Friend or foe?

To find me in a very angry mood is difficult. And for me to despise a person as a person is something extraordinary, except for a few lucky one. But then again, this few days, I had again had to get in touch with my own demon, the ‘angry Che Na’.

People always label me as ‘skema’ type of person that goes by the book, my book of principles or principles taught by my ancestors, parents, teachers and religion. Till today I stood by them. I try to minimize mistakes and be happy with whatever that I have at that moment. Beside those, I love playing the role of the 'cool girl next door’. You may find me with no aura like a celebrity or I will never throw a tantrum for the sake of it, unlike Britney or because i feel like doing it.

So, IF a situation can get me angry, it is not an ordinary state of affairs.

First, if you don’t want to be friend with me anymore, just say out loud. I don’t like to be the beggar of friendship. Example, call the friend and then, instead of talking to her, she’s not listening to you but you can hear in the background that she is watching TV. Reason, ‘I have nothing to talk to you!’ Great! I wish one day someone will say that to you right on your face.

Second, I want to be a friend. Not someone that you will only come when you need something and vanished after your wishes granted. Hey! Life has karma.

Third, someone who thinks that he knows the world. ‘No. No. You’re wrong!’ I wish that someday, someone will come and say that your experiments are all bullshit.

(I don’t like to swear in real life or in print, but I just did).

Education that should not be repeated

Life never fails to mesmerize me especially when it comes in a form of human behaviors. There are many things that human does and yet I, another human, cannot fathom the reason of the action taken. By which, this justify my addiction to Criminal Mind series. Sigh!

One of the behaviors that perplexed me is about the one who can turn off the self conscience and pretending that nothing wrong has taken place. In reality, everybody around him/ her is well aware about the wrong deeds. These puzzle me to a point that make me categorized the person as most likely the blindest (if this term does exist?) of all type of blind (which include love’s blind). And in this case I am referring not to physically blind but mentally or emotionally blind. These individuals always fall short in preserving the truth or being true to themselves.

In the past 30 years old or less, since I can remember, I've met a few of them. And each experience left me baffled even more. How such people can think only about themselves and never looked up and see their own reflection? There are some people who look outside themselves and always find others to blame for whatever bad things that happened, but never inside. Some may not look so bad physically but the mind; always tries to find faults of others which again, probably make themselves feel better.

In one incidence, a scientist who is eager to establish himself (my assumption) made a few enquiries to another colleague and later based on a few facts discussed presented in a seminar claiming that was his own work. There was another scientist who took his colleague for an easy ride by asking her to be a co-researcher and later ditch her without informing her once the grant proposal was approved. Yet, whenever these persons talked to the students or another member of the faculty, they always blame jealousy as the factor. They told the whole world that others are jealous of their work because they were making ways for their grand future.

The other person that I met was the one who love gossiping and making false accusations behind the back of their own friends. At the end of the day, she was left all alone by the community. Yet, I don’t think that she ever tried to understand the situation and learn from all the mistakes. Just change the attitude, I guess, will do good. Humble and sincere people will always prevail at the end of the day.

Probably money is everything, which gives good reason for some of the attitudes. Or is it the recognition which will come with glory by making other people life miserable? Do they ever think that at the end, we have to answer to a Greater One? I am short of reasons.

I might be at fault myself for analyzing them but I gather that I can’t always learn from my mistakes all my life. Thus, theirs are my informal education that should not be repeated.

Universal Studio Japan (USJ) revisited

Last weekend, I took Ila to Kobe and we stayed in Surini's place. Isma was also there, staying for a few nights before because she was attending a conference in Kobe. As the fate had it, we then had our unplanned long night girls chit-chat.

Next day, Ila, Su and I went to USJ. My fifth visit, by the way, after 2 years break. We had a blast of time! Some rides still managed to tug my heart out. But I did not go for Jurassic Park this time. The previous 3 times hardly made any different from the the first time. The heart jumped out each time. So, I opted that out. Beside that, USJ had special Halloween March with many coming wearing their own costumes and some stage performances in occassion with Halloween celebration. Thus, we can saw many deaths walking around and some with very impressive costumes.

Too happy to be here!

Spiderman studio is a crowd-puller.

Halloween March

Don't have enough parking lot?

Land is becoming precious and there will be less and less space to park a car. Why don't we try this then?



I captured these pictures while taking Hyotajima Boat Tour. It was a cruised along the river surrounding Hyotanjima, an island-like area of central Tokushima City, that lies in between Shinmachi and Suketo Rivers. The journey started from Ryogaku Bridge at the Shinmachi Riverside Park.

Mars, Venus, Pluto or Saturn?

Men are said from Mars and women are from Venus, a statement describing characters of the two Homo sapiens which stand apart. If that is so, what do we expect of people from different races or religions? I guess without doubt it should be about describing something between Pluto and Saturn or any other planets on the Solar system.

There are many weaknesses in one lifestyle compared to another and so the strength, even in a group of people. By the way, we’re humankind, not angels. We’re our own entity, regardless of races and religions.

The truth of the hoo-ha that took place in the world about races and religions is not because the ground people do not understand races or religions. It’s just that some people choose to have a narrow minded way of thinking. Personally, I don’t think labeling any bad behavior with ethnicity or with religions does prove any point. It probably only prove a point that the idea come from a close-minded type of person. If not Obama won’t have Beer summit last summer in The Great White House. Or Bush won’t be the world troublemaker of the century for going for terrorists and at the end causing the economics woe to the people of USA and later, the world. Or I would not be seeing so many CBS drama (like the three CSIs and NCIS) associating Muslims people with terrorism activities. Why blame the whole group of people for the actions of a small section from that group?

The least one can do to stop things from accelerated is agree to disagree on certain sensitive issues and Be Human once again. I believe agree to disagree is an act of maturity. It may not end the problem. Nevertheless, it is also not shutting down the door for the next line of discussions up until a point where a mutual understanding can be achieved. Shooting in the dark to justify the act is not a way to end any kind of disagreement.

As Malay, maybe many Malaysians thought it was all an easy ride for me to be here. It was not but I was lucky to have met many good people; they trust my ability and help me to reach the stars. I used to have only 10 cent in my pocket while watching my friends bought their meals for RM10. So, I knew the feeling of not having anything. However, I don’t want to screw their life. Instead, I want to have their lifestyle. Work your way up and then help others if you can. The point is I just want others to look at me beyond my race and religion, though the two are really close to me like my own heart and soul.

A day out with Ila - part I

Ila was back from Tokyo yesterday. After having Nasi Lemak with Mirza and Mira, Ila and I went for outing around Tokushima City. We went to Awa Odori Kaikan and bought ticket consisting a package of Bizan Ropeway and Awa Odori dance performance. Guest what? I had my day dancing Awa Odori at the end of the performance and was awarded a certificate as the top three. What a day?! By the way amongst the Japanese visitors, it was obvious that Ila and I were foreigners, and was asked earlier about our country by the MC when he introduced the Awa Odori dance.

The aunty next to me was the first of the top three.

He scrutinized me with questions though I told him that I was no able to converse in Japanese language. I tried best to answer him....sigh!

MC giving away the prize

Traits to be a developed nation?

Hijab stir a curiosity.

The title seems a little out of context but I wanted to make a statement that Japanese in general is very curious. They wanted to know the answer of any arising issue and will go to great length of trouble to find out the answer.

Why I am saying so? This is the observation of a foreigner who lives here in Japan (Tokushima) for the last 3 years, a Muslim lady who wears a hijab.

About the hijab, definitely none of the Japanese wears any cloth to cover their head accept for cancer patients or some old ladies who are losing a lot of hairs or in Edo period, a Ninja. Hence, it is common to hear a comment from a little boy asking her mother, “Is she a Ninja?” This question will always bring a smile to anybody nearby who can understand Japanese language. The mother will then hush-hush the little boy who appear to be shy.

The query about the hijab does not stop with only with the little boy. Any passing old ladies or men will also ask about the hijab, and definitely nothing related to the Ninja thing.

Actually, I lied. Not only old people ask the questions. Lectures or professors had asked me the question, even my adopted mother of Hiroshima.

The first question usually, ‘How do you feel wearing hijab especially during summer. Is it hot?’

Summer in Japan is hot and they are curious on how the Muslim woman is coping with the heat. Then the next question is do we open the hijab at all, as example in our house. Then, they wanted to know if we do cut our hairs because we can’t open up the hijab in public, so how about in the saloon. The next, if we can buy the cloth of the hijab in Japan and are there any specific colors permitted. If woman they will end the question saying that the brooch that we used is beautiful. The man will tend to say that he just wanted to ask because he is thinking about the hot weather of summer in Japan.

Those are the normal and standard questions. No hard feeling from me because the questions are sign of curiosity. I can understand it since I am a researcher myself.
Today, I was asked the same set of questions again during lunch time at the bicycle parking area. An uncle who appeared out of nowhere approached me just to ask the questions. Can you make it the guts that he had, coming up to a stranger and asked a question about her lifestyle? I can’t ever do that.

I guess the Japanese is very curious people and they love finding the answer straight from horse’s mouth. I can’t blame them but I salute their braveness. I just think that probably those are a few traits of people needed to build a developed country. Any ideas Malaysian?

The Festival of Lights - Happy Deepavali

Malaysia may not be the rich country but we're unique. The uniqueness that differ us from the rest in the world is the multiracial community that we live in. One of the best things to be in multi-racial society is to have many festivals to celebrate each year (which I look forward since I was a small little girl).

Today, 16th of October 2009 is the Deepavali day or Diwali. For Malaysians and everybody in the world who celebrated Deepavali, Happy Deepavali. Enjoy the Open House for me as I can't be there in person.

Open house of Mira Mirza in Japan

It was almost the end of Aidilfitri but our two Malaysians single and available young ladies of Tokushima decided to hold an 'Open House' last Monday. This was the first time they had invited almost all Malaysians living in Tokushima to their house, and that too, to taste their own home made Soto.

Ila and me started early from my apartment to Tokushima Station. Mira, one of the two was coming to the station and then we took taxi together to her house. She had to 'jemput' us at the station, the correct way to express it. The problem lies on not having the second bicycle repaired (so Ila and I can't just cycled to their house) and then not knowing of how to get there on my own by bus. Thanks Mira!

When we arrived, Mirza was still doing some chores. Both of them had been cooking since the night before. Anyhow, most of the preparations were ready and we just help to do the final touching here and there before the crowd arrived at 1 pm.

As the verdict, I can happily announced that the Open House was successful, with flying colors! The Soto was delicious and so their mango pudding, and not to forget the cheesecake. All the guests seemed to enjoy themselves eating and chatting happily with each other.

Girls, I am looking forward for your Open House again next year!

Mira

Mirza

Anchovies tumis nasi kerabu

The night before Ila arrived, I was busy in the kitchen, preparing and cooking nasi kerabu and sambal tumis. I planned a small lunch party to celebrate Ila and had invited Sakuraiman.blogspot owner (Emi) and family(Nuar and Iman). They picked Ila and me from the Tokushima bus station that morning. Then, Mirza and Hadi came to join us. During the previous week, both of them had been very kind to accompany me entertaining the guests from USM for one whole day.

I don't want to digress further...Back to nasi kerabu, I wanted to make it since the last few months but the thought of going to eat nasi kerabu alone made me abandon the project (sigh! so lonely, so kesian). That night after coming back from lab, I started the cooking project. I used Yani's Myresepi.com Nasi Kerabu Perantau with a little twist (because I had twisted my hand!).

Here is the story. I had a bottle of anchovies sauce in my cupboard that I had always wanted to use as a replacement for budu in tumis preparation. So, I opened up the bottle. Usually, liquid in newly opened bottle is quite difficult to come running down. Having that in my mind and acting like a pro-chef, I poured the sauce directly into the pot but I was definitely wrong in my assumption about liquidity of the sauce (being too confident is not good, girl!).

More than 3 spoons came down (as was suggested in the original recipe)! Infact it was nearly ¼ of the original volume of the sauce. Startled for a while but quick thinking, I decided to taste the tumis before making the next move. It was quite salty but then again, to start making it all over again would surely take more time. And at that moment, the wall clock was showing 11.30pm, almost midnight. I didn't want to miss my sleep because it's going to be a long day tomorrow. Using some magics ingredients (of sugar and water, sigh!) and a packet of instant coconut milk, I managed to reduce the saltiness. God! What a relief? (Really?!)

Personally, I think the anchovies sauce can't never replaced budu or even belacan. At the end, an inch of belacan was added to the tumis to get the correct taste (according to my taste buds). But no, it was not as delicious as the original nasi kerabu of Kota Bharu but enough to satisfy my desirous of nasi kerabu.
Iman with his charming smile

Nasi kerabu

The chocolate pudding was from Emi, sedap!

A small gathering with friends and Ila

Arrival of Ila

At 4.30 am, the taxi was waiting when I reached downstairs from my second floor apartment and took me straight to the Tokushima Station. Next, I hopped in the limousine bus and slept through the journey of almost 3 hours. Though the morning scenery was very picturesque, I couldn't bring myself to take the picture. I was very sleepy.

When I arrived at Kansai Airport, it was almost 8 am and Ila was there at the North Arrival Gate, chatting with a Malaysian guy. The guy was a new student coming for a Master course study and will be studying in a university somewhere in Kyoto (I couldn't get the name). Ila and I parted our way with him as we needed to take the next bus back to Tokushima at 8.35 am.

North Arrival Gate of Kansai Airport

Ila, all ready to go to Tokushima

Posing for my blog

The limousine bus stand outside the building

"SMSing families and friends, just to let them know that I am fine"

My cousin is coming...

Ila is coming and will reach Tokushima tomorrow morning. The bus ticket or kippu on Japanese for Kansai Airport had been bought and I will take 5.05 morning bus to meet her at the airport. Above all I am happy to have her here.

By the way, she will take the entrance exam on 14th and 15th and will stay at Dr Widya apartment in Tokyo. Hopefully everything will fell into places as plan and she will be able to successfully enter the university for PhD course next Spring. I know that her father (my beloved uncle) is not very keen to let her pursuing her higher degree study outside of Malaysia. He, as everybody in our big family know, is very attached to his children and that's the main reason he is not happy for her choice of university. However, I pray that he will be given a strong heart to part with his daughter for only 4 years. I can understand his point of view but I guess, Ila should go wherever she deserved.

Go Ila Go!

Thank God for the little things that go un-noticed

We should appreciate life.

In saying so I just wish that many Malaysian will thank God that we are born in Malaysia. The life might not as good as in Japan or USA. Money may not be as much as the two countries have. Our politics probably not as mature as other countries. Safety level in term of crimes is nowhere near Japan. We, Malaysian, may short of many good things in life. Nevertheless, we should thank God.

I have been here not long, just past 3 years and yet I have experiences countless typhoons (the recent one, Typhoon Melor, yesterday) and small earth tremors. Every 3 months, I have to adjust my life according to the weathers, be it autumn, winter, summer and spring. Clothes change every time. Food changes just the same, so the diseases such as flu or allergies.

Malaysia, to say the least, have never experienced earthquake like the one Indonesia or Japan did. Not even the typhoon like Myanmar had. And the weather permits us to wear the same clothing throughout the year. We are very lucky in that sense. Let's work together as Malaysians to make things better from the one that we have now. We can make Malaysia another heaven on earth, beside Suzhou and Hangzhou of China.

Utopia world

It was quite sometimes that I wrote about anything of Utopia land. Lately, I joined a group of players in IRC chat forum. Most of them are Aussies, few from Malaysia, a lady from Singapore and some hailed from New Zealand.

They are a nice bunch of people who tried to make themselves look like a nasty type of people, but the truth is they are nice. Some of them are married with kids and in real life are very responsible people who love their family so much. It is just that in the game they tries hard to lure another kingdom for war by being bad and saying bad things. Back in the IRC chat room with the members, they are helpful and try hard not to step on each other toes.

This is one of the activity that I love doing which get me out of the real world.

Walking in the rain

Off course I used the umbrella. It was just that I thought of the romanticism factor walking under the umbrella in the rain in Japan.

The rain drops on the the umbrella, tick-tack tick-tack. Alone but not lonely. Strolling along next to the busy street but no sound beside the tick tack. People with the umbrellas bustling away like moving mushrooms. People with bicycle stop here and there to give way. The mind wondering. The water made it all look fresh. Even the ground smell fresh. And I feel alive again, like having a first shower.

By the way, it was autumn here. My last autumn in Japan. Indeed I am going to make it the best autumn. Smell the fresh air and love the life. Stop, look around, listen to the bird singing a happy tunes and then start walking again. (^_^)

The way to be....

I must admit that the previous post was written in the midst of unsettled mindset of mine. It was something that come straight from heart that was full with anger. Nevertheless, it did not represent me as a whole. Only a bit of uncontrolled emotion which came out unfashionably.

The last few days three of VIPs from USM came and visit Tokushima University. I had a chance to meet and talk face to face with the Deputy Vice Chancellor of USM, Prof Shukri. Personally, I think he is a good man and a good academician as well as a good administrator. He made everyone who come into contact with him fall under his spell of charm and sweet talk. He showed the ability to be a good diplomat with a broad understanding of humankind. Being an academician, he posses a skill of making people understand his point of view without being out of touch of the reality. At time, I can saw that he was tired of the endless activities prepared for the three of them, but not once he lost the coolness.

Having him here together with the other two VIPs was a great pleasure. It was like to be able to stand high with the Japanese academicians. I am proud to be part of USM because he is one of them.

My teacher once told me that the best way to study is to listen, to see and to then to practice.

Amarah di majlis hari raya

Seharusnya diplomasi menjadi tunggak hidup apabila kita hidup di kalangan masyarakat berbilang kaum atau dari pelbagai negara. Lidah seharusnya menjadi lebih lembut atau sepatutnya ditapis setiap perkataan yang lancar keluar dari mulut yang mulus. Kesilapan sedikit pasti akan dapat mengundang pelbagai rasa. Pepatah melayu yang berbunyi, 'Terlajak perahu boleh di undur, terlajak kata badan binasa' atau 'Kerana nila setitik, rosak susu sebelanga', kedua-duanya memberi amaran akan buruk baik setiap perbuatan atau perkataan perlu ditimbang dengan penuh ketepatan.

Senario1
OrangA: Chena, saya mau undang Chena ke majlis Hari Raya di rumah saya.
Chena: Baiklah, saya akan datang.

Senario2 - Rumah OrangA dipenuhi teman-teman senegaranya. Sementara menanti teman-teman yang lain, mereka membuka bicara. Suami OrangA membuka tajuk bualan.
Suami OrangA: Kenapa tidak dipakai baju batik?
Teman1: Ngak ada mas, di sini.
Suami OrangA: Batik kita kan sudah mendapat pengikhtirafan Unesco.
Teman2: Iya mas.
Suami OrangA: Kita sudah berjaya....hahaha!
Chena yang mendengar sedari tadi hanya terdiam. Dalam diam dia mengundur diri dari rumah OrangA. Hatinya terusik dengan ucapan-ucapan yang kini kedengaran makin jauh. Majlis raya yang seharusnya di sambut meriah dan penuh kesatuan itu kini hanya menjadi majlis yang penuh kemarahan Chena. Dia berazam tidak akan ke rumah OrangA lagi.

Setiap manusia punya hati dan tahap kesabaran. Dikalangan 15 orang tetamu tadi, Chena hanyalah seorang tetamu dari negara tetangga. Dia sudah berteman selama 2 tahun dan saling menghormati. Namun ketelanjuran menghormati tetamu adalah sesuatu yang Chena tidak dapat terima.

Earthquake - Sumatra

Japan and Indonesia are a couple of countries that often had earthquake. Since my stayed in Japan, I had experiencing some small tremors. The last one was during previous Ramadan. It happened in the night almost 11pm while I was alone the laboratory preparing PowerPoint presentation for Niigata's conference. The shake was quite obvious that I did stop the work and look around, worrying that it might become bad. Thank God that it last only after 30 second or less.

However, it was never the same with the quake that took place in Sumatra the last couple days. Yes, I did felt a little belittle with 'Sapu Malaysia' campaign carried out by a few Indonesians. Though it do not involve me directly but then again, I am Malaysian. Being a Malaysian make me proud and having heard people talking bad about Malaysia will definitely leave some impact somewhere on me. Called me whatever you want, but I think that is my way of showing patriotism.

Nevertheless, life is more meaningful then hatred. Life is more powerful then the agendas of a corrupt mind. Looking at the pictures of Padang after the quake touched my heart. The teary eyes of a mother with a child on her back talk louder then a burned flag. The picture had managed to tug my heart and I cried for her. I pray that all of them will be safe. I pray that they will have enough foods, drinks and medicine. Let it be no more death of a family member to anybody. Pain of losing a house is nothing compared to the loss of a soul, let alone a dear one.

Truth behind news- a thought?

It is not my usual stuff to think about economy. For a person who does not even think about her monthly budget and never thought about the next source of income rather then the one that she has, this is obviously not worth a reading. Nevertheless, I really care about Malaysia’s strategy of embracing the ever changing pattern of world economy. In layman term, I am worried if Malaysia is still live in denial. By denial, I am saying that we, Malaysia are not as good as the newspaper make us to believe that we are. And by doing so, the media is only saving face of some politicians but in a long run, it is the people who will suffer.

Media plays a role in educating people. I read newspaper everyday since I was studying in primary school. Reading newspaper developed my mind and thinking in a way that teaches me not to believe everything that was thrown at you. Being suspicious of every information make me curious of the reality behind every news. Don't get me wrong, it was the newspaper man himself who let the cat out of the bag.

It was early 90’s; one of the important mainstream newspaper's men who was then retired (and since had went to met his Maker) gave an account of his early days as a journalist. On one occasion, he said that he was asked to increase numbers of participants coming for a political gathering from 5 000 to 50 000. This information stayed in my memory up until now.

Again, I am not against any politician. I believe that I have come to term that we can agree not to agree. Politics in Malaysia at this moment is not at the virtue of helping people but more towards personal achievement. If not I will not read in the newspaper (again?) that some of our actors with no education background (but with strong political background) talking about entering politics. As if their family connection is a big ticket, then nothing can stop anyone becoming a Perdana Menteri in Malaysia. And we will all should pray hard that God will really help the people and save Malaysia.