YOU WILL GET YOU TO WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.
TWO THINGS YOU MUST REMEMBER WHEN
YOU WANT TO DO THIS:
1. IT IS IMPERATIVE TO KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.
2. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT IT WILL ULTIMATELY BE
YOU WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR ARRIVING AT YOUR DESTINATION.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
IF YOU’RE A PERSON WITH BIG DREAMS, GO FOR IT!
DON’T JUST WISH FOR IT.
BE READY TO PAY THE PRICE THAT COMES WITH IT.
YOU WILL COME ACROSS STUMBLING BLOCKS AND PEOPLE WITH ALL THE FACTS OF WHY YOUR DREAMS WON’T WORK.
DON’T LET SMALL THINKING CUT YOUR DREAMS
DOWN TO SIZE.
FAINT HEART WINS NO FAIR LADY.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
He said, “You look good. Keep it permanent.” – Comments / statements from my dad.
Jeannie and I visited with my mum and dad yesterday. One of the new moments we brought to greet them was my new hair colour, which my hairstylist, Sam; did for me.
I was kind of expecting a spike in dad’s & mum’s Blood Pressure readings when they saw my hair colour.
My mum’s reaction was “What’s the fuss about?” Luckily, she still recognised me.😁😂 My mum was / is(?) generally quite conservative.
My dad was a military man. In his hay day, everything was done with military function style. My brothers and I had the same type clothes, shoes, haircuts, etc. A few weeks before Christmas, each year; we had Mr Magoo (1); come over to our house, take clothes measurements for my three brothers (yes, young [still is] Malcolm included) and myself; to make new clothes for us. Same shirts and trouser slacks. Style / fashion: my father’s choice.
“Mr. Magoo” usually known by his real name, “Wing San” (if I got that right); was an old (and I mean really old) Chinese tailor who wore thick magnifying glasses for spectacles, that made his eyeballs look very large and bulging. My brothers and I worried about his measurement taking because of his eyesight. He always had a measuring tape hung around his neck (like all tailors). He’d come with two cloth material samples – 1 for the shirt and 1 for the trousers. Which meant our choice, which actually was dad’s choice, was limited to the samples Mr. Magoo brought.
To be fair, looking at him, he was Mr. Magoo. And he looked like he could be bullied…like Mr. Magoo. But this guy was 1 tough nut… and he knew his stuff.
My sister, Jennifer; somehow, escaped the regimented style fashion. The four boys got the same shoes and haircuts, too.
The late Uncle Ernie Freeman, and his wife; helped influence dad to relax with military style of doing things. This included flaring the trouser bottoms a bit…then became wider as Aunty Val (Surin) and the late Uncle Jeffrey (Surin, Aunty Val’s husband) would tell us, “do first” and see if it will get past dad’s attention. All that is now 50 year old history.
Over the years, especially in the more recent ones, dad has supported us, all the members of our family in all we do. He will give his views and suggestions and supports our decisions. When I wanted to publish my book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT (now published); he said, “Go ahead and publish it. You are a good writer”.
His is the story – the first chapter of the book. As I read that chapter, his chapter; I am glad I wrote it. Get a copy of the book to know what is in the first chapter.
Both, mum and he were fiercely independent people, right up to fairly recently. Now, they have to depend on aids .
This is how it is, I guess, when people get older. They need to be cared for, not out of pity. They don’t want your pity. They don’t want your probable condescending views.
Elderly people want to be treated like people. They, like you and me; are social beings. They need to interact with other people.
So, yeah; I still update dad and mum with the things we do. Granted, they may not be up to specs with the high, break-neck speed of today’s everyday living. Do I need their approval? No. But including senior citizens in your thought process before your decision making, means they are not forgotten. It means they are respected.
I still remember what my late grandmother told me over 40 years ago, “Slow, slow, catch monkey”. She was already my grandmother then (grey hair and stuff like that). She knew what she was talking about.
“Keep it permanent” – that’s what dad said. I can gel with that.
THERE ARE PEOPLE. AND THEN, THERE ARE PEOPLE. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO CAN’T STAND TO
SEE THE SUCCESS OF OTHERS.
THEN AGAIN,
THEY WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE THEIR OWN.
YOU WILL BE CRITICIZED BY
SOMEONE WHO IS DOING LESS.
THE ANECDOTE:
THANK THEM.
BE GRATEFUL THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE
TAKING NOTICE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
SMILE, AND KEEP ON DOING
WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
Today is my birthday. It is the Batik Influencer’s, Joey’s, Chen Yao’s, Joanne’s, Sarah’s, Kenny’s, Hannah’s, Michelle’s, Ray’s… birthday, too.
Happy Birthday, everyone!
The seventh day of Chinese New Year is also known as 人日 (renri), or “yan yat” in Cantonese (literally translates to “human day“) or “ren qi” in Mandarin. It is supposed to be everyone’s birthday today, so everyone grows one year older and wiser on this day.
Have fun!
EACH AND EVERY SITUATION WILL CHANGE YOU
AS A PERSON,
EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T REALISE IT.
YOU ARE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT RESPONSIBLE AS TO HOW YOU HANDLE THEM.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
THE FUNNY THING ABOUT GETTING OLDER IS THAT YOU BECOME SUPERMAN.
YOUR EYESIGHT STARTS GETTING WEAKER BUT
YOU GAIN X-RAY VISION;
YOUR ABILITY TO SEE THROUGH PEOPLE
BECOMES MUCH BETTER.
YOU ARE DEFINITELY ONE OF A KIND.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
The meet – La Salle@75.
January 8th – one of the most unique days – I’ve experienced only 67 of them so far… Looking forward to experiencing at least another 67 of them in the coming years. Woohoo!
January 8th is the most unique day of this year because it showed up only once and is not expected to show up again. You probably will ask, “What’s the big deal? Each and every day of this year will make an appearance only once this year, too”. True.
What makes it even more unique as in every date day is that there has never been a date repeat in history.
However, we can’t tell how the future will look at time in particular. People in the future may slow down the measurement of time by adding more seconds, minutes, hours, or even days in a year.
Coming back to January 8th, 2026 – it was more than just an ordinary day for 5 guys, including me who share a common nucleus: we are all from La Salle School Klang, 1975, now into our 51st year.
It all started with Harry, who came up from Singapore (1), wanting to try out the electric train.
While the train was modern, comfortable and fitted with the spoils for comfort, it did break down about 45 minutes into the journey. So much for EVs.
Harry got to KL eventually, without further drama. He hopped into another train where he got off at Klang.
He made an invitation to all the La Salle ’75ers, an invitation of sorts – a choice of any of the 3 dates (or all?) to meet with him for breakfast, lunch, dinner. I chose lunch January 8th. And so did 3 others – Chee Leong, Jason and Termizi.
I’ve not met some of those attending the January 8th lunch in multiple (more than many😃) years.
However, we hit it off from the word “Go”. We may not have met in person in recent years, but we were always connected through our WhatsApp group.
We met at a prominent hotel in Setia Alam (2). Harry, Jason and Chee Leong were already there when I arrived.
Jason was the logistics organizer – lunch, coffee, afternoon, coffee, movie, dinner, and massage. Setia Alam Mall was his “playground”. He knew every store, restaurant and entertainment outlet there because he lived in a condo which was part of the shopping mall complex. He had everything mapped out for us, with additional options if we were up to it. It looks like we will have to meet up with him more often to experience all that he recommends worth trying out.
I think what was interesting was that we hardly spent much time reminiscing about school days. We had some fleeting moments, yes; that was it. Most of the time spent, we talked about our lives in the present and what we would like the future to be for us.
Harry is on the hunt for a possible life-long lady relationship. Single, available, a good catch, young (we all are – we are the same age), suave, good sense of humour, o.k. with bak-ku-teh being his staple meal, loves travelling, and for the up-market feel – he has a Singapore address.
His whole week spent on this side of Malaysia, had a trail blaze of photographs. Who knows? He may display his photographs in an exhibition solely for his works. Keep a look out for it.
Chee Leong spends most of his time showing workers on his 50 acre palm oil estate, the ropes in maintaining the trees and land, ensuring good yield from the trees. He even shows his workers first-hand, how to cut the grass….then he does it himself (that’s what he says) – a perfectionist. The payoff is he looks very fit – watches his food intake, etc… but mainly cuts grass – not sure if he cuts the grass on all 50 acres – whatever it is, he sure is enjoying himself.
Termizi, from the very second he met us, he was talking business deals, one after another; non-stop. He is planning to introduce a very attractive Japanese lady (he showed us her picture) to Harry. I was trying to figure out when did he even have a moment to catch his breath. Termizi is a sort of DJ too – he sends videos and songs that brings back good memories to all of us in our La Salle@75 Whatsapp group chat. We know he puts in a good amount of time in research for music that will resonate with the guys and Mr. Michael Xavier (our teacher), who is also in this group. We guys are blessed with Mr. Xavier’s presence. His famous daily greeting is, “Good morning guys and take care”.
And yes, We did go for a movie – Avatar, the latest in its series – all of over 3 and half hours worth. It was interesting – gizmos, tech, colour – futuristic. My favourite character of the whole movie was Varang, starred by Oona Chaplin. I thought she was cute. The show ended after half eight in the evening. We ended the evening on that note.
There is a space of 50 years +1 (into out 51st) from the time we left (today’s term used is “graduated”) school till now. We all wear the La Salle Secondary School badge without physically having it on, yet we wear it proudly. Thanks, guys; for the wonderful time we had on this day.
Remembering CHARLES ROZARIO (BIJOU) – La Salle@75, 12th January, 2026
NOTES:.
Jeannie, the Batik Influencer; and I, Alan, also recogniZed as the Hatted Writer: wish all you wonderful people – our family and friends the world over
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
WE WISH 2026 TO BE JOYFUL ALWAYS,
PROSPEROUS ALWAYS AND PEACEFUL ALWAYS!
IT CAN BE. IT STARTS WITH YOU AND ME.
Just received a container (bottle?) of pineapple jam tarts and another container of cheese fingers – both absolutely homemade – for sure. These are no ordinary pineapple jam tarts. These are top-of-the-line, best-est pineapple jam tarts around town (here I mean Subang Jaya, Pee Jay (also known as Petaling Jaya or P.J.) (1) and Kay El (Kuala Lumpur or K.L.) (2). The cheese fingers are great, too.
It all started when I got a text message from my cousin, Rachel Jacques, “Merry Christmas Alan and Jeannie. I want to send you some pineapple jam tarts. Was thinking of you when I was making them”. My reaction was “Wow!”.
Thinking of me when she was making them. What a way to start Christmas morning, receiving this wonderful message.
Jeannie and I took a short drive to Mid-Valley Shopping Mall (3) for brunch and to pick up a couple of things. “Short drive” means the distance is the same as always but the drive was a breeze with hardly any traffic on the Federal Highway.
We were in Klang (4) a couple of hours or so later, to celebrate and bask in the joy of Christmas with the Atkinson family, a tradition of sorts for as long as I can remember.
Must do, have to do or want to do. We want to do. For us, the family gathering together on this joyous occasion is one of the best gifts we can give and get from one another.
Being in the presence of one another, sending family waves to each other, says it all. In this day and age, it is becoming more challenging for us to meet one another. Almost everybody face- screens each other. Terror one, two and three. Don’t play play. (Actually can). (5)
Jeannie and I were the earliest to arrive at dad’s and mum’s house, so we were able to have some 2-on-2 (Jeannie & I, and Mum & Dad 😁) time with mum and dad. I was about to say, “We gotta spend time with Mum & Dad” – the American way. However, “gotta” in this context means we have to make the extra effort.
They were watching a musical show on tv. Mum was in her element, singing along with many of the carols. She sang soprano and could hold her notes and timing pretty well. Dad was as usual, in choir conducting mode – “conducting the choir”.
The rest of the family, including my neice, Ashley (Terence’s & Mabel’s daughter), who was on holiday from Europe; arrived shortly after.
Jeannie got a chicken sort of dish prepared though the high tea was catered. Uma made a wicked (awesomely awesome) Shepherd’s pie, Mexican style, complete with cachos.
The food was great the evening was great, most of all – the whole family coming together was great.
Jeannie and I headed to the Archibalds for dinner. We arrived a few minutes ahead of 7.30pm. Most of their guests were already there, meaning the phrase “typical Malaysia time” was waning. Punctuality here meant being earlier than the stipulated time.😁
Patrick’s and Hazel’s guest list was a bit unusual, a first; at least to me. There were about 20 guests.
The “main star” of each family that was there, was a person that was a godchild of theirs. Jeannie and I were a bit modified. Patrick and Hazel were witnesses to our daughter, Laura’s marriage. Can I say this was a “themed” dinner?
I found out that some of them were from Klang in their schooling days – all of whom were great fans of mum’s (my mother, better known as Mrs. Atkinson) butter cake. They grew up with mum’s butter cakes at birthdays and other celebrations.
The mix & match (if there was such a thing for food at dinner) of dishes (not just empty dishes but with food on them😉😀) at dinner was pretty good. If I had to choose one that was my very favourite for the evening; it would have had to be the cutlets.
Christmas Day came and went. Like that lah! (Malaysian expression).
At the Atkinsons on Boxing Day
“Boxing Day”, the day after Christmas; was one of the most important dates in the Christmas season in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Besides boxing each other (which we were made to believe, yet had no idea why. No google and ChatGBT back then.), it was “Open House” at the Atkinsons of Klang.
The morning usually began early (it should… after all it is the “morning”), with family members from the Atkinsons and Gomes clans – uncles, aunties, cousins and lots more being the first to visit. Our neighbours and friends made up the rest. The boys of La Salle Klang and the girls from HIJ Convent Klang made up the next big number of visitors. We also had many visitors from other states in Malaysia, as well as visitors from abroad that added blessings to our family.
Open House at Jalan Ladang (where we used to stay), quite often lasted non-stop for 2 to 3 days. Food flowed. Drinks flowed. Throughout the time – always. Music played 24 hours, non-stop, almost. The time when the music stopped was because it had reached the end of a vinyl record, or open-reel tap-deck, or cassette tapes. Turn it over to the flip side, and continue with the music.
The house was a big house with a lot of land, including a badminton court. It was amazing how we accommodated so many people with so many people over the two to three day hive of activity. But we did. The La Salle guys from my late brother Nigel’s, Terence’s, Malcolm’s and my batch; my late sister, Jennifer’s classmates and schoolmates of HIJ Convent, our cousins – they all reminisce about the great times they always had with us during our Christmas Open House and other times, too. We lived near La Salle School, which meant our home was a natural stopover for the boys. We always had fun – kaw kaw (6) maximum.
Fast forward to today – we may have never appreciated the time we had as much as we appreciate them now. I wonder if appreciation is quantifiable – if we add the energy of our appreciation now to the time we were living in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Today’s world is commandeered by the screen in front of us, be it the smartphone, tablet, computer big-screen. With the introduction of A.I. and ChatGBT, many people have willingly surrendered their rights to think and make decisions – to technology. Make no mistake – at the apex of technology is still helmed by human. Can you imagine another “the Martians Are Coming” (7).
While technology and all the gizmos that come with it are exciting and mostly helpful when used appropriately, they are tools to help our everyday life, instead of our everyday life becoming enslaved to these devices. I love tech and all it has to offer, but I won’t trade human-ness for them.
Let the spirit of being with people continue to be the magic of Christmas.
NOTES:
1. Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya are cities in Selangor, the west central state of Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysia.
2. Kuala Lumpur, the capital, is a bustling, ultra modern, cosmopolitan city of Malaysia.
3. One of the largest shopping malls in Malaysia, Mid-Valley Megamall is located in Kuala Lumpur.
4. Klang, is officially the royal city of Selangor.
5. Don’t play play actually means seriously, or this is serious.
6. Kaw kaw means strong or concentrated. Kaw is usually associated with coffee. Kaw Kaw would mean absolutely maximum. He got a reprimanding kaw kaw for the multiple errors he made in his work assignment.
7. “The Martians Are Coming” usually refers to the panic caused by Orson Wells” 1938 radio adaption of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, presented as fake news bulletins, but it’s also a popular phrase in sci-fi.
