[Do you] Remember the time

My entry today is one of millions that will pay tribute to the one and only King of Pop, the late Michael Jackson. Music extraordinare, dance genius, full-fledged entertainer/performer. It is undeniable that his music, dance moves, video clips and concerts changed the world of music; and set the standards for today's young generation of dancers such as Wade Robson, Usher, Chris Brown and Justin Timberlake. Heck, even I am enthralled every time I watch a video clip of his. Having two left feet myself, his slick moves and perfectly synchronised choreography makes me want to stand up and copy his dancing!! I can't choose a favourite dance routine of his as ALL his dance routines are brilliant!!

What can I say about this (so-called self-proclaimed) King of Pop, that has not been said already? To me, he is nothing short of a God-given miracle. Though his bizarre behaviour and weird lifestyle overshadowed much of his last few living years, in the end, when he left this world, what people remember about him the most is his music. One cannot deny/dispute his success or talent. Although there is a saying that goes, "only when one dies, do people really start appreciating what is gone", I don't think this runs true when it comes to Michael Jackson. Despite going through two big court cases and seeing his reputation get damaged, he still had millions believing in him, his innocence and his music. He can be called a freak, a paedophile and countless other names, but ultimately, when you ask anyone who Michael Jackson is, I'm sure they'll say, "Michael was THE ONE. The best dancer, the best singer. He was simply the best." And I agree.

Whatever he does in his personal life (read: the spending, the Neverland Ranch) should be left private. Why should anyone bother if he has chimpanzees and giraffes as pets? Other celebrities have pigs as pets, why don't they get bothered? So what if he spends time with children at his ranch? If he wants to provide a little happiness and joy in some poor kid's life, he should be allowed to. After all, Oprah does the same but I don't see her getting any backlash like he does.

Ultimately...when you think of Michael Jackson, you think of MUSIC. Songs like Bad, Rock with you, Beat It, Billie Jean, Childhood, Remember the time and You are not alone are masterpieces that will not be forgotten. It'll continue playing throughout generations as parents pass them on to their children, who will then pass them on to their own children. His music is timeless.

As for his songs like Heal the world, We are the world and the Earth song, it is still relevant even in today's world. I think it is especially relevant considering the fact that we are combating global warming, climate change and the food crisis. Despite the songs being written more than 10 years ago, the fact that it is still relevant today just goes to show how timeless Michael Jackson's songs are.

I listened to his songs the whole day yesterday and as I am writing this, I am still listening to his songs. I think I've listened to Beat It and Billie Jean and his other songs more than 10 times each and yet, I'm not bored. His voice and emotion that he pours into each song that he sings makes me sigh every time I hear a song of his. Add to that the interesting video clips that accompany these songs, how can one get bored?? I cannot bring myself to listen to any other music at the moment, because there's some part of me that is afraid that if I do not listen to his music, I'll feel guilty. Sounds crazy but heck!!

In conclusion, no matter what people say about Michael Joseph Jackson, to me and millions of others around the world, he is NUMBER ONE!!! I don't think there'll ever be anyone like him again; and to think that he was just a young boy when he started, maintaining his career for more than 30 years, time in which he broke (racial) barriers, Michael Jackson is indeed the King of Pop!!

Father's Day

We look so much alike that strangers on the roadside actually recognise me as “Shun’s daughter”!! I’ve had people walk up to me, asking me, how is my father(?!) and I don’t even know who they are! That’s how much I look like my dad. My father’s old friends say I look exactly like him when he was younger – minus the moustache!!

[Me on the left; dad is centre; sis on the right]

My father and I have never been that close. Being a musician, he was away most of my growing years, travelling in and around the country for work. I saw him maybe once or twice every few months when he returned (with presents!), then he’ll go off again for another few months. Nevertheless, despite travelling so often and for an extensive period, he never failed to call. If he was in Malaysia, there would be at least 2-3 calls per day. If he was overseas, he would call at least once a day.

Since my father was always away during our younger years, it is only natural that my sister and I are closer to my mother. Anything and everything had to go through mum, from making decisions to asking permission, eventhough dad was around! In fact, when dad was around, my sister and I actually felt weird. It didn’t feel “normal” having him around, as we were so used to him being absent.

When he retired from being a musician, it took a while for the whole family to adjust to him being around all the time. At one point, he seemed to be EVERYWHERE and it was disturbing!! Haha!!

But it was nice. Since mum didn’t drive, having dad around meant that there were car-rides and eating out! Soon, we got used to seeing him reading the newspaper in the morning as we got ready for school; to him asking us if we wanted to have lunch or dinner; to him following us to buy groceries. In fact, we got so used to him being around that we soon had him buying groceries without us!! He even offered to buy the “girly” stuff if we needed it but of course, that was off limits!!

As I left high school, started college and then started work, having dad around was a blessing. I got good career advice from someone who had such a wide range of experience. He advised me on what to expect from the working world; how to deal with office politics and disgruntled bosses. He still treats me like his little girl (I don’t think that will ever change!); but then, he also treats me like the adult that I am, sharing with me his concerns, problems and worries.

Now...instead of him being “everywhere”, I worry when he does not come home in time; or when he gets the sniffles; or when he just doesn’t feel well. Only now, as he ages and slows down, am I beginning to appreciate him and his presence.

As I mature and progress in my life, I am reminded that life is not all about chasing dreams and making money. We get so caught up in this chase, that we lose track of what is important. Loved ones like my dad and mum were always there for me when I needed them, it is now my time to return the deed. I always tell myself that, anything I give them will never be enough as they have given me life. Therefore, for as long as it takes, I will always, treasure, appreciate and love my dad and mum.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, APAH!!!

The Wonder of The Secret

Ever since I read 'The Secret', I've changed the way I look at things, and also think about things. I tell myself to always think of the good side of things, attract only the positive and not to even dwell on all things negative. This change has not been easy, considering the amount of stress, frustration and disappointment that I feel from time to time. The will to banish all negative thoughts and feelings sometimes threaten to overshadow the need to think, feel and act positive. But thanks to my mum and sis, who, despite not really believing in The Secret, continuously remind me of the need to stay positive, I've managed to hold on to the "rules" of the book.

When I returned the book to my aunt, I did not forget what I had learned. However, practising something without having anything to refer to, is difficult. It's like practising Law without going through the chambering period. Therefore, when my aunt recently gave me a copy of the book, I was ecstatic!! And just yesterday morning, before leaving to work, I flipped through the book and reached a section that said:

'Create, your day in advance by thinking the way you want it to go, and you will create your life intentionally.'

And so...I did just that. I visualised what/how I wanted my day to go and believe it or not, at the end of the day, I felt great!! Everything went smoothly throughout the whole day!! My project that has been in the works for 1 year and 3 months finally ended yesterday; I got a much anticipated call; and, that night, when I was out with a group of friends visiting a radio station fair, I actually won something!!!

I came home feeling happy, satisfied and just great!! My conviction in The Secret is restored (at one point I begin doubting it) and you can bet that I am going to continue practising it!!! :-)

The night I turned into Princess Jasmine

One week after the traditional wedding ceremony, the customary wedding reception was held. This time, it was held in Penang as it was organised by the bride's side. And as always, I was worried about what I was going to wear for the dinner. After all the fuss about having to wear a saree during the traditional ceremony, it was a relief to find out that we did not have to wear a saree for the reception as it was a 'modern' dinner. My sister already had her outfit ready for the dinner, even before the traditional ceremony. As for me, up until a few hours before the dinner, I still had no idea what I was going to wear!!

To anyone who knows me, they'll know that I hate wearing dresses or skirts, so either one of those were out of the question. So that left me with pants, but of course jeans were out of the question as well, although I would have LOVED to wear one!! Since my sis had a replacement class yesterday, we had to send her to college all the way up in Tanjung Bungah. On the way, there is a Thai fair that sells everything from clothes to shoes to bags. So of course, I had to stop there.

I found a variety of pants there and I couldn't make up my mind which one I should get; and being thrifty, I didn't want to buy every single one!! So in the end, I settled for one that, not only I liked but also one that will not emphasize my thin legs. Back home however, I found out that I did not have a proper top to match the pants!!! And that was like 5 hours before the dinner. So I announced that I was not going to attend the dinner!! Right up till my sister and mum were getting ready, I still had not found a proper top to match my pants!! I ran up to my room, dug my cupboard and prayed feverishly that I'd find a top. To top it off, my mum insisted that I needed to wear LOTS of accessories!!

In the end, I did not only find a top to match, I had the whole works: bangles, earrings and even shoes!! This was the result:

As you can see, I managed to achieve the gypsy/Princess Jasmine look, complete with gold belt and gold shoes!!!

[My gold shoes from Thailand. It actually has a sentimental value as it was bought by my grandfather for my mum!! ]

The shoes proved to be a huge problem for me. Having long feet and wearing a size 7/8, I had to squeeze my feet into size 6 shoes!! Oh...the things I do just to look good!! My mum has this motto when it comes to dressing up: "No pain, no gain" and in this case, she was soooooo right. By the end of the night, I could hardly walk. In fact, I had to talk off my shoes and walk back to the car. This morning, I found two blisters!! But then, as the motto goes, with pain comes gain. Everyone complimented me on my "gypsy" pants and gold shoes!! They were especially impressed that I had shoes to match the gold belt!! haha!!

Anyway, enough about my dressing. The reception went beautifully!! The setting was beautiful, the food was yummy and everyone was happy!! Like in any of my family functions, music was not absent. They was a band, my cousins sang and some danced and towards the end of the evening, the karaoke session begun.

Music is so important in my family, so much so that in order for "outsiders" (read: future husbands, wives, in-laws) to fit in, they would have to be very very supporting; for they will surely be "asked" (read: dragged, forced..etc) to sing or perform. This elicited a comment from my sis that, in order for us to know whether our future bfs/husbands would fit in, all we have to do is bring him to ONE of our parties and see his reaction. If he survives the night, he'll survive the family!! haha!!

[The bride and groom]

The night was indeed beautiful. Everyone had fun. Everyone was happy. Everyone was satisfied. And finally, everyone could heave that big sigh that has been held since news of a wedding was in the works.

Of course...the night ended with a 'thank-you' speech from the couple and the "passing of the marriage baton" to the next in-line: my eldest cousin (pic above), who promptly replied that he has the baton now and he knows he most probably is next!! haha!!

:-)

Wedding of the year

June 6th - it came and it went. The day that the whole family has been waiting for, for the past 6 months has finally ended. All the preparations, excitement, anxiety and fatigue. Everything has now ended but the deep breath that everyone has been holding cannot be released just yet. Though the traditional ceremony has ended, there is still the wedding reception to come; in about 5 days' time. That alone is another spectacle!!

But I digress. For now...let me talk about the wedding that had everyone on their toes. It all started 6 months ago when we were told that my cousin has finally found THE ONE and that they have decided to commit to each other. Fast forward to March and they were legally married in the eyes of the law but not religiously. Once the excitement of the registration wore off, the excitement of the impending wedding took over.

Reservations were made; invitations were printed and sent out; shopping for sarees, shoes, jewellery etc were on 'high speed'; appointments with tailors for our fittings were made; running around buying door gifts, and the necessities for the ceremony was a normal routine. This went on for 3 months and as the date of the wedding approached, the intensity and force of everything above went one notch higher!!!

I arrived in KL one day before the wedding and even then, the family had two ceremonies to perform before the actual wedding. Plus had balance things to purchase. It seemed like that purchasing never stopped. The two ceremonies were compulsory as it was supposed to get rid of any bad luck or aura around the bride before she got married. She was bathed in saffron water with flowers; in addition to that, she had saffron paste rubbed all over her body (supposedly to "prepare" her for her hubby!!). This ceremony was done by her paternal aunts. I'm not sure what the second ceremony was for but it was held in accordance to the Ceylonese tradition (my cousin-in-law's mum is Ceylonese).

On the day of the wedding (after having a good night's sleep), my aunt took my sis and I to the salon to get our hair washed and blowed. Since our aim that day was to look the best we could especially in a saree, we had to have the works!!! Once our hair was done, we returned home to just laze around. At around 3.30pm, we were dropped off at another aunt's house to start the "transformation" process: from regular 'cincai' girls to saree-clad Indian girls!!

The result? TA-DA:

It was my sister's first time wearing a saree and despite her being worried about how she'll look, I think she looked amazing!! The colour of the saree suited her so well; she looked fair and the make-up did not make her look old!!

As for me, it was my 3rd time wearing a saree. Although I was apprehensive about how I'll look (I suppose it's because I'm so conscious of my thin-ness) I think I looked okay. But I couldn't help complaining that my saree looked the plainest next to all the shiny, elaborate ones that my aunts and cousins wore.

This wedding, the first one in the family since my youngest uncle got married some 16-17 years ago, was the first wedding that I was fully involved in. I had "duties" from serving 'sweets' to the guests to escorting the bride as she entered the hall. It was fun!! And...it was the first time that I didn't sit down through the whole wedding!!! Of course, my legs were dying as I was wearing heels but what the heck?? It's not everyday that we have a wedding in our family.

The ceremony went on smoothly without any glitches and it was actually on time!! Haha. I guess this was one time where even the time could not ruin the perfect day. Dinner after the ceremony was vegetarian. There was a variety of 15 vegetarian dishes and I suppose it must have been really tasty because by the time my sis and I went to eat, everything had finished!!

After "eating", we had the "mandatory" photo-taking session. Since there are so many of us cousins, having a group shot is like asking the presidents of the world is take a photo together. You can never get everyone at one place at the same time. Even on this day, 5 cousins were missing: the bride and her brother, the eldest cousin and my two cousins who are in Denmark. Nevertheless, we managed to get everyone to stand in place and *click*:

Basically, that is what happened thsi past weekend. Now that the wedding ceremony is over, the next thing to look forward to is the reception this Saturday. It's supposed to be a modern reception, where we're not required to wear traditional outfits. This is good news. Everyone seems to have an idea of what they are going to wear except ME!! I have absolutely no clue as to what I should wear!!!

sighs....well..I've got 4 more days. I suppose I'll come up with something eventually. That's a whole new entry here!!

It's over!!

Ahhh.....June 6th, the date we've all been waiting for, for more than 6 months!! The day when THE wedding of the year is to happen. And now...at 11.23pm, the music has stopped, the people have gone home and the hall is empty. The wedding is finally over.......

For someone who was so looking forward to the day, I was not disappointed. In fact, the worrying and anxiety that I felt about wearing a saree, having "duties" and the load....all that was overshadowed by the excitement, smiles, laughter and the happiness that I saw on my cousin's face. Her smile said it all.

*deep breath* Just a short entry to mark the end of a wonderful day.

A longer entry with photos is on the way....

June 4th

June 4th 1984 - I was born.

June 4th 1994 - I turned 10. And coincidentally, the King's birthday fell on the same day.

June 4th 2004 - I turned 20.

June 4th 2005 - I received my key to freedom.

June 4th 2009 - I turned 1/4 of a century.

As you can see, I have a certain obssession when it comes to my birthday. Either I fuss over my age or I get overly excited (as I do every year!!). This year however, I've got reason to fuss and get overly excited. As listed above, you'll notice that today, I turn 25. That's 1/2 of 50, 1/4 of a 100. I'm finally in my mid-20s!! Although I am excited (as I always am when it's my birthday), the number that denotes the number of years I've existed somewhat "troubles" me.

I suppose this feeling comes with the territory. After all, I've got so many people telling me that 25 is 'a milestone'; or 'a big one'; or 'the right age'. My mum got married when she was 25 and one of my aunts had her second(!!) child when she was 25. To add to that is the fact that a few of my school mates are either engaged or getting married this year!!

What about me? What have I done these past 25 years? What have I achieved? To me, 25 years is actually a short time, when more than half of those years are spent in school and college. But, short or not, I HAVE achieved some level of success.

1) I finished the mandatory 11 years of primary and secondary education, and passed with quite good results.

2) I entered college, took up Law, enjoyed my college years while at the same time, tortured myself memorising the cases, statutes and philosophies that was required. In the end, I graduated and got my Law degree!!

3) I got my first full-time job with a non-profit/non-governmental organisation. How noble!! Haha. This job, at which I am still working at, has given me the opportunity to travel, meet new people from all over the world, get down and dirty with local communities in various places and opened my eyes to the realities of the world. Not bad for a first job!!

4) With my first job, I've managed to buy my own car. Yes! Despite it being a second-hand car, but still....it's MY CAR!! PAID and DRIVEN by ME!!

5) In addition to that, I've also started paying back the study loan that I took. The reality of managing my money at the end of every month has certainly taught me the value of hard earned money and not to take anything for granted. It's also got me thinking of ways to earn more!! I think it has made me more ambitious.

6) I've also started contributing to the household income. Although I may not be contributing as much as I want to, but still...it's a start. :-)

And so...looking back, I do have some things to be proud of. After all, echoing a colleague of mine, 25 is the new 20; 30 is the new 25....

:-) Happy Birthday to myself!!