April 30, 2007: One Day Blog Silence on 30th April 2007

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April 29, 2007: The Sunset

Hi everyone,

I always love sunset. It brings back memories. Memories of growing up in the village. There's not so many entertainment back then in the village - only radio and later on television. But my family only owned television set much later after almost all the villagers owned one. So, being 'young and energetic' - our only entertainments were catching fishes at the river, playing 'tarzan' and 'jane' on our favourite liana at the nearby hill, climbing rambutan or other fruits trees during fruits season. Tired of all that, we sometimes played local/traditional games - congkak, guli, layang-layang/wau (kites), teng-teng, rounders (the malay version) and many more ........

What doest it has anything to do with sunset? My late mother was a very strict person - I understand now that it wasn't easy for her to raised 5 of us (out of 10 siblings) who were still small when my father passed away. One of her rules: we must be backed at home before sunset! (it wasn't easy for her to look for us, because one never knows where we will be playing at any time). So, we will always be on the alert to ensure that we're home on time BEFORE sunset. Otherwise we will be grounded for the next few days ..... hehehe.

Here are few pictures of sunset that I spent with Howard during our stay in Tioman.

When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator” (Mahatma Gandhi)

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain

or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. (Rabindranath Tagore)

For me optimism is two lovers walking into the sunset arm

in arm. Or maybe into the sunrise-whatever appeals to you. (Krzysztof Kieslowski)

Happiness is a Swedish sunset; it is there for all,

but most of us look the other way and lose it. (Mark Twain)

If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man

or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God. (G.K. Chesterton)

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May you have a wonderful Sunday!

Love - Larra

April 28, 2007: Read this before you eat KFC!!

Found this on Pook's page!

Thanks Pooks for allowing me to link to your page.

Larra

April 28, 2007: All You Who Sleep Tonight

All You Who Sleep Tonight . All you who sleep tonight Far from the ones you love, No hand to left or right And emptiness above - Know that you aren't alone The whole world shares your tears, Some for two nights or one, And some for all their years. ~Vikram Seth~

April 27, 2007: Unchained Melody

I am physically and mentally tired tonight ........ May your day/night is better than mine.

Good night everyone!!!!!!

Love - Larra

April 27, 2007: Who IS Guilty?

Who is guilty?

A wife dreaming in the middle of the night and suddenly shouts "Quick! my husband is back!"

Man gets up, jumps out of the window and realizes "Damn it! I am the husband!"

HAVE A GREAT FRIDAY everyone!

April 26, 2007: Daulat Tuanku!

Malaysia practises Parliamentary Democracy with Constitutional Monarchy and His Royal Highness is the Paramount Ruler. As a country with a Constitutional Monarchy, it is therefore allocated by the Constitution the institutions of Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, the Paramount Ruler, the hereditary rulers of the nine states and the Council of Malay Rulers. His Royal Highness has the power to safeguard the customs and traditions of the Malay people and the Administration of the Islamic Religion in each state. Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong is the Head of the Islamic Religion for the states of Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territories. Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong is also the Paramount Ruler of the country and His Royal Highness is the Highest Commander of the Armed Forces. His Royal Highness carries out his duties under the Constitution under the advice of the Prime Minister and the cabinet ministers. Meanwhile, the hereditary rulers are Head of State of his own state and carry out their duties under the advice of their own Minister or Menteri Besar or Chief Minister.

TODAY, 26th April 2007 Malaysia welcomes a youthful new King with the proclamation of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, 44, as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (His Royal Highness).

The ruler of oil-rich Terengganu succeeded Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail of Perlis under the country’s unique monarchical system. Sultan Mizan is the second youngest king to be sworn in under the five-year rotation system among the rulers of nine Malay states.

Sultan Mizan who ascended the Terengganu throne in 1998 at the age of 36 following the death of his father Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billal Shah became the youngest Malay Ruler.

He took the oath of office as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara followed by the signing of instruments of appointment after a special meeting of the Conference of Rulers on Dec 13 last year.

With the proclamation, Sultan Mizan is known as Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah. His consort, Sultanah Nur Zahirah is referred as Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah.

The Ceremony

The rich royal traditions and customs of the installation ceremony is held at the Balairong Seri or Throne Room of Istana Negara at 10am.

The hour-long ceremony broadcasted live by Radio Televisyen Malaysia begun with the blowing of the nafiri, announcing the arrival of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah at the Balairong Seri.

It followed by the haunting strains of the Kumpulan Nobat Diraja Terengganu, or the Terengganu Royal Ensemble, rendering the song 'Raja Berangkat' accompanying their majesties to the throne.

The ceremony attended by the rulers, members of the royal household, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Ministers, Heads of State governments, members of the foreign diplomatic corps and local and foreign guests.

The arrival of Tuanku Mizan and Tuanku Nur Zahirah at the Balairong Seri led by the Grand Chamberlain Tengku Farouk Tengku Jalil and bearers of the "Mace of the Universe" and the "Mace of Religion". Both the sceptres are made of silver and form part of the royal regalia symbolising the royal authority of the government of Malaysia. They accompanied by his majesty’s footmen and bearers of the royal regalia.

Tuanku Mizan was in the official ceremonial attire of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the "Muskat" comprising the black royal jacket embroidered in gold thread, long black pants, together with the Tengkolok (Royal Head-Dress), which is intricately woven with gold thread.

The king worn the "Royal Buckle" or the Pending which is made of gold and decorated with 11 rubies, and an engraved centrepiece featuring the federal government crest, while the belt is made of heavy ribbed silk and embroidered with floral motifs in gold thread. From his waist hanged the "Royal Short Kris" made of ancient kris blades and ivory studded with gold engravings.

His consort, Tuanku Nur Zahirah worn the ceremonial dress of the Raja Permaisuri Agong, crowned with the "Royal Tiara" or Gendik Diraja and worn the Kalung Diraja or "Royal Necklace". Both the tiara and necklace are made of platinum and studded with diamonds.

After the grand chamberlain presents a copy of the Quran to the King, the Prime Minister read the "Letter of Proclamation". The grand chamberlain later presented the government kris or the "Royal Long Dagger", the symbol of power and authority, to the king.

The King gave his pledge as the "Paramount Ruler of Malaysia" and the nobat rendered the Raja Bertabal (The King is Crowned) and this is followed with shouts of Daulat Tuanku.

This then followed by a 21-gun salute and the rendition of the Negaraku (national anthem) by the Royal Malaysia Police band.

Prime Minister Abdullah then on behalf of the government and people of Malaysia congratulated and pledged loyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, followed by the king delivering his royal address.

April 25, 2007: Life in a Kampong

Hi everyone,

I was brought up in a 'kampong' (village) and lived there until I was 20 years old when I first left my kampong to further study in Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur. But I always looked forward for semester holidays to go back to my kampong. Even though I am currently lived and worked in Kuala Lumpur, deep inside me I am still a kampong girl who loves nature more than anything else.

So, one of the agenda during Howard's holiday in Malaysia was to take him to my kampong for him to experience the kampong's life. But because of the house that I bought in my hometown, Kulim is located in a modern housing estate I took Howard for 2 days and 1 night in my eldest sister's house in Bikan. Bikan is quite a remote area with a very minimum basic facilities.

Here among other things, H experienced 'the making of lemang' - glutinous rice cooked in a bamboo. Here are some pictures:

My brother in-law preparing young banana leaves that is used to line the inner side of the bamboo. Banana leaves are cut into strips and later rolled up to cover the entire inner surface of the bamboo.

While my sister preparing the coconut milk.

After all the bamboo have been lined with banana leaves, it's time for my sister and I to put in the glutinous rice into the bamboo.

Only 3/4 of the bamboo is filled with the glutinous rice - the rest will be filled up with coconut milk.

H feeling bored, no one to play with.... So he's peeping my little grand niece Farah Dania who's still asleep . Hehehe

We filled up all the bamboo, while my brother in-law preparing the fire. My sister is checking out to see whether the fire is ready.

The coconut milk is poured into the bamboo.

My brother in-law showed H how to do it.

It's now time for H to try..... while little Farah looked with full amazed! hehehe

Camera, action! Smile darling!

While waiting for lemang to cooked, we wondered around my sister's fruit orchard - but unfortunately it is not fruits season yet. Can you spot the 'rambutan' flowers - it will only bear fruits somewhere in August!

Wait! I saw a pink fruits! This is not a seasonal fruits - we called it 'jambu air' (Herb called it water apple)

I'll get it for you Hon!

Here it is!

While I was busy looking for fruits, H is now happy because he has friend to play with. H playing 'give me five' with Farah.

Well, this looked familiar! One of the kampong chicken soon will be turned into chicken curry! Yum yum! My sister cooked chicken curry to be eaten with lemang.

After almost 3 hours - with my sister checking on the fire from time to time and also turned the bamboo every few minutes to ensure that the glutinous rice is evenly cooked, the lemang was ready! BUT unfortunately because we are so excited to eat while it is still hot AND because the chicken curry that my sister made is soooo delicious we forgot to take picture of the cooked lemang!

Anyway here's picture of lemang that previously posted on my blog

You should be able to see more pictures when H uploaded it on flickr. And maybe he would like to share his experience being beaten by lots of mosquitoes while staying at my sister's house!

Love - Larra

April 24, 2007: Petals

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Petals by Amy Lowell

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Life is a stream
On which we strew
Petal by petal the flower of our heart;
The end lost in dream,
They float past our view,
We only watch their glad, early start.
Freighted with hope,
Crimsoned with joy,
We scatter the leaves of our opening rose;
Their widening scope,
Their distant employ,
We never shall know. And the stream as it flows
Sweeps them away,
Each one is gone
Ever beyond into infinite ways.
We alone stay
While years hurry on,
The flower fared forth, though its fragrance still stays.

April 23, 2007: Safety First

Beware of falling coconuts!!!!

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Or someone might fall on you Hon!

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Have a safe week ahead everyone!

Love - Larra

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April 21, 2007: Thinking of You

I've learned that good-byes will always hurt,

pictures will never replace having been there,

memories good and bad will bring tears,

and words can never replace feelings.

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~ I am just keeping myself busy here ~

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H resting at my house in Kulim (my hometown)

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Can't live without - coffee!

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Tarzan's big brother has just landed! Kimberly Trail, Fraser's Hill

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Off into the water - Chilling Waterfall.

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Swimming time! - Berjaya Beach Resort, Tioman

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View of the sea from our balcony at "Tree Top Chalet", Japa Mala Resort, Tioman

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At your own risk "Beware of falling coconut" at one of the resort in Tioman

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Blue team: Herb in Malay dress - 'Baju Batik' and 'Kopiah' and Larra in 'Baju kurung'

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H admiring the big tree - jungle walk in Tioman

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The big tree in Tioman

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Herb enjoying beer on 'Hard Rock' cafe during our jungle walk in Tioman

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Boat ride in Tioman

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He keeps saying "I can't smile!" Do you believe him?