Terracota pots

Terracota pots are not as easily found as before.

Many urban folks prefer the glazed pots, the bigger the better in glossy blacks, whites and even red! Not me. I'd like my pots to grow gracefully with me...not remain glossy and new while I slowly slide into the wrinkled patinaed land.

So when my terracota pots get broken, I keep all the pieces until that fine day I have the time and energy to put it back together again - like humpty dumpty.

We love mermaids

When I was a little girl, I loved mermaids. The tragic Little Mermaid was my favourite fairytale, and while I was not happy about its ending, I loved Disney's Ariel. I soon noticed that my little girls love mermaids too.

Ikesha, who loves to doodle drew a mermaid a few weeks ago. She also asked for a mermaid cake for her fourth birthday next month.

Here is my batik painting - a mermaid beauty in silk.

The youtube clip above is one of Irani's favourite.

And this is another.

Rudi And I At The Movies

Titanic was one of the first movies Rudi and I went to see together. We were quite enamoured with each other - enough for me to ride pillion on his big red motorbike throughout the night after the movie. With me exclaiming to the world at the top of my voice - I love you Rudi!

One day, Rudi showed up after work and said,'Let's go for a movie." He did not tell me which movie. Finally, he told me he wanted me to watch Moulin Rouge. I loved it to the max and Rudi for taking me to see this wonderful musical.

Rudi brought home the DVD Malena. He thought it was an Italian movie I would enjoy. Here is the inkling that my husband knows me very well, almost better than I know myself. I loved Malena - and I think Rudi wanted me to be his Malena.

I was extremely busy when Puteri Gunung Ledang finally made it to the movies and I missed it. I actually sobbed my heart out. When the DVD came out, Rudi bought it for me. He is such a sweetie at times. I loved the movie - and the musical production in Kuala Lumpur too.

Again, Rudi brought home this DVD - he was sure I would love it. We watched it silently, I could not tear myself away from the screen. The Thai production was mesmerising, absorbing and full of our Malay culture. Until today, one of my favorite all time movie.

Rudi took French classes early this year and he loved it. He brought home Les Choristes as he felt it was good for the whole family. Today, the girls sing Caresse Sur L'Ocean and la Nuit sweetly. We simply adore this movie.

While shopping for Hari Raya, I bought this DVD. And yet, was too busy to watch. Last Sunday, Rudi prompted me and we happily watched the full length movie with Irani. He declared,"That was a good movie."

There are many movies we watch with the children. Tonnes of them. Happy Feet. The Polar Express. Amelie. LOTR Series. Harry Potter Series. Nanny McPhee. Up. Coco Avant Chanel. Inception. But the above movies remind me of certain moments in my life with Rudi.

I love you.

TITANIC


MOULIN ROUGE


MALENA

PUTERI GUNUNG LEDANG

LANGKASUKA


LES CHORISTES


MY NAME IS KHAN

My Name Is Khan

A couple of months ago, I received an email urging me to watch the movie, My Name Is Khan.

However, I was busy and caught up in work and the girls' schedule and exams, I put the thought out of my mind. Then, this weekend, while buying Aidil Fitri dresses in Jalan Masjid India, I passed by a CD shop and saw the DVD on sale. On a whim, I bought it. But, in the midst of break fast and more shopping (how blessed we are in Malaysia), I still could not find the time to watch the movie. These epic movies are full length and notoriously long. Finally, Rudi came to remind me, "You want to watch My Name Is Khan now?" So we did.

The story is about Rizvan Khan, who lived with his mother, Ammi, a wonderful woman who was determined to help Rizvan overcome his obvious difficulties. She did not know it but Rizvan had Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. The movie shows how Ammi taught Rizvan the basic important things in life, wisdom that would guide him later on in life. He met an amazing woman, Mandrai and her son Sameer and married her. She was Hindu and Rizvan's only brother rejected her.

Three scenes strike me the most.

The first, was a scene where Rizvan's village was caught in the crossline of hate between the Muslims and the Hindus. Someone shouted bigotry chants which Rizvan automatically repeated ceaselessly. Ammi took him aside, drew a matchstick man beating a boy, and another giving the boy a lollipop. Then she asked him, "Which is the Muslim and which is the Hindu?" to which he replied," There's no difference. They both look the same." Ammi's lesson here was there was no difference between people, just their good deeds and bad.

The second took place in a church in Wilhemina, Georgia.

[Six year old Ilena just stopped by with her Bouncy and asked me..."Thoughts - what are those?" I wonder where these questions come from. Now back to the story...]

My second favorite scene took place in Wilhemina, Georgia which had a population of 254 people and 734 cows or something like that.

In the aftermath of 9/11,life changed dramatically for the couple. Sameer was killed in a racial fight at school. Rizvan left his cup of happiness with his wife, Mandari on a mission to see the President of America. His new friend Strange Hair Joel and Mamma Jenna showed Rizvan kindness. Mamma Jenna took Rizvan to church and he told everyone how he loved and lost his step-son Sameer Khan. Strange hair Joel sang the song We will overcome after Rizvan became overcome with emotion, the song Rizvan used to sing with his love, Mandari.

And later, when Wilhemina was hit by a hurricane, Rizvan came back to help Mamma Jenna overcome their crisis, back to the crumbling church.

[And here comes Ikesha, showing me her pink balloon...]

And my third favourite scene is in a mosque in Los Angeles.

A terrorist was trying to recruit followers and told the story of Ibrahim who was willing to sacrifice his son as willed by Allah. As such, Muslims should be ready to shed their blood for the cause. Rizvan stood up and in his stunted speech told the story as his Ammi told him, that the prophet Ibrahim was so convinced of Allah's mercy and compassion he willingly followed Allah's instruction, knowing that his son would be safe.

Two sides of the coin to a well known historical incident by Muslims around the world. It hit me what Rizvan said was the truth we often overlook. Rizvan branded the terrorist a liar and the evil satan.

There were many little instances that make up the moving movie, many agendas and issues portrayed. But most compelling was the lesson that Rizvan's Ammi taught him early in the movie.

That there are no differences between people, just their good deeds and bad.

******

Lazy Sunday

Irani fights hunger pangs

With a book in hand

In her own little corner

Next to Agatha Christie

and Daphne du Maurier

Ikesha loves her IPad

Her nimble fingers run

Across the screen

Before she ups and dance

A flash of light - Ikesha dancing

Ilena loves to look classy

Theatre plays spill forth

Imaginary lines in
Harry Potter's own English

From her sweet lips

I sang with The Dins!

The Dins, founded in 1979, is the signature all male acapella group from Harvard University. Karen Neoh introduced The Dins to me in 2004, I have organised three performances here in Malaysia for the group during their bienniel World Summer Tour.

Back in August 2009, I emailed Brett Harrison, the President of the group. After months of planning - the permits are the most tedious part - they finally performed at RSGC last night.

And what a performance it was! For starters, the Main Lounge was splendidly decorated by our RSGC team. Maxis was the main sponsors.

I can't really describe the performance - even after three concerts, I am still mesmerised by their sheer professionalism, entertaining acts and most of all the harmonious blend of beautiful voices and rhythm. To say it was a classy act seems inadequate. In truth, it was a joy and privilege to catch these twelve young [they seem to be getting younger every time] Harvard undergrads 'belt it out'.

By the way, the poor lads performed after arriving at KL airport rather late due to their delayed flight. They were caught in a jam for 45 minutes. We had tea ready, packed them off to the Changing Rooms for a shower, completed their sound check before it was barely time to meet the sponsors for cocktail.

And yet, you would not have guessed it. They were as cool as cucumber - their lime green socks helped - everyone had a marvellous time. The Dins took photos with members, signed autographs - they were the gracious ambassadors of Harvard University. And the US.

This is my new Dins CD!


Thank you Dins and thank you Brett for sharing your beautiful music.

Now please come back and do Copacabana for us.

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The Royal Selangor Golf Club was the only stop in Kuala Lumpur for the Dins. They will be continuing their tour to Sydney next. The Tour which started in June 2010 took the Dins to
Reykjavik, Iceland, London, England, Luxembourg, Saarbrucken, Germany, Strasbourg, France, Berlin, Germany, Ljubljana, Slovenia Cyprus, Seoul, South Korea, Shanghai, China, Hong Kong, Osaka, Japan, Tokyo, Japan, Choshi, Japan, Atsugi, Japan, Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore, RSGC Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The final leg includes:
8/10-8/13: Sydney, Australia
8/13-8/16: San Francisco, California, USA
8/16-8/18: San Diego, California, USA
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The Dins did not perform Copacabana this year - one of my favourite songs. So after the show amidst autograph sessions, we suddenly found ourselves on stage, snapping photos. Suddenly some of The Dins started humming Copacabana, I couldn't resist and chipped in to sing - "at the Copa... Copacabana...". Those who know me know this was a VERY brave thing to do!

Photos to follow

The weekend for sisterly bonding

The girls were one generation apart - 2 were savvy and popular teenagers. The three younger ones - one was going through that awkward stage and two were kittenish, cute and naughty. Decidedly, I could see they were at odds with each other. What more with no 1 and no 2 often going off with their Abah to meet the other siblings and family.

I could see the divide getting a tad too uncomfortable for my liking. This week when their Abah wanted to pick up Kak Long and Angah for a family gathering, Irani quipped she wanted to go as well. I decided, okay,let's all go!

Kak Long and Kak Ngah quickly called their grandma who was delighted. I regretted my impulsive decision for a moment as I had never visited since I remarried. Rudi could not be contacted, he was white water rafting and enjoying male bonding with the guys, but he always told me he had no issues if I wanted to visit.

In the end, the excited chatter of the girls told me I made the right decision.

So we drove all the way to Kuang - 5 girls, Bik and me.

It turned out to be simply lovely. The 5 girls always enjoyed the company of the other 2 girls, my ex's daughters and they got along famously. I chit chatted with my three brother in laws especially the youngest one on everything, catching up. Mak Tok was evidently happy I had come to the house finally [they had visited us throughout the years so it wasn't really all that strange after all]. Irma, my ex's wife is a very nice lady - we never really had problems chatting and stuff so that was no problem.

It actually felt very pleasant.More importantly, where Kak Long and Angah disappears to some weekends is no longer a mystery to KakChik, Ilana and Ikesha, and that is important to me.

To continue the sisterly bonding, I took them all out, Bik too, to a movie on Sunday night. To find a movie to suit all five sisters was quite challenging - first choice Nanny McPhee 2 was still not showing - we decided on Despicably Me which turned out to be a lovely no age barred choice. Ikesha looked super adorable in her 3D glasses.

A lovely weekend again! And today, Rudi is home so I took leave so that we can stretch the weekend to include him for a bit...

We live from weekend to weekend - an island of respite in our busy daily lives...