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LOCAL ELECTIONS, TUDOR STYLE

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

When you hear Tudor, what comes to mind? Tudor, England; houses with thatched leaf / hay / straw roofs; white walls with black lines drawn on them. The weather would be semi-gloomy to cool-cold, the roads (yes “roads”. Not “streets”. We are talking about England of Great Britain, not U.S.A.), narrow and winding, carved and dividing miles and miles of green countryside. Tudor USJ 4 – close.

Tudor USJ 4 is a small village of 224 households. Nestled in Subang Jaya, a bustling city of the state of Selangor, Malaysia; it is within a stone’s throw (you have to be strong to throw a stone to reach the destination you want) distance to reach your favourite makan-makan restaurants, cafes and grocery shops. A few minutes drive away will take you to the town centre where you are spoilt for choice when it comes to food. With this choice begs the question, “What do you want to eat?” Spoilt for choice causes confusion.

The Residents’ Association EXCO committee planned a gathering of residents today to hold Elections for new office bearers. This was to be the real local elections.

We had a couple of tents set up within the vicinity of Tudor homes. The area was surrounded by plants and it sort of gave us the feeling of being with nature. 😀

First to be there were the current committee. Then, the other residents started streaming / walking / strolling in. By 10.00am, we had a quorum to start the meeting.

The first of the residents to sign in.

The first item on the agenda was that we observed a minute’s silence for the late Alice Kang, who passed away when she became a victim of a fire that broke out in her house. Her husband, Peter; is recovering in hospital. The community was shocked by this fire incident and deeply saddened by Alice’s demise. We hope for Peter’s speedy recovery.

Residents going through the agenda, Minutes of our last AGM, the financial statements and other matters.

We, then proceeded with the other items on the agenda. The chairman, Deputy Chairman and the Secretary, took to the floor, and fielded questions mainly about our neighbourhood security and the need to continue to support the Residents’ Association by paying subscriptions on time. The treasurer took to the floor to state that subscriptions were collected to cover the cost of security and other items that aid in the security. Currently, there is a shortfall in collection due to 15% not paying and 26% not paying on time. Those on the floor, encouraged residents to help promote to their immediate neighbours the need to pay subscription fees and to pay them on time.

We soon came to the part where everybody was waiting for (I think😉). Elections of new office bearers for 2024 – 2025. The fun part was those nominating office bearers worked hard to convince the nominees why they should stand for elections and if elected, they should accept the positions. On the other hand, the nominees gave every reason in the book (and out of it) why they did not want to accept nomination.

With the democratic process firmly in place; a new team of office bearers were finally elected. Congratulations are in order for the new 2024 – 2025 EXCO team. It would be a challenge to continue from the high level of dedication and work set by the immediate past EXCO team and those before. The bar has been set and the new team has its work cut out for them.

With a smile like that, how not to be nominated and elected Chairman. He finally accepted, returning unopposed.

The most high tech, overly environmentally friendly, no batteries needed, especially the types found in E.V.s – the same type that damages the environment during its manufacturing process, no need for solar power; very simple white board, with multiple, countless use and re-use capabilities. On display, are the chosen ones for 2024 – 2025.

ALWAYS YOUR CHOICE

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

Friday – morning before the afternoon. Jeannie and Laura are on leave from work for the lunar new year (known as Chinese New Year [C.N.Y.]) holidays in Malaysia. The traffic was somewhat more than half, yesterday; meaning that many people have already left for their hometowns just to beat the expected long traffic jams, on the highways.

That is the “secret”. People leave a day or two earlier to avoid the jams and aim at coming back a day or two earlier. Picture this: they quietly leave home to get on the highway. Why is it a secret? It is because everyone thinks they are getting an upper hand on the next person to beat the jam. The only thing is that when get on the highway (“freeway” for the Americans), the traffic is at near crawling speeds – everyone else had privy to that “secret”, too.

back to the “Friday, morning before noon”. Breakfast. Laura is out already. Which left Jeannie and I with the question, “What do you want to eat?” But before that question was asked, I decided that we go to A.Y.C., an Indian restaurant, near our house. A. Y. C.’s tagline is “Always Your Choice” – catchy. Jeannie just noticed their tagline a few days ago. This tagline has always been there, however we never took notice of it until recently. Now, whenever we past the restaurant, the tagline will almost always be the first thing we notice on their signboard.

Parking our car is relatively easy around A.Y.C. and its neighbouring shops in the mornings. As we walk in to the restaurant, the food is lined up on either side of the passage. I saw the “doughnut” (donut for those unsure of the spelling) vadai and the bean vadai, both favourites of mine; on the right row of food. I told Jeannie I wanted one of each. I saw this fluffed up bread called “puri” on the left and wanted that, too. It was the last one on their tray. It was already nearing 11.00am so it is understandable that the breakfast offerings was almost all cleared. The restaurant would start preparing for the lunch crowd. From the dishes they had just laid out, it looked like it was going to be a vegetarian affair. The food looked good.

Jeannie chose a currypuff for her bites. A.Y.C.’s currypuffs are really tasty. The fillings are made from potatoes, marinated in spices, which does make the potatoes spicy, but not too spicy.

We both ordered iced coffees, Jeannie’s was with milk and sugar; mine was black, without sugar.

Simple breakfast. The doughnut vadai (vadai with the hole in the centre [polo?]), bean vadai, currypuff and puri which came with a sort of potato side condiment.

Our breakfast was good. We were relaxed, sitting at a table towards the rear of the restaurant, facing outwards. We always like to face out and watch the world go along with its activities.

I did get quite a few side glances and quick stares. People don’t seem to get to see other people wearing hats, let alone tartan flat hats out to breakfast. I maybe starting a trend for others to follow, who knows.

We were soon back home, as Jeannie then had to go to her mother’s place to help cook the CNY reunion dinner for this evening. At the time this article was getting done, Laura was already at Jeannie’s mother’s place.

Happy Chinese New Year’s eve and reunion dinner to all those celebrating the lunar new year festivities.