Life is... a beautiful smile

Hum. Pernah masuk kedai besar-besar dan tak dipandang langsung oleh sales girl/man hatta sebelah mata sekalipun? Pernah menerima layanan paling menggigil bila masuk ke kedai yang menjual baju berharga ratusan dan ke atas? Pernah menerima pandangan sinis dari tokeh kedai (yang kemungkinan besar sales girl jugak) bila kita memilih, dan memegang barangan derang yang harga mencecah ribuan ringgit? Jangan risau. Anda tidak keseorangan. Ramai lagi insan-insan lain di luar sana mengalaminyer, termasuklah aku. Heh.

Perkara di atas selalu terjadi pada aku apabila:

1. berpakaian macam budak sekolah aka seluar jeans, tshirt, selipar jepun, sling bag.
2. tidak mempunyai saiz badan sesuai untuk kedai berkenaan
3. tidak mempunyai muka yang meyakinkan aka muka ada duit aka muka kaya-raya

Sejauh mana pentingnya imej orang kaya pada anda? Kita memanglah disuruh berpakaian cantik dan kemas supaya sedap mata memandang dan tidak membawa imej ala-ala langsuyor masuk pekan, TAPI perlu ke bergaya macam orang tak pernah masuk shopping complex dengan memakai spek hitam di kala malam atau mekap tebal satu inci walaupun nak masuk Jusco? Alahai… aku rasa masalah sebenar untuk perkara di atas ialah… BIAS. Suka pandang rendah kat orang. MEMILIH. No offense yer tapi aku tengok kalo uncle/auntie chinese tu masuk kedai pakai baju tido pon dapat layanan hebat. Tau la depa banyak duit… tapi ingat kami ni tadak duit ka? Amboi-amboi… tuh la, sales girl/man ni pun dah pandai memilih customer; tanak orang melayu macam kami ni (sori yek, tapi bukan la suma sales girl/man atau yang lebih suka dipanggil promoter ni bersikap pilih rupa macam tu… sikit jer… tapi, yang sikit tuh la perosak imej dan nama baik suma sales girl/man nih).

Memang betul, aku pun paham kepenatan melayan pelanggan, especially kalo pelanggan tu tanak beli ape-ape. ‘Nak tengok jek’ ß kata aku la, selalunya. Tapi ‘nak tengok jek’ tu bagi aku membawa maksud aku tengah survey barang, dari segi rupa, harga, kualiti, kesesuaian… takkan masuk kedai terus nak beli? Pengguna yang bijak biasanya dah survey barang yang sama kat beberapa kedai sebelum membeli. Manalah tau tersalah beli ke, kan? Nanti pegi kedai lain tengok barang yang sama dengan harga lebih murah, mau tak meraung… (pernah jadik kat aku nih). Especially bila nak beli barang yang regenye dah cecah ratusan atau ribuan ringgit. Mestilah aku jadi seorang yang sangat cerewet di kala itu. Yela, pakai duit sendiri. Aku tadek sugar daddy yang bleh hulur duit macam tu je kat aku. Paham-paham sendiri laa…

Anyway, aku ucap terima kasih la pada sales girl/man yang berjaya melayan kecerewetan customer dengan senyuman. Tak salah kita buat baik pada orang, tak luak pon. Ingat satu je, kalau nak marah, cuba senyum. Mesti sedikit sebanyak rasa marah kita tu berkurangan. Ini bukan ditujukan pada sales girl/man je, tapi buat semua umat manusia yang tak sukakan pertelingkahan. Terima kasih. J

Life is... Tiramissyou (part 1)

Korang percaya tak dengan jatuh cinta pandang pertama? Korang pernah jatuh cinta pandang pertama? Apakah yang dikategorikan dengan cinta pandang pertama tu? Hum. Aku pun tak tau. Pengalaman cinta aku tak banyak. Boleh dibilang dengan jari. Boleh juga dikatakan tipikal. Zaman sekolah, zaman belajar, dan zaman sudah bekerja. Semuanyer bagi perasaan yang berlainan.

Zaman sekolah. Masing-masing muda lagi. Dulu aku ni boleh jugak dikategorikan sebagai tomboy. Bestfren aku budak lelaki. Aku tak susah nak buat kawan. Cuma aku tak suka dengan perangai pelik budak-budak pompuan time tu. Zaman sekolah aku boleh dibahagi pada dua zon; sekolah biasa dan sekolah asrama. Masa sekolah biasa, masa sekolah rendah dulu-dulu kat Melaka, aku memang biasa habiskan masa dengan bermain. Budak mana la yang tak suka main oiii… budak zaman sekarang je mainan derang pelik. Dulu kitorang main basikal, kayuh laju-laju turun bukit, lumba sapa panjat bukit dengan cepat (kalau jumpa anjing liar lagi laju kitorang lari), main soft ball, main baling selipar / baling tin dengan bola tenis (lepas tu bijik mata lebam pasal sorang anak jiran target baaaik punya kat depan mata aku). Semuanya aktiviti yang tak keluarkan duit, cuma keluarkan peluh jek (dan keluarkan tenaga lebih bila kena kejar ngan mak pasal baju kotor macam belacan). Budak zaman sekarang ni lembik sket. Pengaruh jahat pun banyak. Eh aku bukan nak cerita pasal tu la. Aku nak cerita pasal cinta zaman sekolah.

Cinta pertama aku masa di sekolah tadika. Itupun kalau boleh dikatakan cinta la. Ala dulu budak-budak apa tauuuu… tau main, main je… alkisahnya aku nih memang kuat main sejak kecik lagi. Dan kawan-kawan aku biasanya mestilah budak lelaki. Mungkin sebab aku suka main lasak-lasak kot. Peh tuh ada la satu hari tuh aku main kejar-kejar ngan sorang budak laki tu, syok punya main tiba-tiba ada la sorang budak pompuan nih yang berambut panjang dan bertocang (seriyes, rambut dier panjang giler walaupun dah bertocang) masuk campur dan nak main sekali. Yang aku herannyer dia nak main kejar-kejar ngan budak laki nih jek. Panas hati aku. Terus aku marah dan tarik rambut dia. Haha. Cam kelaka. Jeles. Itupun kalau kau boleh panggil cinta la. Tapi aku tetap berkawan baik dengan budak lelaki tu sampai la darjah 3. dia pindah lepas tu. Pindah Johor. Kesian aku kena tinggal.

Cinta seterusnya. Bila kita dah belajar mengenali batas-batas persahabatan antara lelaki dan perempuan. Bila kita dah belajar halal haram dalam hubungan (masa ni aku dah start sekolah agama pada waktu petang, budak zaman sekarang ada sekolah agama lagi keh?) aku berkawan baik dengan seorang ‘bintang’ sekolah. Dia pandai, berkulit cerah, tinggi berbanding kawan-kwan lelaki yang lain (masa tu kan budak pompuan membesar awal), dan digilai ramai. Heran gak aku, kecik-kecik lagi dah pandai suka kat orang itu ini. Masa dulu mana ada henpon. Dulu main surat-surat je. Tulis surat pastuh selit bawah meja. Bukan. Bukan aku. Orang lain. Aku ni kawan baik dia. Sampai kalau kitorang gaduh pun cikgu dapat detect. Memang takleh lari. Kalau citer hindustan tu macam Kuch Kuch Hota Hai la… memang rapat gila. Tapi walaupun dia popular, ketua pengawas, banyak dapat surat cinta, aku masih tak jeles ngan dia. Lah, kawan baik katakan. Sampai la satu ketika masa kawan sekolah agama kitorang yang boleh la dikategorikan cantik dan pandai jugak bagitau kat aku yang dia pun minat dekat kawan baik aku ni. Masa tu sentap seketika, pasalnyer, aku tak pernah terfikir aku akan tersepit dalam situasi tu (haiceh, kecik-kecik lagi dah pandai berperasaan camtuh). Nak dijadikan cerita, aku pun buat la satu sajak khas pasal kawan baik aku nih untuk kawan perempuan aku ni ha… (dulu aku nih buleh kata hebat la dalam permainan bahasa ni… skang ni buleh jadik loyar buruk je la…). DAN KAWAN LELAKI AKU NGAN GATALNYER TERBACA SAJAK YANG AKU TULIS TU. Wah, masa tu aku rasa biasa lagi. Tapi rupa-rupanya kawan lelaki aku tu ingat aku ada perasaan kat dia! (memang betul pun tapi aku takde la sampai gila bayang kat dia). Sajak tu dengan jayanya merosakkan hubungan persahabatan kitorang. Dia dah tak mahu lagi duduk sebelah meja aku dalam kelas. Dia dah tak mau lagi main badminton sambil memperlecehkan raket cap ayam aku lepas sekolah agama. Dia dah tak nak bercakap dengan aku. Sampaikan cikgu panggil kitorang, tanya apa masalah, dia akan kata ‘kami ok je cikgu… tak gaduh pun…’ hakikatnye, kalau tak gaduh, takkan la dari meja kat depan, diusung ke belakang? Semua orang tau. Tapi semua cuma mampu diamkan jer. Dan… persahabatan kami berakhir bila bapak aku ajak pindah ke Terengganu. Masa hari terakhir aku kat sekolah, dia cuba jumpa aku, dia cuba bercakap dengan aku, tapi bila bertentang mata, dia cuma mampu tersenyum kelat sambil mengangguk dan merelakan aku pergi. Sedih weiii… bestfren tuh!

Sekarang ni, apa yang aku dapat simpulkan dari kisah cinta zaman sekolah (rendah) aku adalah, cinta pada sahabat / teman; maksudnya tak semestinya kita bercinta dengan dia, tapi kita sayang dia, kita appreciate dia sebagai sahabat kita masa susah dan senang, kita berkongsi, kita cuba bersaing untuk menjadi yang terbaik dalam kelas, kita bersaing untuk menjadi ternama di bidang sukan, kita bersaing untuk mendapat tempat teratas untuk setiap kali peperiksaan dan kita bersaing untuk menjadi yang terhebat di setiap pertandingan di peringkat daerah. Istilah cinta zaman sekolah rendah aku bukanlah cinta pada kekasih, tapi cinta pada seorang yang berstatus SAHABAT.

*amaran : ini bukan orang yang sama.

Life is... a cup of bitter-sweet coffee.

Ever wondered why people are addicted to coffee?

Most people claim that coffee gives them the perk needed especially to start their days. A good cup of coffee could forecast the kind of day that lies ahead – slow, hectic, chaotic! Anyway, experience taught me that if a cup of coffee failed to give you the perk, don’t expect the remaining nine to do you any good!! When I was studying, I would make myself pots and pots of coffee in order to stay awake and complete those literature assignments which were due on the next day. Nevertheless, I always found myself dozing off in the middle of the process or writing about Hamlet when I was supposed to write on Orlando as in Shakepeare’s As You Like It.

Some people drink coffee simply because it gives them that social status or what ever you call it. You could actually tell the personalities / characteristics of a person just by his drinks. This might come in handy especially if you are looking for a potential life partner.

Espresso: Someone who tries so hard to impress the others, in particular people of the opposite sex. He could also be an extremist and a non-conformist, and trying so hard to prove it! Orange is his colour; just as pink is to Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde. Age: He doesn’t tell and don’t try to guess. The only response you would get from him would either be a shrug or simply a stare. Mr Espresso is full of mysteries. If you’re thinking of spending the rest of your life ala Sherlock Holmes, or with a “ till death do us part ” partner, then, Mr Espresso is the man for you. A cup of Espresso will last him 1 to 2 hours – and the relationship, longer. He’s deep, truly deep. However, if you can’t fathom him, just raise your hand and ask for the cheque – fast!

Mocha / Latte / White Coffee: Simply for beginners or those who were brought up drinking Nescafe! His choice of drinks is often based on his mood for that particular day. Unlike Espresso lover, he gulps his drinks in less than 10 minutes, sometimes even faster. Ladies, be warned if you’re dating someone who orders these drinks: you might be dating a player, Mr Romeo himself. Just like his choice of coffee, the relationship usually will not stand the test of time. The good news about going out with Mr Mocha / Latte / White Coffee ( what ever name you decide to call him ) is he is not as complicated as Mr Espresso. Don’t worry – this type of coffee lover wouldn’t make you spend your first date ( and the followings, if any ) answering quiz questions or pondering as to why the third world countries are being deprived of their what so ever by who ever… ( Hint: Mr Espresso ) He also comes with a complete resume. Ask him about his age, and he’ll tell you the nicknames of all his siblings – including their hobbies. By the time you leave the restaurant or café, you would feel as if you have met the entire clan.

Ice-blended / frappuchino / what-ever-is-the-name-of-the-latest-drinks etc: You are dating the most up-to-date, well-informed, information-at-his-fingertips kind of guy here. Chances are he also knows how many branches of Moonbucks or Tea Beans are available in Klang Valley alone – and that he has gone to each and every one of them. He also knows whether a particular drinks should be taken stirred, not shaken. ( His last name is Bond, by the way. ) Don’t worry if you are unfamiliar with the new drinks that just hit the market; he is your walking encyclopedia. Let him order, after all, you might mispronounce the words. Just get your wallet ready! This kind of guy loves to talk – so, you need to be a good listener ( with the occasional aha or mmm ) in order for the relationship to last. Chances are you guys would be wandering to the latest, trendiest recently-opened boutique-for-men or salon after having your cuppa. Get yourself ready for the new hairdo or that fashionable fishnet shirt – on him, not on you!

Traditional Kopi Jantan / Kopi Ginseng / Tongkat Ali / Kacip Fatimah: It is believed that this combination would help boost an individual’s energy and that many people have sworn by it! Just browse through today’s dailies or stay put in front of the television set for an hour: you’ll be surprised to see how many Pak Abus, Pak Abases, Pak Ahmats and the likes appear in the coffee adverts! Now, who are you dating now? “ A real man ” ( claim the coffee drinkers ), where in real life, they might be over-the-hill guys who try so hard to keep up with their yester years!!! These people might be the typical MCP – and women should wait upon them. A typical home scenario would be the husband reading the daily newspapers, five kids in the background, a pair of cats lying on the couch, the decorative bonsai tree next to the door, piles and piles of unopened mails on the top left of the drawer… Wait a minute – where is the lady of the house? She might be scrubbing the kitchen floor or taking out the garbage right now. ( And men need ginseng and tongkat ali? )

Enough of reading too much in between the lines, or in this case, in between the cups of coffee…. After all, we can’t go around asking our potential partners on what types of drinks they consume!!! My advice: Just take life as it is… sweet and bitter, all at the same time – just like a cuppa.

Life is... NOT being on the centre stage all the time.

( A special dedication to all my busy friends out there… )

So, how important is recognition to you? How important is it to be on the centre stage and in the lamp light? Ask any of my colleagues today, and chances are that they would rather be at the side line. So we are not ambitious ( that explains why we are not involved in Putera UMNO’s North PoleJump project – other than the fact that we are not Mat Rempits ), we prefer to remain obscure, overshadowed by the rest… Let us be. Leave us all alone. Call us anti-social, pessimist etc….

Why is this negativity? Simple…. We are tired of running around and looking after other people’s welfare, interests, well being but are THEY doing the same thing to us? ( Minus the lip-services… ) It’s time to be selfish, to focus on me, myself and I. Less on you, yourself.

Being academicians, our main responsibilities would be: Being involved in the teaching-learning process ( before, during and after ); producing and preparing the syllabus, updating our notes, students’ attendance etc etc etc., conducting research, all the stuff that an academician is supposed to handle. Right? Wrong. You are lucky if you could spend a few minutes going through your previous lecture notes for the purpose of updating, but most often than not, you would be so tied up with other nitty-gritty details such as being involved in this and that event that would be attended by Datuk So-and-So ( or better, His Royal Highness himself ), which would be held at the prestigious Putra World Trade Centre or any 5-star hotels, in which there would be a live TV coverage, just because a famous celebrity is going to perform and the list goes on and on.

Of course – you would be highly responsible for that. The event would be attended by certain VIPs but you would be the Super VVIP. It’s true that you might not be occupying the centre stage or the VIP seat ( which of course, would not bear your name ), but the responsibility in making the whole event a success is literally on your shoulders. Should you decide NOT to help in the event, the whole thing might be scrapped off and fingers would point at you! In order to restore peace and solidarity in this whole universe, you decide to join in the project. Oh well, just once – it won’t hurt, or so you thought. You’re wrong. That one particular time will lead to the next and the next and the next times. The institution might change its name for the tenth time, but chances are you are still around and still running around whenever there are events, activities, projects!!!

Yes, everybody knows your name by now. But is that what you really want? Is staying back long after work with only your Windows Media Player as your mere companion your idea of happiness? Is neglecting your loved ones ( or being neglected in return ) your life-long objective? All those sleepless nights thinking whether your ISO procedures would be audited by the ever famous Mr. M or finalizing the event agenda for Datuk So-and-So’s approval – are they worth it?

Chances are – they are not. There’s more to life than just being on a stage, at the centre stage in particular. Sometimes, being a spectator would give you the happiness that you deserve – much more than being the main key organizer. Stop and smell the roses.

Life is… something that should be seen through the eyes of a child.

How time flies. My used-to-be-very-small nephews and niece have all outgrown me. As my younger brother would lament, “If they were to ask us to form a line, both you and I would be the shortest ones! ” ( A consolation though, we would also be the slimmest! ) Not only they out do us in sizes, but they are all so grown up now.

Along, the eldest, is currently pursuing his Dentistry programme at my Alma Matter. Dek Wan has just completed his SPM and wowed everyone with his perfect As accomplishment, making everyone’s previous SPM results seem mediocre. My used-to-be partner-in-crime, Lala, has gone to a boarding school far, far away in Gopeng, leaving her Barbie Dolls collection at home. Now, the only one left at home would be Ami – and he’s only three, too young to form any alliance with his weary but good looking auntie ;o) or run after chickens during a Hari Raya celebration like Along used to do!

It’s amazing how much we could learn from our younger generation, actually. Though older and wiser, I learnt a lot from both Badin and Kak Long’s kids, in particular, Along. Pursuing my degree programme at the oldest university in Malaysia gave me an opportunity to spend my time with my brother’s family – not to mention it helped my economic status as both lodging and food were FOC!

When Along was born, everyone couldn’t help but to pamper him. He was after all, the first grandchild with both of his parents being the oldest children in their respective families. As young as the age of four or five, his love for reading enabled him to use Malay idioms in daily conversations that caused our jaws to drop! Imagine listening to a young boy saying, “ Along ni seperti Belanda mendapat tanah pulak…” When we asked him what made him uttered the line, he justified himself by saying, “ Ye lah. Mak Lang dah bagi mainan, Along nak mintak yang lain pulak! ” My salute went for him. I was ( and still am ) impressed with my own nephew! Sometimes, when he was bored with reading, he would challenge his mom for berpantun which among the lines that would send us bursting into laughters would be “ Kalau cik adik orang yang pandai… ” Anyway, this was not really surprising since Kak Long is a strict Bahasa Melayu teacher! Along’s love for readings encouraged the others to read too – well, after all, we had to tell him bed-time stories back then!!!

Along has also shown his diplomatic and ‘ world peace’ traits ever since he was young. I remember searching high and low for him during a Hari Raya, only to find him at the back of our kampong house, apologizing to a mother hen, over and over again. When asked for such behaviour, he claimed that he was fairly responsible in causing the death of one of the chickens. ( Being a city boy, he was amazed by the small chickens and ran after them. In doing so, a chick must have tripped and died. ) Animals, deserve to be treated like humans too. When you do them wrong, the least that you can do is apologize and admit your mistake.

There was a time when my brother and his family paid me a visit. ( I was staying in the campus at that time ). As his daily exposure and encounter with people would be with his parents as well as his nanny, Along was definitely amazed with the idea of being surrounded by so many people from different races, too. As we were walking to my brother’s car, he couldn’t help but to notice a group of Indian students walking behind us. Trying to strike a conversation with them, he said “ Eh, Keling ”. I quickly turned and corrected him, “ Not Keling but India. ” He was quick to make amend and straight away apologized to them by saying, “ India ye, India” . Even they couldn’t help laughing over the antics shown by this boy.

At another incident, Along was the one who showed me that human beings – regardless of what you do and how much do you earn – deserve respect. After a long shopping day at Jalan TAR and as our car was waiting for the light to turn green, he spotted ( we all did, actually ) a DBKL sweeper standing by the road side, holding his broomstick. It was Along who started a conversation ( from inside the car ), “ Pakcik, Pakcik tengah buat apa tu? ” to which the sweeper answered, “ Tengah sapu jalan, nak. Macam ni lah kalau orang tak sekolah! ” At that time, I was so ashamed with my own self for thinking and acting that I’m better than the others, but I couldn’t help but to feel proud of him.

Sometimes, injustices happen to us. When they do happen, sometimes, we react accordingly. Sometimes, we just keep quiet… and hope that the whole thing will soon pass. Along proved otherwise. There was a time when Along was punished for getting into fight with Dek Wan. ( Normally, it would be Along who started the fights ) After being punished, only then his mother demanded what had actually happened. In between sobs, Along accused his mother of being unfair; asking for the explanation only AFTER giving him the sentence! He compared his case to one very famous murder case of a politician who was cut into 18 pieces by the murderer, citing “ Is it possible to ask the dead on what had actually happen? ” Kids, you just can’t beat them.

Of course there were instances where Along was merely Along – a small boy who acted his age, like the time when he wanted us to buy him ice cream and claimed ( in a voice loud enough to be heard by the other shoppers and they, in return, gave us angry stares ), “ Along tak pernah makan ice cream…” ( In reality, he had eaten enough ice cream to fit an army ). During his first cinema trip with the rest of us, we couldn’t help but grinned when suddenly a loud question traveled across the isle “ Mak Lang, mana Mak Lang? ” just as the lights were turned off. Of course, we thanked our lucky stars that he was soon engrossed in the movie instead of crying for his auntie and the rest of us.

( Along – this entry goes out to you. From Mak Lang with love. )

Life is… a brief encounter with Pizza Boy.

He does not work in a pizza parlor and I am not sure whether he has a penchant for pizza. He is not poor, either. He comes from a good economic background and currently, he manages two companies. However, he would always remain a Pizza Boy to me.

I remember narrating the Pizza Boy story to the whole class back in 1998. It was a fasting month and the incident that took place in a shopping complex touched my heart – and I decided to share it with the students, he included.

We were waiting for the breaking of fast. Fasting month normally brings out the best in everybody – and sharing a table with unknown strangers could now be tolerated. There we were at one end of the table, and a family of three that comprised a father, a mother and a small boy at the other end. While waiting for Azan, suddenly there was a loud crash. Everybody turned – only to notice that small boy lying on the floor, with a plate of what used to be pizza scattered all around him.

He tried to clean up the mess. Seeing that, his father straight away went to him and dragged him back to his place. It was time to break fast. While everyone heartily tucked into their food, the young boy was left staring into his parents’ dishes. And all the while, both of his parents acted as if nothing had happened!!! They did not communicate with each other, let alone talk to the boy! My heart ( I think everyone else’s too… ) went out to the poor soul – surely there are other ways to discipline one’s kid?

Something happened. ( We were not the only witnesses to this drama. ) A staff from the Pizza shop came to our table, with a plate of freshly-baked pizza. He went to the family and offered the dish to them – to be turned down by the father as they did not order it. The staff responded, “ I know, but I saw what happened. It’s on the house. Poor kid. ” His answer not only moved us – but it caused the poor kid to finally cry! Kindness – which should come from our own family – was extended by a total stranger.

I was moved by the whole incident – but I did not expect the class of 1998 to feel the same. I was wrong. As I was preparing for the next day’s lesson, he came to me. At that time, I hardly knew him. Why? He was always absent from my class – but I admit that he stood out from the rest. He was sharp and quick Nevertheless, I made a point of tolerating no-nonsense from potential trouble makers. Therefore, his visit was unexpected.

When I asked him for the purpose of his visit, his remark took me by surprise; “ I was that Pizza boy ”.

I soon learnt that everyone had their own story to tell.

Coming from a well-to-do family could sometimes be a curse. Being the eldest, it was obvious that his presence was not really welcome by both career-minded parents. As a result, he was sent to live with his grandparents and came back as a total stranger in the family after completing his SPM. He was determined to be the good older brother that everyone would look up upon – however, his mission was not accomplished. His failure to perform in an otherwise prestigious legal college added to his misery. He set up an example indeed – don’t turn out to be like your brother! So that he would learn his lesson, his parents decided not to support his studies in the institution he currently enrolled to , or to pay for his lodging or support him in any way!!!

Kindness came from other people – strangers, fellow friends, classmates, “ You ”, he claimed. I was sure I had not done anything nor helped him in any way. “ Yes, you did. Once you asked me whether I was down with fever. Then you asked me whether I was on drugs… You paid me attention, something which I seldom heard of in my own family. ”

Have you ever been in a situation that sometimes, you feel responsible for another being but you just cannot explain why? That was exactly what I felt for him at that time. No, nothing special was going on between us, we did not fall in love or what, he was merely a Pizza Boy. He did not accept nor request for any special privilege from me either - I remember barring him from taking my paper due to his lack of attendance. He sat for his external exam, nevertheless, with a running nose and a high fever, with only his sleeve as a substitute for handkerchief! Wonder how did the invigilators feel upon such a sight!!!

Time flew. The last thing I heard was that he went abroad to further his studies. We lost touch until one day, coming back from a class – I found a note signed with The Pizza Boy lying innocently on my table. Memories flashed. He was back. We met and though both of us have moved on, the link is still there.

The Pizza Boy incident taught me that the simplest deed could sometimes mean a mountain to the recipient. I am sure the little boy that we met during that fasting month has completely forgotten all about the incident, but the other Pizza Boy clearly hasn’t. Neither have I.

So, have you done any good deed today?

Life is... an LRT ride.

As time progresses, LRT becomes a significant part of my life. Other than being a convenient mode of transportation, LRT rides help me to develop my social aptitude – or vice versa. I have met ( though not necessarily lost ) some very interesting characters, as well as observed several antics or probably demonstrate my own frolics which can be a source of amusement to the others!

LRT helps nurture ( or vice versa ) our social skills. This is particularly true when you’re riding the train with your loved ones ( your other half, your close friends, your family members ) or when you are standing / sitting next to somebody that you need to form an impression on! Isn’t it amazing how much can you discover about your potential partner just by being in the rides? Some people also secure career-related opportunities just by being on a train.

Being on an LRT is also the best time for you to practise your acquired Double O Seven license; either checking out the cute guy who is standing at the end of the train (it would be even better if he noticed you too! or criticizing the fragrant, outfit, hairdo, accessories adorned by the gorgeous lady ( NOT ) that everyone is checking on right now – including your very own partner! This kind of rides often ends with you sulking all through out the journey or end up at a god-knows-what station just because you want to prove a point! It also helps some of us to practise on our pinching or boxing skills with of course, our other half as the target. Hey, it’s their fault of course! We were checking on the guys too but we were very discreet – unlike them!!! ( For once, don’t you just wish that you are going out with someone with an imperfect sight? )

LRT also develops our kiasuness. Admit it: how many times have you pretended to be sound asleep ( or that you’re the one with that imperfect sight ) just so that you don’t have to give up your seats to the elderly couple or the pregnant lady? Very bad of us, right! Okay, so probably you have given up your seats or chose not to sit ( so you won’t be caught in this predicament ) but have you REALLY talked to the ones seated / standing next to you? Really, really talked? ( Definition: NOT asking for time / station or asking the person to move! )

We let people intruded into our personal space by letting them sit / stand so close to us, but it always amazes me on how we remain very cordial strangers! We try so hard not to look into other people’s eyes as if each has a secret to guard. But most often that not, our eyes would wander around especially when we thought that people are not looking! ( Guilty! ) Talking about this, I know of a friend who brags of the fact that he is often surrounded by beautiful flight attendants!!! Ya, right… (Anyway, I won’t be talking much of this individual as he has been kind enough to accompany me on several rides home – though half-way - especially when it is very late. Thank you and therefore, my lips are sealed. )

My LRT ride last Thursday evening gave me my first encounter with a ‘special’ character after all through the years. A 20-something chap came into our coach and before we could say anything, he started doing a scene from the Coyote Ugly! He started rotating his body to left and right while holding on to the post in a provoking manner! Trust me, it wasn’t a sexy sight! The next thing I knew, he was doing some push ups on the floor while speaking to himself! Words of encouragement, maybe? What surprised me was… his perfect English!!! Anyway, the whole exercise must have tired him as I saw him taking a sip of drinks from what used-to-be a Coke bottle. Of course, his announcements from time to time simply amused me. Being a very polite young man who decided not to bother the rest of the commuters, he bowed and thanked the door before getting down at the next station. His exit was accompanied by sighs of relief from the others.

Certain stations evoke special memories which of course, relate to certain noteworthy individuals in my life.

Cempaka: The safest LRT station in the world ;o), probably because Cempaka happens to be the station where my daily LRT rides start / end. Regardless of the time of days, I would actually feel safe and secure. The only disadvantage of the station is that – being the third last / the first three station ( depending on where you start your journey: KL or Ampang ), I often found myself lulled to sleep and sometimes missed this stop!

Pandan Jaya: Used to be my premier destination – Everyday, both my partner and I would stop at this station before heading for dinners together. Sometimes, when either one of us had to stay back after work, or being on medical leave ( that would obviously be me ), we would meet each other here. Over the years, I have familiarized myself with Pandan Jaya night markets and all the neighbouring food stalls – Kedai Abang whose owner would be wondering what has happened to the couple who loves his nasi goreng kampong and sambal belacan , or the Roti John stall that serves the best Papa John and Mama John with a good return for money, or even the RM8 stall! Why RM8 stall? Simply because whenever we had our dinner there, the amount would always be RM8.

Hang Tuah: A historical station indeed. It was during our ride from the office after work one day that we discovered that somebody ( that would NOT be me, of course! ) had actually driven to office that morning! He had forgotten all about it. As a result, I became the punching target for I couldn’t stop laughing as we disembarked from the train and took the next one back to KL. ( Surely we couldn’t expect the car to make his own way back home, could we? ) On another occasion, I couldn’t help laughing when the train driver forgot to make his stop at the station even after announcing “ Stesyen seterusnya, Hang Tuah ” much to the horror of those who wanted to get down. As a result, the train had to stop in the middle of the track before pulling back into its actual destination. I don’t know what was going on in the driver’s mind that day as I also caught him announcing “Stesyen seterusnya, Sultan Ismail ” even though everyone was aware that the coming stop would be Masjid Jamek. Oh well, it must be his had-hair day.

Bandaraya ( aka Sogo ): Everyone’s favourite! A station that is famously associated with shopping, shopping and more shopping! The fact that this used to be my daily destination ( the good old days of Mara Old Building and Pertama Complex offices ) is another factor why this stop should be declared The Station of the Year. It should be listed in Malaysia’s Guinness Book of Record as the only LRT station that has ever been threatened with a bomb scare somewhere early this year. ( I hope I get my facts right regarding this. )

Titiwangsa: My current destination, before hopping into the awaiting Monorail in order to proceed to Vision City – my office. Actually, a nearer alternative ( LRT- Monorail interchange ) would be Hang Tuah but sometimes, I get people phobic! The idea of being surrounded by too many strangers suffocates me. ( Could this explain the reason why sometimes I just don’t feel going to class? Just kidding! ) I prefer going at my own pace and taking my own sweet time to work. It gives me the serenity that I need – to either mentally prepare myself for class or what ever meetings that lie ahead!!!

LRT would always play a significant role in our country’s development. Now, this is beginning to sound like an introduction to a Form 3 essay …

Anyway, life is… an LRT ride.

There would be many characters that you’ll meet – and lose - along the way. There would be many stops – and every stop has its own story to tell.