Home Improvement

My home's been kinda cramped these last few weeks. It looks like a refugee camp.There we were all huddled and bundled from room to room.Food ,at the mercy of the nearest warungs. Doing a little home improvement ,you see.Barely have time to update this blog. Anyway,its almost complete.Next task,dusting,mopping and putting things back in place. And the garden needs to be revitalised.Most of the plants looked shocked and unkempt. In a few days,hopefully,everything will be spick and span.

Tun Ghaffar Baba

Former Deputy PM Tun Ghaffar Baba passed away on 23 April 2006. He was Dr Mahathir's second deputy after Musa Hitam. Throughout his life he was faithful to UMNO and its leaders. He served under four PMs (Tunku Abdul Rahman,Tun Razak,Tun Hussein and lastly Tun Mahathir. But Tun M let him down in 1993.He was allowed to be defeated by a more financially secure Anwar Ibrahim.He lost his DPM post to Anwar. He declined numerous titles offered by the states rulers until he retired from politics. He is largely credited to the establishment of MARA and FELDA and like agencies to help the rural folks,especially the Malays.Hand in hand with Tun Razak. He should be remembered for that contribution to the Malays. My deepest condolences to his family.Al Fatihah.

The Rambutan Tree

There is this rambutan tree which I planted 7 or 8 years ago. For the past 3 seasons it didn't produce many fruits. I mean 3 or 4 fruits in a season.I got to taste its fruits only once, I think.The kids got to it earlier. So I said to the tree : ` Look here you miserable tree.I'm very very disappointed with your productivity.Three seasons I've tolerated with your poor production.This season is your last chance to prove me wrong,or its the axe for you.I kid you not,I'll chop you down.' A couple of months ago ,had a discussion with the missus and kids. If we got rid of the rambutan tree,break down the side wall of the porch,we could have a bigger porch for two cars.Everyone okayed. Started negotiating with the contractor to build the porch last month. And then surprise,surprise. The tree that I had threatened to do in started sprouting flowers from every branch.At least a hundred rambutans possibly. I couldn't chop it off now,this is rezeki (God's bounty). So I told the contractor, no you're not chopping off my tree.No extension to the porch.Instead,we'll widen the veranda,raise the floor and still have the rambutan tree and a reduced garden. Long live the trees and may they be fruitful forever.

Wiz Kid

There is this very gifted six year old in Perak.A maths wiz. He is able to solve maths problems way way beyond his years. I'm talking about very high level maths (university level). His proud parents took him all over the country to demonstrate his skills. He has been `adopted' by the Terengganu government, cos his dad was born and raised in that state. His parents declare that they nor anyone else would never exploit his ability for monetary gains. Turning seven this year,this young boy had to go to school,just like any other seven year old. It has been reported that this smart boy has been skipping school. There was a possibility that he might be expelled. The boy's reason for cutting classes,he was bored.The maths syllabus was too easy. It is reported that though he was a wiz at maths,he was almost on par with the other kids at other subjects. His parents are considering to enrol him in a private school,for special exclusive education.How that is going to help the boy,we don't know. I hope his parents consult child experts and get some expert advice. Recently ,I was shocked to read this latest news about the boy. His parents are allowing a herbal food/drink firm to use their kid's name on its products.His dad says its not exploitation.Then, what is it? Sorry kid,you're smart but your dad,I wonder.

High Cholestrol

`No more roti canai,no more nasi lemak for breakfast.No eggs,scrambled,bulls eye,half boiled or hard boiled ?' `Its okay if you want to eat them,but not so often as you do now. The results of your blood test is not so good.Your sugar count is on the borderline,your b.p.is good.Your heart beat is okay.Your kidneys are good. But your cholestrol level is very high (7.9).That's why you have to refrain from these fatty foods.I suggest you eat more oats and fruit.' She asked me if I smoked,I lied a little bit about that. Well,tomorrow I might start to change my diet and reduce smoking. It's scary but I gotta do it.

Long time no see

Wow, I haven't updated this blog for quite some time. Not feeling bright (no light bulb in my balloon) no ideas. My kids like to download stuffs, and then the maggots came via the Net. No Net connection for a week or so. Waited for my IT savviest son to fix the problem. OK now. All my kids are IT savvy,savvier than me.Shahman is the savviest cos he's taking that course in KL. So,what's up with my brood ? Lina is practising hard for her school English debate. Shafiq is growing taller and hairyer. Hasif can run like crazy. Fadzlil is getting fatter. My wife and I,we fight and then we forget. I always surrender first,for world peace.

Women's Day

March 8,International Women's Day. I salute and honor the women of the world. I cherish the women who are the women in my life. First of all,my late mum,the first woman I've ever known. My tolerant wife and bubbly daughter. My devoted and loving sisters. Daughter in law,sisters in law and aunts and nieces. There is room in my heart for all of you. I celebrate you with this song : Here's to the ladies,here's to the ladies Here's to the ladies,I love them all Here's to the ones I can recall Here's to the ladies,married or free They all look pretty good to me. The big and small ones,short and tall ones From 17 to eighty nine Here's to the ladies,I love the ladies Oh how I wish they all were mine. You go girls.Love you.

Student Abuse

Harian Metro (3rd March 2006) Front Page Headlines : Pelajar Amok Guru (Student attacks teachers) Byline : Omar Osman Translation of the story: Just because she was not satisfied with the teacher's reply to her query on the Science and Bahasa test papers,a form three student from the Special Education Class in a secondary school in Sungai Layar ,Sungai Petani,was alleged to have attacked her form teacher and the discipline teacher. The girl is hearing and speech disabled (deaf and mute) . The teachers' version: Because she (student) was not satisfied with the teacher's explanation,the student tore up the test paper and was told off by the teacher.The student became aggresive and kicked the teacher. The teacher reported to the discipline teacher.The girl then attacked the male discipline teacher.The girl was pushed in self defence by the DT.The teacher alleged that the girl broke his glasses. The incident was reported to the HM,the District Education Office and to the police. The girl has been suspended from school until her parents come to settle the problems with the Education office. Mother's Version : Her mum Mdm Law alleges that her daughter was beaten,punched and kicked until she was bruised on her arm and her back,by the discipline teacher. When the girl tore up the test paper,the teacher hit her,and banged her head on the wall. She had to undergo medication in hospital. After meeting the teachers and district education officers,she was not happy with their action and has made a counter police report. Kuala Muda District police confirms recieving both reports. The Star (6 March ) Pg 24 Heading : Mum lodges report daughter also molested Byline: Tunku Shahariah and R.Surendran The mum of the student who was allegedly punched and kicked last Wednesday,has lodged another report claiming that her daughter had also been molested. The incident happened last January. A male teacher called her (the disabled student) and another girl to his office in SPK Sg Layar.The male teacher allegedly touched them immorally and only stopped when they started crying. A teacher advised the mum to take her daughter out of the hostel. Kedah Education Exco waiting for police to complete investigation. Police are investigating.School authorities decline to comment. Harian Metro has no follow up on this new development. Now ,can you tell me who's lying,who's telling the truth.