You've Been Warned!

Stuck in traffic, and bored out of my wits, I wiled away the time by staring at the back of the small lorry ahead of me, with a rather distinctive warning.

Wonder if the warning was for the atrocious spelling or for possible traffic hazard.

Either way, I was stunned.

New Year/Awal Muharram Anthem

Friends, hear me out. Loud and clear....

I Am Changing - Jennifer Hudson (with vocal assistance by Mus)

Look at me,
Look at me I am changing
Trying every way I can
I am changing I'll be better than I am
I'm trying to find a way to understand
But I need you, I need you I need a hand

I am changing
Seeing everything so clear
I am changing I'm gonna start right now, right here
I'm hoping to work it out
And I know that I can
But I need you, I need a hand

All of my life I've been a fool
Who said I can do it on my own
How many good friends have I already lost?
How many dog nights have I known?
Walking down that wrong road
There was nothing I could find
All those years of darkness
Looking for some light
But now I can see

I am changing
Trying every way I can
I am changing
I'll be better than I am
But I need a friend
To help me start all over again
That would be just fine
I know it's gonna work out this time
'Cause this time I am
This time I am

I am changing
I'll get my life together now
I am changing
Yes I know how I'm gonna start again
I'm gonna leave my past behind
I'll change my life
I'll make a vow and nothings gonna stop me now

Don't you think it will make a great New Year/Awal Muharram anthem? I have got a long list of things to achieve this year, so I might as well sing my heart out through it. Plus, the more I hear the song, the more I convince it sings about my life.

Come to think of it, it would be a much "soulful" version, had I added some jazz and soul, stamped my name all over it and made it my own. Ahh..how I wish for that!

OK I think I'll put that in my list too.

The New Beginning

I bought a new phone, so I am trying its new feature - phone blogging. Cool eh?

For the longest time, I kept telling myself I needed a new phone. Heck, my mom kept bugging to get a new one. She had been complaining on how she could barely heard my voice over that old junk of mine, but did I listen? Nooooo. So what changed my mind? One damn good salesman.

I am not ready to reveal what model that bowled me over - just yet. I don't want to jink it. People will rush and buy it in a double and thus it will lose its prestiges (They called it 'trendsetter effect'). But here's some clue:

1. Slim size

2. Sony Ericsson

3. 3G

4. Great photo quality

5. Black color

6. Music function

7. New model

All checks

I am in a dire need of an upgraded - one at a time. And yes, this is just the beginning.

p/s And O, I purposely tilted the pictures above to give the subject an extra mysterious, enigmatic effect. (As I always do)

Some Kind Of A Hero....

There are few things in life that I have vowed never to do - at least not in this lifetime anyway. While bungee jumping and pole dancing might share the special mention here, donating my ‘hard-earned’ blood could well be up on the top of my list.

But then again “What do I know?”.

I know it was an unbelievably me. I went completely against my free will and yet it was a total breakthrough in my hip, young life. After more than 30 years of pure ignorance and blatant narcissism, I finally return to the path of light – I gave a pint of my blood away to save the human kind. (Thud!).

Though I couldn’t really say I enjoyed the process at first, I didn’t really scream like a little girl (OK, maybe a little!). It does feel good now that I think about it. Well if I heard it right, the honorable thing I did yesterday might actually save at least three innocent lives. I thought “Wow I must be some kind of a hero”.

Life as we know it is full of unpredictability and surprises, especially when it comes to mine. I sometimes did something I wouldn’t normally do and it struck to me how compassionate can easily surpasses any of my deepest fear and wariness. I guess that’s the power of self-discovery and a little persuasion.

“Why am I here again? O. Free cookies”



Yes, I am healthy, age more than 18 and weight MORE than 45kg



What is worse than waiting? Sucking your blood out from your vein



“OK so my blood type is O, so is it less pain?”

“Sakit tak, Kak?”
“Taklah, macam kena patuk ular jer”
Gulp!

If there was one thing I brought home yesterday (other than a pack of Milo, an apple, a can of soda, a pack of chocolate cookies and self dignity still intact) is the fact that I know I am a good man.

(Yes, you may vomit now!)

Life By A Catalogue

I was at IKEA last Saturday night, but that’s not the interesting bit. (For some mysterious cosmic intervention, I didn’t make a completely fool of myself in front of anybody nor did they close the whole store for my monthly shopping spree). In fact, this post is about a dream – a dream that comes in a catalogue.




* Flipping through the catalogue often made me wonder, “When will ever they let anyone stays in their showroom?”

Any other guy would give their arms to get that cute pendant lamp, just to light up their barnyard; some might even sold their own mother to get that limited now-RM55-last-year-RM66 laundry bag with stand.

But dreamers like me would be more than happy just to get hold of its latest issue catalogue. (Tear jerker alert! This is going to be a very sad, heart tugging story)

Hang on! I did buy something from IKEA store before, thankyouverymuch! - RM6.90 door mat and let's not forgetting I had my dinner once there (RM2 Swedish Hotdog and assorted of other Exit Café’s product - RM1 Swedish Ice cream and Swedish curry puff) so please save your sympathy.

So why haven’t I moved on from that RM6.90, 2 year-old door mat?

a) The design doesn’t fit with my celebrity lifestyle?
b) I happened to be a spokesperson for Perabot Cempaka?
c) My runaway maid used to be Swedish?
d) The classic, “They are so expensive, I don’t need them”?
e) I can’t even assemble Legos and now you’re saying “furniture?”

O Please, anyone who knows me knows the answer;

d) The classic “They are so expensive, I don’t need them” – Hardly a surprise.

Even if I can find a very nice bowl that I can afford (which means after a huge discount) I’d still be hesitated. I don’t want any brand determines who I am - I can get a much cheaper bowl elsewhere. But of course then I would be sitting in my non-IKEA room banging my head on the wall all day, muttering, “stupid, stupid.”

Then why travel across the country? Well, duh, for the Swedish curry puff and the new catalogue.

a) The catalogue has a complete picture of my dream home. It inspires me to work harder now so that I can get my own place soon and re-design it any way I want - loaded with IKEA stuff, of course. That shiny pictorial mag also works wonder for my determination and does more for my motivation to succeed - so much more than buying a trinket for your TV top.

b) I sleep better at night with the catalogue in my arms and sometimes when I fantasized about something or someone it usually took place in IKEA showroom – just like in the catalogue (minus the price tag).

c) At the end, I’d be happily stack up the issue along with other issues in the living room – just to remind me I have another un-finished dream in hand. Living room is also a perfect place for a catalogue like that cause it gives a false impression to my guest that ‘I am thinking of buying something I just don’t have time’. They might also sense something eerily scream IKEA in my living room and the best part is they wouldn't know it comes with 'complimentary' tag.

See, so the trip wasn’t really a complete waste of time. At least I didn’t go home empty handed. I brought home 2008 catalogue…and some dignity.

Ho Ha Halloween!

These are the times of the year that it’s OK to pretend someone you are not and to make fun of those unfortunate, undead souls. I know it unspeakably lame but hey it’s Halloween!

Though I had only participated in this pseudo-holiday-to-celebrate-stupidity-and-inner-child night two times in my entire life, yet I still do feel goosebumps every time I hear that must songs; Ghostbusters and Unchained Melody (don’t ask!).

Sigh! It was such a fun crazy night, I swear. Not that I lost my virginity, mind you, but played dress-up gotta be the highlight of the night and you know what, I even got nice ‘rewards’ for that little effort I put up. Ehem, somehow this makes me feel like a whore, but O what I’d do for candy and chocolate bars!

Well, since we are on the subject, what was I supposed to be back then? Hell no, I am not telling. Something ‘Youtube’ worthy....maybe (hint!hint!)

Unfortunately here in Malaysia, Halloween is not openly celebrated though I can almost be certain most of the exclusive clubs around KL and big cities in Malaysia have their own private Halloween Party all planned out by now.

So what choices do we homemakers have? We are reduced to lazy TV shows like Seeker and Misteri Nusantara, that's what!

But fret no more, like a rain unto the sea, here I present to you some of the videos, claimed true and original by the sender, courtesy of a very good friend of mine, to blow your day and night away …spooky stuff! (Warning: Proceed under medical supervision. Not intended for children under 4 years old and pregnant ladies) .









Can’t believe your eyes? Creepy huh? But those are nothing. How’s this for a change?



My ‘diabolical-wicked-no-good-doer’ sister MMS-ed this horrible doctored picture of mine cause she thought that was funny…NOT! And NO that was not part of my Halloween costume I was talking about! Thankyouverymuch!!

She’ll be sorry she sent that.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Uninspired

I was staring at my computer screen, which was blank as my mind, wishing something extraordinaire would come out from the screen. OK cross that out – something genius would pop into my head and render me capable of producing a masterpiece of a post. But world-weariness has gotten the best of me.

And I hour later, I was still wishing. It was hopeless.

So I grabbed my camera and started snapping around my house, hoping something ‘interesting’ would ‘develop’ along the way on the vewfinder but still no avail. What was I thinking? I must be really crazy hoping to see something like that right? But hey, at least I have something to blog.

Anyway, nothing pitches my interest. Nothing at all.

Question of the hour: What would a bored man like me do to get the inspiration?



From people?......

Or from work?......

Or maybe from rewards?

While I let your imagination running wild I have to sleep on it.

What Makes A Man

Beyonce cancelled her show in KL because she refused to ‘cover up’. Big deal. I cancelled my dinner plan last night cause the waitress refused to take my order without a shirt on. But let’s not go there.

OK before I say something contradict, let me be clear that I am no Ms Knowles’ fan. Never was, never will (We’re not discussing that now). And I am definitely not jumping into her defense about this whole Beyonce’s fan VS Malaysian authority thing but I say I totally understand her decision. Oops did I say that out loud? I meant to say I have sort of seen this coming.

There’s a reason why she’s propagating ‘bootylicious’ image and No, it’s nothing to do with food. It’s a concept of worshipping of a woman body, curves and all, and of course skimpy clothes come in a package. I guess she feels that she wouldn’t be able to live up to the pesona she molded (and get wealthy while at it) and disappoint her fan, had she adhered the rules.

In this world we live in now, clothes make a man not the other way around. It’s no longer about covering your private parts and your worst assets. It’s a statement people make to other people on what they believe in, be it ‘I am a secure and confident business woman’ or ‘ look away or I smash your face’

And you know what? Everyday I pick my clothes to work - not from Mom or a girlfriend and I am very proud of the clothes I own and the choices I make. I am probably not the best person to talk about clothes or even moral values, but I sincerely think you should be free to wear what you want because you are entitled to choices you make in your life.

We always make such a big fuss over a piece of clothes (or lack of it) and forget that there’s more to the story than meets the eyes. Does ‘Linda Onn’ ring a bell to you? (Unless if you’ve been living under a rock). I bet she’ll go kissy kissy with Beyonce now.

People don’t like to be told what he/she should wear. I don’t like people tell me what to wear. Period.

Now I wonder if Ms Bootylicious would wear this if she's allowed here.



Wait! Shoulders are NO NO, but that would be a sight!

post script: When I saw Beyonce on the cover after having lost 20lbs., I couldn’t help but wonder, “What is she gonna do with her “old” hot body?” it would be great if she could pass it on to me!”

Ramadhan List, Raya Resolution

Today is 18th day of Ramadhan. That’s 12 days before Raya!

Questions to self:
Have I bought a New Baju Melayu for me?
Made Raya cookies for my mom?
Organized armed bank robbery for my siblings and nephew’s Duit Raya?
.......and more importantly; have I been losing weight?

If I listen closely I can almost hear a resounding NO at the end of each question.So what gives?

Well apart from the usual ‘I am too lazy/busy/cash strapped’ reasons, I do find myself un-excited, un-interested about this whole Raya thingy. Am I jaded now because I am too old to collect Duit Raya, (Wait, that was so 15 years ago) or too boring to sing along Raya songs with my guest during my open house?

When you reached at a certain age of 30s, Raya is not as much fun as, say, if you’re 10. But I learn not to be too tight up to the little Universe I am living in now. It is one of those special days where it’s ok to show to others that you are happy. So I sat down and thought hard on what I’d do differently this time that will make me happier than last year:

Hence, the list

5. Send Raya cards to at least 5 people who I haven’t spoken with for more than 1 year
4. Bake at least one type of cake/cookies for our astronauts. (Must be safe to human consumption and space-tolerable)
3. Lose at list 5kg before Raya, and gain less than 5 kg after Raya
2. Make my own ‘Mercun Buloh’ or anything 'illegal' with bamboos.
1. Record one Raya song in a CD and sell at discounted price to friends.

O and about those things I should buy, I guess I am gonna go cheap this time. After all, spending my own hard earned money won’t necessary help to boost my happiness right?

So to answer all those questions above I have a new resolution;

This year I am gonna concentrate on the human aspect of the celebration and less about material things and the very act of showing them off.

Questions, list and new resolution: I guess that’s what you have to put up with if you are jaded like me.

Hell Night

There is a special room in hell where the flames are extra hot and you must sleep sitting up. That must be how it felt like.

I can’t sleep last night.

You see my room’s window is only few inches away from the other unit’s window next door and the occupant is a family with babies. Yes babies. A set of twin. And that would be the least of my problem if it they didn’t come between my sleeps, plus you know how I feel about babies.

I know it was insensitive of me. All babies do cry sometimes. They have to. It’s a way of communicating to their parents, but must they share it with other?

Anyhow this little bundle of nerves wouldn’t stop crying until late passed 2am and I was getting agitated. I needed my beauty sleep, you know, to stay beautiful so I was being bold.

“Boss, kenapa you punya baby asyik nangis sahaja. You tak bagi makan ka? Saya tak boleh tido lah”

“Aiya, you tido sajalah, jangan kacau saya. Saya pun mahu tido.”

Sheesh. I am glad you will be in bed, because then you won’t be on the road and I won’t have to run over you when I see u.

The father not the babies.

Help! Moths Are Eating My Clothes.

At first it felt like a dream. It was like a dream. I woke up this morning feeling elated and almost dream-like. I took a hot bath, opened my designer wardrobe…



…..when suddenly it turned terribly wrong. As though my reverie capsule crashed on planet reality. I was wounded badly in this horrible nightmare.



My clothes! My shirts!…my beautiful, expensive shirt!

What horror could possibly cause this calamity?

Nooo. No no no no



Was it a rat?



Cockroaches?

O Please do not insult me. “I don’t have those disgusting creatures in my house”. It’s like a rite of passage I repeated over and over again.

Shaken and defeated, I googled ‘that-nasty-little-thing-that-eat-my-shirt-I -hope-it’ll-rot-in-hell'. And to my delights there is other possible culprit - a moth.

Yes, that's it! - a moth. That must be it. I breathed a little easier.

“But it’s not moths that cause damage, but the larvae that hatch from their eggs. Larvae look like small white caterpillars. They eat any natural fibres including wool and silk. To kill them:

1. Wash all your clothes at the highest-advised temperature.

2. Put any ‘dry-clean only’ items into a plastic bag and leave in the freezer overnight.

3. Sore items in sealed plastic bags – air them regularly. Try to keep the inside of your wardrobe dust-free and use natural repellents such as lavender oil or cedar wood ”

Having printed that out. I googled ‘that-nasty-little-thing-that-stole-my-shoes-I -hope-it’ll-rot-in-hell.

I better clean up my room as much.

Gimme MORE

"I’m very motivated by money. The only thing that would
make me happier is more money "

Simon Cowell

Of course it’s nothing earth-shattering about that, given those words came out from Son-of-the-Devil himself.

Do I find it appalling? No. Am I outraged? I doubt it. As shocking as it can be, I am kinda leaning on his side on this.

And before you call and give me those “Money Made Man Mad” or “Money Can’t Buy Happiness” speeches crap, I’ve got news for you:

I’ll trade my limbs for more money and I don’t give a rat’s ass if you think I am nuts.

Just yesterday one of my close friends posed an old-as-time question on our daily forum.

Should I choose money over security and trust?

Apparently she’s in two minds about accepting a new offer with an extra of RM1.8K or staying in her current office where she knows everyone and everyone knows her.

I’d say;

“What the hell were you thinking sister? RM1.8K extra?!!? Were you gloating or simply messing with our minds? Just grab the offer and stop whining!!

(Glad that finally got out from my system)

I've had friends who had no qualm working thousands miles away from home, middle of nowhere, just to earn few hundred ringgit more. People would do anything for more money. Even me, myself have been job-hopping for more than half a dozen times (or is it a dozen already?) just to earn enough ‘increment’ every year to support my celebrity lifestyle.

People are always drawn to that rectangular-colored-paper like a moth to the flame and sadly that’s what we are and what we will always be. So stop being a hypocrite and pretend like you can live without it, cause it’s just…sad. .

While it’s probably true (to some extend) money can’t buy happiness but surely more of it makes our lives much easier. Face it, life is hard nowadays and only more money can fix that. Call me morally challenged but I would do anything for more of that.

So in the spirit of devilish greed for MORE things; I just made a major decision in my adult life last Tuesday, (hint: something to do with MONEY). I am still not sure whether I was taking the right path but it did feel right at that moment. I am a man without a real moral compass so I guess there’s nothing much to lose, right?

Anyway, I took a liberty to post this cut-off from last Monday’s paper (NST, September, 18) to give you an idea what kind of world we live in right now.

The price of onions, potatoes, tomatoes, enriched wheat flour, instant noodles, milk, soya and fish have all shot up due to global demand, bad whether and poor harvests. The rush for bio fuels has also had a ripple effect on food prices as more and more energy producers look to corn, soya, sugar, palm oil and other agricultural produce as a source of energy.

Still think you have something mooore to say about that? Just scribble down here and enlighten me.

Ramadhan Is Here!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Assalam-o-Alaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuh

I would like to wish you and your family a very happy Ramadan.

May Allah’s grace, mercy and abundance be on you.

Best Regards,

What About Love? Part II : Don't Speed Up On Me!

The next morning, I saw her again in the elevator and I couldn’t help it.

I looked at her and felt a mixture of admiration and revulsion. She had gotten married. At forty five! It was nothing short of inspirational.

I used to walk away thinking, she’ll never get married, that she’ll live with her two dozen cats and die alone in retirement home – pretty much what I’d envision myself to be.

Then I’d go home and lie in bed, and the whole thing would come back to haunt me, until I had to call up my friends and be nasty little cat and say, “If I ever end up unmarried in my 40s, be sure to shoot me, huh?”

Well, guess what. I was wrong. She got married. He’s not the kind of guy she ever thought she’d end up with but she’s happier than she’s ever been in her life.

It’s time. Time to stop complaining about other people’s choice in love. Time to stop waiting for, non-existent, so-called true love.

Time to stop identifying with Taylor Hicks’ lousy love life even if he is on the cover of People magazine

Yes, it is finally time to think about settling down (!) and best of all now I know it can be done. So relax. I have plenty of time. I think.

O Time, please don’t speed up on me!

What About Love?

Lunch the other day.Vicious gossip with a male colleague.

We were discussing mutual friends from office, a couple. He knew the husband, I barely knew the wife. I’d never met the husband, but I have seen the wife occasionally in the elevator, but as usual, we knew everything about the situation.

“It’s going to end badly,” I said. The husband is 25-year old lowly clerk and the wife is 45-year old Senior Manager. He was a country mouse. He came in from a small town in east coast while she’s a big town girl with high-flying portfolio. He didn’t know anything about her and the next thing you know they gotten married.

I attacked my fried chicken, warming up to the subject

“No one was invited to the wedding except maybe a couple of friends from the wife’s office. It was a really small, family-only, hush hush reception”

Nobody knows for sure what really happened. How they met or what brought them together.

The wife might know there’s nothing’s ever going to really happen with her career and so she needed a trophy husband, or may be she really did want kids.

“She’s not even that attractive”. He scoffed, almost in envious tone.

“I’d say he got into this for the money”.

The other guy at the table, a corporate, doting-dad type was looking at us in horror.” But what about love?” he asked.

I looked at him pityingly. “ I don’t think so.”

Birthday's Greatest Gift : Part II

Yesterday I said:

And looking back of what I have done with my life, I realized I led a pretty damn empty life.

But today I am going to take those words back. I concurred ‘I lead a pretty damn empty life’ a bit too harsh.

I may not have all the richest in the world, the power to rule UN or fame and fortune as a lead singer of Pussycatdolls (not yet anyway!). I may not even halfway to my ultimate life dream (I’ll tell you what is it when I am already there). But one thing I have come to realize now; I do have a bunch of people who really do care about me. They are people who respect what most dear to me and love me no matter what.

I received a text message as early as 12.07am yesterday, wishing me for ‘a great health, long life and murah kan rezeki’, some even text-ed me a day earlier (ahem, my dad), just to be sure that he won’t forget because of old age and then numerous calls from friends and family wishing all the kind things for me throughout the day.

I was stumped. Never mind that they happened to have hand phones with calendar and reminder, but the very act of trying to remember something that important to me left me asking “so what more could I ask for?”

Last night my dear friends, even spent sometimes with me for dinner and I was amazed how long that I have been knowing these guys and how they stuck with me all this while. We chatted and had a great time together.

And suddenly it struck me,

Hey, maybe this is what I really want for my birthday.

Text messages, calls, cards and dinner - these are the best birthday presents ever for me and yet it's like I never knew them before.

As I was lying on my bed, I made a pact with myself,

God’s willing if I got a chance to celebrate another birthday another year, I am gonna screw the list and save just one thing;

If I had a year to live:

I am going to be a better son, be a better brother and be a better friend to someone.

Thank you guys for helping me move on. You are really my ‘bahulu cake’. With you guys, my life will never be empty.

Birthday's Greatest Gift

One thing comes to mind when I think of my childhood in a small, quiet town of Seremban: a bahulu cake.

In this time of the year, I swear I can almost smell and taste the cake.

I remember my birthdays wouldn’t be complete without my grandma’s (arwah) famous baulu cake. We can’t afford the real cake so my grandma made the birthday cake herself and my mom did the icing so that it would look just like a real one (Though the taste was hardly the same).

Our family took our birthdays seriously especially mine. I was my mom’s prized son. My mom even took a day off just to make sure I’d get a party that I want. She cooked, she cleaned and decorated the house with balloons and called all my friends over.

She said she wanted to give me something nice on my special day so that I won’t turn into cruel, mindless criminal when I grow up. I thought my mom was joking but hey, I guess it works so far.

Fast-forward 20 years later, I am still a 10-year old boy craving for my grandma’s bahulu cake and am still wanting for balloons-birthday party. I never really moved on.

Just the other day, my dad told me that birthday isn’t just about gifts, balloons and bahulu cake. It’s also about a chance you give yourself, a chance to renew your life resolution and move forward. Of course to move forward I have to look back.

And looking back of what I have done with my life, I realized I led a pretty damn empty life. There was not a single thing that I am particularly proud of.

I want a fresh start. So I took a pen and start a list:

If I had a year to live:

A renewed focus on:

1. Getting the most out of life – work harder
2. Enjoying the simple things
3. Clearing the way for calmer, less stressed routine.
4. Taking a better care of myself - physically
5. Be a better son, a better brother and a better friend to someone

And then, I stopped at no 5 because by then I felt I was fooling myself. I felt I wasn’t being sincere to myself. It’s not what I really want. I mean I want all those things other people want too. I do. It just that I don’t believe it means anything to me now.

Deeply in my heart, what I really really want right now is all those years back - complete with balloons, bahulu cake, grandma and all.

That would make the bestest birthday present ever! And that would be the day I am gonna stop wanting.

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY,ME!

The Love Affair

For someone who believes in love, I am not sure if I can say the L word, heck, I don’t even know how to show it right.

Love is such a complicated feeling that anytime I felt deeply in love I withdrawn. I don’t believe you can force love.

I feel that love shouldn’t be about whether the other feels the same way you do. It’s not about who loves the other more. It’s not about reasons behind it. It’s about how you feel.

To feel love is the biggest reward itself. You know the warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Wonderful things you see that only you can see. It’s romantic.

Love is complicated for me cause I can never admit I am in love. But today I can no longer contain this feeling. The time is right. Tomorrow is her birthday and I am gonna show my love to the world. I am gonna say it...



I LOVE YOU, MALAYSIA

…..and you know I don’t have to have reasons for this.

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY!

Things We Don't See...

Have A Heart That Never Hardens.....

I made plan this weekend and it involves charity.

Gasp! Is that possible to say Mus and charity in one sentence?

O Come on! It’s not like I am lobbying for UN Goodwill Ambassador for God’s sake! I was just thinking about showing up at Plaza Damas, Sri Hartamas this weekend.

Of course, poor people don’t shop there silly, but there'll be activities organized by err…some charitable foundation that I planned to participate, plus I got to splash paint while at it (to raise money not to sabotage).

Following the fallout of my 'Anti Flush Toilet' campaign with Greenpeace recently, I am more determined to follow through on my promise to do more charity work and what a better way to spread the joy to the world than to paint them.

If you haven’t got a clue what I am babbling about, read this:

Come celebrate Merdeka through ‘Remembering 50 Years of Nationhood with Gajah-Gajah Gallery’ at Hartamas Shopping Centre, Plaza Damas.

The event is an 18-day affair beginning on the 16th of August and ending on 2nd of September. Highlights include:

1. Six Square; an art initiative involving members of the public working 6” X 6” canvases. These canvases will be displayed for the duration of the celebration.

2. Work-in-Progress; where Gajah-Gajah Gallery artists will collaborate on a jointly-executed art piece on-site and this piece will be auctioned at the end of the celebration.

The proceeds from the projects above will go toward the Madeleine Children’s Fund (MCF), a charitable foundation to aid pediatric cancer patients in Malaysia.

Yusoff's Gajah 2007 Collection.

Work In Progress.

Exhibit by Public.

Exciting, isn’t it?

So what’s gonna stop you from coming over this weekend? Just participate in one of the activities, pay a small token as a donation and you’ll be surprise that a small act like this can actually change the world.

It’s not much and probably there’ll be a million other people richer than you that would drop millions of ringgit to them at one go, but hey why not start small? Like my mom always said:



I am not a great painter and I know I am not the best tipper around, but I know this much: You will find, as you look back on your life, that the moments that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others.

So start now.