“THE BORROWER IS THE SLAVE TO THE LENDER”
– A STATEMENT FROM A WISE BOOK.
PARENTS / CHILDREN DO NOT EQUATE AS ATMs.
THEY ARE ALSO NOT YOUR EMERGENCY NOR RETIREMENT FUND.
LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS.
BUILD YOUR OWN WEALTH.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU FIND THAT PEOPLE
LESS QUALIFIED THAN YOU,
ARE DOING THE THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO DO,
SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF?
YOU BELIEVING IN YOURSELF IS THE ABILITY TO MOVE ON, DEPENDING ON HOW HIGH YOUR
SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-RESPECT IS.
IT IS ALSO YOUR WILLINGNESS TO FEEL
AWKWARD AND UNCOMFORTABLE
WHEN YOU TRY SOMETHING NEW;
REGARDLESS OF WHAT OTHERS MAY THINK.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
It was mid-afternoon or evening. I think it really depends on each individual, how they would describe that time of the day. It may seem fanciful or even “up-market”. Or maybe…the sun began to feel its tiredness of the day, and go down; thus, turning the stage over to the night, moon and stars. I had just picked my wife from work, and the usual question, “What shall we have for dinner?”
We were in Subang Jaya. One would think we are spoilt for choice when it comes to food and restaurants. And we are.
However, after a long day at the office (anywhere can be your office), most people look forward to unwinding and relaxing. Choosing a place can be winding and un-relaxing.
Another criteria was that the restaurant had to be air-conditioned. The sun’s rays has been pelting down on us relentlessly and our humidity-o-meter has the pointer needle shooting way past maximum. (Some drama, I know. A bit of drama to accentuate the situation).
The easiest, fastest and more convenient place for food, and with air-conditioning to go for was McD’s.
We got to USJ 10, Taipan, within a few minutes. After circling around looking for a slot to park a car, we were successful. In our second round; we got a spot right in front of New Nanking which was closed for the day.
When we got into McD’s, Taipan USJ 10, Jeannie headed for the big order screen, the type that you have to profusely scroll up and down, and, left and right, to make our orders. I got ourselves a table near the McCafe (coffee area?) section.
While waiting for Jeannie, I watched this bubbly-spirited waiter greet each and every customer, thank them for coming by; even when most of the customers did not return his greetings or kindness. Here, I think the customers themselves, are not used to be treated with kindness, with respect, with pleasantness, so much so that they don’t expect to get it from anyone. And if they did get it, they won’t know how to respond.
Today, Hazeem, added a bit of a spark in Jeannie’s and my life, and to all those other customers who had the opportunity of receiving his greetings, great customer service and kindness.
McD’s has a feather in its cap by having Hazeem as a member of their staff. We need more people like Hazeem to brighten the day of people who are usually carrying with them the day’s heavy-burden.
It was nice meeting you, Hazeem. See you again soon.
\NOTES:
1. Apa mau makan? is Bahasa Malaysia for “What would you like to eat?”
YOU WORK HARD TOWARDS YOUR SUCCESS…AND ACHIEVE IT.
SUCCESS IS A HABIT.
YOU HAVE TO STAY DISCIPLINED TO MAINTAIN SUCCESS.
I WILL BE CONSISTENT.
ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
One of life’s greatest gifts in life that I have received is to be “DAD”.
This “gift” of fatherhood does not deminish over time. Instead, it gets brighter.
One would think that after having gained experience of being “dad/ daddy / father” for around 24 years, I would know everything there is to know about that role. Heck no! It’s a constant learn – as – you – go – along. It is like setting out a route or drawing a map as each day comes.
Whatever it may be, I have had and am still having an amazing time of my life being the father of my daughter.
Wishing Happy Father’s Day to all dads, our heroes in life, protector, provider and promoters of your families. You have done well. God bless you!
IMAGINE WITH ALL YOUR MIND THAT
YOU CAN ACHIEVE WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT.
JUST IMAGINE.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
Our Tudor neighbourhood is how our Tudor neighbourhood is today. Safe, peaceful, organized – some of the praises that our little enclave constantly receives from other neighbourhoods or visitors that come by.
A little description of the Tudor neighbourhood. Situated in the South-West of USJ Subang Jaya, it consists of several rows of similar design (originally). “USJ” is short for UEP Subang Jaya. “UEP” is short for United Estate Plantations.
The Tudor Residents Association was formed about 15 years ago. One of the founders of this association was Jasmindar (Jas) Singh.
Fast forward to today: Jas passed away a few days ago on June 10th, 2025. The news came as a shock to family, friends and to all us, neighbours.
I am not writing this essay because Jas and I were best friends. We were not the best of buds. Our friendship began when we were neighbours in 1990. We lived in “Block E” of the SS19/3A Apartments in Subang Jaya. His unit was on the ground floor, mine was the top floor which was level 5. I had to walk past his apartment to go to and from my unit. We were good friends from that time itself.
At the Tudor Residents Association, Jas held various positions when it came to election of the EXCO committee at each annual elections. He always volunteered his services. He spearheaded several clean-up “gotong royong” with the residents in our neighbourhood.
He also had very close rapport and worked well with the Subang Jaya Town Council and also the Assemblyperson for Subang Jaya.
Jas was not a seat warmer. He sprung into action from the word “go” and never stopped, to get all projects that he was committed to initiated, successfully implemented and completed.. He was relentless at getting the work done, and never did them in half-measures.
He was also stubborn and refused to budge from his views as to how things should be done. It would be wrong to say that he was stubborn as a mule because he was more stubborn than a mule.😉😁
All that Jas did for the USJ 4/3 & 4/4 neighbourhood, he did without seeking fame and name. Like many of the past and present EXCO committee members, he wanted our community to be happy, pleasant, safe, and clean.
Somewhere, in the middle of last week, I think it was a Wednesday afternoon, while I was on my usual daily 10 kilometer walk (making several laps around the Tudor area), I met with Jas. He looked so calm and peaceful. He remarked, “The weather now is good for your walk”. Little did I realise that it would be the last I would see of him.
He may be gone now, but will not be forgotten. Rest In Peace, Jas.
CONFIDENCE IS CONTAGIOUS!
BELIEVE THAT YOUR POTENTIAL IS ENDLESS.
BELIEVE AND IT WILL BE.
YOU WILL DO GREAT THINGS REGARDLESS OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE.
THE MAN WHO IS CONFIDENT IN HIMSELF, GAINS THE CONFIDENCE OF OTHERS.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
LIVE CHEAP BY THE MOTTO,
“THE BORROWER IS THE SLAVE TO THE LENDER”,
AND YOU WILL ALWAYS STRIVE TO LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
YOU WERE BORN TO WIN.
BUT TO BE A WINNER, YOU MUST HAVE A GAMEPLAN… TO WIN.
LEARN TO SIT BACK AND OBSERVE.
THEN,
PREPARE TO WIN.
EXPECT TO WIN.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
