Food

I’VE SUNSHINE IN MY POCKET

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

As I was doing a short (as in distance, not height) walk this morning, I passed by some of my neighbours who were chatting with each other.

“Wah! So leng chai”, they remarked when seeing me with my new hair colour.
“Like Hong Kong…” one lady was saying as I interrupted, “movie star”, I said.
“No lah!”, she exclaimed. “Like the Hong Kong chee chong fun seller in Court 2”, she said.

The other lady said, “Before, like one of the singers from BPS group”.
I corrected her, “You mean BTS, the Korean singing group”.

“What BTS? BPS you know” she said, sounding slightly irritated. “Batu Pahat* Seniors group”, she said.
“Oh….Okay”, I laughed and nodded, understanding.

Then, she shows me her smartphone (Known as “cell phones in some countries. But, here in Malaysia, they are known as smartphones. If you try to argue, people will give you the “Don’t try to give me the lip”).
She said that she could hardly read the time on it. When I saw the screen of her phone, smartphone that is; “10.17am” in big bold digits.

I bade them a good day and continued on my short distance walk. Judith, my other neighbour living down Road B, said that I now look orang putih. I laughed😂….must be because of my name😁.

The first few…er many moments, minutes of being 68 years young, has been great.

The morning started with an early breakfast with family – Jeannie and Laura. Though there are multiple, more like many multiple restaurants in that area in Shah Alam; Yau Yat Khan is one of the busiest for breakfast.

Then, I went for a short walk, following that, replying to the hundreds of birthday wishes from people on social media. and the smartphone…family…friends…my book fans…people I have not met…yet.

As I write this article, I am thankful for the last 68 years. During the younger days of my siblings and cousins on my father’s side, my late Grandfather, Charles Atkinson used to sayon each of his birthdays, “Completed the year, now moving into my next”. This means that I have completed my 68th year and now am into my 69th.

I look at the future, which is the next moment forward, with awe, fascination and excitement. I don’t have too clear of an idea of what lies ahead…mysterious…journey into the unknown…yet. I intend to plot the course as I go along.

What I do know is that I have an amazing family – my wife, Jeannie; my daughter, Laura and her husband, Praga; Dad and mums (including Mum Ong, my mother-in-law), siblings and their families; uncles, aunts and their families, my La Salle School mates that go way back from primary school and the teachers and the other wonderful people, too; that make each day complete. My dear friend, Keith Ganesan, who is in Tokyo this morning, sent me a message saying that we must meet for a cigar when he is back. I replied, “That’s an absolute Will Do”.

I take this opportunity to thank everyone for all their kind wishes, thoughts and remembering this day.

Life is an amazing beauty in itself. Living it is taking it to the next level.

NOTES:
1. “wah” and “lah” are some of the expressions unique to Malaysia and this part of the world. If you are not from Malaysia; come and experience this unique living experience. The lives of Malaysians are centred around the food table. Anytime is a good time to eat. Before long, you’ll be wah-ing and lah-ing away, merrily.
2. *Batu Pahat isa town in the southern state of Peninsular Malaysia

THE LAST HOURS OF 67

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

The large industrial fan is spinning incredibly furiously to cool what seems an impossible task. The sun is blazing with all its might on this Thursday 5.30pm evening. There is no indication that it is going to let up anytime soon.

As we, Jeannie and I sit here, at the Nanking coffee shop (otherwise known as a restaurant) waiting for our placed orders for our dinner and drinks to be delivered to us, we do our own thing – she on her phone doing everything office – liaising with colleagues, marketing and advertising people, and everyone else – work related.

I was hoping to whip out my phone and get cracking on this essay – which was beginning to form in my mind. However, the strap of my Bellroy bag kept releasing itself from its loop on the right side of the bag. It was a bit of a fumble to get it back in its loop.

So, in my eagerness of whipping out my phone (picture movement at lightning speed), I moved  at a much slower speed…slower than you can imagine.

And so here am I…or is it I am, writing and hoping to put some thoughts down. At the same time, basking in the last hours of being 67.

I am not too sure what it is, whether it is because I am older than I was just now; or whether it is due to my writing, blogging, researching on a subject or bit of news that I find essay writability, things… life seem different. Very different.

For instance, I got on to the idea that a moment…that is (i.e.) one single moment is more than just that. Most people would define a moment as a sort of a flash in the pan,…quicker than a second. I say, “What’s the hurry?”. People say, “Stop being in a constant rush. Take time to smell the flowers”. I say, there is more time in a moment than you think. Live it. You owe yourself that. We owe ourselves that.

We are made to believe that our lives are in a rush…rushing for this and rushing for that…if not, we will be late. Being intelligent people, we get it. However, there are those who think we need help. And we do…most of the time. Hence, the introduction of A. I. (Artificial Intelligence). Help us get things done faster…to save time…for what?

Have we decided what we are going to do with all the free time we save each day, since we’ve got the latest in technology to make our lives bliss? Maybe, just maybe, we have to go for courses to learn how to live the free time that we have additional each day.

Hang on…when did you last check to see if you have gained free time each day? Maybe, an hour a day? Three hours a week? Or with that supposed time we have saved with modern technology and other help, we’ve cramped in more stuff to do?

The point is, Life is worth the living.
Live it.
Don’t discount the value of the moment, second or minute.
There’s so much to live.

Now, to get back to my food. My Sarawak Kolo mee (1) looks delicious. And the Coca-Cola in an ice-filled glass, thirst quenching. Jeannie’s finished her tou sa pau (2) and teh o kosong panas (3).

NOTES:
1. Sarawak kolo mee is an iconic Malaysian dish consisting of springy egg noodles tossed in lard, shallot oil, and light soy sauce, generously topped with char siew (barbecued pork) and minced pork. In Subang Jaya, there are several highly recommended local spots to enjoy this savory, authentic specialty.
2. A classic Chinese steamed bun featuring a pillowy, soft, and slightly sweet exterior packed with a rich, smooth red bean paste filling. wikipedia
3. Hot black tea without sugar refers to a hot tea brew served without any milk, creamer, or sugar. This drink is commonly served in local Mamak restaurants or coffee shops by steeping a tea bag or tea powder in hot water.

A boat made from a 3-D printer. The wonders of technology.

BE YOURSELF NO MATTER WHAT

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

HAVE YOU TRIED BEING YOURSELF? I MEAN JUST BEING YOU?
WHEN YOU REALLY THINK OF IT, MOST PEOPLE TRY TO BE SOMEONE ELSE THEY AREN’T NOW.

PERHAPS, TO
PORTRAY A BETTER VERSION OF THEMSELVES.
THAT IN ITSELF IS GOOD.
WE HAVE TO STRIVE TOWARDS THAT.

HOWEVER, NEVER LOSE THE PERSON YOU ARE.
BE YOURSELF NO MATTER WHAT.
THERE WILL BE SOME WHO ADORE YOU AND
SOME WHO WILL HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU.
BUT WHO CARES?

ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE THAT RISK?
IT’S YOUR LIFE.
MAKE THE MOST OF IT.
LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST.

~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller

IF YOU THINK YOU CAN, YOU CAN…AT TARUMT

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

Years ago, if a person was to say that she or he had graduated from Tunku Abdul Rahman College or more popularly known as T.A.R. College; you may have guessed that the person had to be an accountant or something related to that field. Some of Malaysia’s best accountants and business management professionals were graduates from T.A.R. College.

T.A.R. College has been elevated to university status and is now T.A.R.U.M.T., or Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology. It is located in a very pleasant and conducive part of Kuala Lumpur. When I drove in to the campus, I was immediately impressed with the uncluttered-ness of its layout. It made me feel comfortable, a place where I could think and put thought to paper (old school instead of one of those everyday screen devices that most people are strapped to).

I was here, at TARUMT (without the dots after each letter) to share a presentation to a group of young adults – the next generation of Malaysian and world leaders to be. My presentation, IF YOU THINK YOU CAN, YOU CAN; was with the hope of inspiring these leaders, yes, each and everyone of them (most of them don’t know it…yet); to move from “all’s good to wonderful” or “good to great”.

Among this future generation of leaders were two who aspire to be Prime Minister of Malaysia, of which one is a lady. This is a great start. Instead of using the “anything is possible” phrase, I believe that almost everything is possible. It won’t just happen magically. They have to have their gameplan to make it happen.

With a well thought out gameplan, Malaysia could see a mindset change in its political landscape. The current administration has already raised the bar for Malaysians to have a better Malaysia. These students can help Malaysia grow for Malaysians even further, placing Malaysia on a larger and more prominent stage for world peace.

A student, who approached me after my presentation shared her passion to be a baker of cakes. She is studying accountancy. Her family has high expectations for her to be an accountant.

However, she has a bigger love for stirring and mixing cake-mix dough than churning numbers out on computers and calculators. I suggested for her to do both, be a baker accountant or accountant baker and see where that takes her to… the next level in her future. She could start an accountant style themed cafe that would attract people of the same profession to gather over some of the most delicious cake baked by a top notch accountant, coffee or tea, and discuss financials and strategies. She was excited about the idea.

The presentation went well. It whetted the appetites of these next generation leaders from being just getting by or all’s good, to great, wonderful. It also shows that there is a lot more work needed to stimulate and create a definite mindset shift that the future depends on them – the future leaders of Malaysia…the region…the world.

This lady, said she was nervous as it was her first time being an M.C. for an event like this, for that matter; any event. I thought she did a great job.

IT’S EVERYBODY’S BIRTHDAY TODAY!

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

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!

COUSINS: 60 YEARS, THEN AND NOW

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

Technology – isn’t it a marvel. You want it and yet you don’t want it. Can live without it and yet we can’t.

Sometimes we wonder, which do we want more, the air we breathe or technology.

If you had a hairline fraction of a second to decide without any margin for error , which would you choose? The jury’s out on this.

Amid the Happy Meals, burgers, soda drinks, coffee, tea, were children. Us and yes, the young ones, too.

In our family, birthdays are not taken lightly. Meaning, we are grateful for them. They are celebrations in gratefullness for the gift of life…

O.k. o.k., truth be told. Birthdays and their celebrations are a major part of our lives and have been so for as long as we can remember.

On this day, it was in celebration for Dato’ Sri Ronald and Datin Sri Debbie Gomes’ grandson, Xander’s (Wow! That’s quite a few apostrophes in one sentence) first birthday.

It was a marvelous gathering of his and her siblings and their families, and us; Christopher (cousin) & Evelyn and their son, Brandon; and Jeannie and I (cousin).

McDonald’s, where family reunites (New tagline?). 3 generations – grandparents, grand uncles & aunties (we are in that group), children and their children (Xander’s gereation).

Xander most likely was not too sure what all the fuss was and what was going on, but he played along to make everybody happy – a gracious host.

It was an opportunity to reconnect or rekindle relationships, cousinships and family (no ships here), especially with Ronald’s siblings and their families.

Cousins, left to right: Me, Alan; Leticia, Lavenia (on Leticia’s left); Luvenia, Benjy, Luvenia’s husband; and Christopher.

With Johnny, Leticia’s husband; as he becomes an owner of the book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT, authored by me.

EPIC! This is definitely one for the album. Here, our cousins (from left to right) Leticia, Lavenia, Luvenia and Geraldine were with Jennifer (4th from left, and I; 3rd from left). This picture was taken in the garden of our Section 5 house, us sitting on the flowerbed box, right outside the living room. On my 65th birthday in July, 2023;I went down memory lane , taking Jeannie and Laura on a short sightseeing trip of all the houses I lived in P.J.. This house remains almost unchanged when comparing to that visiting day and when this picture was taken over 60 years ago.

Cousins, then ↑, and now:

Cousins, right to left: Luvenia, Lavenia, Leticia; and me, Alan. Not in this picture are Geraldine who resides in Australia; and Jennifer, who passed in 2019.

As we get older, some of us have a busier schedule than ever before. While work may not come to the immediate forefront, our immediate families do. Perfectly understandable.

In today’s technological marvel of gadgetry screens from half a square inch to the 100-inch 16k QLED+++ tv screens (got meh? If no got, then coming soon…😉); to the ultra-cinematic screens that is all around you, top and bottom, which immerses you within the picture / movie; they consume our time more and more. Which leaves less and less time for anything else. After all, each day has 24 hours or 1,440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds only.

Living in the present, how we jostle for time depends on decisions we make. How we prioritize our time, and place in the order of importance who or what is important to us – is a continuous decision-making process. To a large extent, people are surrendering their decision-making to modern technology, all in the name of making life easier. They seem to willingly let technology tell them what to do.

In the meantime, let us focus on building stronger, better relationships with our families, friends with humans.