from a dirt-floored pen at his grandparent's home, where he was kept along with sixty dogs. He howled. He reared back on his haunches, tilted his head and looked up, said the boy's Department of Human Services foster parent. "He acted like a little dog," she testified at a child neglect trial. The grandparents said the boy's behaviour was natural for a four-year-old and he was imitating cartoon characters he saw on television.

The foster parents said the boy continued to behave strangely after he was brought to their home, including fetching toys with his mouth. He ran wildly through the house, crashing into walls and most of the time he ran on all fours. If he wanted attention, he would run up to them and paw at their bodies, rub his head on them and whimper.

This unbelievable account places testifiable significance on the importance of a child's experiences. The environment in which we dwell will have a significant influence on the behaviours we exhibit. Choose carefully who, where and what experience you want your life exposed to. The four-year-old had no choice. You do!

Extracted from 'Speaker's Sourcebook II', Glen Van Ekeren, Prentice Hall, 1994

There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second - Logan Pearsall Smith, Afterthoughts (1931) "Life and Human Nature"

04 December 2008

Thought 05DEC2008

9 POINTS FORMULA TO KILL AN ASSOCIATION
(1) Don't participate beyond paying your dues. Let 'them' handle the things. Then complain that the members have no voice in the association.
(2) Decline all offices, committee meetings and appointments - YOU ARE TOO BUSY. Then offer vociferous advice on how to do the things.
(3) Even then, if appointed to the executive committee, don't work - it's a courtesy appointment. Then complain that the association has stagnated.
(4) If you do attend General Meetings, don't initiate new ideas. Then you can play "Devil's Advocate" to those submitted by others.
(5) Don't volunteer your talents - that's ego fulfillment. Then complain that you are never asked and never appreciated.
(6) Don't rush to pay your dues - these are too high anyway! Then complain about the poor financial management.
(7) Don't encourage others to become the members - that's selling. Then complain that the membership is not growing.
(8) Don't read and respond mail from the headquarters - it is not important. Then complain that you are not kept informed.
(9) Don't inform about your change in job and address - it is 'their' duty to find out. Then complain that you are not receiving the mail and bulletins.

Grasp every opportunity to tell the younger generation, how tough it was and how hard 'we' worked in the old days to bring the association to its present level of success.

extracted from 'Management Thoughts' by Promod Batra, Golden Book Centre Sdn Bhd, reprinted 1995

The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn - David Russell

03 December 2008

Thought 04DEC2008

IF I HAD MY CHILD TO RAISE OVER AGAIN
If I had my child to raise all over again.
I'd finger-paint more and point the finger less.
I'd do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious and seriously play.
I'd run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I would be firm less often and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power and more about the power of love.

Dianne Loomans - extracted from 'A 2nd helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul' Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, Health Communication, Inc., 1995.

It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be - J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

02 December 2008

Thought 03DEC2008

THE BROKEN DOLL
Here's a story a friend of mine once told me, in her own words :

One day my young daughter was late coming home from school. I was both annoyed and worried. When she came through the door, I demanded in my upset tone that she explain why she was late. She said, "Mommy, I was walking home with Julie and halfway home, Julie dropped her doll and it broke into lots of little pieces." "Oh, honey," I replied, "you were late because you helped Julie pick up pieces of her doll to put them back together." In her young and innocent voice, my daughter said, "No Mommy. I didn't know how to fix the doll. I just stayed to help Julie cry."

Dan Clark - extracted from 'Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul', Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Jennifer Read Hawthorne and Marci Shimoff, Health Communications, Inc; 1997.

Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself - Chinese Proverb

01 December 2008

Thought 02DEC2008

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat and I thought it was good to be ind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favourite cake just for me and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer and I believed there is a God I could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked ... and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw ...

... when you thought I wasn't looking.
Author Unknown - Extracted from 'A 4th course of Chicken Soup for the Soul', Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Hanoch McCarty and Meladee McCarty, Health Communications, Inc.,1997

In each of us are places where we have never gone. Only by pressing the limits do you ever find them - Dr Joyce Brothers

Percussion Band (1964) - Kuala Pilah Padang

Percussion Band (1964) - Kuala Pilah Padang

Percussion Band (1965) - Kuala Pilah Padang

Percussion Band (1965) - Kuala Pilah Padang

Standard 4 (1966) - Tunku Munawir School, Kuala Pilah

Standard 4 (1966) - Tunku Munawir School, Kuala Pilah

Standard 5 (1967) - Tunku Munawir School, Kuala Pilah

Standard 5 (1967) - Tunku Munawir School, Kuala Pilah

Form 3 (1971) - Ampang Road Boys School, Kuala Lumpur

Form 3 (1971) - Ampang Road Boys School, Kuala Lumpur

THE WISE WAY - Parodoxical Commandments

  • People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centred; Forgive them anyway
  • If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
  • If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway.
  • If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
  • What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight; Build anyway.
  • If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
  • The good you do today, people may often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
  • Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you got anyway.
  • You see, in the final analysis, it is all between you and GOD; It was never between you and them anyway.
  • .......................................................................................................
  • Written by Kent M Keith when he was 19, first published by the Harvard Student Agencies in 1968.