Simran's Sangeet....a delight.....

The only Chinese in the crowd.....

Last night, my family and I attended a Sikh pre-wedding celebration. What an enriching experience indeed! It was our very first Sikh pre-wedding celebrations and I was totally floored by the rich cultural and historical ways of the Sikh community. Yeah! The very story of Datuk Amar Singh retiring is kinda big to the Sikh community these days but to me, last night’s music, dance, speeches and the atmosphere were simply far bigger, nostalgic and magical in many many ways. Last night’s celebration kinda outstripped some of the cultural events I had ever attended in my life. The evening was such a pleasant change in our daily mundane life and brought out an explosion of colours and immense upspringing of joy in the heart. 

Opening acts...all the relatives and family.....ladies only...

The vibrant colors of lehengas, kurta lehenga, saree gowns. Peplum kurtas, cape gowns and Punjabi suits are just an explosion of colours and together with the adornment of blings makes it all such an exquisite and explosive affair. The music and lights were blindingly tasteful and delightful indeed. What else - Bangra music lar, man! The curves, the bare flesh and the gratifying but graceful moves were there as the music were played but it was done tastefully and in much tradition and culture of the Sikh community with a little modern twist. It is all good and very hip indeed if I must say so. I know that we are such a multi-racial society and if ever, we lest forget who we are as Malaysians, we should take a good hard look into our neighbours’ culture and ways of life and embrace them for our differences and yet made us all so diversely beautiful and in unity. You bet, I had a very good lesson of culture last night and I am so blessed by it, truly.

Opening act of songs and dances....

Never mind, if my family were the only Chinese family at that function filled with the Sikh community but never for  minute  have I ever felt left out or sidelined by the people. A smile, a hello, a hand shake, a hug is never far away. I felt so blessed and truly enriched by the occasion. The occasion was simply  “Simran’s Sangeet.” Among the many pre-wedding events that occur prior to the Punjabi wedding ceremonies, the Sangeet is where the party begins. The word Sangeet translates to 'sung together' from Sanskrit. The word “Sangeet “ also means  music, but when it is used as a term to describe a celebratory event during a Punjabi wedding, it translates to Music Night or Musical party.

 

SLing, me, Ragu, Ragu's wife and two daughters...

Sangeet Ceremony is an occasion when the bride is blessed by her elders which is then followed by merrymaking, songs and dance. The Sangeet is an important event to celebrate Sikh and Punjabi culture. This is almost like the eastern version of a bridal shower. It is hosted by the bride’s family and can take place over one day, or over multiple days. Proceedings take place in a banquet hall, women sing traditional songs and only a few close members of the family are invited. Punjabi folk songs and traditions were methods of storytelling, passed down through generations. I found out that originally, the Sangeet was only for ladies, as they sang and played music together. However, men now enjoy the modernized event of dancing, singing, and DJ music. So now, ladies & gentleman, we all can enjoy that time of celebration and get together with our Sikh community.

The whole family in a dance.....

Peeling back the events, my best buddy from my teaching college days, Santokh Singh called me up one day to inform me that his second daughter, Simran was getting married and I am not to miss her wedding events. We also met up in one of those Sikh prayers in Melaka and we managed to talk a bit and enjoyed some coconut shakes! It was at that time that my buddy, Santokh Singh gave me a growl and mean dirty face look to threaten me! Hahahahahahahaaaaaa…..! This Punjabi fella really looked sinister enough! Hahahahahahahaaa! I had promised myself that I would not miss Simran’s wedding celebrations as I had missed her elder sister’s wedding earlier in the year due to CNY celebrations. So, when Santokh a.k.a Toki ( I called him that when we were in college as that was his childhood name ) told me of Simran’s wedding, I told him I would not miss it if I could help it.

Me, Ragu, Gopi & Raj

Honestly, initially SLing and I wanted to spend the full three days to celebrate Simran’s wedding but I only had a days’ leave as I had to get back to work as there were some unavoidable matters in the office. So, I was determined to attend Simran’s Sangeet and enjoy the night thoroughly and I DID and so did SLing and SYuen last night.

I must say that last night, my buddy, Toki and Jane looked absolutely fabulous. Dressed in lovely and fabulous orange Punjabi suit/gown with the adornment of jewellery, both of them looked marvelous, royal and grand. What a lovely couple and it was such a delight meeting up with them after such a long time. 

Me, Naga, Gopi & Raj.....

When they danced together, they looked like newlyweds and ever graceful with their moves. Their four daughters were also dressed up lovingly and beautifully in their Punjabi gowns and adornment. Two of his daughters were in white Punjabi gown with beautifully splashed flower motives while the other daughter was in light pink with floral motives Punjabi gowns while the limelight was on the daughter with the light golden gown with purplish blue top and sash.  What a beautiful sight! So rich culturally and in fashion too.

I realized that it never an easy task for an honorable Sikh man in Toki and Sikh woman, Jane to bring up four daughters. It is truly an enormous task and deserved the applause and accolades. The responsibilities and burdens are heavy on their shoulders especially in the Sikh community and just like any community for that matter. I truly respect and marveled at my friend’s ( Toki & Jane ) tenacity, love, patience and kindness to their children. Their daughters are truly a gem too. Both Toki and Jane had taught them well. I am so very pleased and happy to see their humble and respectful daughters. Yunno, last night, I saw the glow of Toki & Jane’s daughters and this is the reflection of their good upbringing and love from the both of them.  What a lasting impression and reflection!    

 

Santokh & Jane ...lovely people...

As we sat there for dinner that night, we were entertained by the songs and dances by the family members, relatives and friends. The event started off with the ladies ( family members, relatives and senior ladies ) singing songs and I was later told songs that the family members and relatives giving away the bride or something to that extent lar….Hey, I ain’t no specialist for the Sikh language lar…….sikit lebih kurang like that lar………. Then there were performances of dances from relatives, friends and Toki’s family. To me, the performances by the daughters, Toki & Jane were truly so heartwarming. I guess, you can see the warmness, the playfulness, the closeness and the bond of the family. It was like watching the two elderly swans guiding the younger swans in play, in love and in family unit. The Bangra music beat made it a body moving, steady and swaying flow plus it is truly very upbeat lar. I like the entire night’s dances and celebrations.

Me, Santokh, Ragu, Raj and Gopi....

To top off the wonderful evening, I had the opportunity to meet up with my teaching college days friends namely Ragu, Gopi, Raj and Nagaiah. It was truly a wonderful night getting to meet up with these fellas. I am truly a blessed man. We spoke, laughed, catch up on our lives and I felt truly blessed seeing them again. Yeah, we may be aged over the years but good laughs are never far away when with good friends. I truly miss to have a beer with the guys and just to have a great time together. Guess, we shall meet up another time and get some Chivas or Johnny Walker moving along the way some day!

Santokh and his daughter, Simran.

I sat a little while longer to enjoy the performances before having to start our journey back home to Melaka as SYuen and I have to work this morning. It was indeed sad to go while enjoying the evening, that I must admit. That night, all along the way, as I drove back from Klang to Melaka, while cruising the highway, the pulsating beat of the Bangra music rang loudly in my ears. It was a good thing as it kept me awake throughout my drive back home this morning. ( arrived at about 1.00am ). Yeah, the Bangra music has evolved and so did the Sikh community too.   

I take away lovely memories of last night’s event. Simran looked every bit of Jane  and very apt in her lovely golden gown, purplish bluish top and golden/purplish sash. To Simran, All the best in your life journey with Peram. It would take a very special man to deserve this beautiful lady, I must say.

To my lovely buddy , Santokh & Jane, thank you so much for the invitation to be a part of this cultural celebration and we , SLing, SYuen and myself, are so blessed.

Dhanwaad Ji ! Dhannvaad ! Shukriya ! Meharbaani ! Sat Sree Akaal ! ~  

Of Cupcakes, Waffles and Kid's Camp 2018

“Uncle Ivan, would Aunty Soon Ling and you be able to provide us cupcakes and waffles for the Children Church Camp this coming Saturday?” That was the message from Daniel Teo, our illustrious and hardworking church worker sometime on Monday night who together with a team of dedicated teachers, parents and helpers planned for an awesome camp for the children. It was always an honour being able to help out in whatever way we could and it was a DEFINITE YES from our family.

For this endeavor, Soon Ling and SYuen seemed exasperated if they could remember the right recipe for the cupcake and it was hilarious seeing mother and daughter racking their head looking for the right recipe for the cupcakes. Yeah, though it looked as though I got the waffles batter in the bag, I was also cracking my head if I could remember the recipe as well. Yeah, no need to have 3 persons in calamity and panic mode in a house, right? 

So, I acted cool as though I have the recipe in my head while the two women finally got their acts together and went into baking mode. Well, they came up with chocolate cupcake and it was a surprisingly good one. Trial cupcake baking days before the actual baking made sure that I had some mighty fine cupcake to eat. It was moist, choc-filled and nice. There were big smiles all the way at the ladies faces for a great trial baking done before the actual crunch of baking approximately 70 pieces of cupcakes for the children.

On Friday afternoon, SLing and SYuen started the ingredients preparation works and actual baking. Each batch of cupcake batter produced 12 pieces of chocolate chip cupcakes. SLing merticulously scooped in the batter and arranged the Hershey teardrop chocolates on the cupcakes while SYuen prepares the cupcake batter. I must admit that I was away at work while these two ladies hammered it out at the kitchen. 

When I got home that evening, I had bought dinner for the two ladies and the entire household permeates sweet smelling butter and freshly bakes cupcakes. What a delight indeed! I knew that SLing and SYuen would do their best for the children and I have told them many times that when the hearts are at ease, happy and giving, the end result of the cupcakes will be good too.

When the last cupcakes rolled out from the oven, I had the distinction of tasting the moist, succulent and fluffy little chocolate chip cupcake! Nice, really nice.

As SLing and SYuen headed out to the camp site with the cupcakes on Saturday morning, I was up early to search on the family’s trusty recipe book for the waffles recipe which I had kept for some time. I found it after some time and it was preparation time. Got the ingredients ready and by afternoon, I started my waffles ingredients process. I guess, I had over-estimated the portions and did 9 portions which I later came to know to be quite a lot. 

But never mind, the most important thing is to keep the children, teachers and helpers to be happy and well fed. Slowly but steadily I managed to churn out the batter and soon, I‘ve got to have SLing’s help to pour the batter into the container. After getting it all done, I slumped on the sofa and watched a Korean movie on TV before getting ready to leave for the campsite.

Soon, it was time to set up my battle station to churn out the waffles. With help from Jarren, SYuen and SLing, it wasn’t long before we started making the waffles laced with PB&J (peanut butter & jam ) It was fun and felt good feeding the children and adult alike. 

But as the children and adult had dinner earlier, it wasn’t easy to feed the children with more food such as popcorn, cupcakes and waffles for supper before they go off to bed! They would be hyper-active with sugary overload, man!

Anyway, SLing and I just rolled out the waffles as fast as we could while it seemed incredibly suspicious that the waffles pile did not seemed to be piled up even though we have got them out at a rather okay speed! Ahahahahahahaaa……Never mind, the adults and helpers deserve their share as they have worked very hard and very dedicatedly, I must say. 

There were a lot of laughter, teasing and fun going around as we prepare the waffles. That’s what good fellowship meant. After seeing the children and adult eating the waffles and so on, it was a perfect way to end the day. We started out of the day with a smile and we ended it with a greater smile. Even though, we can’t do much to help in the camp but we gave our best in our cupcakes and waffles. I guess, that is what makes our hearts feel lighter and happier.

I guess, we were just too tired after reaching home that night but happy that we can serve in whatever capacity to make the camp a more meaningful one. Yeah, I do miss the Royal Rangers days…..a lot.  It just goes to show – once a Ranger; always a Ranger! PEACE, all.

Simple Basic Waffles Recipe

2 cups of all purpose flour

2 cups of full cream milk

2 cups of cooking oil

3 eggs ( beat the eggs )

1 tablespoon of sugar

1 teaspoon of salt

2 teaspoon of baking powder

2 teaspoon of vanilla essence

How to get the batter done:-

Mix the ingredients into a big bowl, mix them well together with love and a big smile on your face. Keep your fingers crossed and pray that the waffles will come out just as beautiful!~

Culture meets Scripture.....

My thoughts....

For the past four days, I have been a participant of an eye-opening workshop of “Culture meets Scripture" anchored by two wonderful energetic speakers in Dr. Amy C.West and Joanne Shetler. I must admit that when I first stepped into the workshop, I have no idea of what the workshop is all about but I have read Joanne Shetler’s powerful faith book entitled “And the Word came with Power “ as it was indeed a privilege to finally meet the author of the book. My Wycliffe sister, Evelyn Gan was the one who gave me this book and I finished reading it in a day. It was such a powerful and gripping book for me especially involving the lives of missionaries who obeyed the call of God to go to a far away place, learn a foreign language, lived with the people and to teach the truth of God. As I was quite a graphic reader, I could feel the anxiety, the drama, the tension, the excitement, the love of God and the effort in putting this book together for the good of many for generations to come.

 

Joanne Shetler & Amy West - our lovely speakers

Coming back to the workshop, I guess, being a working individual, I am used to the fact of the post modern mentality of “ Okay, these are the facts, discussions and so on. These are all good but what is the answer?“ This line pounded my mind ever since I started out on this workshop and it irked me a bit at first. But before you wield and throw axes, knives and parangs at me, hear me out. Could you blame me for this as I have been in such “routine” in life every day that everything is either a firm “yes” or a “no” that it has become part of your daily “culture”? I even told this to Joanne Shetler during our dinner in Cheng Perdana restaurant and she just bend over in laughter and told me if only she had another hour to spend with me and explain to me on this matter! But I must say this - I have never been so wrong in my life and how narrow my thinking was after completing the workshop!

My family and the speakers....

So, in many ways, I was distressed and uncomfortable but yet, I have enjoyed every moment of discussion, group work and fellowship. A good friend of mine says that it was good that I am distressed , agitated and uncomfortable because of God’s work and Word rather than anything else. In that way, at least, I will learn and put something into this skull of mine. Hahahahahahahahaaaaaaa………. Ah! Anyway, food was good and in abundance too, I must admit. In any culture or any event happening, food is the binding agent of all cultures! Anyway, the atmosphere of the workshop was good and lively but yet lingering thoughts of “Why No Answer?” swirled my mind all the time.

 

Joanne Shetler signing my sketch.........

After hours of laborious yet significant examples, identification steps and explanation through the Balangao experience plus the drawing of the yam tree, I finally got it. Initially, I had failed to grasp the whole idea of the workshop as I was pre-conceived and pre-occupied with answers that I had failed to take a good look at myself for the answers. Yeah, it is about what choices we make and how we honor God with our choices. It was interesting that our cultures are important to us and some cultures we have are good and in line with the Word of God while some are not. It is such a fascinating fact too that our cultures make us diverse in many ways but yet there is this underlying same reason of honoring God in our cultures.     

Amy West signing my sketch.....

I speak for myself that I can be analytical, cautious and headstrong in my views at times and I give no excuses for that but I must say, I have learned a lot especially on the 3^rd and final day (4^th day ) of the workshop. I guess, the 1^st and 2^nd day was for the introduction of what we were going to do and to move our mind to a renewed mindset of what’s to come.  I guess, once, you got the idea of what is being taught and shown, digest and digress, the learning kicks in nicely.  I mince not my words in saying that I am as cautious and not easily taken in as I am these days as I have seen too many crap speakers and so-called proclaimers of being workers of God who make blunderous fools out of themselves by remaining high and mighty of themselves and inconsistent. Maybe, I am being harsh and judgemental in that way but I just don’t want to be led astray in these later days.  

 

Working hard penning down group idea... 

I guess, as in any setting, we see what our speakers say and do.  I am no different though.  Their actions speak louder than words, really.  For me, I see two lovely women who gave their all to serve God and it has not been easy for them either. I see two women of strength, wisdom and great faith. I am deeply honored and privileged to have been taught and able to interact with these two women of faith. You could see straight away that these two women spoke with much conviction and much love as they unveiled each situation and each circumstances of culture meeting with scripture. The laughs, the remarks or even their actions show much humbleness, experience and convictions. I was impressed by them but I tell you what, they were not out there to impress us. That was very important for me. They were out there to make sure we understood what we need to do to make choices that honor God in every way. I have never seen such conviction in emphasizing the need for prayers (individual & corporate prayers) and the other support group of prayers.

 

Loreen presenting our group findings.....

As in any workshop, we have group work and presentations too. Our group consisted of Pst. Joanne, Pst.Tan Yong Heng, Teo San Tuan, Loreen Lim, Cassie Ng, Errol Gan, Jessica Han and myself. Loreen Lim became our natural leader in the group and it was fun all the way. From our formulation of a cultural event chart to a skit/drama and finally, a singing effort, we did not do too badly though. ( I laughed myself hoarse every time I looked at our singing video! )  But I must say, it was hilarious and fun all the way. I guess, that cheers the heart a lot for as working individuals like me, we are so wrapped up in every day serious crap that we sometimes forget to laugh, act silly or even enjoy the simple things in life like loosening up a bit and smelling the flowers in our garden. Well, I truly enjoyed our “hidden & buried” talents being unearthed during the drama and singing acts, though!    

 

My Singaporean sister, bubbly Hin Ann....

As in my nature, I like people watching and watching the people at the workshop was no different.  I have come to understand why certain people do the things they do. I am particularly impressed with one super duper bubbly individual, Hin Ann, a young tall, skinny Singaporean woman who joined in our workshop. She had had a stint with Wycliffe attached to Mukdahan,Thailand and she was thinking of going full time on missionary work and so on, so we were told during our break and lunch session. What a personality and such positivism, I must say! Always a smile away, creative, sporting and infectious bubbly happiness. The very essence we all needed in our crazy world today! Now, that is a real natural talent, a great teacher, leader and a truly gem for any organization, I tell you! So, all the best to you, Hin Ann and have a time of your life wherever you serve. May God bless your every journey!

 

Dinner with the speakers, Amy West & Jo Shetler, Evelyn, Richard & wife, Hin Ann and the Gans.....what a privilege! 

As we wind down the curtain of the day with dinner at Cheng Perdana restaurant together with Richard & wife ( another Wycliffe couple ), Hin Ann, Amy, Jo and the Gans, it was sad to see all of them leave but I take heart that many more would be blessed and would stand to acquire good sound Bible living knowledge from the teachings of Amy & Jo. Thank you, Amy West and Joanne “Jo” Shetler ! ~ I've learnt a lot and I treasure the opportunity to learn from all of you.

Ama id Chaya (  * The Lord's Prayer * in Balangao Bontoc )

Ama id chaya machad-ayaw nan ngachanmo.
Omali nan en-ap-apowam.
Maangnen nan nemnemmo isnan lofong ay kag id chaya.
Ichowam nan kanenmi isnan kawakawakas.
Pakawanem nan fasolmi,
tay pinakawanmi akhes nan finmasol ken chakami.
Ad-im ogkhayen chakami isnan maawisanmi ay enfasol,
mod-i ket isas alakam chakami isnan ngaag.

Joanne "Jo" Shetler book  entitled  " And The Word Came With Power"

Pssssstttt...... just a little secret between you and I, go get the book....it has real power la.......for the mind, body and soul...... I tell you.

Sanity...

Living in our environment today, I often wonder if we are “sane and strong enough” to face the day and to walk through the day without getting mangled and mashed up throughout the day. I am particularly concerned as more and more people are diagnosed with medical hypertensive conditions and depression. These two medical conditions go hand in hand despite our constant denial of its existence or rather playing it at safe levels. Sometimes, it is mind boggling that people still do not understand the constant dangers as one live on the thin verge on these two medical conditions. There is certainly a huge denial among the professional individuals as such people are constituted as “weaklings” or “weak links”. In all honesty, these are very real “sanity” questions as the mind and expectations are stretched beyond the capacity of a person.

Well, weaklings or weak links, these two medical conditions exist to plaque our society each day as many fell against their fight each day. Many too have survived these ordeals and I am glad for them. But the question remained :- So, what is the root cause of this? Simply, the ever present human need to be better than the rest and the ever bouncing high expectations. I would rather put it down to induced pressure and in-born pressure. Induced pressure is when your company or your boss “expects” you to produce greater input in your work or production to compensate the salary you take home each month.  They don’t care how you do, just do it. Just like NIKE slogan, actually. This is when the impossible tries to be or have to be possible while the possible is no more the expected impossible. It goes beyond the boundary of impossible or possible but “I don’t care ; you just make it happen”.  In the world we live in today, that is what a worker is expected to do. Nothing less or else the consequences are just too great. I guess, I may be wrong but I am speaking for myself and the many I have seen slumped on their working desk and just die. I am speaking primarily of myself who had had experience of knowing how colleagues are run down with harsh and uninspiring words while the sleazy and rats executives and balls carriers are often given recognition they neither worked for nor worked at. More often than not, the down trodden are troddened even further while the ego massagers/patters/balls carriers and sleaze cheese are given more opportunity to spin their deceits and other webs of spin story.

I often hear big bosses especially the enormously a lot of white hairs or thinning hairs ones exclaiming their wisdom and profane proudness that they can distinguish between the hardworking employees from the lazy employees and yet the shit continued to splatter on their faces as these wolves in sheep clothing continue to massage the inflated egos of such big bosses. Yeah, claims such as “I’ve eaten more salt than you.” Or “ I know every trick in book.” are sure indicators of excess proudness, decadence of trickery ways and mule stubbornness are at the forefront. This is how those sleaze balls executives get away with so much rubbish that even the 1MDB scandal would look like child’s play, man. I guess, the real hardworking ones are the ones that slogged behind those high cubicles out from the eyes of the boss and just barely making ends meet despite hours poured into their never ending work as files and work piled up. They are often been given works by the cunning executives who themselves do not want to do or even the bosses passing the “dead end” works for these staff to do. When the job is done, these same idiots will claim the glory/accolades and the initiatives for themselves. Sometimes, that put enormous pressure unto the hardworking staff over the years but their outlook that it was for survival and to earn a living are factors that made them continue to work without recognition. So many times, I have seen and witnessed undeserving individuals with suspectful/colorful characters and behavioural patterns getting recognition and positions for their trickery ways.The annoying part of it all is that this is an “acceptable” trait/ trend in our society today. These people are lauded for “being smart”, “work smart” and “play their cards right to the top.” What happened to honesty and hardwork or even humble ways? Have we all forgotten the ways and take the short cut of success?  I would put it as “riding over the success of others” and “riding over the hardwork of others.” Is there no shame in that type of “glory”?

Uncaring management and uncaring policies have been one of the contributing factors of stress related inducement and causes the increase in mental health disorderly in our people today. Unrealistic targets, late night works, unnecessary demands, poor public relations with clients and unrealistic demands of clients often wears and tears our minds. I am realistic and well aware that the company we work in is NOT a charitable organizations but we definitely can identify and ensure the sanity of our staff are in balance. A warped and snapped mind will do anything and usually it ends up in a tragedy. Believe me, the Mental Health Ward in the hospital and the daily patients registered at the GH to seek treatment are on the increase each day. I have seen young students going for mental health treatment and running around at the clinic prior to seeing the doctor for the day. Parents, in all their loving ways, running after their sons and daughters at the clinic, calming them and cajoling them to see the doctors. What about parents or friends who had to restrain their loved ones from going over the windows at the 2^nd floor of the Mental Health Ward? It is a devastating sight as far as I am concerned. It is so sad, really. Look, we cannot shoot all these down by citing poor time management, not-so-quick mind nor not-so-bright EQ or IQ or whatsoever. Even the cleverest people will turn to be stupid and depressed if he/she is continually told that he/she is not up to mark, lack ingenuinity, lack drive or even barrage of unsupported criticism day in day out.  I would call that mental bullying, mental abuse or badgering.   

Yes, we would be buoyed by mental stress from time to time but people who are constantly in such pressure cooker each day would find it hard to release themselves from such strain. Yunno, I am sad that we have turned out like that. I am sad too that it feels like a mortuary each time I take a step into the office with zombies working alongside. That’s my rendition of office setting these days. Yeah, maybe that‘s difference from your office setting. I can’t argue with that. It is just an example.

I am sad that Chairmans, CEOs, Directors and big shots have failed to see that which eventually culminating in the death of an employee. To some of them, death of an employee is just some compiled money of “pak kam” or putting out fistful of monies or even a big wreath of flowers but hell, it would not resurrect the dead employee who may be a father, a mother, an auntie, an uncle, a grandpa or a grandma or even a good friend to people who care for them!  We can all prevent the death of an employee. There are better and more glorious way to die than to be slumped on the work desk! I most definitely don’t want to end up like that, my dear friends.  

Here is what we can do. Allow care and concern to come into our hearts. We can all play a part by being concerned with our staff and friends. A cup of coffee session or even a short break for the employees goes a long way. Even if our bosses don’t show concern for our staff, we can all help out by being a friend to our colleagues. Do not ply any more misery to the already miserable staff. Show your heart by being a friend. Listen intently and understand. Give solutions and ideas for solutions rather than orders.

Have surprise birthday party or small “makan” in your office to celebrate birthdays or even any good occasion of success. Allow flow of communications and caring gestures to move through the staff and not create “competition” which mostly happened between staff and groups within the staff. Stop emphasizing the need to reward to successful individuals but rather reward a team/group effort rather than individual selfishness. We may be selfish in many ways than you’ll ever know. Gain respect and trust from staff by understanding their predicament rather than their shortcomings. Lend a helping ear and give constructive criticism rather than demoralizing scorn or show of power. Genuinely care for your staff or your family members. Listen to what they have to say to you. Show faith and utmost good governance of people by leading a good example and doing things the right way.

Let us all make an effort today to help our colleagues and our loved ones. The plot on the ground is not big but the implication of losing someone you love or your family members goes beyond the 6’X4’ plot…..and the echoes of losing that someone rings so much farther than you can ever imagine…………believe me, the loss of loved ones can be deafening.....crushing to the soul.............

Freshwater prawning....

Macrobrachium rosenbergii ! Yup, you would have scratched your head pronouncing this and probably asked “ What the hell is Ivan talking about ? “ , right?  Well, that is the scientific name for giant freshwater prawns or udang galah in Bahasa Melayu. Now, you get the picture?

“ Wanna go prawn fishing, Mr.Ivan?” That was the question that was popped to me by my colleague, Firdaus as we sat for small talk before starting our mortuaristic work in our office one solemn; turning to brighter, Friday morning as weekend approaches. In fact, I asked twice if he was sure and I was told that we needed to get small live prawns for our endeavor in the night. Yes, you heard me right. The fishing will be done in the night time. I immediately answered that I was game for night prawn fishing on a Friday night. To be honest, I was excited. I knew that prawn fishing isn’t easy while the harvest can be small if one doesn’t rent the sampan out in the river. But I was ready for anything. It’s the Royal Rangers way la………

That day, I was busy calling my brother, Liang if he could get some live prawns for me and when he said he will do his best, I was excited as Liang usually delivers the goods nicely. True enough he did while he added three ikan ketutu or marble goby or soon hock fish to his tank collection after scooping out small prawns for me at nearby ponds and rivers.  So, I asked Firdaus enthusiastically of the time of pickup and place to go that night. The venue was Kg.Jorak in Muar and the pickup time was by 7.30pm. That was set.

Anyway, looking for Firdaus place was a nightmare for me as googlemaps brought me to a different place and after a while, managed to get to his place. My sifu, Firdaus brought two rods & reel and a small Banax bag – a far cry from my backpack and two rods & reels too. We were off and throughout the journey, we talked of things that had happened and general fellowship between two colleagues.

At about 9.30pm, we arrived at Kg.Jorak  and I was pleasantly surprised. It was really a river side kampong with so much surprises like medan makan and nice cement structure jetty. The kampong is rustic too with its sprawling wooden jetty along the river. I love the simplicity of the place. We alighted from the car and headed toward an elderly Chinese man who informed us that he had been fishing for prawns for about an hour now but nothing to show so far. He even joked and remarked that he might not have river prawns for his Maggi mee treat that night. As we spoke on, we were told that there were plentiful of sizeable river prawns years ago but pollution and indiscriminate rubbish dumping had reared its ugly head in the river eco-system. The Chinese uncle went on to lament about the lack of responsibility on the part of people to take care of the river eco-system. Yeah, he was right in many ways – plastic bottles, plastic bags, aluminium cans and floating tree debris fills the river. It was starting to have high tide and we excused ourselves and got ourselves ready for some prawn fishing.

Sitting on a wooden plank jetty, we started fishing and it wasn’t long before Firdaus fish out a medium size ikan baung ( catfish species or known as ‘pak suk kong” in Cantonese ) It was an ice breaker that we needed and then it was frenzy pulling but we were just unlucky not to get any prawns or fish. Yeah, the bites were there but I must admit , I wasn’t competent to fish river prawns. I must admit that it needed a very special skill and lots of patience to do prawn fishing as these prawns are extremely good at stealing your bait away. Firdaus showed me the techniques to prawn fishing and he lost a couple of fights to these smart prawns. There is something very addictive about prawn fishing. They will pull your bait and looked as though they would be stuck to your hook but when you actually lift up, they are long gone making you look stumped and stupidified! Yeah, that was how I felt that night but it was something exhilarating about the “prawn runs” and “prawn pull”.

That night, we shared a lot relaxing moments and laughters too. I guess, my sifu, Firdaus was more under pressure to get some prawns….Pity him….but he is really good at the prawning as he took the time to explain to me the characteristics of river prawns. We also had a good time laughing at ourselves as we talked and fished as the night wore on.

Hours passed by and we eventually moved from place to place as boat operators went out to do prawn fishing on their own as a source of income for these fishermen. We met a few nice boat operators who informed us that they would be going out to do their fishing. We also met with a group of three local Muarian anglers who were just out for a good time and they managed to get some prawns. As usual, the Hokkien dialect profanities were widely and punctually articulated as these anglers missed the prawns or fish at that area. All in all, it was a very relaxing night and cool night for Firdaus and me.

We finally settled back to the first place we started and it was here that my luck changed that night. I guess, I must confessed that I prayed hard for the good Lord to supply me two prawns for the night and yessiree, He provided me the two prawns – a male and a female prawn. For the first prawn ( the female one ), it fought really good ( typical nature of a female, I guess!!! No offence intended towards the ladies, please! ) and the sensation of pulling out a prawn from the river was absolutely fabulous. It was like I had won the World Cup of patience, man! Yeah, it was that good feeling inside. The minute I put the bait on the hook, I threw it out near a sampan and then reeled in slowly and carefully. I set the rod down and let the live bait the freedom to move a bit. Then it happened. The rod started to bend a bit with some movements Then more slow movement and then slightly more vigorous pulls. That’s when I lift up the rod and started reeling in. Lo and behold, my effort was rewarded with a female prawn of the size of my palm length as a reward! It was such a great feeling inside.

For the second catch, it was typically the same but it did not move or at least that was what I thought. You see, after hours of fishing, your eyes will start playing tricks with you under the dimly lit atmosphere. Your mind will tend to tell you that the rod is moving or bending. To me, I thought tiredness had crept to my entire brains and eyes when I thought I saw the rod bend ever so lightly! I left it as it was and about 2 or 3 minutes later, I decided to check on my rod. So, I lifted it out and there was another male prawn ( long pincers and blueish body to tail end ) at the end of the line. Yippeeeeeee was all I could mutter at that moment. After some snaps shot , I had the nasty experience of pulling out the prawn from the hook. Firdaus had asked me to use the long scissors to remove the hook from the prawn but being the idiot I am, I tried removing the hook with my stubby fingers. Well, the pincers of the prawns clapsed and tightened at the fingers and they do give quite a pinch, actually! They are a nuisance, I tell you. Somehow, I managed to yank the hook off the prawn and placed the prawn in a container. I must admit that I also “lembu” (stubborn and not listen to advice ) in a way!

Soon, it was time to go while we still got some exciting bites that early morning. Yeah, it was already about 4.00am when we cleaned up and left the place for home. All in all, it was a good night of prawning and fellowship. I really love the moonlight rays across the river while the chatters of the anglers in their Hokkien and Bahasa Melayu chats together with the stillness of the nights makes it all such a great night. I still would not be disappointed if I do not get any fish nor prawns that night. The sheer calmness and beautiful setting was enough for an old fool like me to enjoy……

Over the past couple of months, there had been "war cries" of seeking blood over the new government and many other mud-slinging names being hurled at the new government. I want to tell these so-called people ( detractors of PH ) who are hurling abuse to the leaders of the new government to give those buggers in power today a chance to work out things. I may say that these detractors are probably from the sore loser team from the other side of the fence. I guess.  I am particularly annoyed to people who still failed to understand that the new Malaysian government was formed only in May, 2018. If ever they are as experienced like the previous government ( good at giving out money until the Treasury goes bust! ) we are all as good as dead! That is my honest opinion. Our lives would have been so sweet that we would have died by being diabetic to sweet goodies!

Come on, people! The government is a new government. Cleaning up the mess of 61 years is no easy task. I really and truly sympathised with the new leaders as they are trying their best to do what is right for the country and so are the state governments. Give them a chance to start afresh with new ways to tackle the economy of the country. I believe, many of us are well aware of the ills of the previous government and the clean-up act can be quite a momentous task. There are still many supporters of the previous "dedak" government and this is still evident in the government machinery. Afterall, being accustomed to dedak culture can be quite a task to clean up...need to "alternate , control and delete" re-load new software of " clean-up virus" before can re-boot. That too may not be enough to eradicate the "dedak virus" which had been enshrined in the system for such a long time. I am very sure, you people can understand that , right? Yeah, I am also very appalled why a post mortem report on a simple death in Kuala Lumpur hospital still needs 6 months to write while the family still suffers by the constant " masih dalam process. Mungkin akan ambil masa 6 bulan hingga 1 tahun untuk disiapkan" Does these hospital staff at Bahagian Rekod understand the trauma faced by the family members needing to go through the normal process of insurance claim, property transfer, banking procedures and so on? Yeah, their incompetence are hanging up the entire process? Yeah, I am hitting out at those people sitting behind the damn desk at Bahagian Rekod in the hospital! Do your DAMN job! This is one example that will tick off the public la.......One example la that people can complaint about the new government. Like I said, I sympathised with the new leaders of the government but I don't sympathised those staff in the new government who still have the previous government mentality! From the Pengarah right to the clerk/kerani  should be given red card la! Tukar budaya ...buang yang keroh dan ambil yang jernih la...I want to tell these Pengarahs and little Napoleons at the government department, this is not the era of "same old same old". If you cannot do your job, resign and move on. Jangan menyusahkan hidup orang lain la....

I dare say that the leaders are coping with the task ahead of rebuilding the country but there is also a need to ensure that new policies and policing be done to ensure that these government officials do their work and not spend time on golf courses la or having taklimat here and there just to waste time or having kumpulan karipap meeting all the time. Like I said, hard mules of 61 years of corrupted culture still lives strong in some of these people and the only way to get things done is to genuinely eradicate these  so-call hard core mules of the old mules. These are fattened cows and mules over the years while good and hardworking servants are being asked to leave or even severely punished over the years by serving the people. People also forget that the government is still young and not so forgiving not because they don't care. The public cares ( that's why they voted for change! They did not vote for DSAI or Rafizi only! ) They voted because they want a change in the direction of the country. Yes, there is a need to be patient with the new government, for sure. But stop la from fighting the same old lines of the former regime! Stop on fighting for racial base politics. Cukup la dengan politik perkauman! How many times you want to overkill the racial base politics? Balik-balik same issues - race, religion and rights! All these are already enshrined in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia! No one mengugat kedudukan ini! No one is trying to change the Constitution! No one is trying to curi hak-hak instimewa ! No one is trying to bully anybody! CUKUP la with all these "api-api" and all these unnecessary threats! Politicians are the only ones fighting for survival of their own balls, I dare say! 

The rakyat is very aware of the powers in our hands. If you don't perform, you will be replaced. If you are corrupt. you will be exposed because no one is going to stand seeing you take in or telan so much money without opening their mouth to talk these days. I learned a long time ago from our forefathers that it is better to stay poor than to steal. Yes, you can say I am from the old school of thought but I believe those cultures and way of life are good roads of principles. 

Look, people forget that these leaders are trying their best. If they are corrupt, we expose them. The electronic media is one way while people in the right places will continue to expose the corrupt because a good dose of the fear of God can be quite the road of making our country a better place to live in. So, stop playing the same old sentiments to stay in power. I dare say that a 93 year old Dr. M can only do that much. It is the new leadership that needs to stand up and build new Malaysia for Malaysians. Please la, stop playing the game "Who Wants to be a Billionaire?" or watch too much "Games of Thrones". Concentrate of making the country well again.....Malaysia is like one tropical paradise with very very sick leaders la.....Our leaders really need penicilin and Panadol for creating headaches after headaches! 

As for the retired army personnel and friends in the army, I am dissapointed that you people who had once fought with your lives for this country are the ones making it very difficult for the new government. Your pension fund was siphoned off by the old government. Let the new government look into ways to help you people. I am sure, they are trying their best. Hitting out at the new leaders ain't helping because I am very sure , jasamu tetap dikenang. For those bigshot retired Brigadier General and Generals, I am sure you are aware of your own code of ethics and conduct, right? Give these leaders a chance. I am sure you are well aware of honor and integrity. In fact, I have a lot of respect for my retired army personnel who campaigned for the wins for PH team all over Malaysia. I shall not forget the day I heard this ex-serviceman at the PH rally in Melaka in May, 2018 who spoke at length at the support for the PH government. That is honor and integrity at its best, SIR! I am not making excuses for the PH government. I truly believe, they are doing their best but yet, at the back of the minds of many Malaysians, " How clean are our leaders? How trustworthy are our leaders? Are they corrupted as the previous ones or worst? Are they fighting for rakyat or for themselves? " Let us not kid ourselves that everything will be okay. The road to recovery is still long and unpredictable. Let us give that benefit of doubt to these new leaders, shall we ? 

In saying so, I also want to warn the PH government and state governments of the enemy within. Those wolves in sheep clothings. Please, please check the background of these people before you appoint them in Cabinet or local authority or even join your party.  Weed out these corrupters of the previous government and pretenders of goody two shoes!  Don't sing the same tune of the previous government lest you will fall like a ton of bricks. Yes, we may not see what you are doing but God sees them. At least, have the fear of God in you. These wolves are waiting in the wings or already in the PH team waiting to walk on the shame road like the previous government. We have had enough money stolen under our noses. We have HAD ENOUGH scandal in 1MDB! Let us have no more of such scandalous blunders and blatant rompaking la.....The rakyat is already very tired of being robbed, raped and make to look like bloody fools of the world! Get the country moving to the right road. CUKUP la! Jangan mempersendakan rakyat MALAYSIA lagi dengan skandal-skandal dan pemimpin-pemimpin yang tak berperikemanusiaan di negara ini. The racial card trump and the adulteration of religious hatred should be stopped dead at the tracks or else it will be the downfall of any government. We have seen perpetrators, pengkhianat negara and unsavory leaders willing to use disharmony and such dirty tactics to win the elections and to create trouble in this country. It should be stopped. There is no room for such hatred and such fanaticsm in this beloved country of ours, MALAYSIA. We are MALAYSIANS - Malay, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Kadazans, Eurasians, Ibans; each and every one of us. 

This is my plea and plea of the millions of people in Malaysia who wants to see the country move forward to greater economy, greater well-being and nasib rakyat terbela. We need a responsible government. We need a hardworking government. We need a trustworthy government. Please, don't let us down.....we need to rise up. Rise up to the dawn of a new Malaysia. Please, let us put our hands together to re-build MALAYSIA, our country.......our home land.