Yay! Sun in the water!

Weekend at Sitiawan

Last weekend, we balik kampung to Sitiawan. Coincidentally, we got to attend my cousin’s wedding in Ipoh on Saturday. All except Opah Irfan went to the community hall where the wedding took place. She was unwell. As a bonus, we discovered some nifty new roads heading into the capital city of Perak by way of Batu Gajah. Yong Neni and her newborn with Yong Ain together again. We invited them to visit us in Perlis if time permits. It would be great to have them as house guests and show them the sights. Later that night, Atok and Opah took us to dinner at a restaurant of Atok’s old acquaintance. We drove past the restaurant many a time in the past, but failed to notice it. The ambience was good. The food was great. When Vin and Sila return, we should totally come here for dinner at some point. Irfan […]

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Sik, dude

Homeward Bound Over the Hills

Aidilfitri vacation was coming to an end. We left for home from Pasir Mas at 0430 hours and arrived at the eastern end of the mountain roads just in time for Subuh prayers. By the time we reached the Titiwangsa rest stop an hour later, this was what we saw while the cold winds buffeted us: We got one amazing view from the top of the hills as the sun peeked over the horizon. If only we could stay up there and enjoy the view forever. The photos here could not do justice to the view because of the low light conditions, as well as the sun coming up right before us. It was like the top of the world, with the layer of clouds were like a carpet of whiteness in the valley far below us and the only explanation I can find… We stopped for breakfast at Baling, […]

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Yay greenery

Hari Raya at Pasir Mas

This year I was able to take a full week’s vacation for Eid vacation at Pasir Mas. I was able to take a vacation because I had a job to take a vacation from this year, which is one of the many things I am grateful for this year. We arrived a couple of days early so Ain could work her magic in the kitchen. There was also a lot of orange soda thanks to Abang G. Eid was on a Friday. Irfan and I walked to the masjid, and almost missed the Eid prayers but got into the back line just in time. The first day of Eid there was curried-fried spiral pasta with rendang and ketupat palas. On the second day there was nasi dagang Terengganu, Tok Ma and Ain’s speciality, which was a favourite among visitors! Also, Irfan stunned everyone with his height. Irfan was ecstatic that […]

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Pasir Mas cemetery

Ya Seen For Nyang

Last Monday, Irfan’s only living great grandmother passed away. She was 91 and only after her death did we learn that both Irfan and his Nyang shared a birthday. We departed for Pasir Mas to pay our last respects to Nyang. Because of financial reasons we had never balik kampung to Pasir Mas in the entire year of 2014. For a moment we had to cancel the trip which saddened Irfan a great deal as he was looking forward to meet his cousin Aiman who he had not seen since we left Kuala Lumpur. Then a cheque cleared at the bank. Irfan read Ya Seen at Nyang’s graveyard with Aiman at his side. Tok Bah and Tok Ma also read Ya Seen for Nyang’s departed husband who Irfan never met. Earlier, Irfan and Aiman also taught (or attempted to, as time was short) their second cousins to play Uno. Needless […]

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Not the DS9 Promenade

Salam Aidilfitri from Sitiawan Again

Semalat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri and Eid Mubarak from the ol’ hometown. From the our household, who are spending the Eid at Irfan’s Atok and Opah’s place. We drove home from KL at 2am. Everyone except Ayah Cik, Cik Dik, Yaya and Adik! Whom we all miss. Lumut promenade at the waterfront was all lit up and filled with merry makers and street vendors. Irfan met Qayyum and they talked about the Transformers. They also saw Transformers the Movie. The last day before we left, there was a gathering of old ACS schoolmates at Nazri’s house. I met old friends I’ve not seen in more than 25 years! We casted off early for our journey back toward KL at 3am.

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Teluk Senangin Picnic

During the trip back to Sitiawan, Atok and Opah thought it would be great for us to have a picnic at Teluk Senangin, a public beach accessible from the Sitiawan-Pantai Remis road. Because it was Chinese New Year, it would not be wise to have a picnic at Teluk Batik. In fact I don’t believe we have ever been to Teluk Batik during major holiday periods. There were many other visitors to the beach. But it was not packed. There was probably more visitors than usual because it was Chinese New Year and there was litter everywhere. The location did remind me of Teluk Batik before I left Sitiawan. Here are some photos from our excursion to the beach.

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Selamat Pengantin Baru Cik Ma and Farid

Irfan’s Cik Ma and Uncle Farid got married on the 11th at Pondok Lubuk Tapah; and thus Uncle Farid was upgraded to Irfan’s second Ayah Cik. Since I had an exam the previous day, I arrived just in time for the festivities. Here are some photos from the wedding festivities. [[image:cikma-wedding01.jpg::center:0]] When everyone was busy sometimes Irfan babysat Zara. [[image:cikma-wedding02.jpg::center:0]] Aqad completed, Ayah Cik and Cik Ma were now husband and wife.I photographed stuff in the back. [[image:cikma-wedding03.jpg::center:0]] The newlyweds bersanding at the pelamin. Cik Su F had Cik Ma’s wing. [[image:cikma-wedding04.jpg::center:0]] All the tweens of the extended family also got to pose at the pelamin, even Irfan.Later that day they all played musical chairs under the rambutan tree. [[image:cikma-wedding05.jpg::center:0]] Then on the 15th, the family gathered at Jitra for the festivies at Farid’s place in Jitra. [[image:cikma-wedding06.jpg::center:0]] Atok Irfan took a group photo of the close extended family before […]

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Aidilfitri plus Engagement at Pasir Mas

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir & Batin from Irfan, Ain and I. As per the alternating location format our family uses, we spend this year’s Aidilfitri in Pasir Mas. We miss Atok, Opah, Ayah Cik, Cik Dik, Yaya and Adik. Hope to have a Hari Raya together some day. [[image:aidilfitri-2013-01.jpg:The family is at least two years after the midway point where Irfan lives with us…:center:0]] A big news for this holiday season is that Irfan’s Cik Emma gets engaged on the third day of Aidilfitri. [[image:aidilfitri-2013-02.jpg:Emma and Farid get engaged:center:0]]

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Opah’s Orchids

It’s the school holidays! So we headed back to Sitiawan to spend time with Irfan’s Atok and Opah. [[image:sitiawan-garden01.jpg:The pond has a school of koi in it:center:0]] When we arrived, some orchids hanging at Irfan’s grandparents’ garden over the koi pond were blooming. It was quite a spectacular sight as the following photos of the individual plants show. Does anyone know what species of orchids they are? [[image:sitiawan-garden02.jpg:Some yellow orchid with a red centre:center:0]] [[image:sitiawan-garden03.jpg:Some red-speckled yellow orchid:center:0]] [[image:sitiawan-garden04.jpg:Some violet orchid with a yellow centre:center:0]] Someday we might even have some place with our own garden. Someday.

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Falling in this might be fatal

Irfan Meets a River

On the way back from Pasir Mas, Irfan met a river. It was raging force of nature filled with teh tarik after a sustained rainfall in the mountains. We just came from over the mountain. This is no pond and there’s no melody coming from it. Yay! Tiny maelstroms! I wonder if you walk down the stairway there’s a forcefield that protects you as you descend down into the depths towards the hidden fortress of the river folk. There might probably have been adventure on the other side of the swollen river. Soon after we resumed our journey home.

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Concourse of Aeon Sri Manjung

Happenings at the Beginnings of the Year of the Snake

Meanwhile, the three-night balik kampung back to Sitiawan for Chinese New Year was somewhat enjoyable. The traffic was not too bad, and no one lost their sanity. We left the city early, during the time where no one is sure they’re awake or they’re dreaming, and often, you’d wish for the other. Fortunately there was no sign of Mi-Go shadowing us from above. Nor of any Shantak. Also, I prepared awesome tunes for the return trip. Well, awesome to me, that is. On the first night we ate out with Atok and Opah. We tried out a new restaurant which had some tasty Thai food. It was not made of Thai people. On Sunday morning, the Sitiawan contingent, made up of Atok, Opah, Ain, Irfan and I had a Skype chat with the Ohio contingent which consisted of Ayah Cik, Cik Dik, Yaya and Little Adik Rafe. Rafe, now foot […]

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Year Minus one group

Schoolmates From A Thousand Generations Ago

Nowadays when I return to Sitiawan for Chinese New Year, I rarely get to meet old ACS classmates. It’s because either they’re away at the in-laws, or their family has moved elsewhere, or I don’t communicate to anyone my balik kampung. This year I had two meet ups! The first was with Teck Chee and Cheong Lee at the new mall, Aeon Sri Manjung. They were a year younger than me at school. We had a great time talking about old friends and where they are now. Later that night I met my former classmate Sathya. I met him right at this white wall where I had some sort of coffee and Star Wars talk ensued, as they are wont to be when Sathya is around. Gnana was also present but also via Sathya’s iPhone. And initial plans were made for a class reunion in the near future. Who wants […]

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Can she already play with Lego?

Irfan Meets Cousin Zara

Zara Arissa, sister of Aiman, arrived 12 days before 2013 did, so we took a trip to visit the young one at Pasir Mas. Unlike her brother we couldn’t be there to greet her at the hospital because of distance. When we arrived, she was sleeping soundly and safely swaddled. The cousins played with Lego cars that is now available in Shell stations. Zara however, was still unaware of the existence of Legos. She’s awake! Obviously, she’s nonplussed by the sudden increase in house occupants. Irfan, just like with Aiman and Yaya, tried to be the best older cousin that he could be. Meanwhile outside, it was a little wet because of a rainfall after a warm and dry day when we arrived. The plantain and longan were probably grateful of this fact. The next day, as the cousins played louder and more vigorously inside, the skies opened up. This […]

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Bubbles, she is the joy and the laughter

Aidiladha 2012 In Pasir Mas

This year for Aidiladha, we travelled to Pasir Mas for the holidays. However, instead of driving with our own car, we hitched a ride with Irfan’s aunt Cik Emma’s. We left home at 5am. Despite that, it took us 14 hours to reach Pasir Mas via the Gua Musang route. There were horrible traffic jams in nearly every town en route because of the holiday season. There was even one instance where we didn’t move out in the middle of nowhere – well, Bukit Tujuh, – for 30 minutes that other drivers left their cars to stretch their legs. But it’s all good because as you can see above, there was ice cream in Gua Musang. Because it was Hari Raya Korban, many cattle and goats were felled and converted into delicious, delicious consumables. So when we visited relatives, we had nothing a lot of delicious, delicious beef. Irfan busied […]

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Irfan with Ascension cards

Ascension: Chronicles of the Balik Kampung

So, just before Eid, Ivan came around and gave us another gaming gift. This time it’s the deck-building card game Ascension: Chronicles of the Godslayer by Gary Games. We brought it back with us to Sitiawan for some gaming. Extradimensional demonic monsters are passing through interdimensional barriers into the world of Vigil. And it’s up to players to build their decks and employ their cards to kick the monsters in the butt, and win by gaining the most Honor points! Sometimes, my hand is usually full of the guys in the following photo. They only have Rune points which does me no good when confronted with the bad guy-fulled centre array which looks like the last photo in this blog entry. I keep getting dealt into these situations. Strangely, when my hand is full of Power cards, the centre array is inexplicably filled with Heroes and Constructs. Irfan and I […]

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