Tiga Bradik di Rotoroa

Di sini, budak-budak ni asyik komplen bau busuk. Mana taknya, geyser merata-rata. 

New Zealand...here we are..!!

First stop in Auckland : Mt. Eden 

New Zealand..here we come..

Baru lima belas minit kapalterbang take-off, "Mama, dah nak sampai ke?"
While Danish enjoyed making funny faces sambil sebuk tanya, "...bila nak sampai ni..", Kakak and Abang were all excited to have personalised screen right in front of them with all their favorites waiting for them. 

Kia Ora

At last, Mak Lijah and family menjejakkan kaki jua di bumi Kiwi ini. Setelah lebih dua dekad memendam angan-angan, maka akhirnya, pada 28 Mei 2006, tibalah Mak Lijah sekeluarga di Auckland, New Zealand.

Betul-betul macam mimpi. Banyak kali juga suruh Pak Lijah cubit Mak Lijah, kut-kut tengah mengigau. Rugilah pulak kalau memang betul tengah mimpi. Tapi pengalaman membawa anak-anak Mak Lijah menaiki pesawat untuk perjalanan selama 10 jam lebih mengerikan. Pun begitu, syukur mereka tak meragam, cuma excitednya semacam jer.

Gerimis di airport Auckland baru sahaja reda sebaik kami mendarat kira-kira pukul 10.45 pagi. Kami disapa oleh angin sejuk New Zealand pada suhu 16 darjah selsius. Budak-budak boleh tahan lagi. Relak jer diorang, macam sejuk tu biasa jer sedangkan Mak Lijah dah mula menggigil semasa mengambil gambar mereka.

Kami dibawa melawat ke Mt. Eden, sebuah bekas gunung berapi yang telah lama mati. Seperti yang diduga, pemandangannya memang indah sekali. New Zealand is rich in a variety of awesome landscapes. Seperti yang kita belajar dalam Ilmu Alam dulu, NZ has spectacular glaciers, picturesque fiords, vast plains, subtropical forest, volcanic plateau, miles of coastline with gorgeous sandy beaches - all left me speechless and breathless...

Nanti sambung lagi...

The Piano

I was lazing around, as usual, on this wonderful Sunday afternoon when I heard this plucking of piano coming from the TV. Not that it was such a beautiful rendition, it was the fact that the pianist was playing it while lying on the floor! Yes. I mean, he was lying under the piano, facing the keys above him, both arms reaching above and actually playing a complete piece! Imagine that? Just for Variety. A very funny show, that was.

What actually triggered me was my fond memories of my music lessons way back during my school days. I wanted so much to learn music, then, and it was my choosing of between the piano and the electronic keyboard (organ). I end up choosing the organ, although I prefer the sound of the piano more.

By the time I started to learn music formally, I'd already knew how to read the notes. So it was just a matter of choosing what songs to play, correctly and systematically. If I chose to learn the piano, I would have to learn the classical songs first. That was the way the syllabus was arranged back then. I didn't like that idea. I don't really enjoy classical songs, whoever the composers are.

On the other hand, learning the organ is to immediately learn modern pop songs. That's more like it. That's what I want!

Therefore, the organ was my fastest means to achieve my ultimate goal to be able to play music I like. So I learned to play the organ. Went through some exams of which I had to play songs of my choice (I especially remember The Masquare and When Will I See You Again) with my own creative arrangement and succesfully finished up to the sixth grade. The rest was history. I could play some of my favourite songs, provided I have the notes in front of me.

But that was some 20 years ago. The JVC organ is still in Ayah and Mak's home back in Perlis. Our children will endulge themselves with the instrument and God knows what songs they play. Whenever I go back during Hari Raya, I would always play Seloka Aidil Fitri (or something like that - forgot the title)...and play the song without the notes in front of me. Maybe I should try out some of Mawi's songs...He...he..he..

How to answer

A friend sent me the following (thanks Loyot) and I would like to share this with you. A bit long though, nevertheless, it's worth reading. Iqraq:

John (J): Dr Danial (DD), I always wonder why prophet Muhammad taught Muslims to become terrorists. He should teach people to be kind and tolerant.

DD: Actually John, your concept about Islam and Muhammad is wrong. Completely wrong. Prophet Muhammad never taught his followers to be terrorists. On the contrary, it was the Muslims who were being terrorised by the non Muslims in the era of prophet Muhammad. For 13 years in Mecca, after being prophet of Islam, Muhammad and the Muslims were harassed and tortured by the Quraisyites. The companions of the prophet, for example, Yasser and Sumayyyah, were killed. The others, for example, Bilal and Ammar, were tortured. And yet the Muslims at that time were asked to be patient and persevere. They were not allowed to fight and raise arms against the non Muslims. Once prophet Muhammad went to Taif to preach about Islam. He got a cold reception from the people there. There cursed him and as if it was not enough, they threw stones and filth towards him. When the Archangel Jibril came to him to get his permission to demolish the people of Taif, prophet Muhammad said, "Leave them alone. Yes, today the people ignored my message. But I pray that their progeny will be a different group of people. I pray that they will accept Islam." Are these acts and words of terrorism John?

John: But there are verses in the Quran that promote terrorism. These verses instigate the Muslims to kill the non Muslims all over the world. If I am not mistaken, the meaning of one of the verses is, "And kill the non Muslims whereever they are."

DD: Oh, you are quoting the verses from the Quran. If that's the case, you should allow me to quote a few verses from your Bible and Talmud. In Numbers 31:17-18, it was stated, "Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. But all the girls who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves." And in Luke 19:26-27, "I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence." How about one more verse from Matthew 10:34-35, "Do not think that I have come to send peace on earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword. I am sent to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." To me these verses are very dangerous. They can instigate people especially the christians to do acts of terrorism!

And please allow me also to quote from the holy book of the Jews, that is the Talmud. I suppose you know that the Talmud is Judaism's holiest book. Its authority takes precedence over the Old Testament in Judaism. It is stated in Sanhedrin 58b, "If a heathen (i.e. non-Jew) hits a Jew, the gentile must be killed." And In Sanhedrin 57a, "When a Jew murders a gentile ('Cuthean'), there will be no death penalty. What a Jew steals from a gentile he may keep." And John, have you read a book written by A. Hoffman II and Alan R. Critchley titled Judaism's Strange God?

John: Err, no.

DD: Never mind. A. Hoffman II and Alan R. Critchley recently did a thorough research on the contents of the Talmud and what they found surprised them. In their book, Judaism's Strange God, they said, 'On the surface, it seems that genocide is advocated by the Talmud. In the Minor Tractates, Soferim 15, Rule 10, there is a saying by Rabbi Simon ben Yohai, 'Tob shebe goyyim harog,' which means, 'even the best of the gentiles (i.e. non-Jews) should all be killed.' This passage is taken from the original Hebrew of the Babylonian Talmud as quoted by the 1907 Jewish Encyclopaedia. Israelis annually take part in a national pilgrimage to the grave of Simon ben Yohai, to honour this rabbi who advocated the extermination of non-Jews.' John, you will agree with me that these verses look very, very violent indeed....

John: But Dr. Danial, I think these verses, especially from the Bible, are taken out of context. If you read just the text it may look very violent. But if we read the text in relation with its context, it may be different..

DD: Oh, now you are being very sensible, John. You want the Muslims to read the Bible and interprete it within its context. Good, and I fully agree with you. But, can't you do the same thing to the Quran? Can't you interprete verses of the Quran within its context? As it is now you are not doing that. You are interpreting the Quran according to your own whims and fancies and that hurts me and the Muslims. By the way, the so called violent verses of the Quran that you mentioned earlier were revealed to prophet Muhammad specifically during the time of war. And war in Islam is an exception and not the norm. The Muslims went to war to defend their honour and country. Look at what Allah said in chapter The Cow 2:190, which means, "Fight against those who fight against you in the way of Allah, but do not transgress, for Allah does not love transgressors."

It should be emphasized that so many revelations in the Holy Quran came down to provide guidance to Prophet Muhammad and the Muslims based on what they were confronting at that time. Therefore, it is important to understand and know the historic context of the revelations for a proper understanding of these verses. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was the peace maker of his time. He endured torture, hunger and the killing of his loved ones by his enemies, but he remained a merciful person. In his most startling conquest of Mecca, only four people died. And do you know what prophet Muhammad did to the prisoners of war after the conquest of Mecca? He asked the haughty chiefs of the Quraisyites, "What do you expect at my hands?" They answered, "Mercy O generous brother." And the prophet said, "Be it so, you are free." They are free, John. No vengeance being inflicted upon them. No Guantanamo-like prison for them (smile). This is the teaching of Muhammad. And you are telling me that Muhammad taught Muslims to become terrorists?

John: Yeah, I need to learn more about Muhammad....

(Dr. Danial bin Zainal Abidin (M.B.Ch.B. University of Alexandria) is the Managing Director of Danial Zainal Consultancy based in Penang Island, Malaysia. This Consultancy focussed on education and research. He is also a Medical Practitioner based in Penang Island, Malaysia. Besides that he is also an author who, until now, has written altogether ten books. As a motivator, he gives motivation weekly through Mutiara FM (Penang Island Broadcasting Station). He is also a columnist for i-Magazine in Malaysia.)

(Dr. Danial bin Zainal Abidin (M.B.Ch.B. University of Alexandria) is the Managing Director of Danial Zainal Consultancy based in Penang Island, Malaysia. This Consultancy focussed on education and research. He is also a Medical Practitioner based in Penang Island, Malaysia. Besides that he is also an author who, until now, has written altogether ten books. As a motivator, he gives motivation weekly through Mutiara FM (Penang Island Broadcasting Station). He is also a columnist for i-Magazine in Malaysia.)

Some of the Books Written by Dr. Danial:
Islam The Misunderstood Religion.
Bahan Berdakwah Untuk Remaja Moden.
Kit Kombat Islam.
Perubatan Islam dan Bukti Sains Moden.
Bukti-bukti Sains dan Sejarah Kerasulan Muhammad.
Empayar Minda Muslim.
7 Formula Individu Cemerlang.
Tip-Tip Cemerlang Daripada Quran.

A Makeover Investment

Semalam Maklijah made quite an investment in a makeover. It was actually a destress session just to bring back my semangat yang semakin pudar and also to boost my confidence. Tapi makeover ni, bukanlah yang macam kat magazine tu... Just a completely different look on my hair. The last time I did a major hairdo was in January and I guess I regretted that one sebab Maklijah kena blowdry every morning before going to work. I hope this one will do justice on me.

So what is it about this hairdo yang sebok sangat ni?

It's about having to tell, "Ayah, jangan guna credit card until Tuesday sebab kena 'top-up' dulu sebelum boleh guna. Just use Mak's card for the moment."
And he said, "Okaylah, bila Ayah nak pakai Ayah bagitau dululah."

He..he..he.. Teruk, kan? Bagi supplementary credit card kat both Mak and Ayah tapi boleh buat peraturan macam tu, pulak. Apa-apapun Maklijah puas hatilah apa yang Alex did to my hair. Berbaloilah tunggu dan bayar tiga digit.
Figure it out!

Five places I want to go

After six whole days of coming back late from work (meeting, actually), maka hari ni, sampailah ke penghujungnya. Esok nak pi round-up jer. Bosan dah hari-hari breakfast and lunch kat hotel. Rindu teh tarik Akbar. Hari ni, mulalah berangan, if only I could get away for a nice long holiday abroad. Masa meeting tadi depa dok sebut ada satu meeting di Rotorua in April nanti. Jelesnya, sebab Mak Lijah tak terlibat dalam meeting tu.

Maka Mak Lijah pon beranganlah nak pi situ one day. Dah ler frust hari tu tak dapat pi NZ masa nak buat master dulu.

Dulu-dulu Mak Lijah pernah menyenaraikan (privately) wishlist of five places I want to go at least once in my life (mengikut keutamaan):

1. New Zealand
2. Netherlands
3. Taman Negara
4. Paris
5. Switzerland

Out of this list, Mak Lijah telah sampai ke Amsterdam, Taman Negara dan Paris (bukan mengikut turutan). Switzerland = touch n go jer sebab transit kat Geneva masa nak pi Madrid dulu, so tak leh diambil kira.

Out of the two left from the wishlist, my strongest 'yearning' now is to go to New Zealand. Keinginan ini, sekiranya dimakbulkan, Mak Lijah akan rasa macam mimpi, macam masa menerima tawaran untuk buat masters on my birthday dulu. My strong interest in NZ ni sejak dari zaman sekolah lagi, masa belajar geografi (that's also for Netherlands). Mak Lijah terpikat dengan description about the country, about its economy, bentuk mukabumi, people, cuaca, culture dsb. Tambahan pula, homepage on tourism di situ dengan gambar-gambar yang cantik dan kreatif amatlah menarik. Banyak sekali tourist spot dia. Bestnya...!

Bilalah Mak Lijah nak ke sana, ek? Meleleh air liur...

Danisy dah tidur

Esok dah nak masuk hari Jumaat and Mak Lijah asyik balik after seven jer. Hari ni especially, Mak Lijah sampai rumah pukul 7.40 p.m. Lepas cium Danisy, Mak Lijah terus jer mandi dan sembahyang. Bila ajak Danisy dinner, dia kata dah makan. Aik? Pandai pula makan without Mak Lijah around. Sambil Mak Lijah makan dengan Abang and Kakak, terdengar dia membebel about Barney yang sedang ditontonnya.

Later, sambil Mak Lijah dok pilih-pilih channel mana nak tekan, suddenly terperasan yang Danisy dah stopped membebel. Kakak pon membuat laporan that Danisy dah terlelap depan TV. Alamak... Danisy dah tidur. Tak sempat nak bermanja dengan dia. I guess today, 16 March 2006, Mak Lijah only spent less than half an hour of quality time with him. Kalau dikira-kira dari hari Isnin hingga hari ini, Mak Lijah hanya spent about five valuable hours jer dengan dia.

Oh my God... What's happening to me? Cemana nak improve my life nih? Alahai anak-anakku...

Kenapa Sayang?

I've been trapped with this question for quite a while, and guess who asked this question?

Danisy, my soon to be 4-year-old-big-baby.

Kenapa Mama sayang Danisy?

Macamana nak jawab? Nasib baik bila Mak Lijah jawab, "Sebab Danisy anak Mama," soalan dia sampai ke situ jer. Maknanya dia puas hatilah dengan jawapan tu. Buatnya disambung, "Kenapa Danisy anak Mama?" Haa... jenuhlah nak craft out a good answer to end it there. I wonder macamana dia boleh come up with such a question.

Even Mak Tok pun dah pernah ditanya with the same question oleh Danisy after he was being kissed by her. Mak Tok was so amazed and was left speechless.

I should anticipate more creative and difficult questions from him in the future.

Kahwin Paksa

Tak..Mak Lijah tak kena kawen paksa dulu. Kawen dengan rela hati. Kawen dengan one and only Pak We. Tak boleh nak bayangkan kalau kena kawen paksa. Dah ler frust kena putus dengan Pak We, pas tu kena plak kawen dengan orang yang kita tak sayang. Cemana ek?

Bagi Mak Lijah (this is my own personal opinion, not representing anyone but me, I and myself), biarlah perkahwinan itu dibina atas asas kasih sayang. Memang betul ada yang bercinta lepas kawen, tapi pada zaman ini, mesti ada 'masa bertenang' sekurang-kurangnya beberapa bulan untuk membina kasih sayang itu sebelum Tok Kadi berjabat dengan pasangan kita.

Agaknya cemana orang-orang zaman tok-tok dan wan-wan mahupun mak bapak kita dulu dikawenkan, ek? Tak pernah jumpa, tentiba dah sah jadi suami/isteri kita. Tapi, perkahwinan yang macam tulah yang abadi dan hanya dipisahkan bila roh meninggalkan jasad.

Hmm... ilham ni timbul selepas 'bersembang' dengan seorang kawan yang membandingkan pengorbanan dia dengan pengorbanan Mak Lijah.

Ada banyak sebab jadinya kawen paksa ni:

1. mak suruh kawen dengan pilihan hati dia (ini pon ada banyak sebab)
- orang sekampung/senegeri
- sama darjat (macam filim Ibu Mertuaku)
- pilihan hati sehati sejiwa dengan ibu bapa
- dah ditunangkan sejak kecil (oh...tragisnya)
- mengukuhkan hubungan persaudaraan/persahabatan
- mengukuhkan kewangan (??)
- mengukuhkan legasi
2. mak we/pak we tak up to parents' standard (tak capai piawaian), so kena cari yg setaraf
3. sudah 'accident'
4. kena cekup

Ada sesiapa nak tambah lagi?

Mak Lijah kata nak sambung komen PGLTM tapi a lot has been said in the media plus me being so busy lately (bad excuse). So sambungan ini is just the single thought that caught my attention and rasa mesti sangat disebut.

5. Props - terer diorang buat. Hanyalah 2 bungkah dan turun naik platform kat belakang tu, tapi cukup berkesan untuk mengubah lokasi dan mood. Tak lupa juga scene kat pelabuhan Melaka yang cukup simple tapi amat cukup untuk mewakili zaman dan suasana itu.

6. Musical arrangements - terkagum jua. Tak tau nak ulas sebab macam tak percaya ianya sebuah produksi Made in Malaysia.

7. Pocahontas - teringat dia sebab ada sedikit persamaan dengan filim tu. Pocahontas berambut panjang, PGL pon berambut panjang. Dua-dua menyanyi kat gunung. Dua-dua about love.

8. Dancers / supporting roles - suka tengok penari-penari yang lemah gemalai tu. terer sungguh mereka. Suka tengok Nenek Kebayan. Kalau terjumpa kat Jinjang ni, harus Mak Lijah tekan minyak lagi kuat (walaupun minyak dah naik tigaposen).

9. Promo - bagus sebab diorang buat media campaign. Nak pastikan orang curious dan because of that, teringin nak tengok. Baik papers, mahupun tv, promo dibuat bersungguh-sungguh.

10. Istana Budaya - ini jer yang kurang sikit. Namanya bertaraf dunia, tapi... rasanya bertaraf ASEAN jer lah kut. Ruang tempat duduk sempit sangat sampai kaki Pak Lijah 'terperangkap'. Kaki Mak Lijah tak perlah, bukannya panjang mana pon. Kalau ada orang nak keluar, terpaksalah kami semua ni bangun sebab laluan terlalu sempit.

Itu jerlah. Memang Mak Lijah puas hati sungguh menonton teater ini. Sekali lagi:

Terima kasih Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical kerana telah mengubah persepsi dan pendirian Mak Lijah tentang teater Malaysia.

Standing Ovation

MENAKJUBKAN

Mak Lijah beri 4.5 bintang (dari 5 bintang) kepada persembahan mereka. Mak Lijah macam tak percaya teater Malaysia mampu mempersembahkan sedemikian hebat. Gabungan dan koordinasi yang mantap telah menzahirkan suatu ilham yang sebegitu indah dan mereka sememangnya layak mendapat standing ovation.

Terima kasih Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical kerana telah mengubah persepsi dan pendirian Mak Lijah tentang teater Malaysia.

AC Mizal
Kehadiran dia dalam mana-mana drama atau show memang Mak Lijah noted. Suara dia sedap dan dia memang pandai berlakon. Tapi Mak Lijah memang kagum dengan persembahan dia dalam PGLTM selaku Gusti Adipati. Suaranya yang lunak itu dizahirkan dengan sebegitu baik dan dipergunakan sepenuhnya.

Stephen aka Hang Tuah
Aduh...machonya suara dia dan dia sendiri pun kelihatan macho jua. Kalaulah album dia femes kat Mesia, dah pasti Mak Lijah masukkan dalam senarai penyanyi lelaki favrit Mak Lijah selepas Jamal Abdillah, Mawi dan M. Nasir. Sayangnya, orang yang Mak Lijah tunggu-tunggukan persembahannya (dialah pendorong kuat Mak Lijah ke IB) dalam PGLTM ini mengecewakan Mak Lijah. Dia memang amat berbakat, tapi pertuturan (ada sekali tersasul menyebut Majapahit sebagai Mejapehit) dia sebagai Hang Tuah tidak diiringi oleh intonasi perasaan yang yang sewajarnya. Ekspresi wajah juga kurang terserlah untuk menggambarkan perasaan ketika tergoda, sedih, dan kepenatan. Mak Lijah hanya suka semasa dia menyanyi jer, tapi ketika nak bertutur saja, Mak Lijah rasa cukup seriau.

Sultan Mahmud
Segala pendapat negatif Mak Lijah terhadap dia (Adlin Aman Ramli) semasa dan selepas AF telah Mak Lijah lupuskan sama-sekali selepas menonton dia di PGLTM. Pandainya dia menari. Sungguh Mak Lijah terkezut. Tapi Mak Lijah lebih kagum dengan bakat beliau mengarah dan 'menjadikan' PGLTM bersama-sama Zahim Al Bakri. Bukan mudah menyusun, menggubah, menyatukan segalanya especially untuk sebuah teater muzikal seperti ini. Beliau juga membawa watak Sultan Mahmud dengan cemerlang sekali.

Vocal performance
Komen Mak Lijah mengenai ini hanyalah ditujukan kepada AC Mizal, Stephen dan Adlin sahaja kerana kesemuanya mempunyai vokal yang sangat baik. Vokal Tiara dan lain-lain... malas nak ulas...

...bersambung selepas ini.

Tontonlah...

 
 

Berbaloi...

 
 

Before I forget

Semalam Mak Lijah pergi menonton PGL the Musical, something I have been waiting to watch anxiously. Before I forget (sebab tak sempat nak komen sekarang), I need to put down these following points:

1. AC Mizal
2. Stephen aka Hang Tuah
3. Sultan Mahmud
4. Vocal performance
5. Props
6. Musical arrangements
7. Pocahontas
8. Dancers / supporting roles
9. Promo
10. Istana Budaya

Tunggu komentar Mak Lijah sekejap lagi sebab hari ni Mak Lijah sibuk menggubah hantaran untuk kawan yang nak kawen 18 Februari ni.

This is not the way

Kakak dan Danisy tak berapa sihat 3-4 hari sudah. As usual, Kakak yang akan demam and selsema dulu, lepas tu baru berjangkit ke Danisy. However, Kakak recovered quite quickly juga this time, unlike dulu. Tapi batuk Danisy pula berpanjangan .

On Tuesday night, masa bersiap-siap untuk tidur, I noticed that Danisy was panting with a few coughs. Being a super active boy, I kind of didn't pay too much attention to that and told him to stop jumping and sit next to me. Obediently he followed my instructions, and sat on the bed like a good boy. And again I heard him panting, with a wheezing sound. Oh..oh..Time to do something.

Tengok jam, dah pukul 10.10 malam. Bila dicongak-congak, kalau pergi ke Hospital Selayang (Danisy ada rekod di situ), that would take me at least one hour baru boleh mengadap doktor betul-betul (sebelum tu kena jumpa Pembantu Perubatan dulu). By then, Danisy would have slept on my lap and would be too heavy for me to carry him from one room to another. So, Mak Lijah pun mengambil keputusan untuk pergi ke klinik sajalah. Call dulu klinik 24 jam tu to find out if they have a nebulizer. Nasib baik ada. And Danisy, as usual, was all excited about going to see a doctor.

"What took you so long? You can see very well that it is difficult for him to breath. Sorrylah, this is not the way to treat a child."

Dusyummm......

Adus... bagai buah durian terjatuh atas kepala Mak Lijah. Hello...???? If I had known much earlier, I would have gone to Hospital Selayang and not come to see you!

Apa-apapun, Mak Lijah rasa bersalah juga kerana tidak monitor Danisy's cough, knowing he is an active boy who jumps about like a kanggaroo and very seldom complains about pain (imitate Kakak dia, ada lah.). Cuma Mak Lijah rasa tersinggung dan terkezut bila doktor tu cakap macam tu kat Mak Lijah as if Mak Lijah ni tak reti nak jaga anak. Dah ler Pak Lijah tak der. Kena pergi klinik sorang-sorang dengan Danisy saja.

Pengorbanan

Pagi tadi Mak Lijah dengar perbincangan mengenai pengorbanan kat radio Era sempena Hari Raya Korban esok. Banyak versi pengorbanan yang diceritakan oleh pendengar-pendengar.

Mak Lijah rasa, pengorbanan yang paling besar yang Mak Lijah buat ialah mengenai kerjaya Mak Lijah. Kerjaya Mak Lijah sekarang ini, bukanlah pilihan Mak Lijah sepenuhnya. Ia adalah pilihan Mak dan Ayah. Mak Lijah hanya menurut kehendak mereka selaku seorang anak yang taat walaupun pada ketika itu Mak Lijah telahpun mempunyai kerja yang stabil di sebuah organisasi ternama, sesuai dengan jiwa Mak Lijah dan bergaji lumayan. Mungkin ada hikmah atas semua ini dan Mak Lijah yakin rezeki ada di mana-mana. Dengan itu Mak Lijah hanya pasrah dengan ketentuan ini.

Kerapkali jua Ayah Mak Lijah bertanya samada dah terasa kelebihan berkerjaya seperti sekarang. Walaupun jauh di sudut hati Mak Lijah rasa belum lagi tercapai sesuatu yang betul-betul memuaskan hati, Mak Lijah hanya mengaku sahaja demi menjaga hatinya.

Kedua, Mak Lijah rasa pengorbanan yang paling besar ialah akur dengan kehendak Mak dan Ayah supaya Mak Lijah tidak belajar di luar negara tetapi melanjutkan pelajaran di tingkatan enam di Penang Free School dan seterusnya di Universiti Sains Malaysia. Eloklah juga, if not, tak pulak ketemu dengan Pak Lijah. Mak Lijah cuma ralat sebab sehingga ke usia ini, Mak Lijah masih belum berkesempatan untuk menyentuh salji, manakala Abang dan Teh berkesempatan untuk ke luar negara untuk belajar berbanding Mak Lijah.

Kiranya, pengorbanan Mak Lijah banyak dipengaruhi oleh Mak dan Ayah. Tak apalah. Asalkan mereka bahagia. Mak Lijah pon, taklah menderita sangat. Pun begitu, Mak Lijah masih tercari-cari sesuatu dalam hidup Mak Lijah yang boleh mengimbangi pengorbanan itu. Dan ianya masih belum diketemui lagi.

Ada juga beberapa lagi pengorbanan yang Mak Lijah ingin simpan dan kunci rapat-rapat dalam lipatan hidup Mak Lijah. Biarlah ia menjadi tugu dalam ingatan Mak Lijah semata.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL ADHA semua...

Hensem tak?

"Mama, tadi Danisy nampak ghost kat belakang."
"Iye? Kat belakang mana?"
"Kat belakang rumah."
"Dia buat apa kat situ?"
"Tak tahu, dia berdiri je. Mata dia kaler pink"
"Kaler pink? Rambut dia pendek ke panjang?"
"Pendek."
"Bila Danisy nampak ghost tu?"
"Siang tadi masa Danisy nak pergi padang."
"Dia cakap apa kat Danisy?"
"Dia cakap, Danisy... Danisy hensem tak?"
"Habis tu Danisy cakap apa?"
"Hensemlah..."

Dah 2006

Selamat tahun baru semua.

Mak Lijah berazam nak mengamalkan kehidupan yang sihat tahun ini. Kononnya nak makan healthy food jer. Nak exercise regularly. Nak manage stress and emotion properly.

Tengoklah. Nak tercapai ke idak. Matlamatnya supaya Mak Lijah tak perlu tukar wardrobe baru, tak bela banyak jerawat akibat stress, tak marah-marah kat Kakak dan yang penting, cuba untuk stay young (chewah!) dan semoga tak mati cepat, insya- Allah. Sempatlah menghuni bungalo milik sendiri. Sempatlah sentuh salji. Sempatlah tengok anak-anak dewasa. Sempatlah pergi konvokesyen mereka. Sempatlah jadi wedding planner untuk anak-anak sendiri. Sempatlah menimang cucu.

Sempat ke?