Fifty!

I am updating this entry with more pictures taken while in Amsterdam. This morning I have arrived in Dubai. Both my birthday and the Merdeka anniversary will be celebrated in Dubai.

Taxi......not a bad sight, pretty cool.....and behind are two policemen on horses.

More bikes.....One can rent a bike for euro1 per day.

Another landmark...and I actually went in for a cup of coffee...! Better ambience than the Genting casino.

Canal cruising ....a tourist attraction.

Budaya lepak pun ada di Amsterdam!

Alahai abang sorang nie....asyek tutup perut jer...hehehe....

Cycling is really happening is Amsterdam......everyone cycles!

Group picture with colleagues at the farewell in Amsterdam. The gentleman in white next to me is Mr F, an ex boss.

---------Below is an entry posted from Sheraton Hotel, Amsterdam -------------

For the last twenty four hours I have been trying to write an entry about the Independence day celebration. I wanted to write about Malaysia and about Malaysians - what progress the nation and her citizens have achieved. I wanted to share my emotion and reflection. There were so many stories I wanted to tell - including stories of my life. All fifty years of it.

I deleted more than a dozen beginnings - the words just did not come out right. I had logic clashing heads-on with emotions. Logically, I don't know what I want to celebrate. What do I tell my children that we are celebrating. Are we really independent when we have to live behind bars even in our own homes. We are filled with fear walking the streets. Are we really independent when it is not uncommon to find three generations in a family working to serve "Majikan" and financial loan providers.
Can we be truly proud as citizen of this independent country when we look up and admire towering office building and sky scrapping condominium - Looking up and admire are all we can do. I am told that more than fifty percent of those condominiums around the KLCC are owned by foreigners. Moan, moan , more moaning......Hey, we can find a thousand and one reasons to moan if we look at glass half-empty. Moaners can consider to join Namewee as his back-ground singers and moan moan moan somemore......!
Emotionally, I clenched my fists and punch the air with a cry of "Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!" every time I see that black and white re-screening of Tunku during the declaration of in year 1957. I could imagine how the hopes and optimisms of every Malaysian citizen in those days floated high in the Malaysian air space - when they saw the National Flags taken over the poles from those flags of the "Penjajah!".
I am ready to celebrate our 50th anniversary of independence and freedom from the Penjajah! Even when they tried to 'jajah' this dignified nation through the currency crisis in this modern day battles of might - we remained free and independent. Bravo bravo bravo to the leaders of the country......

For the last twenty four hours I have not been able to write any entry with substance about the Merdeka celebration. When I stop thinking and just let my mind roam freely across the nation like a Mid-night express train - I do realize there are plenty of reasons to celebrate. The country has progress leaps and bounds. Super modern infrastructure spider-webbed the nation, there are more than twenty Universities without even counting those run by private sectors, and we even produce our very own cars. During his years of tenureship, Tun Dr M has put Malaysia on the global map - that today, Malaysians can walk tall around the world. In her fifty years life, Malaysia has produced qualified and capable talents from renowned heart and brain surgents, scientists and innovators, and even conquerors of the Everest. Hey !, There are a lot of reasons to celebrate! Stop moaning and rejoice......*smiling ...............*

I wanted to write how I am touched by Merdeka advertisements sponsored by Petronas every time they come on air with those well thought of values. How I spent half a morning walking the streets of Mesjid Jameek and Kuala lumpur city center taking pictures of Malaysian flags on display. Never mind that most of them did not even follow the right decorum and procedures of flying the flags properly - in the spirit of the celebration it is heart warming to see Malaysians regardless of creed are all united behind one Flag, one Malaysia.

My ex-school mates, the whole batch of them are celebrating their 50th birthday this year - Anak2 Merdeka. Recently STAR joined forces with SDAR and STF in organizing a fiftieth year celebration dinner - Majlis Makan Malam Tiga serangkai. Unfortunately I did not attend. The creation of boarding schools was a product of a far-sighted vision of the then leadership of the country to provide excellent education to the rural and less elite group. A way of balancing the economical equation .......*applause.....from a beneficiary!*
Being fifty, the same age as the country triggers some serious pondering.....
"Who am I? What do I represent? Where am I going to? and what will I be leaving behind?" Come 31st August, I will be celebrating with my children and other Malaysians inDubai. A Malaysian Flag will be flying high on that day - from the highest point of my house.

Happy 50th birthday Malaysia! Happy 50th birthdays geng STAROBA, SDAR and Serikandi STF batch 1975! Mine will be on August 26th. Lil and my children have already celebrated my birthday in KL, knowing that I am traveling. Nice gesture, thank you!
I feel some sort of panic that I am turning fifty. Feeling inadequate in so many ways, especially in spiritual preparation for the life after. Anxious about my health. I am happy ( although not yet satisfied ) with what I have achieved in my career. I am extremely proud to see my children's development and progress. Most of all, I am grateful that I have a dearest and loving wife in LiL to accompany me growing old......

To God I pray that I will be free from sinful desires....be a better person during this second half of my life journey. My ship has set sail into the horizon........hopefully willingly and gracefully! Dear God, please contnue to provide me with calm waters and smooth winds, ameeeen!

Merdeka!
Merdeka!
Merdeka! there is only one Malaysia......together, we shape our destiny!








Today Aug 23rd 2007
is the thirteenth birthday
for Haziq!
Happy birthday son.....
and may all your
good wishes
come
true!