Retirement?

As the official retirement age in Malaysia is 60 years, that means I have met the official retirement age, and been 'out' of official duties. However, what actually is retirement? With so much to do, and to contribute, with the body of knowledge one has, there is no such thing as 'retirement'.

I have been re-engaged in a contractual position as a special officer to look into heritage ,matters at the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak. The mandates for heritage are provided for in several ordinances, inter-alia, with the specific mandates of several organisations, covering the heritage institutions as well as natural resources-related organisations in Sarawak. Heritage spectrum covers not just material culture but also those knowledge embedded in the intangible living practices of the indigenous people of Sarawak.  There are gaps, in the implementation of these mandates as stipulated in the ordinances, as well as the need to 'weave' these mandates together as collaborative efforts.

The main aim, is to have one specific 'window' which can display who has what where on Sarawak's rich heritage, in multivarious formats and from various platforms. Technology is there as an enabler, but this needs a willing, open-minded, non-territorial attitude to make this happens.

 Happy New Year for 2026!

Google prompted me for my inactivity for more than two years, and it would close down my libraryontwos gmail account. Thank you, Google, for the prompt! In my busyness, I have almost totally forgotten this little treasure of some of my life memories. Reading back all my previous entries, I questioned myself where I got those ideas to write? 

Come to think of it, there's a lot to write on, it just needs a little coaxing of the will and starting to crack the mind for the creative juices!

Last night was one example. My eldest son is now away off shore in an Africa country for his job,  texted me, with a queer question "Mama, is there space in your freezer ?" and I asked him back (as mothers always do) with a "why". Only then he said, please buy durians and freeze for him.

So, off my bubby and I went to the usual durian selling spot in Matang. Such a merry making crowd with loads of promotional callings from the sellers, making it not easy to choose or buy from which ones. there's durian from names of several places - Taee, Padawan, Pasir Pandak - for the durians. And Dabai Sibu for the dabai, an olive like fruit which is also a seasonal delicacy amongst Sarawakians. Asked one of the sellers, what's the difference in the durians from the various names of originating places ? and he mentioned, there are differences, in the taste, the flesh, and pulp presentation. This is one matter which can be taken by the State to protect these species on intellectual property geographic indicators.

Getting the feel of blogging again!

 Feb 23rd 2023

From the last post I wrote in June 2020😉💃😅😆, in the middle and thick of the Covid19 pandemic, I promised to write again.

After almost three years, with so many happenings, I still have yet to put them in writing.  In summary, on the home front, we now have three beautiful granddaughters, one by each three of our children. What a joy, to be able to enjoy watching them grow, reading to them, and reliving my memories of raising my own children at their age. The beauty of being grandparents, one gets to enjoy them at their best times, and we get to hand them over to their parents when the babes are grumpy. 

My garden flourished during the curfew of the pandemic, as my attention was more focused on them. We were blessed as we had the help of Sumiyati Asnan, our domestic helper, during the pandemic. She was God sent! I would not have been able to fully manage the household if not for her presence. With 5, sometimes 7, adults and two babies in the house! 

On the work front, 2020, although it was a tough time, I was entrusted with several roles, at the state and federal levels. There were more learning curves, with the new norms, of mostly online use and discussions, to think beyond the 'business-as-usual', bringing the normal to new ways of doing things. To lead in trying times unfurl several opportunities, as well as optimize what we already have, to new dimensions.

Am back!!

It has been a long sojourn for me. A lot has happened in my life since my last posting here. Will fill in the gaps soon. Whatever those were, the happiness, the challenges, all I took in. And for everyone who came along the way, who were part of my journey, the kind, the pushers, the cynics, the sympathizers, those who guide, those who sent love and prayers, my utmost appreciation!
Those narratives will fill my writings.

Vic U Graduations

The clock at the Old Government House strikes 12 noon, and the1km parade to the Michael Fowler Hall at the Wellington Civic Center, commences for faculty members and the new graduates.They will be receiving their scrolls after their ardous academic journey.This is Vic U's tradition. This morning, our school had a graduation tea party before the parade, a good idea, as the graduates, their families and friends, get to be feted before the walk.

The graduates would all assemble in front of the historical Old Government Building, the biggest and oldest wooden building in the Southern hemisphere. Families and friends gather, mingle with the members of the academia, picture taking is a must, flower bouquets, hugs and congratulatory wishes are in abundance.The sun decided to come out today, adding a merrier atmosphere to the surroundings.

For the past 2 years, these parades in May were wet occasions. Vic U has graduation ceremonies in May and November. Most would choose the November session, as it is nearer summer time, but then again, Wellington has a fickle weather. I went to the parade just now, not that I know anyone in the parade except for my supervisor, but just to get the feel of it, sharing the happy feelings of people there, feeling the happiness in the faces of the family members, and the relieve in the faces of the students too after gaining the fruit of their labor. Then I start to wonder whether I will get to experience this too in a year or two? Will I be able to come for my graduation? Unlike other levels of academic achievements, the conferment of PhD is not that straight forward after you submit your thesis. There are PhD cohort members that were conferred after a year of submission. If, for whatever reason I am not able to come for my graduation, I would want at least one of my children to get the scroll for me, hear the recitation of my research, and absorb the gratitude of Allah Almighty for His Blessings, that that part of my journey in life, difficult, frustrating at times, challenging and exciting, has finally come. InsyaAllah.

Friends...

written on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 7:07pm

Today is my friend, Negara's birthday. We fondly call her Arot.She was my closest frriend in my secondary school years, and has been ever since then. We cycled to school together, through the red earth road in Matang, then walked on the Jambatan Gantung, then cycled all the way from there to St Teresa Secondary.Though we have gone through life, have our families, we are still bonded by our humble beginnings. Amongst the things I love about her, she is one of the best cooks in the world, and she chose to get married on my birthdate, as I was not able to attend her wedding then.Happy Birthday Arot!!

Safety and kindness

written on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 5:45am

As usual, at this time of the year, Wellington's weather is much to be desired, raining, windy and cold. Today, I was assigned to supervise an exam session for two special needs students, one girl, with diabetes, and another guy who is in wheel chair. The exam, at School of Law, was held at the Old Government Building, situated next to my office.The session was from 5.30 to 7.50pm. The session went well, each student has different needs, rest time, extra time, facility set up, etc. My bus home was scheduled to arrive at 8pm, and after clearing all the administratives with the school administrator, i dashed to the bus stand, just about 150m outside the Government Building. At this time of the night,the bus stand is eerily quiet .There was just me and another guy at the bus stand. People in Wellington go home for dinner as soon as office closes and peak hours at the bus stand are between 5-6pm.The drizzle has not stopped since morning and as the Grand Clock on Old Government Building striked 8pm, my bus approached.Traffic was light, so the bus ride was breezy to the next bus terminal at the suburb near where I live. School boys back from their games alight the bus at this terminal. The last of them was searching frantically in his bag for his money, i supposed. He called out to his friend that he forgot to bring his money, and he said he'll just walk home,and went down from the bus. The Driver closed the door, and slowly moved, but then he stopped, slide open his window, and called out to the boy" Hey Buddy! come on board!" The boy was so relieved, as the rain was getting heavy then. We moved on with the journey, and when the boy stopped at his destination, he took out the money that he managed to find in his bag, and wanted to give to the Driver, but the Driver just waved him off. The boy was just so thankful to him as he said " You saved my day, Driver!" Such acts of kindness just melt your heart, and for his kindness, I gave the driver a piece of chocolate, which I make a point to have in my school bag everytime, in case of hunger attacks.

Providing facilities for people with special needs gives them equal opportunities for their right to education. Knowing kindness abound, such as what the university provides to those who need it, and by such acts of kindness by the people around, in a not so familiar land, makes you feel safe.