MERDEKA – A NEW NATION AT 68

As the weekend approaches, the atmosphere begins to lighten up a bit. Stress (for those who have it) seems to be offloading itself into the corners of the work week, people become more at ease…somehow, we can hear music… and it’s getting louder… lively music…dance music…. Then, reality hits…We are stuck in a Friday stall…crawl, jam. But it doesn’t hurt to set the mood…

We are happy… or at least relieved some what that the weekend is upon hand. We get to do “our thing”, whatever it may be. I know of a guy some years ago, who would get home, sit in front of his large fish aquarium, and talk to his fish for hours. He said it was very teurapatic (therapeutic) [my spelling of the word versus the actual one in brackets – close😏😉🤣]. Right…

Celebrating the Writer INNOVATOR.

We, that is my wife – Jeannie, the Batik Influencer, and I – Alan, the Hatted Writer; will be at our booth, located at F1.10, first floor; to celebrate the 68th year as an independent nation with all you lovely people. As Malaysia celebrates, so does its people.

Merdeka today, is not just about flag waving or standing at attention when our national anthem is sung, it is more than that. It is about a nation that continues to work towards being a culmination of peace. That peace is freely offered towards all its peoples and the ever-growing number of people visiting our country, and even calling Malaysia “home”. Sure, there are little bumps and hiccups along the way, it is evident that we are conscientiously working at smoothening them out.

This gentleman definitely has moved in strides and made a fashion statement. I love his spectacles. His hat hints that he could be a Broadway dancer.

The Batik Influencer will be showcasing her latest in Batik Cape Creations under her JEANNIE’S OWN label. The number of pieces available is very limited. So, it would be best for you to come early and get at least one for your very own self. What a way to celebrate this year’s MERDEKA.

I, amongst the many things of our own which we will make available for you to acquire (yes, these multiple items were collected during our travels made over the years); will be showcasing my just published book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT. Here is the opportunity to get a specially personalised copy by the author, direct from the author, himself.

Celebrate Merdeka 68 with Jeannie, The Batik Influencer; and I, Alan, The Hatted Writer, at Amcorp Mall, 30 August – 1 September 2025.

The Batik Influencer demonstrating the versatility of one of her JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.

Yes, this is totally me! Awesome!

Samsung Galaxy Fold 5, Crumpler and Ferrari all have something in common, quality. They ooze in greatness.

Mother and daughter combination – JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.

Long time dear friend, Richard Kok; with his copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.

I am glad to share the success of having published this book with Richard Kok. Success is about getting on with it. Now, for my next book…

Prim and proper. Beauty and elegance. Everything matches, including the ring,

With the unique lace version of a JEANNIE’S OWN Batic Cape Creation.

A new follower, Erryq; with his copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.

Address:
Amcorp Shopping Mall,
Booth 1.10, 1st Floor, ,
8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: August 30th, August 31st & September 1st 2025,
Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 8.00pm)

CLASSMATE GETS HIS SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT BOOK

The marvel of modern technology – we are not connected, yet we are. Let me explain.

Don’t leave home without it. No, not American Express; your smartphone.

Today, most of us use smartphones . According to Priori Data, there are 4.88 billion smartphone users (1). I repeat, smartphone users… not mobile phone users. 4.88billion is over 1/2 the world population of 8 billion.

These bits and pieces of technology has made us reliant…ok ok… that’s putting it mildly… has made us over-reliant on this technology. Nowadays, meeting face-to-face is becoming times of scarcity.

While we are connected with almost everybody on earth, the distance cannot be further from the truth when we talk about physical connection.

All said and done, the smartphone is definitely a must have. Almost every facet of your life has to function through your smartphone. To delve what it can and cannot do (got meh? [2]) will require another essay, chapters, books to be written.

It is because of this technological marvel – the smartphone, and the multiple social media applications that run on these devices that my classmate Mohan Singh, and I; and our other classmates and schoolmates, have re-connected with one and other, and have remained connected after all these years. Many of our classmates reside in other parts of the world – and we are connected.

Mohan, with his personalised copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.

Mohan and our La Salle@75 Whatsapp (one of the most popular, if not the most popular social media “connection” applications [apps for short] in Malaysia) group, have been keeping abreast with my posts on leatherpotato.com. At this juncture, I like to note that an evergreen teacher of ours, Mr. Michael Xavier; is in our La Salle@75 Whatsapp group. He is an active participant, with his usual “Good morning, take care guys” daily greetings. We are blessed to have him with us in the group.

One day, about a year ago; Mohan calls (Whatsapp phone, what else? 😁) me and said, “Let’s meet for breakfast”. At breakfast, he said that I should publish the book that I talked about writing… that I had my manuscript which I just needed to put together.

From there, I connected with one of his friends…and the rest as they say is….elementary. 😁

We met at Star Bhavan for breakfast today. Mohan acquired his copy of the just published SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.

Star Bhavan was more than its usual hive of activity. There was a group of elderly ladies who sauntered in for breakfast and a spritely chat after what looked like an exercise outing for them. They talked quite loud, excitedly. We young ones, that is Mohan and I; had a bit of a time trying to concentrate on our own conversation.

In our discussion, Mohan shared ideas on further promoting the book. We also talked about my next book. Hint: It has something to with a bicycle. 😉😊

NOTES:
1. As of 2024, there are approximately 4.88 billion smartphone users worldwide, accounting for about 60.42% of the global population. The number of smartphones in use globally is around 7.21 billion. China leads global smartphone ownership with 974.6 million users.1 Jan 2025 https://prioridata.com/data/smartphone-stats/
2. Local Chinese way of expressing disbelief.