Come to think of it there are many things I must do before I die.However doing it is one thing,performing till done another.But God willing I will do my best to have them completed as per plan.
Now let me account what I have in mind.Harbored within my soul is an urged to see the girl I first fell in love with.It would be really awesome to see how she fare after all these years.The comparison after we advanced in age.I want to know if she was so charming and attractive as before.What changes might had transpired be it good or bad really does not matters now.Her well being is important.
Well it was such a long time,more than half a century.There are bound to be changes. Time have transformed tremendously Chances are I would not be impressive to her ever again.That is to be the most dreadful moments.In that she would not even laid an eye on me or maybe the way around.Nevertheless her memories within me still lingers on giving me some enlightening moments.
Not only those things really,because knowing her well being would satisfy to my unyielding heart.She is well then I would know she made the correct decision in not selecting me.Well,I blamed no one for my failures although I once bear a grudge against her mother who told me off.The years gone passed had made to come in terms with reality.
Should I have the opportunity to relive all those over again.I would not allowed that to happen ever and I would not be the loser.I would definitely not let her slipped past my fingers as I would tell her the truth before I leave town to seek my fortune.At least by doing that she would know.That might changed the situation I be in.Nothing but hopeful thoughts.A dreamers' dream.
I had always dreamed of building a magnificent farm.A farm of not big acreages but at least two would suffice.That would be manageable by me in my old age, I think.Of course at my age having a bigger farm would not work well for me unless I had the financial,the strength and correct frame of mind to keep everything aloft.
The farm ought to be an orchard with a huge variety of fruit crops. Having been a planter most of my life selecting a large variety of excellent clones of fruits would be quite easy.Spaced them all out carefully so I should be getting fruits the whole year round.Malaysian fruits had many seasons so great care ought to be taken when planting them out.
I have a perfect plan on how it should be done.It is all in my mind.Should I come to that stage I would surely know what to do.Even though my time is rather short.Still I think I can make it thus leaving a legacy for my grand children to enjoy.A thing they should be proud of.Not bragging not dreaming but a game plan.
Within the orchards I will also established a large variety of cash crop and vegetables.In a small acreage that I am planning do not require much labor-maybe two or three is sufficient.Planting so many things is good but should the market be bad.All those crops would not be wasted.
No,no with my plan it should not be as I planned to keep poultry as well.Kampong chicken and eggs fetched good prices in the market.Allow the chicks to roam freely in the farm where they could pick up worms and insects alike for their feeds.Over ripe fruits could be fed to the chickens,in fact it serves better food for their growth.Cash crops like sweet potatoes,tapioca,coconut could fed to the chicks as well.All fattened the chicks.
These chickens need not be housed in chicken coops .All them to rest freely on the branches of the fruit trees.The out door would make their feather shine with brightly and radiantly.Catching them would not be difficult .Always feed them at regular time at a usual spot.Always placed the supplementary feeds in an enclosed area where the hens were cooped to lay eggs.
So when most the chickens were trapped within.Just select your catch,It is that simple.The enclosed area should also served as a trap to catch wild chickens as well.Should you be lucky maybe wild boar would also be trapped within.Then you can enjoy the BBque of it.That is farm life.
Coming back to the farm, the farm house should be as simple as possible.As far as possible my plan was to construct some sort of log cabin, utilizing most of the trees within that land or from nearby forest.Actually building a house just like a Malay hut will do.
Double storey with up stairs as bedroom and working room.Allow the ground floor to be the sitting room and kitchen.Upstairs would be the bed room as sleeping and resting. Sleeping on the ground floor would be dangerous as there be snakes and insects lurking around during the night.
For me the working room on the top floor would mean that I can practice my art there at odd hours alone.In my mind I had many unfinished paintings to be done that is oil painting of course. Sculptures to full fill either with wood or clay or stone.All these material ought to easily available around the farm.
In painting actually in a farm I could also experinment on different forms of media as colours extracts from flowers and plants.Thus a new creation which could make me famous.Of course just a fat hope because artist always die penniless or become famous upon his or her demised.
Most artist are eccentric,like to work alone all the time.Having a farm far from everyone makes it damn ideal.Can work without disturbances and with that can think better giving more confidence with extra inspirations.I am not a sex maniac but I admit I like to perform sculpturing with actual human models most ideal would be the other sex.
That should be in the name of art nothing dirty.In that diretion I had seen many sculptures by the famous or infamous alike all not to my likings. I am inspired to perform better than all of them because I think I can do better .Thus performing my art differently with more energy,anxiety and with added life within my sculptures.
The reality of it should come from within.Talking much would not do because it is difficult to make others understand me unless and until I take drastic action to work it out myself.Yes only I can do that.I know the inert inspiration with m urges me on.
The farm so created shall be a show room for others to see.With all the fruits trees matured it should be quite an attraction for everyone to behold.When anyone visit the farm they ought to be entertained with the large variety of fruits.Not only that we should be able to provide them with food from the farm all vegetables and meat from the farm.Of course all these come with a beautiful price tag.With that I think the farm will be self sufficient in a very quick time.
With that fully running the farm should then move on to breeding fishes.Fishes can be cultivated in tanks nowadays.There are no need to deep into the land to create the ponds thus taking up more land. Fibre glass tanks of all sizes are easily available.With that a large variety of fishes could be bred.All the tanks could be placed in between rows of the fruit trees.Well,it is just a crazy idea of mine, workable or not should be known when I start my farm.
Farm workers should be drawn from the old and retired personals or better still - the handicaps.Maybe the homeless could be employed especially those partially handicapped.These people could be employed at special arrangements without exploiting them.Nature of work in an orchard are quite simple.Most would have to do light pruning of shoots in fruit trees,wrapping of fruits or maybe harvesting of fruits.All quite simple and light jobs.
The Garden of Eden,that the name of my farm,a place where there are plenty of fruits and food.A sanctuary for the lost or for those who had no place to go to irrespective of race or religion Here I think I ought to administer with some priority lest we invite trouble to our sanctuary of peace and goodwill.No favourism but openings for genuine cases only.God guidance all things possiblen any case I would come up with a better format when this is reality..
Another thing is I wished to do is to travel around Malaysia visiting at random any town I fancy until I completely travel through every states in Malaysia.Enjoyinging its vast variety of food,its rich cultures and most of all all its sceneries.All to be recorded in camera or video.This ought to take quite ample of time but I estimate to be at least six months.Maybe at times I take along a companion or two.
Another thing is that I wished to see the former places I had once worked.Maybe meet back with some old friends for old time sake.That I think ought to be interesting with plenty catching up to do..As I go round to old places I used to work I would re-write my memoirs with better stories.The old friends should be able to relate many stories from their point of view.Yeah!!!! perhaps maybe many things I missed out.That should be fun and interesting.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Dead Man's Tales Chapter 13 My Dearest Sister Cheah Wan Lai
My dearest sister.Ah!!! there are only three of us,sister and brothers.Like my brother I knew pretty well about our sister,too.She is two years older than me.Being a girl she never played much with us.
As a child she would tagged around my young auntie or our grandmother .Most of the time,while we were out and about running here and there.Our favorite play ground was near to the back of our house along Anson Road where an old Austin laid rotting and wasting away.It was placed to rest just beneath a guava tree.
I,as usual and our kid brother would always climbed up to it to pluck its fruits,ripe or otherwise.I remembered those hard fruits with plenty of seeds.Yet as kids we devoured them no matter what.That tree also served as a safe sanctuary for me whenever grandma came out shouting banishing a cane.This normally happened when either siblings complained to her about my misbehavior much to the delight and cheering of my siblings.
I remembered that as an elder girl she had to carry water back to our house from the Government stand pipe directly in front of our house.Our cousin would assist her where ever possible.Mostly for their own bathing.We as boys could take our bath on the spot at the stand pipe.Those days we had no water connected to our house.
Poor thing at times either one of them would be hurt by the sharp angled edge of the old kerosene tin they used to carry the water.The cuts on the heel sometimes quite deep and that really hurts.Then there for days they need not carry water.and the job would be done by others.When the Cantonese Operas were in town she would be the first to tagged along with our grandmother.All sited comfortably at the very front seats.
However, as a girl in our family she never enjoyed certain privileges we boys had.For example she was seldom taken out to have breakfast with us in a Chinese restaurant.Another was our father had only a bicycle which could cater for two boys only.No more space for another.So unless our mother went along only then she can joined us.
But as a girl she need not joined us boys sleeping any where on the floor or under the bed when times were bad.She had the comfort of sleeping with our mother on the bed..That happened after our house was sold and we were forced to live a small office room and thereafter under the bed in the one room estate quarter.
As a young teenager she was trained in the art of self defence, Tai Chi.In that she had demonstrated her skills to many beginners then.But unfortunately to-date apparently what she learned had disappeared or forgotten for good.Had she continued practicing that art she ought to be the grandmaster by now.
As a kid she knew how to sing the Operas.Many a times practiced with our mother.Right or wrong version God alone knows.From young she attended the Convent Girls School.She was only an average student in the lower forms but thereafter from form three onwards she began to show her mental by excelling in her studies.
Topping the forms through out.In the final Cambridge School Certificate Examination while studying under adverse conditions i.e.like studying under only kerosene lamp lighting in the rubber estate. She obtained the best overall results for the District of Lower Perak.Quite an achievement.With the completion of that examinations she was given a temporarily teaching position in that school even before the results were announced.
She was the best any mother like to have.Yes,the first salary she received she gave all to our mother and followed similarly all the months that she was employed.That was why our mother always commented that her daughter was the best she had - unlike we boys especially myself.
The Reverend Mother had high regards of her and highly recommended her when she applied for teachers training at Brinsford Lodge,U.K.She got that and subsequently went for the training in U.K..Being educated at the Convent made her fully committed to Catholicism .A regular church attending member then which nearly drew her in to be baptized but the teacher training college drew her away to Britain.
It was a course of two years and before long she returned home.Her first posting was the same school where she came,the Convent.Later she was transferred to some other school and then to St Anthony School.She opted for earlier retirement after so many years of teaching.He was just forty- five and what a waste?.
Our family's living condition took a drastic improvement as soon as she returned home.In stead of residing with our uncle we shifted to a small rented wooden bungalow along Changkat Jong Road.Our younger brother was then a temporarily teacher as well.It certainly was a new beginning for all of us.Well,as for me I was also beginning my career in a rubber plantation in Taiping,Perak.
Mid-way through her career she married a DID technician,later a consultant, Mr.Yap Thong.Together they begot three children.A girl and two boys.The girl is married with another accountant.They have two kids both boys.The other two are boys.The elder boy is also married and similarly have two children,a girl and a boy. The third child is still single.
She did not continued with any other work after her retirement except some tuitions.There were times that she wanted to do painting or pottery but so far only big talk,nothing more.I think she held at least an art exhibition with friends after College.
Her religious commitments took a drastic changed after her marriage in that she believed in the Chinese ways of worshiping.She and her husband mostly prayed to the Chinese deity "Kuan Yee"or "Kuan Ti" as most called him.He was the red faced General who fought for the righteous till death with his two adopted brothers.That was in Teluk Intan,Perk.
However those were in the past as soon as she shifted to Kuala Lumpur with her entire family.She became what she assumed to be a Christian.In that she was baptized into the Dove Assembly.For good or for bad hope the good Lord will guide in all her future undertakings.
To be continued.
.
As a child she would tagged around my young auntie or our grandmother .Most of the time,while we were out and about running here and there.Our favorite play ground was near to the back of our house along Anson Road where an old Austin laid rotting and wasting away.It was placed to rest just beneath a guava tree.
I,as usual and our kid brother would always climbed up to it to pluck its fruits,ripe or otherwise.I remembered those hard fruits with plenty of seeds.Yet as kids we devoured them no matter what.That tree also served as a safe sanctuary for me whenever grandma came out shouting banishing a cane.This normally happened when either siblings complained to her about my misbehavior much to the delight and cheering of my siblings.
I remembered that as an elder girl she had to carry water back to our house from the Government stand pipe directly in front of our house.Our cousin would assist her where ever possible.Mostly for their own bathing.We as boys could take our bath on the spot at the stand pipe.Those days we had no water connected to our house.
Poor thing at times either one of them would be hurt by the sharp angled edge of the old kerosene tin they used to carry the water.The cuts on the heel sometimes quite deep and that really hurts.Then there for days they need not carry water.and the job would be done by others.When the Cantonese Operas were in town she would be the first to tagged along with our grandmother.All sited comfortably at the very front seats.
However, as a girl in our family she never enjoyed certain privileges we boys had.For example she was seldom taken out to have breakfast with us in a Chinese restaurant.Another was our father had only a bicycle which could cater for two boys only.No more space for another.So unless our mother went along only then she can joined us.
But as a girl she need not joined us boys sleeping any where on the floor or under the bed when times were bad.She had the comfort of sleeping with our mother on the bed..That happened after our house was sold and we were forced to live a small office room and thereafter under the bed in the one room estate quarter.
As a young teenager she was trained in the art of self defence, Tai Chi.In that she had demonstrated her skills to many beginners then.But unfortunately to-date apparently what she learned had disappeared or forgotten for good.Had she continued practicing that art she ought to be the grandmaster by now.
As a kid she knew how to sing the Operas.Many a times practiced with our mother.Right or wrong version God alone knows.From young she attended the Convent Girls School.She was only an average student in the lower forms but thereafter from form three onwards she began to show her mental by excelling in her studies.
Topping the forms through out.In the final Cambridge School Certificate Examination while studying under adverse conditions i.e.like studying under only kerosene lamp lighting in the rubber estate. She obtained the best overall results for the District of Lower Perak.Quite an achievement.With the completion of that examinations she was given a temporarily teaching position in that school even before the results were announced.
She was the best any mother like to have.Yes,the first salary she received she gave all to our mother and followed similarly all the months that she was employed.That was why our mother always commented that her daughter was the best she had - unlike we boys especially myself.
The Reverend Mother had high regards of her and highly recommended her when she applied for teachers training at Brinsford Lodge,U.K.She got that and subsequently went for the training in U.K..Being educated at the Convent made her fully committed to Catholicism .A regular church attending member then which nearly drew her in to be baptized but the teacher training college drew her away to Britain.
It was a course of two years and before long she returned home.Her first posting was the same school where she came,the Convent.Later she was transferred to some other school and then to St Anthony School.She opted for earlier retirement after so many years of teaching.He was just forty- five and what a waste?.
Our family's living condition took a drastic improvement as soon as she returned home.In stead of residing with our uncle we shifted to a small rented wooden bungalow along Changkat Jong Road.Our younger brother was then a temporarily teacher as well.It certainly was a new beginning for all of us.Well,as for me I was also beginning my career in a rubber plantation in Taiping,Perak.
Mid-way through her career she married a DID technician,later a consultant, Mr.Yap Thong.Together they begot three children.A girl and two boys.The girl is married with another accountant.They have two kids both boys.The other two are boys.The elder boy is also married and similarly have two children,a girl and a boy. The third child is still single.
She did not continued with any other work after her retirement except some tuitions.There were times that she wanted to do painting or pottery but so far only big talk,nothing more.I think she held at least an art exhibition with friends after College.
Her religious commitments took a drastic changed after her marriage in that she believed in the Chinese ways of worshiping.She and her husband mostly prayed to the Chinese deity "Kuan Yee"or "Kuan Ti" as most called him.He was the red faced General who fought for the righteous till death with his two adopted brothers.That was in Teluk Intan,Perk.
However those were in the past as soon as she shifted to Kuala Lumpur with her entire family.She became what she assumed to be a Christian.In that she was baptized into the Dove Assembly.For good or for bad hope the good Lord will guide in all her future undertakings.
To be continued.
.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Dead Man's Tales Chapter 12 My Dearest Brother Francis Cheah
Yeah!!! My brother and I am going to write something about him.He has written so much about me and others so it is time I returned the favour.Well.can be said who else knows him better but only me.
We grew up together,everyone knew that.We can be said are extremely closed to each other.When small he tagged along every where I went.It was in later years that we went separate ways,each for himself but we are constantly in touched.
Let me begin with him being a talented artist at an extremely tender age about three or four years old. He started off by drawing on the sandy ground directly at the back of our house along Anson Road.There were no pencils nor papers to draw on then.He conveniently drew with a short small twig on the sand.It would not be wrong should I say he started to draw as soon as he could walked and talked.He was born with those talents..
In actual fact it was the Cantonese Operas main charactors with their colorful costumes that inspired him to begin drawing.We were introduced to the Cantonese Operas at a tender age by our dear paternal grandmother.You see, whenever those Cantonese troope appeared in town our grandmother would always be the first one to attend those shows,never - missing any.
All of us tagged along most of the evenings.That was why all of us were fans of the operas from young.Having enjoyed those shows the following morning as soon as the sun was up we were always at the back of our house drawing something that transpired in the show.Much of those drawings were merely our imaginations.
We drew and sang the operas as we drew.It was my brother who showed the greatest interest in his drawings for he never stopped doing that.However he stopped the singing but continued to develop his talent in drawing otherwise he could be singing operas as well.He was introduced to the use of pencils and colors as soon as he was enrolled into school.
He amazed the teachers with his talent and thereafter he began emerging as winners in many drawing competitions thus winning many prices for his drawings.In school his art improved tremendously.In school there were some good teachers to guide him.His talent were well known and even taught art in school as a temporarily teacher after his school certificate examinations.
From young he always tagged along where ever I went
When I was plucking coconuts he would "see water" and direct me which to pick from the base of another tree nearby.Many may wander what is this "see water"?.Well it is just to watch out just in case our parents drop by.Then I would be on serious trouble.
The sales of the nuts we shared.Once when I was losing in wrestling match with another friend. I was pinned down on the ground helplessly unable to fight back..Seeing that I was in trouble his first instinct was to attack my opponent with a knuckle in hand.
Though it was only play, play thing, my brother refused to allow me to lose.Not only lose when I was once surrounded by some Indian boys he shouted on top of his voice which brought our friend Chong Suan Leng sprinting from roughly 100 meters away to help me. Just imagine that of my brother.Can anyone beat that?.
He was twelve and I fourteen or so.Together we learned to swim in the Perak River along Immigrant Road (the areas near to a sawmill and a stone's throw from the jetty)).Every day we would swim in that river diving from high branches of mangrove trees,fishing and stealing shrimps from cages in that crocodile infested river.Most of the naughty things I did he always involved in a small part.
From a tender age I was known to be hyperactive while he the weaker one at home.Our grandmother loved everyone of us but he was her pet grandson.She loved him so much she even played hide and seek with him even after death.Believe me or not?.Well that happened on most Cheng Beng days when we went to her grave to pay our due respect .Nine out of ten times my brother would failed to locate he grave even she was directly in front of him.Very uncanny but it is the truth.
In school he was a known artist and among the first batch of Boys Brigade when it first began.I remember those dark blue uniform they donned and the band they formed.He played the bugle while with them.Observing the smartness of the Brigade our other cousins followed suit to join in later.I have known him to have his own group of friends all much younger than me but I knew most. of them as well.
On completion of the School Certificate Examination in 1961 he became a temporarily teacher in the same school in the afternoon classes for two years..I think he was teaching art mostly and with students almost his age it was quite a task for him to continue.
Following he joined an advertising firm in Kuala Lumpur.That was why he was reasonably well versed with advertising.After a short stint he left to join the Ministry of Information as an artist.Had he continued in advertising he would definitely prosper and be well known.Maybe a head of some advertising firm like his friends.
In stead he opted for the Government position where as we Chinese would put it as attaining a position that would be having a rice bowl as solid as gold.Anyway that was his own choosing .Perhaps that that did him a world of good as he grew with that Ministry,from a simple artist to graphic designer then on,until retirement.Many of the designs on exhibitions those days were designed by him.
Having work so hard for the Government for a couple of years they finally selected or rewarded to go to U.K. where he completed a crashed course at Hardknock University.On returned he gave lectures around the country for Government servants.He served the Government well and for long services was also rewarded with a small title AMN by the Sultan of Selangor on one of his birthdays..
As a senior Government servant he was on few occasions appointed to serve as a member of the jury by the High court for several big cases.In any case he was well versed with the law as he had privately took up law studies in his spare time where he reached the second year.Unfortunately due to pressure of his work and family commitments he was not able to full filled his dream.Yes,God willing he might finished it once and for all-one of these days.
The two years in reading law definitely did improved his command of the English language. His flaw of English make him induced him to write beautiful eassys,a thing he never admits of course.Whatever it be his writings are always excellent reading materials for admirals.
Had he finished his law studies it would have been an excellent end to his entire career as an artist,designer,painter and finally a lawyer.Carry on Brother I will back you up all the way,for it is never too late to carry on.
That were about his career,now his private life.When he was in school I knew that he and friends went after several beauties in town those days.Yeah,I often overheard them discussing about the beautiful girl at the "rumah hantu" which he depicted in his cartoon where they were told to leave her house by the father as the time was passing 12.00 a.m.I tell you all. Many of the cartoons he drew depicted some of his untold stories.
However he finally met and felt madly in love with a girl along King Street.He chased her all the way from Kuala Lumpur until she finally agreed to marry him.Together they had four children- two girls and two boys.After several years of hard struggling all his children are now finally grown ups.Two of them having their own families and two still single.As a father he had served his purpose well as all are well educated and at least the two boys took after him,excelling in art as he does.
Now in retirement he still adhered to his art by drawing his cartoons,doing some drawings,paintings and teaching others to draw where ever required of him.Most of all he does a lot of blogging.His blogs and face book are well known.In other spare time he attends the Church in Selayang and was duly baptized last year.May God Bless Him.
Oh yes,lest I forget presently he and a couple of old classmates of his had been organizing Alma Mater meetings to replenish old acquaintances and to further enhance their bonds together.Places of meetings varies according to necessity.All those renewal of kinship happened with lavish dinners.
What better ways to renew their friendship.I am sure many had many fantastic stories to share with each other.Or measure each others height not in reality but in terms of successes.Well,It is wonderful to brag a little but please do not go over board.Otherwise the whole ship will sink with you all within it.So good luck.
additional details might follow,if necessary.
We grew up together,everyone knew that.We can be said are extremely closed to each other.When small he tagged along every where I went.It was in later years that we went separate ways,each for himself but we are constantly in touched.
Let me begin with him being a talented artist at an extremely tender age about three or four years old. He started off by drawing on the sandy ground directly at the back of our house along Anson Road.There were no pencils nor papers to draw on then.He conveniently drew with a short small twig on the sand.It would not be wrong should I say he started to draw as soon as he could walked and talked.He was born with those talents..
In actual fact it was the Cantonese Operas main charactors with their colorful costumes that inspired him to begin drawing.We were introduced to the Cantonese Operas at a tender age by our dear paternal grandmother.You see, whenever those Cantonese troope appeared in town our grandmother would always be the first one to attend those shows,never - missing any.
All of us tagged along most of the evenings.That was why all of us were fans of the operas from young.Having enjoyed those shows the following morning as soon as the sun was up we were always at the back of our house drawing something that transpired in the show.Much of those drawings were merely our imaginations.
We drew and sang the operas as we drew.It was my brother who showed the greatest interest in his drawings for he never stopped doing that.However he stopped the singing but continued to develop his talent in drawing otherwise he could be singing operas as well.He was introduced to the use of pencils and colors as soon as he was enrolled into school.
He amazed the teachers with his talent and thereafter he began emerging as winners in many drawing competitions thus winning many prices for his drawings.In school his art improved tremendously.In school there were some good teachers to guide him.His talent were well known and even taught art in school as a temporarily teacher after his school certificate examinations.
From young he always tagged along where ever I went
When I was plucking coconuts he would "see water" and direct me which to pick from the base of another tree nearby.Many may wander what is this "see water"?.Well it is just to watch out just in case our parents drop by.Then I would be on serious trouble.
The sales of the nuts we shared.Once when I was losing in wrestling match with another friend. I was pinned down on the ground helplessly unable to fight back..Seeing that I was in trouble his first instinct was to attack my opponent with a knuckle in hand.
Though it was only play, play thing, my brother refused to allow me to lose.Not only lose when I was once surrounded by some Indian boys he shouted on top of his voice which brought our friend Chong Suan Leng sprinting from roughly 100 meters away to help me. Just imagine that of my brother.Can anyone beat that?.
He was twelve and I fourteen or so.Together we learned to swim in the Perak River along Immigrant Road (the areas near to a sawmill and a stone's throw from the jetty)).Every day we would swim in that river diving from high branches of mangrove trees,fishing and stealing shrimps from cages in that crocodile infested river.Most of the naughty things I did he always involved in a small part.
From a tender age I was known to be hyperactive while he the weaker one at home.Our grandmother loved everyone of us but he was her pet grandson.She loved him so much she even played hide and seek with him even after death.Believe me or not?.Well that happened on most Cheng Beng days when we went to her grave to pay our due respect .Nine out of ten times my brother would failed to locate he grave even she was directly in front of him.Very uncanny but it is the truth.
In school he was a known artist and among the first batch of Boys Brigade when it first began.I remember those dark blue uniform they donned and the band they formed.He played the bugle while with them.Observing the smartness of the Brigade our other cousins followed suit to join in later.I have known him to have his own group of friends all much younger than me but I knew most. of them as well.
On completion of the School Certificate Examination in 1961 he became a temporarily teacher in the same school in the afternoon classes for two years..I think he was teaching art mostly and with students almost his age it was quite a task for him to continue.
Following he joined an advertising firm in Kuala Lumpur.That was why he was reasonably well versed with advertising.After a short stint he left to join the Ministry of Information as an artist.Had he continued in advertising he would definitely prosper and be well known.Maybe a head of some advertising firm like his friends.
In stead he opted for the Government position where as we Chinese would put it as attaining a position that would be having a rice bowl as solid as gold.Anyway that was his own choosing .Perhaps that that did him a world of good as he grew with that Ministry,from a simple artist to graphic designer then on,until retirement.Many of the designs on exhibitions those days were designed by him.
Having work so hard for the Government for a couple of years they finally selected or rewarded to go to U.K. where he completed a crashed course at Hardknock University.On returned he gave lectures around the country for Government servants.He served the Government well and for long services was also rewarded with a small title AMN by the Sultan of Selangor on one of his birthdays..
As a senior Government servant he was on few occasions appointed to serve as a member of the jury by the High court for several big cases.In any case he was well versed with the law as he had privately took up law studies in his spare time where he reached the second year.Unfortunately due to pressure of his work and family commitments he was not able to full filled his dream.Yes,God willing he might finished it once and for all-one of these days.
The two years in reading law definitely did improved his command of the English language. His flaw of English make him induced him to write beautiful eassys,a thing he never admits of course.Whatever it be his writings are always excellent reading materials for admirals.
Had he finished his law studies it would have been an excellent end to his entire career as an artist,designer,painter and finally a lawyer.Carry on Brother I will back you up all the way,for it is never too late to carry on.
That were about his career,now his private life.When he was in school I knew that he and friends went after several beauties in town those days.Yeah,I often overheard them discussing about the beautiful girl at the "rumah hantu" which he depicted in his cartoon where they were told to leave her house by the father as the time was passing 12.00 a.m.I tell you all. Many of the cartoons he drew depicted some of his untold stories.
However he finally met and felt madly in love with a girl along King Street.He chased her all the way from Kuala Lumpur until she finally agreed to marry him.Together they had four children- two girls and two boys.After several years of hard struggling all his children are now finally grown ups.Two of them having their own families and two still single.As a father he had served his purpose well as all are well educated and at least the two boys took after him,excelling in art as he does.
Now in retirement he still adhered to his art by drawing his cartoons,doing some drawings,paintings and teaching others to draw where ever required of him.Most of all he does a lot of blogging.His blogs and face book are well known.In other spare time he attends the Church in Selayang and was duly baptized last year.May God Bless Him.
Oh yes,lest I forget presently he and a couple of old classmates of his had been organizing Alma Mater meetings to replenish old acquaintances and to further enhance their bonds together.Places of meetings varies according to necessity.All those renewal of kinship happened with lavish dinners.
What better ways to renew their friendship.I am sure many had many fantastic stories to share with each other.Or measure each others height not in reality but in terms of successes.Well,It is wonderful to brag a little but please do not go over board.Otherwise the whole ship will sink with you all within it.So good luck.
additional details might follow,if necessary.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Dead Man's Tales Chapter 11 Now Talking About My Wife
I may had been infatuated with some one else a long long time ago.She was in my heart for more than half a century.Admittedly I still do think of her - at times.Well no harm done now that I am also married to another equally lovely woman if not better.There should not be any ill feelings or enmity with any one concerned.We are too matured for that.
Sad to admit that due to my infatuation for her I committed many wrongs with many young and beautiful girls in the past.I was so very young than and m out of rage, obviously extremely immature.Agreed,those were lamed excuses,but after so many years I sincerely am regret my irrational actions.I do not expect those women whom I wronged to forgive me by admitting ,at l;east that cleared my conscience.Now that we are so old already so let by gone be by gone.Hate me if you persist .so be it,if it pleases them.
I actually met my wife in Bentong,Pahang.She was nineteen or so then.When I was transferred to Bentong Estate,Benting,Pahang.I always ventured into town every evenings on my motor-cycle.One day when rounding town with a friend I saw a slim beauty walking on a road and following her was a small boy learning to cycle.
She was a lovey slim girl with long,swift flowing hair,with beautiful eyes.She was not that tall just like my height.Her dressing were as simple just any plain Chinese girls would dressed those days.I like her at first glance and actually wanted t befriend her.My admiration did not stopped there as I tried to find out more about her.
I took note of her first several days but never had the courage to approach her.In a small town you cannot simply talked to just any girl on the road that would be inviting trouble.Following I me a friend who knew her and engaged his help to introduce her to me.My friend knew that she would also come out to town at night with another girl friend so e arranged to bump into them.That was how I got to know her.
Apparently both girls apparently liked me but I was all for the slimmer girl.That caused a minor rift among them I was told but nevertheless it was my choice and I choose her.Subsequently at a slow space I slowly met more and more of her until I was able to date out alone.
A lovely courtship followed.Then one late evening the inevitable happened.As it was raining heavily I could not made my trip back to the plantation and waited for the down pour to subside but it seem never ending and went on raining "cats and dogs".
I waited by her main door while she stood by the side just inches away at the side of the door.Her loveliness attracted me to attempt stealing a kiss on her sweet lips.This happened while all others were busy inside talking,not noticing us.Yes,I planted a kiss on her and she allowed me to kiss her further that immediately sealed our friendship.
She a part time hair dresser those days and by day she helped her parents to tap rubber.Most girls in Bentong does that to help their family then.So it was no surprise she did just that.Following our we went steady for a time.There were no doubt that she was deply in love with me.
However.sad to admit images of the first girl came flashing all over me.That made me to have second thought of her.Without the slightest doubt I could not forget the past girl.She had loved me and trusted me yet it was I who betrayed her.I began to made mistakes by taking other girls around.That of course hurt her very much.It was heartless of me to break off with her.
In sadness she left town to work in a distant land with the hope that the new environment would help her eased her memories of me.Within those periods I met with complete failures in my job.I was rejected by Guthries.In sorrow I returned home to Teluk Anson where I did a lot of soul searching.
In the end I found myself.I knew then that to fight back in my career I had to have a partner to support me,a someone whose shoulders I can lean on for support if not shed a tear or two of childish tears.Her consolation should bring out the difference.Or ever someone to share my defeat in bad times and my glory in time of victory..Because every successful man should have a wonderful woman behind him.So I searched for the inevitable one in my entire life.I ran through a long list of former girl friends and ended up with one and that was to be her.
Knowing that I had to act fast to locate her.I was quite lucky in many ways as there were people who were willing to help me.So without much time lost I secured her whereabouts.I immediately went to seek her.Yeah,she was then working as a hair dresser in Yong Peng,Johore.
With little difficulty I found her as Yong Peng was a cowboy town with one street then.She was as beautiful as before if not more beautiful.Instead of her long hair she now spotted short hair,making her the more attractive.She was caught off guard as I approach her work place.Her beaming eyes showed that she was astonished as well as delighted of my present.I confident believed she still loved me dearly.
With that image of me still embedded within her my job were so much simpler although there were so many admirers eying her.So I acted with haste.There were no need of explanations,nor were there any begging as she still loved me very much .We made up easily that very instant.Two weeks later I took her back to my home town where we were married at the Registrar.So all went well and smoothly for me as there were no denying that I had actually found the one that I surely loved.That sealed my fate with her.
As Chinese her parents wanted something more official like a Chinese wedding where the bride had to be officially married away from her parents house.As I was out of a decent job that ought to wait slightly longer.Whatever it was we were already married officially
Not much longer after that I got a job as Manager of Ulu Selangor Estate, Kuala Kubu Bahru,Selangor.AS she was now my wife she thus went along and stayed with me in my new position.That position was short lived and I left after few months.However we were officially married the Chinese way in 1969 when I was working at the sawmill Karak.
It is therefore correct to say that she had been with me in the thick or thin of my career.In the days when I was down she chipped in dearly to help keep the family running Many a times the payments I received were low by other standard but to her she proved that those were nothing As long as there were something coming she had found the ways how to preserve well and made it valueblely sufficient for the whole family..
To her having a lot she spent slightly more and saving wherever necessary only should it be low she still performed miracles to make ends meet In Karak for example when we just beginning our family my earnings then were nothing and she chip by working a small holder without any fuss.
In St.Andrew Estate,Batng Berjuntai we were better off.There our family were enlarged to the addition of another two kids,so we have three thereafter.There she proved herself by being a dutiful house wife not only that she was also an excellent gardener as she established our garden full of beautiful orchids.Our children grew up there wonderfully for ten yeaars.
When I was doing business she helped to take care of the shop when I was out.When the chips were down for me and the business failed she still struck by me.We had actually faced all sort of difficulties together and she proved her mental by staying aloft and gracefully accepted our fate with grace.
The last fifteen years of my working career in Sri Jaya Oil Palm Estate,Sri Jaya,she stayed at home initially in Bentong then in Kualaa Lumpur to take of our teenage children.Our growing children were in secondary schools and then in Colleges.At that tender ages they had to be look after all the time,lest anything should go wrong.For me it was alright I struggled in the plantation so that my children could have a better life than I had.That i Think we did well and our struggle worthwhile.
I appreciate her the more when I felt ill with Luikaemia (AML),she was at my bedside all the while I was under Chymore Therapy.It was the 4th.stage of cancer.In grief she consealed my condition well from me all the while I was under treatment.I only knew of my condition after I was under remission..
Just imagine she was with me by my bedside when I was terribly ill especially during the first and second therapy.Many had expected me to die but I did not.Much of these could be due to the Doctors and nurses but most of all my beloved wife.The tears she shed secretly,sacrifices and tender care she put put me back on road to recovery.Of course, most of all there was the Lord above whose compassion and grace saved me from certain death.
My wife therefore was the best thing that I have in my life.I dare say she she loved me more than anything else even when she were angry with me she would always forgive me,no matter what the problems were. Well - it happened many dozens of times yet she would always be the same.She can never get angry with me for long.
Aya!!!!!!!!!!, we have been together for more than half a century.All my children are fully grown up and were fully aware that their mother always had a heart for me for all things.Not not to mention eating for example. In that she always leave apart something for me if not half of what she has.I am not bragging when I say she always had me in her heart when she were eat..I eat fully and she half stomach she does mind and never recent that fact.She served me first.
I would not give her up for another `even in another lifeLife is funny,for you can be deeply in love in your teens.Falling out was not the end of the world for the Lord is Great as always,All was required was just a little more patience and sooner than you can for see another dropped by who could be just as charming if not better So do not waste way good liofe,don't play play..
To be continued.
Sad to admit that due to my infatuation for her I committed many wrongs with many young and beautiful girls in the past.I was so very young than and m out of rage, obviously extremely immature.Agreed,those were lamed excuses,but after so many years I sincerely am regret my irrational actions.I do not expect those women whom I wronged to forgive me by admitting ,at l;east that cleared my conscience.Now that we are so old already so let by gone be by gone.Hate me if you persist .so be it,if it pleases them.
I actually met my wife in Bentong,Pahang.She was nineteen or so then.When I was transferred to Bentong Estate,Benting,Pahang.I always ventured into town every evenings on my motor-cycle.One day when rounding town with a friend I saw a slim beauty walking on a road and following her was a small boy learning to cycle.
She was a lovey slim girl with long,swift flowing hair,with beautiful eyes.She was not that tall just like my height.Her dressing were as simple just any plain Chinese girls would dressed those days.I like her at first glance and actually wanted t befriend her.My admiration did not stopped there as I tried to find out more about her.
I took note of her first several days but never had the courage to approach her.In a small town you cannot simply talked to just any girl on the road that would be inviting trouble.Following I me a friend who knew her and engaged his help to introduce her to me.My friend knew that she would also come out to town at night with another girl friend so e arranged to bump into them.That was how I got to know her.
Apparently both girls apparently liked me but I was all for the slimmer girl.That caused a minor rift among them I was told but nevertheless it was my choice and I choose her.Subsequently at a slow space I slowly met more and more of her until I was able to date out alone.
A lovely courtship followed.Then one late evening the inevitable happened.As it was raining heavily I could not made my trip back to the plantation and waited for the down pour to subside but it seem never ending and went on raining "cats and dogs".
I waited by her main door while she stood by the side just inches away at the side of the door.Her loveliness attracted me to attempt stealing a kiss on her sweet lips.This happened while all others were busy inside talking,not noticing us.Yes,I planted a kiss on her and she allowed me to kiss her further that immediately sealed our friendship.
She a part time hair dresser those days and by day she helped her parents to tap rubber.Most girls in Bentong does that to help their family then.So it was no surprise she did just that.Following our we went steady for a time.There were no doubt that she was deply in love with me.
However.sad to admit images of the first girl came flashing all over me.That made me to have second thought of her.Without the slightest doubt I could not forget the past girl.She had loved me and trusted me yet it was I who betrayed her.I began to made mistakes by taking other girls around.That of course hurt her very much.It was heartless of me to break off with her.
In sadness she left town to work in a distant land with the hope that the new environment would help her eased her memories of me.Within those periods I met with complete failures in my job.I was rejected by Guthries.In sorrow I returned home to Teluk Anson where I did a lot of soul searching.
In the end I found myself.I knew then that to fight back in my career I had to have a partner to support me,a someone whose shoulders I can lean on for support if not shed a tear or two of childish tears.Her consolation should bring out the difference.Or ever someone to share my defeat in bad times and my glory in time of victory..Because every successful man should have a wonderful woman behind him.So I searched for the inevitable one in my entire life.I ran through a long list of former girl friends and ended up with one and that was to be her.
Knowing that I had to act fast to locate her.I was quite lucky in many ways as there were people who were willing to help me.So without much time lost I secured her whereabouts.I immediately went to seek her.Yeah,she was then working as a hair dresser in Yong Peng,Johore.
With little difficulty I found her as Yong Peng was a cowboy town with one street then.She was as beautiful as before if not more beautiful.Instead of her long hair she now spotted short hair,making her the more attractive.She was caught off guard as I approach her work place.Her beaming eyes showed that she was astonished as well as delighted of my present.I confident believed she still loved me dearly.
With that image of me still embedded within her my job were so much simpler although there were so many admirers eying her.So I acted with haste.There were no need of explanations,nor were there any begging as she still loved me very much .We made up easily that very instant.Two weeks later I took her back to my home town where we were married at the Registrar.So all went well and smoothly for me as there were no denying that I had actually found the one that I surely loved.That sealed my fate with her.
As Chinese her parents wanted something more official like a Chinese wedding where the bride had to be officially married away from her parents house.As I was out of a decent job that ought to wait slightly longer.Whatever it was we were already married officially
Not much longer after that I got a job as Manager of Ulu Selangor Estate, Kuala Kubu Bahru,Selangor.AS she was now my wife she thus went along and stayed with me in my new position.That position was short lived and I left after few months.However we were officially married the Chinese way in 1969 when I was working at the sawmill Karak.
It is therefore correct to say that she had been with me in the thick or thin of my career.In the days when I was down she chipped in dearly to help keep the family running Many a times the payments I received were low by other standard but to her she proved that those were nothing As long as there were something coming she had found the ways how to preserve well and made it valueblely sufficient for the whole family..
To her having a lot she spent slightly more and saving wherever necessary only should it be low she still performed miracles to make ends meet In Karak for example when we just beginning our family my earnings then were nothing and she chip by working a small holder without any fuss.
In St.Andrew Estate,Batng Berjuntai we were better off.There our family were enlarged to the addition of another two kids,so we have three thereafter.There she proved herself by being a dutiful house wife not only that she was also an excellent gardener as she established our garden full of beautiful orchids.Our children grew up there wonderfully for ten yeaars.
When I was doing business she helped to take care of the shop when I was out.When the chips were down for me and the business failed she still struck by me.We had actually faced all sort of difficulties together and she proved her mental by staying aloft and gracefully accepted our fate with grace.
The last fifteen years of my working career in Sri Jaya Oil Palm Estate,Sri Jaya,she stayed at home initially in Bentong then in Kualaa Lumpur to take of our teenage children.Our growing children were in secondary schools and then in Colleges.At that tender ages they had to be look after all the time,lest anything should go wrong.For me it was alright I struggled in the plantation so that my children could have a better life than I had.That i Think we did well and our struggle worthwhile.
I appreciate her the more when I felt ill with Luikaemia (AML),she was at my bedside all the while I was under Chymore Therapy.It was the 4th.stage of cancer.In grief she consealed my condition well from me all the while I was under treatment.I only knew of my condition after I was under remission..
Just imagine she was with me by my bedside when I was terribly ill especially during the first and second therapy.Many had expected me to die but I did not.Much of these could be due to the Doctors and nurses but most of all my beloved wife.The tears she shed secretly,sacrifices and tender care she put put me back on road to recovery.Of course, most of all there was the Lord above whose compassion and grace saved me from certain death.
My wife therefore was the best thing that I have in my life.I dare say she she loved me more than anything else even when she were angry with me she would always forgive me,no matter what the problems were. Well - it happened many dozens of times yet she would always be the same.She can never get angry with me for long.
Aya!!!!!!!!!!, we have been together for more than half a century.All my children are fully grown up and were fully aware that their mother always had a heart for me for all things.Not not to mention eating for example. In that she always leave apart something for me if not half of what she has.I am not bragging when I say she always had me in her heart when she were eat..I eat fully and she half stomach she does mind and never recent that fact.She served me first.
I would not give her up for another `even in another lifeLife is funny,for you can be deeply in love in your teens.Falling out was not the end of the world for the Lord is Great as always,All was required was just a little more patience and sooner than you can for see another dropped by who could be just as charming if not better So do not waste way good liofe,don't play play..
To be continued.
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