#TudorUSJ4

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.

HOME AT TUDOR

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

It is a sunny morning but the sky is overcast with what seem like light rain clouds. There was a light drizzle in the early hours of this morning.

The sparkle of light as seen on the drops of rain still on the flowers…

…the sun’s rays of light reflecting off the drops of rain that heavily dot the leaves is evidence of the sun making a grand appearance in the sky soon.

It has been a sunny, but wet several days. But the weather hardly deters me from my daily 15 kilometer (km) walk.

15km walks are long walks, even though my walks are fairly brisk. There are perks to it besides keeping fit and helping reduce weight.

Aunty Vimala and her daughters have decorated their house with beautiful lights and other decorations in preparation for Diwali (1), which is tomorrow.

Diwali is The Festival of Lights, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains all over the world.

While on my daily walks, I meet with many of my neighbours along the way. Last evening for instance, I met with “MacGyver” Tan as he was just getting out of his car after coming back from somewhere. He moved very slowly, as though in pain. He told me that he had been through a surgical procedure on his stomach two weeks ago. We wish him a speedy recovery.

The Tudor community is considered young. MacGyver, Zul and I were amongst the earliest to move in when the houses were ready for occupancy. I have seen Zul’s, McGuyver’s and Sharifah’s children grow up – all of them are very pleasant and respectful – in fact all the children of Tudor and those who have become young adults, are very courteous and friendly.

There are times when I pass by a house in road C; there is a lady who plays beautiful classical music on the piano. The tone of her piano has a brilliance about it, so much so that the classical pieces she plays, which are not the usual ones you may hear, are beautiful.

We’ve got quite a few musically talented people in our community. Ian, a talented violinist, who has just completed his IGCSE; has performed with the National Youth Orchestra. We met on a couple of my walks. He is a bright, young gentleman. His younger sister is a cellist. If I am not mistaken, she wants to teach the cello. Wow! I think Tudor might be able to form a string quartet. Looking forward to that possibility.

There are times when I walk pass a house when I see Geeta, with a dainty, shallow basket hanging from one hand; pluck little white flowers from one of her many flower plants. She and Subee have transformed the curb to a garden of paradise. I am attracted to vibrant colours. Their garden has so many different colour flowers and plants. Both Geeta and Subee get great pleasure from the work they put into their garden.

There is a beautiful, tall overflowing fountain of white bougainvillea that greets everyone at the junction of road A. It is very pretty.

In our community, there is sort of a plant exchange “programme”. Jeannie gives plants or cuttings of plants to neighbours on her morning or evening walks and gets different plants back in return.

As the festival of lights is just hours away, Jeannie and I, together with our daughter; would like to wish all our Hindu, Sikh and Jain community a very Happy Diwali!

NOTE

This is the third episode of the Tudor-ian series. More to come. You can read up on the other two essays:

THE WALK IN TUDOR

THE GARDENS OF TUDOR

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  1. Diwali is a significant festival in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. Wikipedia