A Stranger and Hair Clips

Ops... suddenly my friend and I were in City Square (a shopping mall in Johor) =p

"I have no money for shopping!"
"Me neither!"
"..just go...!! weeheee...!"

Go to a shopping mall is different between go shopping. Understand?
The world is so beautiful. Why should I go back home early when I have no kids (not yet) to be fed, right? muahahaha...!

At one shop, I wanted to buy some hair clips. One hair clip for RM 2.90? RM 3.00? RM 5.90? Wow, 8 years before, I think I can buy 3 hair clips with only RM 1.00! Errr.. or, maybe I was wrong. I am bad in remembering numbers. Never mind. I took some.

At the counter, suddenly a lady grabbed one of my hair clips in front of the cashier and she said,
"Wah! RM 2.90? So expensive meh?"
I looked at her suspiciously. What the...! Who are you!!! Hey, it is okay la to buy a RM 2.90 hair clip in a shop while at its entrance, it has RM 200++ bracelets! What can you expect? (That bracelets are so stupid, hahaha.. )
"Pay RM 2.90 for a hair clip! Wah.. this place is so expensive la...!"
I thought I want to ignore her, but she was staring at me, waiting for my response.
"Why you are so rich?"

And I totally forgot about the cashier. 
I looked like a simple and humble person but actually I am richer? That was what she thinking? hahaha.. Or, I looked terrible with my RM 0 sling bag and RM 10 scarf? Then, I walked away from the cashier.

"Actually, I did not by hair clips for years. Before this I only bought different hair accessories. Now I changed my hair cut so I think I need hair clips. So, I am not sure which one is good or which price is normal. What would you suggest?"
I hope I can lower her voice.
"I am not working here.. hehehe" yes, she spoke slower then. "But I think that one is really expensive ma.. Come here.."
"You want me to buy this?"
"Yes, this one is cheaper.. With RM 2.90, you have 5. Lost one, have four more meh..."
"It is smaller. Do you think it will work the same?"
"Hurm..."
Of course she was thinking hardly, because I am wearing scarf and she cannot see my hair.
"I think la.. hey, that one is so expensive la.. owh this one also expensive.. hai-ya, why everything is so expensive here?"
"You are cute meh..." I giggled and touched her chin after taking the suggested hair clips
She smiled.. " thank you for your advice", I continued and I think she was happier when I changed the hair clips.

I think I love talking with friendly strangers. They are fun. Especially if they have the package of I-want-to-help-you. (And, if I am not in hurry)

Few months ago, I once planned to have a special blog, that I will write only about the strangers I met and had conversation with. EVERY STRANGERS. Especially last few months, I was in US and I plan to talk to a new people everyday (I think, people who are doing research need to talk more before they become crazy). I believe, meeting new people always make me happier. And I wanted to write how cheerful my day was because of a stranger. But, the special blog is still not exist.. Hot-hot the chicken's shit hahaha.. (directly translated Malay's proverb to show a non-continuous enthusiasm) Aarrghh, maybe later.. today is the starter =)

Like the Chinese-lady, maybe in her 30s, she showed to me that being innocent about hair clips is cute.. hahaha.. No no no.. The more important lesson, love your money. RM2.90 can be small, but it is big for a person who only have RM 5 to survive for a week. Because, we can buy instant noodles for 3-5 days! (I experienced this)

We lost nothing to be friendly. We lost nothing to make a stranger happy. Because we can never expect a stranger making us realize about something and be inspired. So, start talk to more strangers, yeah!!!

*But, I am not happy with the hair clips she suggested to me. It doesn't suit me well. Good experiment =)

Kau Tetap Kahwin Dengan Aku

"Mama dah naik pentas dah, pertandingan menyanyi kat kilang dulu. Mama mula nyanyi padahal belum sepatutnya start. Kira Ma salah masuk lah. Lepas tu juri terus cakap, NEXT!"

"Lar, tak sempat nyanyi sebaris pun?"

"Tak... Mama tak dengar sangat muzik tu.. Baru buka mulut sikit.. Juri tu, bagilah peluang ke kan.. Kalau dapat nyanyi hari tu, tentu sekarang Mama dah jadi penyanyi... hihihi.."

"Hahaha.. mesti glamor kan.. ", aku layankan.

"Tau tak apa.. Kalau Mama jadi penyanyi terkenal, mesti Mama tak jumpa Papa.. Bukan bapak kau tu laki aku lah.." sambil buat muka berlagak.

Tanpa dijemput, ada suara menyampuk. "Apa pulak, kalau Mama penyanyi terkenal, Mama tetap akan kahwin dengan Papa. Sebab kalau Mama penyanyi, Papa dah jadi komposer", muka yakin, buat-buat sibuk menyusun barang.

"Eleh, Long, bapak kau tu memang macam tu. Kau dengar eh, Ma tanya lagi satu.. eh... Bang, kalau aku belajar pandai-pandai, aku jadi cikgu, mesti bukan kau laki aku kan?", muka dia tambah berlagak..

"Apa pulak, kalau kau cikgu, aku guru besau. Kau tetap jumpa aku"
Pantas bapak aku yang rambut macam Albert Einstein tu jawab.
"Kau jadi apa pun, kau tetap kahwin dengan aku", bapak aku buat muka gangster. Ala-ala "Lu tak akan boleh lari dari gua...!"


Teringat drama-drama Melayu;
"Kalau I jadi bulan?", "I lah bintangnya"
"Kalau saya jadi bunga?", "Sayalah tangkainya"
"Kalau aku ombak?", "Akulah pantainya"


Tapi mak bapak aku buat versi Melaka. Eerrr.. ni kira mak bapak aku romantik ke? Yang penting, they are the best for me =)

Semoga mereka berkasih sampai ke syurga... Amin...

Lena dan Rasa

Letih zahir, mahukan lena
Sudah berjaga, zahir cergas semula
Letih perasaan, mahukan putus asa
Sudah hilang harapan, tiada lagi rasa

Kalaulah boleh dirawat letih perasaan dengan lena
Pasti manusia tak kenal erti kecewa

Aku mahu lena
Lena yang pulangkan cergas
Lena yang pulangkan rasa

Kelahi Sengketa

Baju biru atau baju hijau
Tenung, pegang, acu dan tenung lagi
Baju biru atau baju hijau
Tinggal, jalan, patah balik, pegang lagi
Baju biru atau baju hijau
Masih keliru lagi

Jurujual hela nafas perlahan-lahan
Sorok rasa bosan
Baju biru atau baju hijau
Masih timbang lagi

Dalam diri sendiri juga ada dilema
Juga ada berbeza cita rasa
Juga ada kelahi dan sengketa
Inikan pula di antara dua manusia
Mengapa pelik kalau dikatakan kami tak serasi berdua?
Kami cuma berbeza
Bukan salah aku atau kurang dia
Tak perlu kau nilai siapa punya angkara

Pinggan Kaca Itu

Pinggan kaca kau buat hiasan.
Kacanya biasa, bukan istimewa yang didakwa tahan pecah.
Sekali terhentak, retak menanti belah.
"Kan ada gam" kau kata.
Baiklah, pinggan kaca kembali sempurna.

Datang bencana alam, bukan aku suka, bukan kau minta.
Pinggan kaca terhempas.
Bukan retak atau sumbing, tapi pecah.
"Kan boleh gam" kau kata.
Baiklah, pinggan kaca masih nampak sempurna.

Berlari anak kecil, tangan hayun kanan dan kiri.
Pinggan kaca ditepis, pecah lagi.
Anak kecil menangis, tak mampu kau salahkan.
Asalnya di atas meja buat hiasan, pinggan kaca kini kau kumpul dengan penyapu.
Penyapu yang kau guna buat alih sampah dan debu.

"Kan ada gam lagi. Kan boleh gam lagi" kau kata.
Baiklah, gamlah dengan teliti dan halus tangan kau.
Rawatlah dengan lembut dan sabar hati kau.
Tenangkanlah hati aku dengan senyuman ikhlas kau.
Gembirakanlah aku dengan dorongan dan keyakinan kau.

Mari aku beritahu satu permintaan tanpa lagu.
Selepas dua, tiga kali pecah, jangan jentik pinggan kaca itu.
Hatta belai, tak mampu aku restu.
Kerana pecah tujuh boleh jadi retak seribu.
Kau bawa gam lagi, tak guna kalau beku.

My Indian Friends

Happy Deepavali to all my Indian friends...

Hope you have a very happy and colorful Diwali with family and friends. In occasion with Deepavali, other than watching Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, I would like to dedicate my writing to my Indian friends.

Presenting you, "My Indian Friends"! (Forgive my English, you know me) =p

******************

 

During my first day of school, I made a new friend.

Everybody were running to the canteen when the bell rang. Recess time!
I was calmly walking from my classroom, no need to run because I had my food, prepared by my lovely mom. Then I saw a girl, leaning to the wall, alone.

"Hye! You have your meal box!"
"Yes..."
"Do you want to eat now?"
"Yes...."
"Lets go, eat with me...! My name is Ain!"
Then she smiled widely, "Okay! I am Bhanu, Bhanupriya!"

She was the only Indian girl in my class and she was the first friend I made, by myself. I was 7.

And she was the only Indian girl in that school too.

***********************

During my first experience abroad, in Poland, I had a number of new friends from different countries. Poland, of course, China, Philippines, Ethiopia, Pakistan and last but not least, India. That year was my first time celebrating 'Aidilfitri (Eidulfitri) without my parents and siblings and we had a lecture that morning. Wearing our traditional clothes, Baju Kurung, to the campus, attracted my classmates to ask what that special day was. 

"Today we celebrate Aidilfitri, after one month of fasting... "
"Owh, so you wear these colorful clothes.. what else you usually do?"
"Eat a lot, and meet a lot of people.. usually in the morning, we stay with our family.. but today is my first time celebrating this festival, far from my family...", I was monotonously explaining about that day.

Then one Indian classmate said,
"Come on, we ARE your family!"

I was touched. Even we newly met, and even he is not the nicest man I met (hahahaha...), that sentence will always in my mind, in my heart.

I remember one day, while waiting for our Professor for a lecture, he suddenly knocked my head. I was so angry and shouted,"Hey, why you knocked my head! Just call me, I can hear you"

"I am sorry, I thought you like it.. to call you"
"Nobody likes people knocking their heads!"
"But, I do that with my sister"

"............"

He touched my heart again. hehehe.. 

 

 *With some of our coursemates, while visiting zoo in Warsaw*

Debu, you are not the nicest Indian friend I have, but I was indebted for the assignment you made for me.. for the C++ class :p Debu (Debojyoti) knocked our room (three Malaysian girls and I) just to ask, "Did you finished the assignment?"
"No, we don't know how to solve that problem"
"And, you are sleeping?"
"Yes.." it was 2 am! We gave up and slept, with uncompleted assignment.

"Girls.. wake up..! I made the coding for you Malaysian girls!!! Come here, see this.. and modify it.."

Dear Dr. Sitnik, please forgive us for not 100% writing the codes by ourselves =)

I also knew Ravi during my one year in Poland, he was nice and funny sometime.

 * During Ravi's birthday party. He wore that shirt immediately after we gave it to him as a present*

 

*Malaysian students in Malaysian Embassy, Warsaw, Poland. Before we performed Joget (traditional Malay dance) and Prem was my dance partner, another Indian I know. Fuh, I was so slim at that time, in pink kebaya, OMG OMG!*

************************

During my first time visiting Sabah, another part of Malaysia, I knew another Indian guy, Malaysian. For that about one-week-visit of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, I enjoyed knowing him so much. Other that 2-day-conference, we visited few places. And the best part was, he, Ganesan, accompanied me to take pictures before leaving, since my room mate left earlier and our another friend cannot wake up from his sleep.

*Picture that I really wanted before we leave, taken by Ganesan. By the way, we missed the sunrise.*

 

*I enjoyed the view so much. Pekan Nabalu, Sabah*

*One of the activities we enjoyed. OMG OMG, scary! But fun!*

The night before we leave, we enjoyed talking about many things. MANY TOPICS including about believes and love. Hurm, Ganesan, when we will meet again and talk, talk and talk.. eat, eat and eat?? Come on, stop working in that laser laboratory for a while, please... =p

************************

During my first day in United States, I met Vinella in my apartment. Vineela showed me my room and a mattress and I was quickly fall asleep. I was too tired after a 33-hour-journey from Malaysia. When I woke up, I met Poorna, the housemate that just backed from work. That was our first time meeting each other before she brought Vinella and I to shop some groceries. She cooked for my first dinner in US.. It was so cold and I only had my socks and sweater on me for sleeping, before she gave me a blanket!!! I was so lucky to have a housemate that want to help me with everything. EVERYTHING.

I enjoyed my 3-month-stay with Poorna and 2-month-stay with Vineela. We did a lot of things together. Eating, cooking, making cake, making clay-craft, painting (she painted, I watched hehe), watching TV, going to cinema.. We watched a number of thriller movies, and screamed together... 4 movies a week!! Haha.. We enjoyed gossiping too. And one more thing, I enjoyed cooking while listening to Poorna, she sang in the bathroom. Lovely! Ops...

*I don't enjoy sushi so much but I enjoyed sushi with Poorna and Vineela. Why they are so special? =p*

From Poorna and Vinella, two Indian girls that helped me a lot to enjoy my stay in US, I knew another Indians in US. There are also very nice. Helped answering my questions (about bus for example), helped me moving out to my second apartment (Poorna left the apartment after getting a new job in Atlanta), and and and... I enjoyed their tea! Oh my God, I missed tea made by Poorna and Shirisha!!!

 

*Rohit, Amruta, Viola, Vineela, Poorna, Shirisha*

And I met Anubhav and Mohan too. I am not sure if they think that I am their friends, or only a client. Hehehe.. They were the previous tenant of my second apartment. But, I did enjoy the discount Anubhav offered me for his furniture and the time I spent to clean the apartment with Mohan... hehehe =p

 

****************

Joining Toastmasters International in Johor, Malaysia, giving me more chances to make more friends, which is one of the reason for me to register as a member. The only Indian member currently in Johor Jaya Toastmasters Club, Perkash is a very soft spoken man; sometimes I look at him as he is a little brother when he feel nervous before delivering speeches, but sometimes I look at him as a big brother that care about others so much.

*One of Johor Jaya Toastmasters Club's activities, celebrating birthday!

And, I met some Indian friends also in more Toastmasters meeting, including Toasmasters Clubs in US.. Like Varsha and Anirudh, who shared a lot with me during my stay in Durham. And I enjoyed talking with them, they are very inspring and motivating. 

And, and and... I am looking forward to attend an Indian wedding, first time in my life this December. Devan!!!!! Cannot wait cannot wait..! OMG OMG!!!

*****************

And, special HAPPY DEEPAVALI to my Masters' supervisor, Dr Nandini =) She was not only supervising my study, my research... but also about life. Love her so much =)