Nigella Lawson once said in one of her cooking programmes that only mothers can see the beauty in their children and I must agree with her because my wife seems to see beauty in our children and in almost everything they do, even to the extent of conspiring against me!

I have always felt that children should do their share of the housework, they way I was taught by my own mother.  I remember when I was young, my late mother would delegate the housework that she felt we, as children, were able to do.  Chores like washing the toilet, sweeping the house, dusting the furniture, watering the plants and most of all helping her out in the kitchen.  I understood even then, that she needed (and appreciated) all our help because there were eight of us (including my dad!) whom she needed to tend to.  and we, as her children never once tried to escape from doing those chores which eventually became more of our own responsibilities, which we later continued to do without ever being told to do so.

My own children however, are in a way pampered by their mom, so much so I end up helping her with the house chores when I see her getting tired and exhausted from doing all the work.  Surprisingly, when I suggest that the children should share some of the housework (like the ones I did when I was young) she would say that the children would not do the chores properly  like the clothes would not be folded neatly or that there would still be dust in the hard-to-reach corners of the furniture.  And when I express my displeasure towards the children for not lifting a finger to help around the house, she would take the children's side and gang up on me, like refusing to eat or pretending that I am not around!

I am sure that is not a good example to set to one's offspring.  However, I always lose out in the end because in a family of five, how can one father win when the rest of the family gives him the silent treatment!  I guess my suggestions don't count when it comes to expressing my views.  I guess the only view I have is silence!

Breakfast? Give Me A Break!

Imagine a lump of clay in your hands, then shaping it into a certain form and then baking it in the kiln.  However, after some time when you take it out from the oven, the clay did not turn into porcelain but just a semi-baked crumbly lump of clay!

That was the unpleasant experience I encountered when I happily (initially anyway!) sat down for breakfast on my second day at this resort, when I attempted to have what the house called chocolate muffin!  The unpleasant experience continued when I attempted to wolf down the house pancake and scrambled eggs.  The pancake was too doughy and extra sweet and the scrambled eggs were, well, in a word, scrambled.  I use the term 'wolf down' for two reasons; one, I hate wasting food that I have taken, and secondly, I was forcing the food down to avoid tasting it any further.

I must say that the food here has not improved in anyway since the new management took over a few years ago.  I remember staying here about ten years ago when this resort was called Regency Hotel and back then everything about it was regent!  And since I am writing about food here,  I can contentedly and pleasantly feel safe and secure in saying that the food then was by far much better and was in a league of its own.  In fact, I remember going to the kitchen, searching for the head chef and complementing him for the beautiful and delicious dishes he had prepared!  Not many people would have the hind-sight to do that!  At least not amongst my colleagues!

I can safely say that I will not be coming here again, and on the same note, I am sure the management would not want to have anything to do with a guest like me!  However, if I do come here again, which I doubt, I hope they would have made some kind of effort to improve their food and of course their service.

Here's to improving our country's tourism industry!

Selesa Beach Resort : Not So Comfortable



I'm in Port Dickson today attending a meeting that I have attended countless number of times.  So, you may assume that I could do without attending this meeting because everything the people here want to say, I would have heard before and memorised to heart.  But I have taken the time to come here thinking that I would at least have a relaxing time at this resort.

Unfortunately all my good assumptions about this resort have flat and have caused much dissatisfaction.  First of all is the food served during lunch.  I (sadly) expected at least one or two of the dishes served at the buffet table to of resort standard but it turns out that the food are those that I can (surely) prepare myself in my own humble kitchen.

Second of all, is the time taken by the staff to allow their guests to check-in.  One would expect the resort (and their staff) to be more empathic towards their guests especially those who have travelled more than 150 kilometres, by promptly checking them in and allowing them to get a good rest.  Unfortunately, at the time this entry was written, that is 1.11 p.m., I have yet to check-in into my room.  What is more distressing is that, we have been informed, much to our dismay, that we can only check-in at 3.00 p.m. at which time we would be attending another meeting.

In reality we will only be able to check-in at about 4.30 p.m. and finally get to rest in our rooms at about 5.30 a.m.  If we are lucky!

I have promised myself that last year would be my final stint as a chief invigilator for this exam, but people in the department still insist on enlisting my services.  I am sad to say that I shall be ending my stint as an invigilator with a negative note.  All because this resort has resorted to not to live up to it's name of being comfortable!

Passing of a Good Friend

Today saw the passing of a good friend, Cikgu Kamaruzaman bin Joned, whom I have had the pleasure of knowing for the past sixteen years.  I know that may not be meaningful compared to others who have known him for more than thirty years or so ever since he started teaching here in Gemas.

A multi-talented man, I have always admired his artistic approach to things especially in the way he decorates his house.  Not surprisingly his wife, Cikgu Siti Marzian also shares the same interest.  I remember the first time I went to his house (the old single-storey one) I was taken aback at all the brick-a-bracks and knick-knacks that he had in the house, which indeed added to the charm.

 

The charm continued to develop when he moved into his new house, a colossal three-storey house with a unique roof (a testament to his artistic prowess)  I mostly remember one day when he held a prayer in his house, and after that provided dinner for the guests, I was awed at the way he presented the dishes; in hollows on some bamboos decoratively arranged on the buffet table.  One would only expect to see that kind of presentation in a hotel, but that was how Cikgu Kamaruzaman was.

To say that he will be missed is an understatement because no amount of words can probably describe the hollow place that he leaves with his passing especially in the hearts of his family.  Al-Fatihah and may he rest in peace.  Condolence to Cikgu Marzian (or Kak Mar as I call her) and her children; be patient and let us pray that he is placed amongst the pious.  Amin.

Cronies In Cahoots over Computers!

When you think about the extent to which some people would go to in order achieve or in this case acquire the things they want, you fail to see the reasons why they insist on making themselves less than human.  It is quite sad actually to think that these people would stoop so low to be above (sic) the law.  A case in point is the distribution of the Netbooks to deserving students in schools. 

What turned out to be a good gesture on the governments part to enable qualified students to be able to broaden their knowledge horizon through the internet via the use of Netbooks, has now become more of a ferocious feline hording the lion's share; the lion here being the people in schools who have been given the responsibility (and I mention this word with much disgust!) to distribute the Netbooks to only those who really deserve them!

I feel disgusted when I learned today (I wish I hadn't!) that the person in this school who has been given the responsibility to do so, has misused his position to distribute the Netbooks to those who do not really deserve them, just because they are his friends.  I was made to understand that one of the criteria that entitles you to a Netbook is your monthly income. 

I was utterly surprised when I was told one of the teachers in this school, got one on behalf of his son, even though his wife is also a teacher.  Another husband and wife duo who are both teachers also got the Netbook even though they do not have a child studying in the school!  Even more surprising, a teacher who is a bachelor and does not have any child at all, got the Netbook on behalf of his nephew, when in fact the boy's parents are both teachers!

I am resigned to say that I now feel sad and I have lost all respect for these people who have not made any effort to decline the Netbooks given to them knowing that they are not truly entitled to them; knowing full well also that there other people who are more deserving than they are. 

I have also lost all respect for the institution that I have held so dear for almost twenty five years now.  It really makes me feel sad that I have taken this long to realize that this profession that I love so much with all my ageing heart, can possibly still have people within my proximity who pretend to be humans.

Half-Baked Idea

Some ideas (if you can even call them that!) from the system should remain where they first came from; in the system.  They should just remain there and not elicit unnecessary sighs and displeasure from people who are forced to carry them out.  One idea in particular, is the One Student One Sport (1S1M) Programme, which among it's many flaws ( which are unfortunately seen by the people who implement them and not by the people who suggest them!) include attendance (or lack of it) by the students (we shall leave the teachers out of this for the time being!).

                                     

Students don't seem to see the point of attending such an activity which does not actually provide them with any kind of real purpose.  I mean, attending for the sake of attending, without any merits or awards, would make anyone in his right mind to just abandon this unwelcome idea.  Besides having to go back late after school every day, an extra day of going home late, is really stretching a person's obedience too thin!

Some ideas, like a good cake recipe, should be allowed the proper time in the oven to be baked, so that it will turn out well; eagerly awaited by every one who cannot wait to devour every crumb of the cake.  However, if the cake turns out to be half-baked, it will definitely have to be thrown out into the dustbin because nobody in his right mind would want to eat it.  Not even a hungry stray dog would want it!

So, I feel that this half-baked idea should be taken back by the person who started it in the first place, put in back in the oven, look into it with care and attention, and if it, after much thought and consideration (and I do mean much!) turns out to be something commendable, then bring it back to us, and we'll take it from there!  I'm sure no one will throw it away then!

School Sightings

I'm on medical leave today because of the severe condition of gout that has affected my right feet.  I blame myself for being such a glutton during Eid for consuming too much beef, which is a definite no-no for people who have this condition.

And as I was having my breakfast at eight this morning,  I heard some loud voices coming from the school bus-stop (the school I'm teaching, incidentally, is right behind my house!)  Armed with my camera, I decided to investigate the source and unsurprisingly saw a group of school boys just having fun (without any concern that I was watching them and taking their photographs, even though they did see me!) without making haste to enter their classrooms!

My significant other told me that this situation has been going to quite some time.  She says that some students seem to make it a habit of going to school late as if school starts the same as office hours.  I even noticed that two parents sent their children on motorbikes at 8.10 a.m. and dropped them off just a few yards from the school's main gate.

Does this show that people around the school are the only ones who notice these situations?  I hope people don't think any less of the school authorities for this shortsightedness.  Sometimes the school just cannot keep an eye on every single student.  And this being true, students (if you can call these group of students that!) should take advantage of this shortcoming and continue to be delinquents!



It's The Time For Sharing

It's that time of year again when we celebrate Hari Raya Aidil Fitri after a month of fasting (in all sense of the word!) and this is also the time when we get together as a large family; where all of our siblings and their families, wherever they may reside, get together to rejoice!  It is also the time when we go around visiting other extended families like aunts, uncles and cousins (no matter how many times removed!)

At my current age, I now feel that getting together with my immediate families would be more than sufficient and I also feel that the younger siblings in the family should be the ones to converge with the eldest in the family.  Not just because I am the eldest, but with age catching up with me, I would probably be the first one to collapse due to too much travelling on this happy occasion!

And while on the subject of collapse,  I realise that this festive season is also the time for all to eat anything and everything they could possibly eat (part of the blame is always put on the fact that people have been fasting for a month!) and that the food are always laden with delicacies that are largely oil and fact based, ultimately leading up to a build up of cholesterol.  Something an elderly person like myself can definitely do without. 

So, to contend with the eating desires of the majority, I usually consume my food in moderation (or less!).  And I usually cannot wait for the celebrations to be over when I can get back to eating food that are more age and health friendly!

But then again, festivals like this is the time for sharing.  So, go ahead and share.  But, in moderation, please!