I Am Fine Thank You

I got this somewhere sometime ago and can't remember where.

There is nothing the matter with me,
I am as healthy as can be.
I have arthritis in both my knees,
And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.
Sleep is denied me night after night,
But every morning I find I am alright.
My memory is failing,
my head is in a spin,
But I am awfully well for the shape I am in.

How do I know my youth is all spent?
Well, my ‘get up and go’
has got up and went.
But I really don’t mind when I think with a grin,
Of all the grand roles
my ‘get up’ has been.

‘Old age is golden’ I’ve heard it said,
But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed,
With my ears in the drawer
and my teeth in a cup,
My eyes on the table until I wake up,
Where sleep overtakes me, I say to myself,
“Is there anything else
I could lay on the shelf?”

When I was young my slippers were red,
I could kick my heels over my head.
When I was older my slippers were blue,
But I could still dance
the whole night through.
Now I am old and my slippers are black,
I walk to the corner store
and puff my way back.

I get up each morning and dust off my wits,
And pick up the paper and read the ‘obits’
If my name is still missing
I know I am not dead
So I have a good breakfast – and face what’s ahead ….


I am beginning to feel that the events and facts above are just starting to be true for me bit by bit..... ha ha ha!! Will it get worse? Ohhhh Not so soon..... I hope!!


MKI Ramblings Unlimited,
Petaling Jaya

Wales, Heathrow, KL

We had two days in Tenby before catching the flight back home. On arriving Tenby from York we were so tired that all we needed was sleep. The next morning we made another trip into Tenby town, browsing around the town, had pizza for lunch in one of the local restaurants and purchased some souvenirs to take home. There were many people browsing around like we do and I guessed that they were tourists like we were because they spoke English differently, some with slang and some others with foreign accents. I could make out a French family and a German family. There were Koreans and Japanese too. (Somehow I will not miss seeing Japanese in any town that I go to in my travels!!)

Having gone into Tenby town a second time I realized that the town is made up of a couple of main streets with just a small number of side streets. It will just take you about two or three hours to leisurely browse around the shops there. It is small but all the necessary daily requirements are available.

Dusk was at about 4.45 pm. We headed home for prayers and later went out again for dinner. We went to a seafood restaurant in another small town nearby, about only 10 minutes drive from Fahrul’s apartment, called Saundersfoot. It has a nice beach in some sort of a cove. There are also a few nice hotels in this town with one that was outstanding, on the side of a hill overlooking the sea, the beach and the cove. Again, most of the people about town were tourists and outsiders.

Little Najla Outside of the Apartment - Tenby in the Distant Background

Tenby and Saundersfoot appear to be the upper class residential areas with many of the houses being let out for short or long term rents.

Fahruls Apartment is on Level 3 - Back ViewI was told that the towns will be crowded with tourists in summer with demands for accommodation very high and that income from rent in summer covers the requirements for the whole year. Indeed a good investment for the future. I detected Fahrul’s interest here!!

Sita Pointing to Fahrul's Apartment - View From Main Entrance to the Complex

The morning of our last day in Tenby was spent packing up all the stuff we need to take home. Some clothing was left behind confident that we will be coming back. We like it here. It is so peaceful, the scenery invigorating and the pace leisurely. Pockets of villages and small towns with places of interests (at least for us senior citizens) are available within short driving distances. Not the hustle and bustle of Reading and London. We have had enough of London, having lived there for a while some twenty years ago, with the place busier than ever. We certainly will put Tenby in our future travel plans, as long as Fahrul is there, accommodation catered for heh heh.

We left Tenby mid-afternoon heading for Heathrow for our 10pm flight. M4 was busy as always but we managed to arrive at the airport timely for checking into our flight. All the formalities went without a hitch although the security checks were extremely stringent for some and lax for others, I wondered why? They scan everything, laptops, belts, coats etc etc and yet for some they don’t. One guy had to even scan his shoes!!

Najla was very good on this return journey. Asked her where we were going and she replied we were going home to Tok Bah’s house and then we will drive to Kerteh. She explained the same travel details to her other grandpa when talking to him on the phone!! She slept most part of the plane journey and when she woke up she was playing with the TV screen controls and engrossed in it. She did not give any problem at all, a contrast to the trip into Heathrow from KL. On arriving we asked her where her dad was and she replied in Tesco (Tesco is the hypermarket where we get our groceries). We corrected her saying Tenby and she said no it is Tesco. Perhaps we took her to Tesco ever so often that the name is on her lips.

No Peace Unpacking with Najla Awake and Active!!


We are now grappling with jet-lag and odd sleeping hours. I hope things will get to normal soon as we have to get back into our routines and cannot afford to be awake at night and asleep during the day……….

MKI Ramblings Unlimited,
Petaling Jaya

York

It was Sunday and it was cold and wet in the morning. We took an extra hour before getting ready to go to York. Finally dragged ourselves out of the hotel and got off leaving Reading at about 10am. The weather continued to be ‘lousy’, had to have the car headlights on when driving. Keyed in the York address on the GPRS and headed off as directed. However there was roadworks in one of the streets with traffic redirected to an alternative street and the GPRS got lost, and so were we. Well! the GPRS was not lost actually but reprogrammed the route that took us through country roads to Oxford before heading us onto the motorway northwards. The weather remained gloomy almost all the way with the sun visible only when we approached York.

We finally arrived at Syez’s house (my niece) house at about 2.00pm. Her husband Din and their three pretty girls were waiting for us. My sister, Syez’s mum, was also there having arrived in York the day after we arrived in UK. The two younger children appeared awed on meeting us. They have not seen us before and were therefore quite apprehensive I guessed. They and Najla were even cautious initially, sizing each other up. The elder daughter remembered us although it has been four years since the last time she met us. The children speak fluent English, Yorkshire English, and Najla was just staring blankly at them in wonder!! Every time I speak Malay to them they replied in English. They will have a lot to change, especially in language, when they return and attend school in Malaysia. That would probably be in a couple of year’s time since Syez, although completed her doctorate, is staying back for a couple of years to lecture in the University here.

We had a lot to talk about and lost time to catch up with. I had some photos taken at the recent silver jubilee family gathering stored in a thumb drive and passed it on to Din to copy and for everybody to view. We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening chit chatting and the children were playing with each other. Najla took a long time to settle in. She kept asking her mum to take her home; that she did not want to sleep here; and so on and bla bla bla….. I think it is all because she could not communicate with her cousins. She even threw tantrums and gave her mum a rough time.

One of our activities the next day was to send the three children to school, Anis in Primary, Amira in preschool and Yasmin in nursery, all in the same location within walking distance from the house. This was also an opportunity for us to take a walk around the neighborhood even if it was just a short walk. Later in the morning we took a short drive to see the town. A very old town. One of the buildings we noted was built in 1585, that’s more than 400 years ago. It must have been refurbished many times over but the wooden structures appear to be very old and had been well preserved. The wood structures were slotted together using wooden pegs with no evidence of metal nails being used. We spent about two hours going around the town and browsing in the shops there some selling traditional Yorkshire products and some modern day designer goods. We were more interested in the local crafts and home food, chocolates and sweets.

The time came for us to say goodbye to Syezlin and family. We left at about 3.30 pm to return to Tenby. Its about 340 miles to Tenby from York and estimated travel time was six and a half hours, a long drive indeed. We were unlucky as the motorway out of the midlands southwards was busy that afternoon and we were delayed at some stretches. However we caught up lost time at some traffic free stretches and arrived in Tenby at just about 10 pm, tired and aching in the joints! Anyway, tired as we were, the trip was worthwhile even if it was just an overnight one. We were glad that we could make the trip and caught up with these kinfolks in York. May be yet a while before we can meet them again and hence it was better to make the trip now than wait until we have more time later, as it may just not happen! But we do look forward to be able to make the trip again later, God willing, and may He be pleased…….





MKI Ramblings Unlimited,
York and Tenby.

Long Distance Drive

Friday evening. It was time to drive out of Tenby and off to Reading and then to London. It’s three and a half hours by road to Reading and we arrived at our hotel just before 10pm. The drive itself was pleasant, not much traffic on the road as there was more traffic in the opposite direction. It was Friday and apparently people were getting out of London for the weekend.

The following morning we went off to London by train from Reading. We were not confident to drive in London yet, especially trying to find parking space in the city. Hence the train decision.

Reading Station To London
Najla was excited when we told her that we will be taking the train. We were invited to an Eid’l Fitri gathering organized by the London office that Fahrul belonged to, held in the afternoon at one of the halls in London. So we had plenty of time to get there. Guests at the function were mostly Malaysians from various companies and organizations that have branch offices in London. There were also others from the oil and gas industry that have some sort of working relationship with the host. We also met the Malaysian Military Attaché who happened to be buddies with Ram’s nephew through their career in the army. Ram’s nephew is now his boss as the army’s ‘numoro uno’.

Food that was served at the hall was truly Malaysian and we had a lovely time. There was also ‘teh tarik’ a concoction very familiar with most Malaysians which is really tea with milk. (Milk is typically condensed sweetened milk. Other types of milk will not give it the unique teh tarik taste). But what makes it different is when it is prepared and while still piping hot the tea is ‘streched’ (that is the tarik part) by pouring it from one container to another at an arm’s length height. This action causes the tea to foam at the top. Drinking it now gives the tea that distinctive taste. I had one big cup while Ram could not resist the tasty concoction and had two cups.

Najla was kept entertained in a children’s playroom where there was a clown and a couple of artists doing face painting and keeping all the children entertained. The artist painted Najla’s face as a cat, which was nicely done. She was beaming when she look into the mirror and was very excited after that.
The Kitten????
She kept meowing away like a cat whenever we talked to her and sometimes pouted her lips. She was so cute acting her part. She refused to have the face wiped off and remained like that until we got back to Reading at night. Wherever we went after that people were acknowledging her and she continued her cute and cheeky ‘perkings’ (is there such a word?).

We later went to Malaysia Hall to perform our afternoon prayers (a small mosque is available in the building) and also to meet up with Ram’s grand-nephew, who is studying law in King’s College, London. There is also a restaurant in the building serving Malaysian food. The place was very crowded as, by coincidence, the students in UK were having their union’s general meeting and election of its officials. We found out later that Ram’s grand-nephew was standing for the post of Chairman. He did not tell us but we heard the announcement as the proceedings could be heard from the mosque. However we could not wait much longer there and left after prayers and after the short meeting with Ram’s grand-nephew.

From Malaysia Hall we took the double-decker bus to go around London. All of us went onto the upper deck, Ram and I had to struggle up the steps but it was worth the effort. We had a good view of the city from the bus. It was getting dark by then and the lights were a fascination for Najla. She was ‘meowing’ away through the journey, and her painted face was the attraction for other bus passengers. Soon enough it was time for us to go back to the hotel in Reading to rest and recharge for our trip to York…..






MKI Ramblings Unlimited
Reading, UK

Around and About in Pembroke

We spent the day hours driving around and visiting the various towns in the Pembroke area, or is it County. There are towns like Pembroke Dock, Carmarthen, Milford Haven, Haverford west, Tenby of course and moving a little farther there are Swansea, Cardiff and Sita’s favourite now Bridgend, where the Designer Outlet is located. We enjoy driving through the countryside, up and down the country roads through the rolling hills, passing by farmlands and various industries. It was pleasant, invigorating and relaxing for us, a contrast to the busy cities we are so used to. Of course we would like to visit the cities as well, London, Reading and further afield, York and Lancaster where we have kinfolks to visit but for the moment, the countryside in Wales are indeed something we enjoy.
Longer day hours however was spent at the designer outlet where there are sales, sales and more sales with fantastic discounts…….. or so they say. The place was really crowded with people and while Sita and her Mummy were busy shopping I had to keep little Najla busy. There were plenty of kiddie rides and playthings to keep her occupied. Some time were also spent in the hypermarket buying groceries and kitchen necessities, especially when Fahrul and Sita are starting their new home here. Other times were spent getting the apartment organized and furniture assembled etc.etc. So we were quite busy for a few days.

Ram and Sita were also busy on one of the days when Sita and Fahrul had two of his colleagues and their families over for dinner. I had to distract Najla away from the house to allow Sita and her Mummy to prepare the dinner unhindered by Najla. These colleagues have been in Tenby/Milford Haven for a couple of years on another project and are due to return home soon.

So, we had quite some activities in Tenby and occupied somewhat. Our onward plans were to be in Reading and London in the weekend and then drive up to York and Lancaster, and …… we are really looking forward to it.

MKI Ramblings Unlimited,
Tenby, Pembroke,
Wales

In The UK - Wales

Fahrul is now working in Wales, UK and Sita is making alternative arrangements at her workplace to follow him. As the arrangements may take a while she decided to take a short break from work and travel to the UK with Najla and joined Ram and I on the trip. We had planned for end October and early November to travel as that’s the free period window I have from my commitment to my former place of work. It was also convenient for us to travel as a group especially with Najla on a long haul. She is active and a long period of sitting in a plane would certainly bore her. True enough, half way through the flight she threw tantrums and was difficult to handle (she is sometime like that with her mum around, always demanding her attention!!). Once she was tired enough throwing tantrums she slept like a log until almost landing time!! Ha ha, some peace for the rest of the journey.

Formalities on entry into the UK was smooth but we were last exiting the plane having had to organize Najla waking up from her slumber only after we had landed!! We took the shuttle to our hotel, a cosy medium sized hotel, close to the airport. Fahrul joined us there later. It is about four hours drive to Tenby, where Fahrul lives now, and arriving Heathrow in the late evening made it necessary to put up in a hotel first and leave for Tenby fresh in the morning.

Although it is only four hours to Tenby we took much longer to arrive as we stopped at several places along the way. At Swansea, or Abertawe in Welsh, we stopped for a longer while, visiting the mosque, buying kitchen stock and groceries etc. etc. Finally arrived in the apartment in Tenby in the evening when it was already dark. Could not see much of the town that night.

The next day we went around town. The weather was good and sunny. It’s a Sunday and hence there were people all over the town especially at the esplanade and by the beach.
I spied many people walking their dogs, or was it the other way round, and I also spied some bad habits of people. There were signs everywhere that says ‘bag it and bin it’ and bins provided everywhere but dogs were allowed to do their jobs along the walkways and paths!! Wasn’t all that signs that says ‘bag it and bin it’ meant for them? There were also sweet and choco wrappers, empty drink cans and bottles, and other rubbish just dumped on the sides missing the bins that stood just a few yards away.


The town has a rustic atmosphere, picturesque and historical. It was crowded with people and most of the restaurants and food courts were full. We had fish and chips for lunch, my favourite, and will not miss it whenever I am in the UK. Apparently the restaurant we went to was the popular one in Tenby and hence it was crowded with people, but we were willing to wait. It was a pleasant wait, it turned out to be though, and we were very pleased with the food we ordered….. yummy.

We also visited the other towns not too far away, like Milford Haven where Fahrul’s office is, Pembroke Dock and others I can’t remember their names. In between the towns we went through the countryside with wide farms and rolling hills depicting clear agriculture activities. I noticed a few oil and gas installations, refineries and gas processing plants too. Hence, the area although appeared remote had high end industries in its midst. Commercial activities also appeared very active. Large shopping outlets, designer outlets can also be found. We already know what we need to do in the next few days, especially Sita, having to bring the apartment to higher comfort…… that’s shopping galore for her while Ram and I do not mind tagging along, and tag along we did with little Najla keeping us occupied as well……

Next? London in the weekend and York & Lancaster after that......


In Milford Haven - Fahrul's Office - see the flag on the left



Tenby As Seen From Fahrul's Apartment



MKI Ramblings Unlimited,
Tenby,Wales

25th Anniversary

Our family Association is 25years old. Started by my late Father and Mum, a family association was formed about 25 years ago for the purpose of getting all of us siblings in one big family for a common cause of getting everyone close together, do charity and be noticeable as a group in the community. Members contributed funds regularly so as to enable the above objectives be met and also any projects we had planned be executed. Funds were also invested to make it grow. We have gone through various phases of change in the last 25 years and have achieved some good things and met some disheartening things too along the way. We progressed and we learnt from the mistakes we made.

As the eldest amongst my siblings I was appointed Chairman of the group, (maybe by default I was re-elected every time), and Mum remained Patron of the association. There are ten of us and together with our spouses there are twenty and with our grown up children there are now 80 adults in the association. Many are professionals in their own fields. There are two confirmed Doctorates in the family, with one more in the final stage of getting her PhD. There are managers, engineers, accountants and finance disciplined members, teachers, businessmen and businesswomen, all with their own expertise to contribute to the association. Amongst them a secretary and a treasurer with assistants were elected to sit in a management committee with me and several others elected as committee members to head various portfolios in order to further progress the cause of the association.

The group met annually and celebrated as a big group traditionally on the third day of Syawal, ie. during the Eid celebrations when most or all siblings and their families meet in JB and spend time with Mum and other elders there. A big hall with full catering is required to accommodate all members and we usually hold the gathering in hotels or large restaurants that have a big hall for private functions.

This being the silver jubilee, a working committee was formed to look into the preparations for its celebration. The venue selected was a fairly new hotel and the menu for the night was mixed traditional and modern cuisines. The committee chose to make several surprises that night, and decided to launch a family book and a logo of the association. Mum as Patron was to launch the book and logo.

The function went well that night. We were a little delayed in starting but everything went as planned. Mum took centre stage in the launch of the book and the logo. Ram and I had a surprise for Mum when we presented her with a token gift, a woolen shawl, in honour of her contribution and dedication to guide us in our lives and for being instrumental in guiding the association to what it is today. As Chairman I was asked to give the opening speech and I opened by highlighting the background of the association, as many were still not born yet when it was formed, and specifically mentioned the sacrifices Mum made to make the association one that can be reckoned with. Sita was asked to do the honour of presenting the token gift we had brought along and placing it on Mum. I could see that she was really caught by surprise. There were other surprises that night. One was an award for me for leading the association throughout the 25 years, and a special award to Mum too. The citation for me mentioned the sacrifices I made and also for Ram who stood by me all throughout. I thought an award for Ram would have been more appropriate!!


One of my nieces, who is a very good singer having had proper training, and who was a finalist in the national singing competition, and her younger sister who attends a special school for artistic children, performed several songs between that night. They were really good and performed just like professional singers. Others too helped keep us entertained that night. Games for the children were played. Hifzhan and Haziq took part in some of the games and I could see that the kids all had a good time. Mum of course was the happiest that night. She was really enjoying herself too watching all her grandchildren and great grandchildren having a good time. The night ended almost at midnight.

The next morning we gathered again for a general meeting to decide on several policy issues and others about the association. This was held in Mum’s house which is considered the base address of our association. We had a good meeting and several good decisions were made that day.

My hope is that the association will go on doing well and that Mum will still be around to guide it for many more years to come. She is 86 now but is still very alert and strong for her age. May the Almighty protect her and extend her life, bestowing upon her the best of this world and the hereafter. May He be pleased………


Sita Presenting Shawl to Mum


Mini and Tessa



Fahrul, Sita and Najla


Shaffik, Mini, Hifzhan, Haziq and Haadieya



The PeeJay Clan



MKI Ramblings Unlimited
Petaling Jaya